This document outlines a proposed 2-credit course on the rise of the internet and social media's transformative role in American politics from 1996-2016. The course will examine how the internet, social media, and smartphones have supplemented and replaced earlier forms of political mobilization. Students will assess case studies, complete short writing assignments, and take four exams throughout the semester to evaluate their understanding of topics like the evolution of online campaigning, the impact of social networks, and future technological influences. Policies on attendance, withdrawals, academic integrity, disabilities, and the appeals process are also provided.

1. The University of Akron Wayne College
Distinguished Student Program Proposal -
The Information Superhighway and American politics: the rise of the internet, social media, and the
transformative role of the computer, 1996-2016
Credit Hours: 2
Spring, 2016 – TBD
Wayne College andBoyerHPEBldg C126
Office Hours:Before &afterclass andby appointment
Office Phone:330-684-8700 (mainphone line formessages)
Email:jmcquiston@uakron.edu
Website:http://www.kent.edu/polisci/people/~jmcquist/
Description
Mass mediahas beenaconsiderable force inprovidingcuesforthe Americanelectorate fromthe days
of the Federalistpapers.The rise of televisionleadtoanentirelynew dimensionof the electabilityof
presidential candidates.Inthe 1960 Presidential electiondebates,the mediathroughwhichacitizen
listenedtothe speechesof JohnF.KennedyandRichardNixoninfluencedperceptionsaboutthe victor
of the night.
The increasingprevalence of the internetmeantthat22% of the citizensin1996 used the internet.This
numberincreasedto68.9% of the populationin2006, and 84% in2015. Withan exponentialincreasein
the amountof newsservicesavailableonline,agreaterproportionof citizensreceive theirnewsfrom
thisservice thaneverbefore. Inthe lastfew years,twonew technologies –smartphonesandsocial
mediaservices –have changedthe waycampaigningoperates.Thiscourse examinesthe usage of the
internet,social media,andsmartphone technologiesandhow theysupplantandsupportearlierforms
of political mobilization.
Instructional Methods
Thisclass will be taughtusinglecture,question-response, small groupsettings,paperpresentations,
primaryand secondarysources,andadditional media(internet,newspapers,radio).
Importantinformationaboutthe course will be senttoyourAkrone-mail.
Classroom Etiquette: Electronicdevices –mp3 playersandcell phones –representdistractionsthat
couldprove disastrousfora studentlookingtodowell inthiscourse.Cell phonesandelectronicdevices
are to be leftinbags forthe entiretyof the classperiod. Iwill askthat a studentleave the classif they
are utilizingelectronicdevises.
Attendance and tardy policy: Accordingtothe Universityattendance policy(BOTRule 3359-20-05D), [a]
studentisexpectedtoattendall meetingsof all classesforwhichthe studentisenrolled.A studentmay
be droppedfroma course by the deanif absencesare repeatedandthe instructorrecommendsthis
action;a studentcangainreadmissiononlywiththe permissionof bothdeanandinstructor.A student
droppedfroma course receivesan“F” whichcountsas workattemptedwhenevergrade-pointratio
calculationsare made.Late Entry Policy:The course will beginpreciselyatthe assignedtime.Students
shouldarrive atthe classrooma fewminutesearlytoprepare theirmaterials.Attendancewillbe taken
at the beginningof class.

2. Withdrawals:You may dropa full semesterclassthroughthe 14th calendarday (secondweek) of the
fall or springsemester(orproportionallyequivalentdatesduringsummersession,intersession,and
othercourse terms). A "drop"will notappearon yourtranscript.
