Social media connects us across space and time, allowing us to find like-minded communities and participate creatively in public life as never before. We may often use social media without thinking much about the possible consequences. But there is a shadow side associated with social media use, which takes the form of hate speech, increased surveillance, lack of anonymity and questionable use of our data. What do we need to know to use social media spaces effectively, in a way that is safe and productive for all?
This course will guide you into a deeper exploration of online identity, social media communities and their users. You will examine the ways that social media is being used by public institutions such as government to build participation and conversation with audiences. You will encounter the most common ethical debates in social media.
You will also have the opportunity to build your practical skills by developing your professional social media profile, defining your audience, building your social media influence and understanding how to interpret data analytics to "listen" and communicate well.
Offered By
4,095 already enrolled!
The University of Sydney
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
12 hours to complete
Social Media Concepts
In the introductory module, we will examine the concepts of being social, of self-representation, online identity and publishing. We will also look at how the social media technologies intersect with public and private spheres as networked communication develops.
10 videos (Total 65 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
10 videos
Navigating the MOOC4m
Introduction to module 15m
What is ethical social media use? Interview with Dr. Fiona Martin, academic, University of Sydney8m
What are social media?7m
What is my online identity?8m
The selfie phenomenon and new digital economies. Interview with Associate Professor Kath Albury, University of New South Wales7m
Who uses social media?6m
Connect me to the bigger picture5m
Module 1 summary2m
2 readings
Module 1 readings10m
Tweet your core affiliation10m
1 practice exercise
Social media concepts16m
Week
24 hours to complete
Collaborative Practices of Social Media Users
We examine who the users of social media are, how they use it and their motivations. We will also look at the difference between networks and communities. Through the lens of 'produsage' we will explore participatory culture and understand the motivations behind users contributing to cultural production.
8 videos (Total 50 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes
8 videos
What is the difference between a network and a community?8m
What is user-created content?6m
What motivates users to contribute to cultural production? Interview with Professor Axel Bruns, Queensland University of Technology7m
How to engage users through participatory projects. Interview with Jennifer Lam, Director/Digital Media Strategist, Bamboo Garden6m
Social media's hidden power agents5m
Community management. Interview with Venessa Paech9m
Module 2 summary2m
2 readings
Module 2 readings10m
Optional activity: managing your social media10m
1 practice exercise
Who are the users of social media?16m
Week
32 hours to complete
Participatory Culture and Media Organisations
Organisations are often accused of exploiting their users and online community members when they participate in collaborative cultural production activities. Similarly, participants are also accused of ignoring reciprocal efforts in collective online arrangements for personal gain, or what has recently been described as 'hope labour' (Kuehn & Corrigan, 2013). In this module, we will explore the tensions that surround precarious labour models for the productuon and consumption of social media content. In particular we will look at the concepts of cultural production, institutions, cultural intermediation, creativity and art.
9 videos (Total 58 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
9 videos
The impact of social media on cultural production6m
How are cultural institutions incorporating social media? Interview with Claire Joachim, Social Media Specialist, Sydney Opera House7m
How are global institutions using social media?6m
Participatory culture and media organisations. Interview with Rod McGuinness, Social Media Coordinator, Radio Division, Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC)6m
What are precarious labour models?5m
Politics and social media. Interview with Dr Mitchell Hobbs, University of Sydney9m
Social media, politics and trolling. Interview with David Shoebridge, Australian politician, Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council8m
Module 3 summary3m
2 readings
Module 3 readings10m
Optional activity: Explore a cultural institution's social media10m
1 practice exercise
Participatory Culture and Media Organisations16m
Week
43 hours to complete
Social Media Data Analytics
Communication across social media platforms produces an enormous amount of data that can describe content, location, users, purchases, events and emotions, along with larger scale areas such as reactions to news and politics, integration with sporting events or information and knowledge exchange, Each of these instances provides an opportunity to understand both general patterns of large-scale communication alog with nuanced individual and niche communication spaces. This module provides the opportunity to identify this sort of data, how to access and collect it and interpret and display it to strategically target larger users and networks.
6 videos (Total 32 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes
6 videos
What are data analytics?8m
How do we generate meaning from social media data analytics?4m
How do we incorporate data analytics into user engagement strategies? Interview with Joe Cothrel, Chief Community Officer, Lithium Technologies Chicago, Illinois8m
Iterative social media design6m
Module 4 summary2m
2 readings
Module 4 readings10m
Optional activity: Interpreting social media data10m
1 practice exercise
Social Media Data Analytics16m
Week
51 hour to complete
Ethics in Social Media
Just because we can access social media doesn't mean that we should. In this module, you are asked to critically examine the use of social media and think about how you can manipulate the data in meaningful and beneficial ways compared with typical neo-liberal approaches. You are also encouraged to think about some of the not so obvious areas of social media data analytics, for example reconstructing potentially sensitive material, uncovering a dangerous conversation in social media, or exposjng users that may wish to remain incognito. Using social media data is tremendously rewarding, yet presents ethical challenges that many scholars are still grappling with.
6 videos (Total 36 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
6 videos
University ethics. Interview with Dr. Margaret Faedo, Research Integrity and Ethics, University of Sydney.7m
Social media & disability. Interview with Professor Gerard Goggin, University of Sydney10m
The ethics of social media births and deaths. Interview with Dr. Tama Leaver, Curtin University9m
Module 5 summary3m
MOOC Summary2m
1 reading
Module 5 readings10m
1 practice exercise
Social media ethics16m
4.5
8 Reviews50%
started a new career after completing these courses
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got a tangible career benefit from this course
Top Reviews
All users are good at using social Media but they don't really understand the SM Ethics. Thanks to this course to give us the world view on SM Ethics. Love the course
This course have increased my knowledge about Social Media and how to plan Social media strategy. Provided materials was good too. Thanks.
Instructor
Dr Jonathon Hutchinson
Lecturer in Online Communication and MediaDepartment of Media and Communications
About The University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is one of the world’s leading comprehensive research and teaching universities, consistently ranked in the top 1 percent of universities in the world. In 2015, we were ranked 45 in the QS World University Rankings, and 100 percent of our research was rated at above, or well above, world standard in the Excellence in Research for Australia report.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
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