N.C. State’s communication, rhetoric and digital media program hosted its fourth annual research symposium, which took place this past Friday and Saturday.
The research symposium, “Emerging Genres-Forms, Narrative — in New Media Environments” brought together experts from all over the world to engage in inquiry and discussion about the evolution of communication and the impact technology has had on human culture.
David Herman, arts and humanities distinguished professor in the department of English at The Ohio State University, gave the keynote address in Hunt Library Friday evening. His talk, “Narrative Worldmaking in Words and Images,” chronicled his investigation into how stories can be used as both a target of interpretation and a resource of “sense making.” Herman discussed how ideas developed by scholars can inform, and not just be informed by, developments in the sciences of the mind. Herman was formerly a professor in N.C. State’s English department before his tenure at Ohio State.
Following the talk Friday evening, a series of digital installations were placed on exhibition in Hunt Library. Digital installations are selections of artwork and practices that require digital technology as an essential part of the creative and/or presentation process. Artists included students and faculty from all over the United States, including many submissions from the University.
Talks on Saturday addressed the move of places of knowledge, such as encyclopedias and print newspapers to the digital world. Panel discussions included “Digitized Genres” and “Social Media and the Personal,” which addressed subjects such as the emergence and assimilation of new forms and genres in education, science, religion and politics.