YIJUN SUN

YIJUN SUN

Ph.D. Candidate in Communication at the University of Massachusetts Amherst

Teaching

Visual Culture and Technology

Undergraduate Course, N/A, 2024

In today’s digitally driven world, images permeate every aspect of our lives. But what defines an image, and what power lies within visuality and the act of seeing? In this seminar, we will explore the relationship between visual culture, technology, and society, examining theories and histories surrounding visual culture and technology, and contextualizing these inquiries within contemporary society. Throughout this course, we will unravel the symbolic, material, and representational aspects of images, discussing topics such as image reproduction, spectacle and modernity, surveillance technologies, imaging technologies, feminist narratives, and alternative modes of resistance.

Artificial Intelligence in the Past and Present

Undergraduate Course, N/A, 2024

Have you ever wondered how artificial intelligence has shaped our past, present, and future? In this course, we will take on a journey through the history of AI, discussing its multifaceted nature from three distinctive angles: technical development, philosophical underpinnings, and societal repercussions. From its inception to its contemporary prominence, we will discuss the mysteries of AI, exploring its evolution through the lens of theories of technology. Along the way, we will traverse the intertwined history of robotics and AI decision-making, the milestones in algorithm development, the representation of AI in popular culture, and questions of bias and social justice in AI practice today.

Introduction to Media Industries and Institutions

Undergraduate Course, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Department of Communication, 2022

This course provides an overview of media industry studies. It aims to introduce students to the analytical frameworks and main topics about the structure and economics of media industries, debating their implications for social inclusion and democracy in today’s world. The term “media industries” implies multiple industries. Through a combination of lectures, group projects, and research papers, we will examine the content and technologies of print, music, picture, and digital industries. In this course, we will discuss how and why contemporary media hardware, software, and content are situated within (historical) industrial structures of production, distribution, aggregation, and exhibition. Students are encouraged to examine media industries based on personal interests and write a research paper based on a semester’s practice.

Social Impact of Mass Media

Undergraduate Course, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Department of Communication, 2020

Do media impact us? In what ways? To what extent? With what consequences? This course explores these questions, among others. We will investigate various approaches utilized to determine if, when, and how media influence viewers, listeners, readers, and users. Along the way, we will learn about and discuss prominent theories, concepts, and social issues with which media effects researchers grapple. Some of the questions we will consider include: What does it mean to grow up in a media-saturated society? How does television violence impact society and individuals? Do images of race, class, gender, and sexuality in television, films, and advertisements influence our sense of self and others? Does mainstream news coverage create a more or less informed citizenry? What role does entertainment play in shaping our understanding of the world around us? How have new media technologies transformed daily life? The goal of this course is to expose students to theories, concepts, and empirical research that attempt to answer such questions. It also aims to instill the desire to better understand and explain the significance of media as cultural objects, texts, technologies, and practices in societies. The quest for such knowledge is often indispensable to many career paths and professions chosen by communication majors.