The 2nd Media Age is characterized by the decline of mass media and the rise of social or connective or spreadable media. We no longer talk of a m’mass society’ or even an ‘information society, but of a ‘network society’. Networks have become the nervous system of our society, a vast new communication infrastructure whose design and potential are transforming all aspects of social life, from the drastic redistribution of power and knowledge to the radical refashioning of socio-economic action, cultural interaction and inter-personal relations. Τhe course focuses on the historical and critical analysis of the emergence of social media, and employs a wide range of case-studies and ethnographic material to investigate how the connectivity culture of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the many other platforms of the social media ecosystem is producing a new anthropological condition.
Course Objectives
- Understand the core concepts and theories of network society and social media
- Explore the technical, social, economic and cultural aspects and potential of social media
- Awareness of the features and dimensions of connectivity culture as an ongoing techno-social construction
- Appreciation of the anthropological transformation produced by the social media ecosystem
Learning Outcomes
- Define the core concepts and theories of network society and social media
- Explain the transformative social dynamics and potential of social media
- Identify the techno-social nexus underlying connectivity culture
- Critically analyze contemporary sociality/subjectivity as produced by the social media ecosystem
Class/Learning activities
Lectures, in-class presentations, independent study, written assignments.
Workload
| Type of work |
Description |
Hours |
| Lectures | Thirteen 3-hours lectures | 39 |
| Independent study | Study of class materials and readings | 50-60 |
| Readings presentation | Presenting & leading a discussion on a given topic | 25-30 |
| In-class presentation | Conference type presentation of final paper | 15-20 |
| Final paper | Research essay (5.000 words) | 110-120 |
| Total workload | 239-269 |
Assessment
| Type of assessment |
Learning outcome |
Impact on final grade |
Date of assessment |
| Participation in group discussion | 1-3 | 10% | On a regular basis |
| Reading presentation | 1-2 | 20% | On a regular basis |
| Presentation | 1-4 | 10% | 13th week |
| Written assignment (final paper) | 2-4 | 60% | 14th week |
Required Reading
Castells, M. (2009). The Rise of the Network Society: The Information Age: Economy, Society and Culture, vol.I. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2nd ed.
Kadushin, Ch. (2012). Understanding Social Networks. Theories, Concepts, and Findings. Oxford University Press
Serres, M. (2014). Thumbelina: The Culture and Technology of Millenials. Rowan & Littlefield
Van Dijck, J. (2013). The Culture of Connectivity. A Critical History of Social Media. Oxford: Oxford University Press
Van Dijck, J. (2012). The Network Society: Social Aspects of New Media. London: Sage, 3nd ed.
Suggested Reading
Castells, M. (2011). Communication Power. Oxford University Press, 2nd ed.
Castells, M. (2012). Networks of Outrage and Hope: Social Movements in the Internet Age. Oxford: Polity
Christakis, N. & J. Fowler (2009). Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How they Shape Our Lives. New York: Little, Brown and Company
Galloway, A. & E. Thacker (2007). The Exploit: A Theory of Networks. University of Minnesota Press
Jenkins, H., S. Ford & J. Green (2013). Spreadable Media: Creating Value and Meaning in a Networked Culture. New York & London: New Uork University Press
Levy, P. (1999). Collective Intelligence: Mankind’s Emerging World in Cyberspace. New York: Basic Books
Lovink, G. (2011). Networks Without a Cause: A Critique of Social Media. Oxford: Polity
Papacharissi, Z. (ed.) (2011). A Networked Self. Identity, Community, and Culture on Social Network Sites. London: Routledge
Terranova, T. (2004). Network Culture: Politics for the Information Age. London: Pluto Press
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