Module: Social Media, Journalism & Democracy

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Social Media, Journalism & Democracy
Module Code	MCO1066 (ITS: CM563A)
Faculty	Communications	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

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. 1D878707-C651-0001-AE5C-7CDC125B1684

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	Lecturer
Seminars	11	Seminars
Assignment Completion	26	Assignmewnt
Independent Study	66	Self-directed learning
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11015	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Alessio Cornia	Module Teacher	Eileen Culloty, Jane Suiter

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Individual case study	60%	Week 8
Project	Group Project	40%	Sem 1 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None

This module has been assigned the code: CM563A