What’s German about German media theory?

Abstract

This chapter deals (a) with the history of German media studies in contrast to North America, and (b) with the systematic differences separating media studies, media theory, and media philosophy. After showing that German media studies have a decentralized, variable, and non-self-identical layout that derives from its history during the twentieth century, I will try to draw some consequences for the future of media studies, its research topics and its implementation in academic institutions and curricula. Other epistemologies like cybernetics and gender studies will be evaluated as possible historical models for media studies.