You may withdrawfromafull semesterclassafterthe 14th calendardaythroughthe 49th calendarday
(seventhweek) of the fall orspringsemester(orproportionallyequivalentdatesduringsummersession,
intersession,andothercourse terms). If you withdraw,a"WD" will appearonyourtranscript.You
shouldknowthata withdrawal mayaffectyourfinancial aid,eligibilityforon-campusemploymentand
eligibilityforinsurance.Speakwithyouradviserfordetails.If youquitattendingyourclassesdue toa
medical youmustcontact student services330-684-8900 as soonas possible.Inanycase,IFYOU DO
NOT DROPOR WITHDRAW, YOU WILL RECEIVEA GRADE IN THE CLASS(usuallyafailinggrade). Students
whoneedto withdrawfromall coursesforextraordinarynon-academicreasons,(e.g.,medical
treatmentorconvalescence,militaryservice,etc.),mustobtainthe permissionfromthe deanof their
college. The withdrawal policyislocatedat http://www.uakron.edu/ssc/withdrawal-policy.dot
Plagiarism and academic dishonesty: Plagiarismis the act of representing directly or indirectly another
person’s work as your own. It can involve presenting someone’s speech, wholly or partially, as yours;
quotingwithoutacknowledgingthe true source of the quotedmaterial;copyingand handingin another
person’sworkwithyourname on it;and similarinfractions.Evenindirectquotations,paraphrasing,etc.,
can be considered plagiarism unless sources are properly cited. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. The
Universityof AkronWayne College policyforacademicmisconductcan be foundin the Code of Student
Conduct.
Library: All university libraries may be used by all students. The Wayne College library is located in the
Main Class Room Building. Contact for the libraries are: http://www.uakron.edu/libraries/
Title IX and Discrimination:The Universityof Akroniscommittedtoprovidinganenvironmentfree of all
forms of discrimination, including sexual violence and sexual harassment. This includes instances of
attempted and/or completed sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, gender-based stalking,and
sexual harassment.Additional information,resources,supportandthe Universityof Akron protocolsfor
responding to sexual violence are available at uakron.edu/Title-IX.
Additional help:Your instructorisavailable forareasonable amountof individual helpoutside of class.
For additional help, tutoringisprovidedbythe SmuckerLearningCenterat(330) 972 or 684-8960. If you
attendthe AkronCampus,the Departmentof Developmental ProgramsTutoringLabinBierce Library
room #68 (330) 972-6552 offerstutoring. Donot delayinseekinghelp,asittakessome time tosetup
the tutoring.
Studentswith disabilities::In pursuantto Universitypolicy#33-59-20-01 subsectionC,The University
of AkronWayne College recognizesitsresponsibilityforcreatinganinstitutionalatmosphere inwhich
studentswithdisabilitieshave the opportunity tobe successful.Anystudentwhofeelshe/shemayneed
an accommodationbasedonthe impactof a disabilityshouldcontactthe Office of AccessibilityServices
DisabilitySpecialist.The office islocatedinThe SmuckerLearningCenter.Afterthe student’seligibility
for servicesisdetermined,his/herinstructorswillbe providedanotificationwhichwill outline the
student’saccommodations.

3. Appeal Process: If you find yourself in a situationwhere you disagree with your instructor about one of
these policiesoranotherissue,itisveryimportanttoimmediatelyfollow thesesteps,inthe ordergiven:
1. Discusswithyourinstructorthe nature of yourconcern.This iswhere 99% of anydisagreements
are resolved,sogive thisinitialstepyourfull attentionandcooperation.
2. If after talkingtoyourinstructoryou feel thatthe situationhasnotbeenresolved,informthe
instructorof your feelingandthatyou will be contactingthe Area/Technical Coordinator.The
coordinatorforthisclass isIndicate yourdepartment/technical coordinatorandher/hiscontact
informationis: Telephone:(330) 684-coordinator’sextension e-mail:Akronemail for
coordinator
3. If,aftertalkingto yourinstructorand Area/Technical Coordinator,youfeel thatthe situationhas
not beenresolved,contactthe Directorof InstructionandProgramDevelopment,E-242F.Affirm
that the instructorhas had the opportunitytodiscussyour situationwithyoubeforeworkingon
a solution.
