The network has become the dominant cultural logic of our time with new societal conditions spurred by the maturing of the internet and mobile platforms. In this class we ask: what tools can we use to study the place of networked media in society? What historical precedents might inform our evaluation of networked media? How is transnationality and the nature of audience for media impacted by the network? How can social media enable the formation of community? How is identity performed in/with networked media? How are constructions of youth, gender, race, ethnicity, and sexuality mediated through social media technologies? Can social media technologies be a vehicle for political activism? What are the commercial uses of social media? What are the ethical issues associated with distributed media technologies? Is it possible to refuse social media? Prerequisite: NCOM 3000 Introduction to Media Studies

This collaborative course explores the origins of social media viruses. We view and discuss trends in media consumption, sloganeering, and fashion. We trace the history of online advertising, YouTube videos, and Twitter and discuss the role of gossip and word of mouth in creating viral media. We read works by Malcolm Gladwell, Rob Walker, Clay Shirky, Deanna Zandt, Danah Boyd, Elinor Ostrom, and Yochai Benkler to gain an anthropological understanding of human interactivity. We define memes, shareware, and other features of the ever-evolving technological landscape in which messages live out their cycles of influence. Throughout the course, students maintain a blog/response log for assignments. For final projects, students can choose either to write a research paper on a topic relating to viral media, social media, or memes or to produce their own viral media video, photo series, or message campaign.

This collaborative course explores the origins of social media viruses. We view and discuss trends in media consumption, sloganeering, and fashion. We trace the history of online advertising, YouTube videos, and Twitter and discuss the role of gossip and word of mouth in creating viral media. We read works by Malcolm Gladwell, Rob Walker, Clay Shirky, Deanna Zandt, Danah Boyd, Elinor Ostrom, and Yochai Benkler to gain an anthropological understanding of human interactivity. We define memes, shareware, and other features of the ever-evolving technological landscape in which messages live out their cycles of influence. Throughout the course, students maintain a blog/response log for assignments. For final projects, students can choose either to write a research paper on a topic relating to viral media, social media, or memes or to produce their own viral media video, photo series, or message campaign.

This collaborative course explores the origins of social media viruses. We view and discuss trends in media consumption, sloganeering, and fashion. We trace the history of online advertising, YouTube videos, and Twitter and discuss the role of gossip and word of mouth in creating viral media. We read works by Malcolm Gladwell, Rob Walker, Clay Shirky, Deanna Zandt, Danah Boyd, Elinor Ostrom, and Yochai Benkler to gain an anthropological understanding of human interactivity. We define memes, shareware, and other features of the ever-evolving technology landscape in which messages live out their cycles of influence. Throughout the course, students maintain a blog/response log for assignments. For final projects, students can choose either to write a research paper on a topic relating to viral media, social media, or memes or to produce their own viral media video, photo series, or message campaign.