The document provides an introduction to the Online Social Networks module being offered in 2016. It discusses the rationale for taking an interdisciplinary approach to studying social networks from technological, social, and other perspectives. The module will be taught by five tutors from three different faculties over five weeks. Students will work on a Social Networks MOOC and develop a video on a "big question" to present, along with a reflective essay. The MOOC experience is meant to help students build their networks and prepare for the exam, which counts for 60% of the module grade.

1. Online Social Networks
Introduction to #UOSM2012
Dave Millard
Thanassis Tiropanis
Chris Phethean
Tom Brughmans
Lisa Harris
25th January 2016

2. Welcome 
• Intro to Curriculum Innovation (video, 3 mins)
• The module materials are available on
Blackboard
• The module hashtag is #UOSM2012
• UCL’s “Why we post” MOOC starts 29th Feb –
sign up here as a practice for the Social
Networks MOOC after Easter

3. Rationale
• “Traditionally academics view the world through the
eyepiece of a single discipline. But the real world is not
like that, it is by its very nature interdisciplinary and
can only be deeply understood when viewed from
multiple perspectives. ” Mark Cranshaw,
Understanding Modern China
• University policy is directing us towards
multidisciplinary research that:
1) feeds directly into teaching and
2) encourages student participation at all levels

4. Curriculum Innovation Modules:
linking research and teaching

5. Learning Outcomes
• Discuss online social networks in a holistic
manner, including the technological, social,
network science, web science and
organisational dimensions.
• Evaluate key technological and social
mechanisms of online social networking and
network structures
• Analyse the impact of online social networks
on life, society and business.

6. Module features
• Taught by 5 tutors from 3 Faculties (FH, FBLA, FPSE)
• Introductory lecture by all tutors based around the hit
film “Catfish”, then one week with each for 5 weeks.
• Work on the Social Networks MOOC with learners from
all over the world to help build your own networks and
revise for the exam (exam represents 60% of module
marks)
• As a group, develop a video on a “big question” to post
on the MOOC, supported with an individual reflective
account (40% of module marks)

7. The “big questions”
• Select one question:
– Should employees be allowed to use social media in the
workplace?
– Is Facebook evil?
– Is privacy dead?
– Has social media revolutionised revolution?
– Who cares that you are six steps removed from Barack
Obama?
– Does marketing via social media always backfire?
– Do social media facilitate heterophily?
– Did KONY2012 work?
– Is online social networking changing the way we think?
– Do MOOCs spell the end of traditional education?

8. 2013 – Web Science
2014 – Oceans; Archaeology of Portus; Research Project;
Shipwrecks; Digital Marketing; Understanding Language
2015 – Contract Management; Wellington 1815; Agincourt 1415
More details on FutureLearn Partners
Southampton / Futurelearn MOOCs

9. 2 years …
10 courses
25 course runs
355,896 joiners
162,368 learners
68,431 new joiners in the
last eight weeks alone …

10. Strategy: global outreach
Developing Your Research Project
This course is aimed at 16-18 year olds undertaking an
Extended Project Qualification or International
Baccalaureate extended essay. Total 42,120/22,814
over all 4 runs. Student recruitment figures 2015 at
Southampton are the highest ever.

11. Bringing together students and MOOC
learners