This Working Group on the History of Media Studies, hosted at the Consortium for History of Science, Technology and Medicine (CHSTM), aims to cultivate a community around a growing (and notably interdisciplinary) field of research. While a large literature of published work on the history of the cognate areas of film, media, and communication has accumulated over the last 40 years or so, there is nothing like a community or subfield in the manner of the history of psychology, economics, or sociology. Indeed, historical work on the media fields is notably cut off from better established fields in the history of social science, with which it often intersects. Connections with the far less developed history of the humanities are also awaiting development, since major strands of media, communication, and especially film studies have their origins in, and are oriented toward, the humanities.
If you are not already a member of the Working Group’s host, the Consortium for History of Science, Technology and Medicine (CHSTM), navigate to the CHSTM page to create a new account.
In the sign-up process, you will have the option to join the Consortium’s various Working Groups. Be sure to select the checkbox for History of Media Studies.
If you have any difficulties, please contact us.
David W. Park, Lake Forest College
Jefferson Pooley, University of Pennsylvania
Peter Simonson, University of Colorado, Boulder