Learning Outcomes:
-To extend students’ conceptual understanding around digital media communications.
-To provide an in-depth approach to analyzing digitally mediated communication contents and practices.
-To equip students with conceptual and methodological tools to carry out primary research on social media discourses around various aspects of personal and collective identity.
-To introduce students to the mechanics and processes of self-branding and mediated selves that have manifested in the digital age.
Indicative Module Content:
Week 1
Crafting Identities Online
Week 2
Technological Determinism and Digital Selves
Week 3
The Cyborg Manifesto and Self-Curation
Week 4
Selfies, Sexting and Social Media
Week 5
The Goldilocks Effect and Identity Management
Week 6
Dating, Networked Intimacy and Hook-Up Cultures: Agency and Disciplinarity
Week 7
The Digital Self and Political Participation
Week 8
Hashtag Activism and Social Media Activism
Week 9
Feminist and Queer Self-Curation on Digital Media.
Week 10
Digital Self-Portraits and Online Brand Management
Week 11
The Political Economy of the Online “Influencer”
Week 12
One-to-one essay consultations