·      Identify and analyze different types and functions of online social media. 

·      Critically evaluate different conceptual theoretical frameworks offering an analysis of online social media.

·      Understand and discuss the current and potential future implications of social media on cultures, politics, and identities.  

·      Analyze and develop interpretive and evaluative arguments about cyberculture issues. 

·      Research and analyze dynamics of interaction between the participants of social media according to gender, regional context of origin and social class, and rate of adoption of new technologies, considering how these could affect their social lives both online and offline.

This course will investigate specific themes such as the social and political movements that take place within cyberspace, the formation of online communities, and online-identities and bodies. Particular attention will be paid to the analysis of the dynamics of interaction between participants of social media. It will be considered how online interaction can affect users' social lives both online and offline and to what extent these challenge our traditional assumptions about politics and society. In the light of access issues, and of the debate on the crisis of traditional communities, the course will provide students with a more in-depth understanding of the new forms of cohabitation that online social media support. The course will analyze whether and how social media contribute to the transformation of daily lives by providing a space that empowers collective dialogues and a space for rethinking the practice of public engagement. Through readings, in-class discussion, writing and a ethnographic/research project students will gain a greater understanding of cyberspace, its culture/s, and of how online interactions impact on the participants' lives offline, society and politics.

• Students will be expected to acquire a firm knowledge of online cultures and social media and everyday life. They will learn to engage in critically informed argument and to situate ideas about social media and earlier communication technologies in a context.
• Students will learn how we use mediated language and nonverbal behaviour to develop and maintain communities, social networks, new social ties, and to maintain relationships in our everyday lives
• Students will be trained in basic research skills which will be foundational for study at a more advanced level.

Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.

A:  Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.

B:  This is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.

There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.

C:  This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

D:  This level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.

Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.

F: This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.


Grading Standards:             A   95-100 %                       C+   77-79 %
                                            A-  90-94 %                         C   74-76 %
                                            B+  87-89 %                        C-  70-73 %
                                            B     84-86 %                        D   60-69 %
                                            B-    80 83 %                        F    below

Week 1, Jan. 17 and 19 / Introduction/ Social Media Applications: a Review/The Stages of Internet Studies