Social and Interactive Media, 15 Credits

Contents

In this course, social and interactive media is studied theoretically, based on critical theory, empirically and through an design-oriented approach. Along the course runs a common thread combining three perspectives on social and interactive media: an individual perspective that deals with the relationship between identity formation and social media, a social perspective that deals with participation and power relations in social media, and a design perspective focusing on virality and social interaction.

Expected learning outcomes

Regarding knowledge and understanding, students will be able to:
1. Describe what constitutes social and interactive media.
2. Describe how various social media forms can be analyzed on the basis of critical theory.
3. Describe the impact of social media on identity formation.
4. Describe the methodological challenges when studying social media.

Regaring proficiency and aptitude, students will be able to:
5. Empirically study and analyze factors that generates participation and non-participation in social media.
6. Identify and analyze how power relations can arise in social media.
7. Develop strategies and counter-strategies in conflict situations in social media.
8. Develop, give grounds for, and both in writing and verbally describe a design proposal for the development of social media.

Regaring ability to assess and approach, students will be able to:
9. Independently search for information on problems and identify needs for further knowledge.
10. Carry out impact analysis of their own design proposals from a societal and ethical perspective.

Required Knowledge

Prerequisites for the course are 90 ECTS in one of the following subjects; Informatics, Information Science, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, Culture and Media Studies or Informatics with focus on digital media production, or equivalent studies.

Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English A/5 (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 5.5 and no individual score below 5.0. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimum total score of 530 and a minimum TWE score of 4. TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum total score of 72 and a minimum score of 17 on the Writing Section).

Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.

Form of instruction

Teaching is given mainly in the form of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials in connection with self-instruction and when performing obligatory computer laboratory assignments or other assignments. Some parts of the course can require obligatory attendance. Teaching can be done in English. All necessary computer applications to be used by the students on their own are introduced and maintained during the course. Some assistance is provided when using these applications. Good knowledge in performing written presentations and the English language are important in order to be able to complete the course. During the course the student will have round the clock access to several of the departments computer laboratories, except when these have been booked for other courses.

Examination modes

Examination is given in the form of both individual assignments and group assignments. Final grades are pass with distinction, pass or fail. For students who fail the first exam a second exam is normally given soon afterwards. In the description of the content and form of the examinations, it is also specified what assignments that are necessary for the grades pass or passed with distinction. Students who do not pass the exam after these two attempts have the possibility to take the exam three more times when the exam is given. To be able to do so requires that the student be registered for the course during the term the exam is given. Additional attempts to take the exam require permission of the director of studies or the student counselor.

A student who has failed twice on a course, or part of a course, is entitled to have another examiner, unless there are special reasons against it. Requests for new examiners are made to the director of studies.

If special reasons exist, the examiner has the right to decide on another examination form.

Transfer of credits
An application for credit transfer of previous studies can be made online at the university's student website.