Course syllabus

SEMESTER 2, 2018

15 points

 
Course Convenor: 

 Neal Curtis - n.curtis@auckland.ac.nz

Teacher: Neal Curtis (lecturer) and (tutor)

Neal can be contacted via email (n.curtis@auckland.ac.nz), by phone (University extension 81187) or in person during office hours (Wednesdays 10am-12pm). Alternative times can be made.

Guest lecturers: Joe Lim, Annie Goldson, Margaret Henley

Course delivery format:

2 hours of lectures and 1 hour of tutorial (tutorials start in week 2)

Lecture is Tuesday 10-12 in Biology Building room 100 (106-100)

Check student services for tutorial times

Summary of Course Description:              

The rapid growth in social media since Facebook became public in 2006 has lead to significant changes in media ownership and broadcasting; interpersonal communication; journalism and publishing; politics and activism; marketing and promotion; conceptions of public and private; and the relation between online and offline. The course explores the rise of platforms like Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat, Tumblr, Tinder, Grinder, Pinterest, Ello, YouTube and others to examine this important social and technological phenomenon.

We will consider the political economy of social media to look at the changing face of the media landscape as well as the important role social media play in the age of “Info-capitalism” and developments in the shape of capitalism more broadly. The course also explores the ways in which social media have become increasingly central to all aspects of everyday communication raising questions about networks, friendships, surveillance, data ownership, free labour, celebrity and branding.

The course is both theoretical and historical, and aims to enable certain practical skills in the use of social media for purposes of social and political advocacy.

Course outcomes:

By the end of the course students will:

• Understand how social media relate to the history of the internet and the web
• Be cognisant of the culture behind the social media revolution
• Know what “Web 2.0” is and the type of media environment this term proposes
• Have an awareness of the role attention plays in the current economy
• Have an understanding of platforms
• Have a critical awareness of the affordances of the different platforms
• Have knowledge of important issues around surveillance and data ownership
• Have a critical awareness of cyber-bullying and trolling
• Develop a critical understanding of micro-celebrity and self-branding
• Have an awareness of how social media has changed journalistic practices
• Understand the ways social media have contributed to political campaigns and resistance
• Have a strong sense for the important role of participatory culture
• Be aware of the complex role of users and user generated content
• Be able to demonstrate an understanding of social marketing and the promotional role of social media
• Demonstrate an understanding of how to plan social marketing campaigns
• Have knowledge of the ways social media are used in interpersonal relations
• Have an understanding of the important role played by locative media
• Be able to situate the development of social media in relation to a number of theories pertaining to the role of media technologies

Assessment Summary:

Assignment 1: Project Proposal - 1,000 words, weighted at 20% - due date is midnight, Friday 24th August

Assignment 2: Critical Essay - 1,500 words, weighted at 30% - due date is Midnight, Friday 5th October

Assignment 3: Project Portfolio - 2,500 words, weighted at 50% - due date is Midnight, Thursday 25th October

Weekly Topics: This is still provisional topics are yet to be confirmed.

 Workload and deadlines for submission of coursework:           

The University of Auckland's expectation is that students spend 10 hours per week on a 15-point course, including time in class and personal study. Students should manage their academic workload and other commitments accordingly. Deadlines for coursework are set by course convenors and will be advertised in course material. You should submit your work on time. In extreme circumstances, such as illness, you may seek an extension but you may be required to provide supporting information before the assignment is due. Late assignments without a pre-approved extension may be penalised by loss of marks – check course information for details.