The impact of technology on communication, information and relationship with world

Graduate program in Communications opens variety of possibilities, from app designing to analyzing people’s relations

In a reality of social distancing, which forced us to use the internet to do many of the things we used to do in person, we cannot deny the important role of information and audiovisual technologies. Whether in social, cultural, political or scientific relationships, new resources and platforms are here to create possibilities for people to interact with the world. It is now clearer that we do not need to be physically close to communicate.

Developing research on technological products that can assist people’s relations with society is one of the possible skills to be developed by students admitted into the Graduate Program in Communications (PPGCom) of PUCRS’ School of Communications, Arts and Design – FAMECOS. The program’s coordinator, Prof. Dr. Cristiane Freitas, claims that Master’s and PhD students can get involved in app development, games, creative products and other related areas. “From another perspective, students can also reflect on the changes in information, aesthetics and cultural practices as well as on changes in relationships in organizations and in the social imaginary”, she says.

Structure to innovate and impact on communications

Students admitted into the Graduate Program in Communications of PUCRS, can delve into many areas associated with communications and information. Social networking, the influence of technologies in the mediation of the world, the importance of image in people development and the impacts of information on social reality and organizations are just some of them.

Students interested in areas such as audiovisual technologies, entertainment, journalism, advertising, culture and politics find in the Graduate Program in Communications a high level infrastructure for graduate studies. Students can have access to laboratories equipped with advanced technology for their research – including areas in partnership with Tecna and Tecnopuc – and diversified classrooms.

Qualified faculty and internationalization perspectives

Another point highlighted by Cristiane is the faculty:

“We have qualified professors, who are engaged in national and international research networks, playing an active role in the main scientific fora in the country”.

The program coordinator also highlights the fact that Master’s and PhD students can have international experiences with international researchers in seminars, research groups and double degrees.

The Graduate Program in Communications of PUCRS focuses on communication practices and cultures and offers two lines of research: Culture and technologies of images and imaginary and Politics and professional practices in communication. Being awarded grade 5 by Capes – Brazilian Federal Agency for Support and Evaluation of Graduate Programs, the deadline for application for the Graduate Program in Communications – Master’s and PhD – ends on Oct 30.

Science to find solutions to current issues

Cristiane points out that the University has been in line with the current times’ demands and has quickly adapted to remote teaching. “As technology and audiovisuals are part of our work, the classroom is an extension of reflection and the development of solutions to deal with the pandemic and to plan the future in transformation mediated by the media”, she points out.

In this sense, one of the program’s investigations is on the audiovisual aesthetic changes during and pandemic. Developed by Professor Dr. Roberto Tietzmann, the study connects with two others that are in progress: one of them is on social media live streaming, a phenomenon that became increasingly popular in the first months of this year.

The goal is to investigate the effects of the pandemic on the cultural manifestations of that period. According to Tietzmann, after the first semester of 2020, several themes and aesthetics reflecting the isolation and the audiovisual technology coming up as “the face” of this moment:

“The rectangles surrounding the frames of each video call, people’s homes going hand in hand with personal appearance as performance arenas and the isolation of each character in their own narratives”.

The research also contributes to the identification of examples and information that can inspire people to deal with production issues faced by students. “Thus, the investigation has a global perspective to collaborate with a local one”, the professor adds.

At the end of the study, the idea is analyze the impact of the isolation on the audiovisual aspects. It is also intended to put together a repertoire of strategies and solutions on how to keep active production within the means available today.