Social Media and Society

Course Code:

COMM 360

Course Type:

Elective

P:

3

Lab:

0

Credits:

3

ECTS:

5

Course Language:

English

Courses given by:

Nazlı ÇETİN GÜNDOĞDU

Course Objectives:

The course mainly aims to make students develop knowledge about main theoretical debates, notions and research methods in social media studies. Also, it seeks to bring students skills for developing questions on the influence of social media on society, culture and the individual and for analyzing these questions from a critical perspective through case studies.

Course Content:

Throughout the course, first social media will be defined in terms its distinguishing characteristics. Then, the course will cover the following topics: research methods in social media studies, identity construction in social media, the political economy of social media, the issue of privacy and censorship in social media, hate speech in social media, and social media and new social movements.

Course Methodology:

1-Lecture, 2-Interactive Lecture, 15-Assignment

Course Evaluation Methods:

A: Homework, C: Exam

Vertical Tabs

Course Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes	Program Learning Outcomes	Teaching Methods	Assessment Methods
1)Students can develop skills for comprehending how social media influences society, culture, and the individual	1,2,3,9,12	1,2,15	A,C
2)Students can develop skills for questioning the effects of social media on society, culture, and the individual in terms of economic, social, political, and cultural patterns	1,2,3,9,12	1,2,15	A,C
3)Students can develop knowledge about theoretical debates, notions, and research methods in social media	1,2,3	1,2,15	A,C
4)Students can develop research skills in social media studies	1,2,3,9,12	1,2,15	A,C

Course Flow

COURSE CONTENT
Week	Topics	Study Materials
1	Introduction
2	The definition of social media and its distinguishing characteristics	Christakis, N. A. (2009). Connected: the suprising power of our social networks and how they shape our lives
3	Research questions and methods in social media studies	Poynter, R. (2010). The handbook of online and social media research: Tools and techniques for market researchers. John Wiley & Sons.
4	Social media theories	Christakis, N. A. (2009). Connected: the suprising power of our social networks and how they shape our lives
5	Identity construction in social media	Christakis, N. A. (2009). Connected: the suprising power of our social networks and how they shape our lives
6	Identity construction in social media	Christakis, N. A. (2009). Connected: the suprising power of our social networks and how they shape our lives
7	The political economy of social media	Fuchs, C. (2014). Social media: a critical introduction
8	The political economy of social media	Fuchs, C. (2014). Social media: a critical introduction
9	Midterm
10	The issue of privacy and censorship in social media	Fuchs, C. (2014). Social media: a critical introduction
11	The issue of privacy and censorship in social media	Fuchs, C. (2014). Social media: a critical introduction
12	Hate speech in social media	Christakis, N. A. (2009). Connected: the suprising power of our social networks and how they shape our lives
13	Social media and new social movements	Foweraker, J. Theorizing social movements
14	Social media and new social movements	Foweraker, J. Theorizing social movements
15	General evaluation: the future of social media
16	Final

Recommended Sources

RECOMMENDED SOURCES

Textbook

Fuchs, C. (2014). Social media: a critical introduction. London: Sage.

Additional Resources

Christakis, N. A. (2009). Connected: the suprising power of our social networks and how they shape our lives. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

Foweraker, J. (1995). Theorizing social movements (Vol. 1). Pluto Press.

Poynter, R. (2010). The handbook of online and social media research: Tools and techniques for market researchers. John Wiley & Sons.

Morozov, E. (2011). The net delusion: the dark side of internet freedom. New York: Public Affairs.

Material Sharing

MATERIAL SHARING
Documents	www.coadsys.yeditepe.edu.tr
Assignments	www.coadsys.yeditepe.edu.tr
Exams

Assessment

ASSESSMENT
IN-TERM STUDIES	NUMBER	PERCENTAGE
Mid-terms	1	40
Assignment	5	60
Total		100
Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade		50
Contribution of In-Term Studies to Overall Grade		50
Total		100

Course’s Contribution to Program

COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO PROGRAM
No	Program Learning Outcomes	Contribution
No	Program Learning Outcomes	1	2	3	4	5
1	S/he has theoretical knowledge about the field of public relations			x
2	S/he knows the research methods and techniques that are related to the field of public relations.			x
3	S/he has knowledge and awareness about the interdisciplinary issues that are required by the field. He/she comprehends the relation of those issues with public relations.			x
4	S/he is able to make oral presentations in English about her/his field.		x
5	S/he has the digital competencies that are required by the field.			x
6	S/he has the ability of creative thinking that is required by the field of public relations.				x
7	S/he has the abilities of research, planning, implementation, measurement and assessment that are necessary for a successful public relations practice.			x
8	S/he evaluates and applies the knowledge and abilities she/he has acquired in her/his field to partner organizations in the sector through teamwork.		x
9	S/he is able to evaluate the knowledge and abilities she/he has acquired in her/his field from an analytical and critical perspective.			x
10	S/he has the awareness of practicing and developing the profession of public relations by adhering to ethical rules.			x

ECTS

ECTS ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD BY THE COURSE DESCRIPTION
Activities	Quantity	Duration (Hour)	Total Workload (Hour)
Course Duration	14	3	42
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)	5	15	75
Mid-terms	1	2	2
Final	1	2	2
Total Work Load			121
Total Work Load / 25 (h)			4,84
ECTS Credit of the Course			5

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