Module Specifications..
Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024
Please note that this information is subject to change.
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Description This module is concerned with examining the various relationships engendered by the rise of social media. It seeks to understand the role of technologies and media in both theoretical and empirical terms. It will therefore discuss theories that have sought to explain how media and technologies function in society, while it will also present and discuss various empirical studies that cover several spheres of life. The perspective of this module is critical in the sense of seeking to identify the various conceptual openings left by the theories while also gauging the implications of social media developments for political, social and economic life. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Identify, and critically analyse, social media related changes 2. Recognize the implications of social media for society and politics 3. Critically apprehend the impact of social media on various spheres of life 4. Demonstrate an understanding of the social and political role of social media 5. Evaluate the various theories linking technology to media and society | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Introduction. Media, technology, societyHow is technology implicated in socio-political and economic life? Instrumentalism and substantivism. Technological determinism and social construction of technology. The rise of the network society (Castells). Media ecologies.Social media and the economyInformational capitalism. Production and digital labour. Platform economy & platform cooperativism. A political economy of social mediaSocial media and politicsAre social media more democratic? Social media during elections, conflict and war. Social media, protest and activism. Collective and connective action, mobilisation. Digital counter-publics. Populism, manipulation, political polarisation and social media practices.Social media uses and abusesHow and why do people use social media? What determines media use? Abuses: addiction, cyberbullying, trollingDigital divides and access to knowledgeThe spread and diffusion of internet/social media. Notion of digital literacy. Digital divide, access. Knowledge, epistemology, participation, authority.Self and identity in social mediaThe presentation of self in social media; selfies and identity management. Gender, ethnicity and social mediaThe dark side of social mediaSurveillance and transparency. Hacking. Cyberconflict. Scams and fraud. Safety.Mobile media, locative media, polymediaTablets, iPads, smartphones. Mobile media. Locative media. Ubiquity. Polymedia and hybrid media spaces.Social media and networked socialitiesSociety and community. Networked individualism. The strength of weak ties.Future of digital media and technologiesHow can we approach the future of digital media? Questions of governance and regulation. Automation and algorithms, AI, IoT, etc. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List
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Other Resources None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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