[Tracks M, S] This course interrogates the effects of new media forms and practices—along with the shifts in spaces, times, and modes of experience rendered by the contemporary global media sphere—on cinematic production. The main focus is digital cinema, and its themes and aesthetics are examined in relation to a wide variety of topics—from older screen forms to database aesthetics, virtual and augmented realities, video gaming, interactivity, immersion, and artificial life. Students will read widely in theories of digitalcinema and related new media (Stewart, Rodowick, Shaviro, Sobchack, Manovich) as well as considering how older theory (Benjamin, Debord, Deleuze) is relevant to the contemporary moment. Assignments will include mid-term and final essays. This is a twice-weekly media and screen theory class with a long session on Wednesday for film screenings and a regular-length seminar meeting on Monday. [Tracks M, S]