CMJ 540 - Social Media and Digital Cultures

This course explores the digital cultures created through social media, the processes that go into their creation, and the impact these cultures have on individuals, groups, society at large. We will take a close look at how participation in digital platforms and on social media contributes to these collaborative, user-driven cultures, and examine the extent to which these cultures interact, impact, and reflect mainstream cultures. The creation of digital cultures in inexorably tied to identity performance and the conceptualization of social media as a potential virtual public sphere. Social media platforms are also often seen as a space for marginalized groups to connect, be heard, and influence dominant narratives. At the same time, corporations, hackers, and trolls are active players on social media sites as well, creating a space that is characterized by a wide array of voices and goals. In this course, we will examine all of these topics and explore the role these different variables play in the creation of digital cultures thought a consideration of relevant theories, extant research, and specific case studies. Students will also become familiar with some of the methodologies associated with research into digital cultures.

Prerequisites & Notes
Graduate standing AND permission.

Credits: 3