The digital sphere has given voice and meeting spaces to communities and activist groups, enabling social action, art and change. It has also been used by reactionaries, nationalists and the far-right groups to amplify hate filled messages. Analysing platforms that may include Facebook, Twitter, Uber and Wikipedia, the module engages with concepts such as participatory and collaborative culture, sharing economies, democracy and surveillance.
Students will engage in sourcing, analysing and critiquing social media content by way of a Digital Portfolio. This work will be contextualised by an essay that situates students' multimedia exercises within key debates in online culture. To facilitate this, lectures and seminars will explore various case studies - from mainstream politicians' use of social media in campaigning, to the intensification of hate speech in the cyber sphere, to the ethics of using unpaid journalists and the economy of sharing - in order to encourage students to engage critically with the relationship between politics, economics, personal expression and art making practices in the digital age.
Contact hours: 33
Private Study Hours: 267
Total Study Hours: 300
Main assessment methods:
Digital Portfolio (60%)
Essay (2,500 word) (40%)
Reassessment methods:
Like-for-Like
The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices.
The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages: https://kent.rl.talis.com/index.html
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1 Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of key theoretical approaches to the analysis of social media and user generated content.
2 Demonstrate basic knowledge about key events, movements and figures in the digital age.
3 Analyse a range of digital texts, taking consideration of issues of content, format and audience.
4 Produce critically informed interpretations of social media texts.
5 Critically analyse the ways in which different social groups may interact with digital communication practices.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1 Communicate effectively, using appropriate vocabulary, ideas and arguments in both a written and oral form.
2 Read critically, analyse and use a range of primary and secondary texts.
3 Employ information technologies to research and present their work.
4 Demonstrate the ability to deliver polished and well-structured writing in the English language, including: expression of complex ideas, arguments and subtleties of meaning and proper bibliographic referencing
University of Kent makes every effort to ensure that module information is accurate for the relevant academic session and to provide educational services as described. However, courses, services and other matters may be subject to change. Please read our full disclaimer.
