1. Social Media
& Identity
CAROLYN INSLEY
carolyn.insley@berkeley.edu
ANGELA CHOI
yjangiechoi@berkeley.edu
SPRING 2016
2 UNITS
Day of the Week Time
This is a class for those interested in analyzing the ways in which people present them-
selves on social media, how those posts shape who they are, and the implications there-
of. We will take an in depth look at four social media platforms—Facebook, Instagram,
Twitter, and Snapchat— and discuss the advantages and drawbacks of each as a stage
for shaping the self.
As a discussion-based course, each class meeting will be divided into 20 minutes of
instruction on the designated topic of the day, 30 minutes on discussion of the article(s),
and 30 minutes of open floor discussion. As participation is crucial for fruitful discussion,
attendance will be 15% of the final grade, and in-class discussion will be 10% of the final
grade. Attendance entails both physical and mental presence in class meetings. Please
bring in the assigned readings for the corresponding class. In-class participation will be
gauged on thoughtful participation and reflection on the assigned readings during open
discussion. A midterm paper (30%) of minimum 2 pages will be due during Week 7. The
final (45%) will be a 10-15 minute presentation given during weeks 13 and 14.
All of the readings listed in the course calendar are to be considered starting points
rather than conclusive truths. Through discussion of these texts, we will aim to thought-
fully analyze and consider various perspectives on identity formation through social
media. As this is a course offered through the Rhetoric department, discussions will often
feature rhetorical analyses, but prior knowledge of and experience with rhetorical analy-
sis are not necessary.
By the end of our 14 week session students will have cultivated a greater knowledge of
rhetoric, identity, social media platforms, and been active participants in the start of a
discussion on social media's implications for identity and self in the current landscape of
digital media and a digitalized society.