4. In the unusual case that youare still notsatisfied,the nextstepistocontact the Wayne College
Associate Deanof Instruction.Again,the AssociateDeanwillensure thatthe instructor,the Area
Coordinator,andDirectorof Instructionhave discussedyoursituationwithyoubefore
proceedingwithasolutionforyourcomplaint.
The later in the semester you workthrough theabovestepsthefeweroptionsforresolution that
exist.
Additional college policies: Students should visit: http://wayne.uakron.edu/syllabus-policies/ for
important policies (including student rights and responsibilities) and college information.
Assessments:Studentshave animportant,active role inassessment practicesatWayne College toallow
for systematicmeasurementof studentperformance andthe fulfillmentof programoutcomes.These
provide anunderstandingof the effectivenessof differentteachingtechniquesandtoolstosupport
studentsastheygrasp keyconcepts,skills,and/orinformationinagivencourse/program.Therefore,
studentsshouldgive theirbestefforttotheirrole inassessment.
Grading:
Make up policy:Notifythe Instructorbyemail (preferred)orphone eitherON ORBEFORE the exam day
as to the reasonyou cannotbe presentforthe test.If youprovide anacceptable excuse,youmusttake
the examwithinone weekof the scheduledtestdate unlesscompellingreasonsdictateotherwise.
Late work:It iscritical that you complete and turninassignmentsontime.If workisturnedinlate for
legitimate reasons,Iwill allowone classgrace period.A 10% reductioninyourgrade for thisassignment
will be given.
Returnof exams:Mygoal isto have all gradedwork back to youwithinone weekof submission.When
returnedtoyou,save the examsfor future reference.If there isadisagreementaboutyourfinal grade,
we will needtorefertothem.If youdo not keepa copyof the exam, we will adoptthatmyrecords for
gradesare correct.
Attendance andParticipation200points

4. Studentsare expectedtoattendclasseverydayandparticipate inthe discussionsthatoccurduringour
sessions.A studentthatispresentbutnotactive will notreceive agoodgrade inattendance and
participation.Itisimportanttoask questions,addyourowninsight,andenterintodiscussionswithyour
fellowclassmates.
Short Paper100 points
Studentsare requiredtosubmitone 5-6 page shortpaper (12 point,double-spaced) thataddressesone
of the topicsthat we have discussedinclass.Papertopicswill be requiredby Tuesday,March7th.
Exams(4) 400 points
Part of successful learninginvolvesregularevaluationof studentknowledge.Throughoutthe semester,
there will be fourteststhatwill utilizeanarrayof prompts(True/False,multiplechoice,essay) regarding
the material thathas beencoveredpreviouslyinthe test.
Grading Scale
A 93 - 100 C 73 - 76
A- 90 - 92 C- 70 - 72
B+ 87 - 89 D+ 67 – 69
B 83 - 86 D 63 – 66
B- 80 - 82 D - 60 - 62
C+ 77 - 79 F 0 - 59
Readingsand Assignments:
I reserve the righttochange the syllabusthroughoutthe semester.Iwill informthe classof anychanges
well inadvance.
Week1 : Syllabusand Historical Introduction
Week2 : Mass Media– Newspaper,Telephones,andCanvassing
Week3 : The History ofthe Internet– DARPA to Tor
Week4: Early pioneersofpolitical campaigning online,1996-2004
Week5: Case study: Barack Obama, 2008
Week6 : A normalizedinternetas political campaign tool, 2006-2012
Week7 : Social media (Facebook,Twitter) and campaigning
Week8 : Case study: Rand Paul,2016
Week9 : The 2016 Presidential campaign cycle
Week10 : Political usage ofthe internetat the local/state level
Week11 : Case study: Ohiopoliticians
Week12 : Politicswrit small: mobile applications
Week13 : Contextualizationofthe role of the internetvis-à-vistraditional campaign tools
Week14 : A full toolbox: a look at the online and offline optionscurrentlyavailable to politicians.
Week15 : Future technologiesandthe campaign cycle:Voat, Periscope