Researching Social Media Publics
Duration
- 1 semester or equivalent
Contact hours
- 36 hours
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning.
2023 teaching periods
Hawthorn Higher Ed. Semester 2 |
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Dates: Results: Last self enrolment: Census: Last withdraw without fail: |
Swinburne Online Teaching Period 2 |
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Dates: Results: Last self enrolment: Census: Last withdraw without fail: |
Prerequisites
50 Credit Points of Level 2 Units
Aims and objectives
Researching Social Media Publics introduces research methodologies for analysing such sites of social media practice. Social media applications and platforms are increasingly defining the way we communicate. These technologies shape many areas of social life and affect the kinds of ‘publics’ that form out of networked communication. Social media changes the ways commercial enterprise develops a customer base, the way emergency services communicate with locals during times of crisis, how people come together to protest or celebrate and how health and education are experienced.
Unit Learning Outcomes (ULO)
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
1. Critically analyse current methodologies for researching social media technologies, practices and processes
2. Define, describe and analyse core concepts, theories and issues facing the emergence of social media technologies and platforms and their implications for society
3. Prepare and deliver an oral presentation that evaluates current research into one area of social media practice addressed within the unit
4. Plan and undertake research into a significant issue concerning a site of social media use and practice
Courses with unit
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Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment and content.
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
Type | Hours per week | Number of Weeks | Total |
On-campus Class | 1 | 12 | 12 |
Online Lecture | 2 | 12 | 24 |
Unspecified Activities Independent learning | 9.5 | 12 | 114 |
TOTAL | 150 hours |
Assessment
Types | Individual/Group Role | Weighting | Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) |
Online Discussion | Individual | 20% | 1, 2 |
Final Pitch and Presentation | Group | 30% | 1, 3, 4 |
Research Plan | Individual | 50% | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
Content
- Introduction: contemporary approaches to researching social media publics
- What are social media publics? History and technology.
- Social media metrics
- Qualitative research and digital ethnography
- Case studies in researching social media and their publics
- Research supervision in social media contexts such as:
- Health
- Education
- Small business
- Media and arts organisations
- Young people and social media
- New forms of visibility: influencers and microcelebrity
- Protest and politics
- The future of work
- Sport and social media fandom
- Community organisations and NGOs
- Digital inclusion and access
- Crisis media and communications
Study resources
- Reading materials.
Reading materials
Students are advised to check the unit outline in the relevant teaching period for appropriate textbooks and further reading.