This document is a syllabus for a course on social media theory and practice taught at Saint Michael's College in the fall of 2016. The course will use theoretical frameworks to analyze the impact of digital communication tools on society. Students will learn how social media influences identities, relationships and storytelling. Assignments include blog posts, group projects, and a final research presentation. Students are expected to actively participate in class discussions and on online forums. The syllabus outlines learning outcomes, required readings, policies on attendance, late work, and academic integrity.

1. SAINT MICHAEL’S COLLEGE
MJD‐219‐A
Topics in Media Studies
Social Media Theory and Prac ce
Semester & Year: Fall 2016
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SYLLABUS
Instructor: Erin Barnaby
Email: erin.barnaby@gmail.com
Classroom:
Class Hours: T TH, 8 ‐ 9:30 a.m.
Office Hours: By Appointment
Credits: 4
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is devoted to the cri cal analysis and theories of digital communica on methods in
contemporary culture. Digital technology is constantly changing, so rather than focus on specific tools
and prac ces, this course provides students with a number of theore cal approaches to assess media
communica on tools and their impact on society. The course will address key concepts, including specific
personal, cultural, poli cal, ethical and social issues within various forms of social media.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the course students will:
1. Compare the influences of tradi onal media with digital communica on tools and processes
through the lens of journalism, marke ng, ethics, and poli cs.
2. Learn how social media influences personal iden es and social rela onships.
3. Analyze new storytelling prac ces through observa on and discussion of online communi es
and transmedia communica on.
4. Understand how digital communica on contributes to social, ethical, and poli cal spheres.
REQUIRED RESERVED READING
There are two required books for this class as well as assigned provided readings throughout the
semester. Purchase the required books through the college or local bookstore or online. PDFs of the
other assigned readings can be downloaded from Canvas or found online at the links provided.

2. Required Books:
Personal Connec ons in a Digital Age. By Nancy K. Baym. ISBN #9780745670348
The Art of Social Media: Power Tips for Power Users. By Guy Kawasaki and Peg Fitzpatrick. ISBN
#9781591848073
Provided Readings:
Understanding Media by Marshall McCluhan
The Victorian Internet by Tom Standage
Hamlet on the Holodeck "The Futura of Narrative in Cyberspace" by Janet Murray
The Fate of Reading in an Electronic Age by Sven Birkerts
Convergence Culture by Henry Jenkins
The Producer's Guide to Transmedia Storytelling by Nuno Bernardo
Likeable Social Media by Dave Kerpen
The Impact Equation by Chris Brogan
Censored 2015: Inspiring We the People by Lee Roth and Mickey Huff
Greek Heresy: Rescuing Social Change from the Cult of Technology by Toyama Kentaro
The Networked Young Citizen by Brian D. Loader
Various Guardian articles
Various New Yorker articles
Toyama Kentaro Blog
Marguerite Dibble Blog
RECOMMENDED SITES TO FOLLOW
HenryJenkins.org
Mashable.com
PBS Mediashi
Social Times
Poynter’s Social Media News
New York Times Media Decoder Blog
COURSE SITES FOR PARTICIPATION
Students are expected to create their own blog for all homework assignments and reflec ons. This is a
place where students will respond to the readings, class lectures and discussions. Each blog post should
be posted to the class Facebook group page by the student with informa on about the assignment. We'll
also use the space to share and discuss ar cles, post ques ons, and trade ideas. Students should create
accounts and sign up for the Facebook group as soon as possible.
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS
Students are expected to a end every class. Three unexcused absences will result in the final grade
being dropped by one le er grade. An absence will only be excused with an e‐mail or note from the dean
or health services. Students are responsible for finding out what occurred in any missed class and must
turn in assignments on me.

3. Lateness: The class begins at 8 a.m. Students are expected to be in seats and ready to begin at that me.
Two late arrivals equal one unexcused absence.
TECHNOLOGY USE
Technology use in the classroom is a big part of this course, but students are expected to use these
devices for class purposes only.Please come prepared to class discussions with hard copies of notes and
ques ons. No technology use is permi ed during class discussion mes. Mobile phones must be
silenced and put away upon entering the classroom. Please see the Electronic Device Use Policy for
details.
PREPARATION
Your assignments should be completed before class begins. If you are unprepared for class,
please let me know before class begins so I will not call on you. Please bring hard copies of notes and
ques ons to class for class discussions.
PARTICIPATION
Par cipa on is encouraged and will be graded based on your contribu ons to class discussions and
group projects.
GRADING ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Assignment Guidelines Weight
Class Par cipa on Par cipa on is encouraged and will be graded based on your
contribu ons to class discussions.
20%
Reading Responses /
Blog Posts / Online
Par cipa on
Readings will be assigned at the end of most classes. Each week,
students must write a 2‐4 paragraph blog post on the assigned
reading, read and respond to two other student’s blog posts
and bring 2‐3 ques ons to class for discussion.
40%
Assignments There will be 3 assignments scheduled on top of the blog
pos ng and major presenta on. Please see the class schedule
for more details.
‐ Online Communi es Comparison Presenta on (10%)
‐ Class discussion ‐ Social Media Current Events (5%)
‐ Class discussion ‐ Social Media Current Events (5%)
20%
Midterm Group Project
& Presenta ons
Students will be separated into groups to create a StoryHack
and will be graded based on their group par cipa on and
contribu ons. Please see the class schedule for more details.
10%
Final Research Project &
Presenta ons
Students will research and compare a chosen ac vism topic,
both digital interac on and physical experiences and give a 10
minute presenta on to the class.
10%

4. LATE WORK
All homework assignments should be completed before class begins. Late work will not be accepted. If
you are absent from class you must turn in your assignment via email before class begins in order to
receive credit. If your absence is excused by the dean or health services, you will have un l the next class
period to turn in your missed assignments.
Late midterm and final projects will be marked down a full le er grade per day if an extension is
not requested and granted in advance of the due date.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Plagiarism is a serious offense and could end your media career before it starts. Make sure you
understand exactly what it is and how to avoid it. In a nutshell, it means using someone else’s
words or ideas without giving them credit. If you plagiarize in this class, you will fail the course.
No excep ons! If you have ques ons or concerns about plagiarism don’t hesitate to ask me. In
addi on, if you are caught chea ng on any class assignment, you will fail this class. No
excep ons! Please see, read, and understand the Plagiarism Policy.
BE YOUR OWN COPY EDITOR
A pi all of modern communica on is that spelling errors and sloppy grammar seem to have become
acceptable. They are not. Make your future editors happy by building the habit of checking your work
before you turn it in. This goes for tweets and Facebook posts too. I will take grammar and spelling into
considera on when grading your work.