COMM 7003 - Social Media Theory

3 cr.

Social media are powerful forces in the modern world, with much good linked to their implementation and integration into the social fabric. Nevertheless, technological development is not an unqualified blessing: technologies may have negative effects for some people, at some times, in some circumstances. Some negative consequences are unanticipated, some are predictable, and some are intentional features of the design or implementation. But because social media technologies are rightly seen as indispensable for solving problems and improving the quality of life, societies invest in the design and development of technologies, hoping to shape and direct it. This class will explore the relationship between technology and society to understand where technologies come from, how they are used within social media, and how they may be shaped to create better futures in society and industry. We will develop skills for critical analysis and argument development.