Accessibility statement

Understanding Social Media - SOC00003M

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  • Department: Sociology
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Darren Reed
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2021-22

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2021-22
B Summer Term 2021-22
O1 Autumn Term 2021-22

Module aims

To critically explore the principal conceptual debates and socio-cultural approaches to understanding the latest generation of new media communications technologies described as social media.

Module learning outcomes

At the end of this module students will:

  • be able to identify and critically analyse the key characteristics of contemporary new media such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Second Life, often collectively described as social media, social web or Web 2.0, within the context of debates about broader sets of socio-cultural transformations;
  • be able to analyse recent case studies and examples to understand how social media are permeating a range of social institutions and practices;
  • to be able to analyse and recognize cross-cultural differences and similarities in the use of social media;
  • have an understanding of the social, economic, cultural and political factors shaping the design of social media and their diffusion in society;
  • to be able to appreciate the ambiguous nature of the social media as both tools for surveillance and artefacts for social expression and creativity.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Assessment 1 - Coursework 		N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Assessment 1 - Coursework 		N/A 100

Module feedback

Feedback on all work is provided in a variety of ways and you must make the most of all opportunities do

discuss your assessment and study progress:

1. After each open assessment you will receive feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of your

work. This will be available within 4 weeks of the submission deadline

2. You will meet with your supervisor twice a term and you should discuss any concerns that you

have and also present your assessment feedback for further comment

3. You will be asked to comment on the teaching of the modules and results will be discussed at

Teaching Committee

4. You will have five supervision meetings with your dissertation supervisor through the summer

months to enable you to discuss the different aspects of your work.

Indicative reading

These will be available on the module sites through the Yorkshare VLE. Most reading materials will be journals or book chapters which will be in pdf format. These can be downloaded and annotated on your work pc if you dont want the expense of printing.

Recommended books will be available in the library for reference only.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.