Academic Seminar: “Photography and Media Theory”

On October 21, 2025, at Room B010, Ton Duc Thang University, the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH) organized an academic seminar titled “Photography and Media Theory”, presented by Professor Scott McQuire from The University of Melbourne, Australia. The seminar was part of a series of thematic activities within the Sociology Program with a focus on Mass Communication.

The event was honored to welcome Dr. Pham Thi Ha Thuong – Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Trang – Vice Dean, Dr. Le Thi Mai – Head of the Department of Sociology, and Dr. John Hutnyk – Research Lecturer, together with a large number of lecturers and students from the Faculty.

During the seminar, Professor Scott McQuire introduced key arguments on the transformation of photography in the era of mass and digital media, from Walter Benjamin’s concept of “technological reproducibility” to the profound changes brought by digitization, social media, mobile devices, and artificial intelligence. He emphasized that contemporary photography is no longer merely a means of recording reality but also a computational, creative, and socially interactive process, reflecting how people construct and share the world through images. By connecting media theory with artistic practice, his presentation opened up new directions for research in media, culture, and the sociology of images.

The seminar not only provided an opportunity for lecturers and students to engage with international academic perspectives, but also contributed to the enhancement of academic competence, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary research capacity among learners. It was one of the regular international seminar series organized by the FSSH, aiming to develop academic programs that effectively integrate theory and practice.

Some photos from the seminar: