Module: Social Media, Journalism and Democracy

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Social Media, Journalism and Democracy
Module Code	CM5630
School	School of Communications
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Alessio Cornia Semester 2: Alessio Cornia Autumn: Alessio Cornia
Module Teachers	Jane Suiter Eileen Culloty Alessio Cornia
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

None

Description

The module examines the development and direction of social media, its impact on political, economic and social life and the implications for journalism and civic engagement.

Learning Outcomes

1. recognise the impact and influence of social media on political, economic and social life;
2. demonstrate how social media affects the behaviours by citizens and governments in different parts of the world;
3. critique the impact of social media on journalism practice;
4. assess the role of social media in citizen agitation and democratic transition
5. describe the impact of new business models on the media and on journalism

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	22	Lecturer
Seminars	11	Seminars
Assignment Completion	100	Assignmewnt
Independent Study	117	Self-directed learning
Total Workload: 250

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

Outline
Although a recent phenomenon, social media has opened up new opportunities for journalism while also challenging the traditional understanding of public participation and potentially empowering audiences and civil society organisations by offering new platforms for free expression and social activism. This module explores the meaning of this digital public sphere, examines its impact on media and politics and critically evaluates the transformative claims for platforms like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The module examines the theoretical and practical contexts within which social media such as Twitter, Facebook, texting and blogs exist and relate the skills of social media to trends in the political, communications and media sectors.

Topics
- Social Media and Democracy - Digital Journalism and Economy of New Media - Wikileaks and the right to know - Social media and political communication - Online activism and revolution - Citizen journalism; - Social media and censorship - E-government - The Business Model for Social Media

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Assignment	Individual case study (1,600 words, Wordage could be +/- 10%)	20%	Week 8
Project	Group Project	30%	Week 12
Assignment	Individual essay (3,600 words; Wordage could be +/- 10%)	50%	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

Chadiwck, A. and Howard, P. (eds.): 2010, The Routledge Handbook of Internet Politics, Routledge,
Downing, John (ed.): 2010, Encyclopedia of Social Movement Media, Sage,
Boehlert: 2009, Bloggers on the Bus How the internet changed politics and the press, Free Press,
Harfoush, Rahaf: 2009, Yes We Did! An Inside Look at how Social Media Built the Obama Brand., New Riders,
Negrine, R. and Stanyer, J.: 2007, The Political Communications Reader, Routledge,

Other Resources

None

This module has been assigned the code: CM563

Programme or List of Programmes

CSPD	PhD
CSPM	Master of Arts
CSPT	PhD-track
GDSMC	Grad Dip in Social Media Communications
MAJ	MA in Journalism
MSHC	MSc in Science and Health Communication
MSMC	MA in Social Media Communications

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