Module: Theorising Social Media in Everyday Life

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Theorising Social Media in Everyday Life
Module Code	CM293
School	School of Communications
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Eileen Culloty Semester 2: Eileen Culloty Autumn: Eileen Culloty
Module Teachers	Eileen Culloty
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Coursework Only

Description

This module explores the influence of social media on our everyday lives. We will examine the personal, social, political, and economic implications of social media platforms including major issues such as online identity, hate, participation, content moderation, and governance. People often make bold claims about the influence of social media when discussing it in the media and in everyday conversations. On this module, we will try to move beyond assumptions and anecdotes to interrogate those ideas. The overall aim is to introduce you to key theoretical concepts, context, and empirical evidence that will help you understand the influence of social media and help you develop an informed perspective on major topics and issues.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a high-level of knowledge about key dimensions of social media.
2. Apply analytical concepts and frameworks to assess the implications of social media.
3. Evaluate contemporary debates about the influence of social media.
4. Develop skills to argue for policy action and cite evidence.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	22	No Description
Independent Study	80	Independent study includes reading and reviewing the lecture slides, lectures notes, and assigned reading until they are understood.
Assignment Completion	23	Assignment work includes time spent preparing and delivering assignments.
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Lecture 1
Concepts

Lecture 2
Identity

Lecture 3
Participation

Lecture 4
Hate

Lecture 5
Harms

Lecture 6
Information

Lecture 7
Economics

Lecture 8
Algorithms

Lecture 9
Influence

Lecture 10
Privacy

Lecture 11
Position papers

Reading list
Concepts: boyd, d. (2010). Social Network Sites as Networked Publics: Affordances, Dynamics, and Implications. In Z. Papacharissi (ed), A Networked Self: Identity, Community, and Culture on Social Network Sites. Routledge: pp. 39-58. Identity: Marwick, A. (2013). Online identity. In J. Hartley, J. Burgess, and A. Bruns, A Companion to New Media Dynamics, Oxford: Blackwell, pp.355-364. Participation: Freelon D, Marwick A and Kreiss D (2020) False equivalencies: Online activism from left to right. Science 369(6508): 1197–1201. Hate: Ganesh, B. (2018). The Ungovernability of Digital Hate Culture. Journal of International Affairs 71(2): 30–49. Information: Bode, L. (2016). Political News in the News Feed: Learning Politics from Social Media. Mass Communication and Society 19(1): 24–48. Economics: Wu, T. ( 2017 ). Blind spot: The attention economy and the law. Antitrust Law Journal 82 : 771 – 806. Algorithms: Gillespie T (2014) The Relevance of Algorithms. In: Gillespie T, Boczkowski PJ, and Foot KA (eds) Media Technologies: Essays on Communication, Materiality, and Society. The MIT Press, pp. 167–194. Privacy: Hargittai, E. and A. Marwick (2016). “What can I really do?” Explaining the privacy paradox with online apathy. International Journal of Communication, 10: 3737-3757.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Short Answer Questions	Quizzes	25%	n/a
Essay	Position paper	75%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Other Resources

None

Programme or List of Programmes

BAJL	Bachelor of Arts (BAJL)
BAJM	Bachelor of Arts (BAJM)
BSSCI	BA Social Sciences & Cultural Innovation
CS	BA in Communication Studies
HMSA	Study Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science)
HMSAO	Study Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science)

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