MAC114 - Introduction to social media

Contact details

Rob Jewitt robert.jewitt@sunderland.ac.uk

0191 515 3431@rob_jewitt

MC205

https://www.facebook.com/mac114socialmedia/

Upon completion of this module, students will have demonstrated: SkillsS1. An ability to create and maintain a productive and professional online presence.S2. An ability to engage with a broad range of social media platforms and resources that require digital aptitude. KnowledgeK3. An understanding of the ways in which social media interacts with and influences modern communications practice. K4. An understanding of the strengths, weaknesses and impacts of social media in commercial environments.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Lectures 24 hours*Seminars/ workshops 24 hoursSelf-directed study 144 hours

*12 hours of timetable weekly lectures, plus a series of group feedback/tutorial sessions constituting the remaining 12 hours. Where possible guest speakers may also be timetabled (subject to availability), as well as practical sessions in the Media Hub

LEARNING HOURS

Lectures 24 hours*Seminars/ workshops 24 hoursSelf-directed study 144 hours Lecture: Monday 9amWorkshops: Thursday 12-2pmTutorial: Thursday 4-5pm

LEARNING HOURS

Lectures: a debate piece

Workshops: practice-based (blog)

Guest speakers and the Media Hub

TEACHING AND LEARNING APPROACHES

The way you should make use of self-directed study time will include the following:• working through the reading list and learning support materials

(VLE)• completing practical tasks set by tutors • reading a wide range of online sources, including blogs

TEACHING AND LEARNING APPROACHES

The way you should make use of self-directed study time will include the following:• working through the reading list and learning support materials

(VLE)• completing practical tasks set by tutors • reading a wide range of online sources, including blogs

TEACHING AND LEARNING APPROACHES

You said: want additional time allocated to professional guidance on blog creation

We did: added an extra practical blog workshop into the running order and added an extra tutorial/feedback session each week

The module runs for 12 weeks.Regular attendance is essential. It is a condition that must be met to ensure successful completion of the module. If you fail to attend classes without good cause you may be deselected from the module. Missing a class could also cause problems because ALL elements of assessment have to be submitted – and passed – for you to gain the 20 credits from this module.

TIMETABLE

Each week workshops will begin with students giving short presentations about examples of social media use that is of interest to them that they wish to share with the class.

A running order for these presentations will be allocated in the week 1 workshop.

This can include a demonstration of an interesting app, a YouTube clip, a new social media platform, a campaign – an example of how a story has broken via social media, etc

FORMAT

Week 1Lecture – Module overview and assessmentsWorkshop – Examining our current social media usage. What more could we be doing? Using case studies we will discuss an overview of social tools and technologies, as well as their various contexts of use. Week 2Lecture – Using Facebook and Twitter: best practice and advice for improved engagement.Workshop – My web shadow: who does the web think we are? This session will include an audit of our online presence and visibility. Week 3Lecture – Why blog in 2017?Workshop – The basics of content building. How to setup a Wordpress blog. Good topics for successful blogs

RUNNING ORDER

Week 4Lecture – Mapping the social landscape #trendsWorkshop – Understanding your blogging platform: tags, RSS feeds, comments, etc Week 5Lecture – Discovery: tips and tools for Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)Workshop – Writing for the web. Peer case studies Week 6 Lecture – Social media relations: the impact of UGC upon journalismWorkshop – Analysis of social media use across PR, journalism and bloggers. Week 7Lecture – The blog is dead? Long live the blogWorkshop – Ways of using Facebook for cross-promotion of content. Establishing and managing a Facebook Page.

RUNNING ORDER

Week 8Lecture – Blogging for business and the business of bloggingWorkshop – Building the ‘brand of you’: getting noticed and the importance of LinkedIn Week 9Lecture – Social videoWorkshop – Establishing a YouTube presence and measuring performance Week 10Lecture – The cult of the amateurWorkshop – Other key social media platforms (Google+, Tumblr, Pintrest, Instagram, SnapChat, etc)

SPRING BREAK

RUNNING ORDER

Week 11Lecture – Social media monitoring and the ‘fear of missing out’Workshop – Social dashboards. An introduction to monitoring and measurement Week 12 Lecture – Effective social media campaigns Workshop – Critical reflections and evaluation. Presentations and peer assessment

RUNNING ORDER

ASSESSMENT

The module is assessed by:1a Individual web log 40% 1b Critical Evaluation 20%2 Essay (1,500 words) 40%

Milestones:Your blog must be live by Week 6: Thursday March 9th 2017To pass this assessment you must make a minimum of ten posts before the assessment deadline of 5pm, Thursday May 11th 2017 (week 12).

Your Critical Evaluation should be submitted by the VLE and handed in at library services in by 5pm on Thursday, May 18th, 2017 (week 13)

Your Essay should be handed in to library services and submitted by the VLE by 5pm on Monday March 13th 2017 (week 7)A choice of essay titles will be given to you in week 2

ASSESSMENT

Your written work must be handed in to the Library desk in the Prospect Building and via the VLE.

Work handed in late with no explanation will not be accepted and will fail. You will not be able to pass the module and gain your 20 credits unless you hand in ALL elements of each unit of assessment.

If you have any doubts about what you should hand in discuss them with your module tutor well in advance of the deadline.

EXTENSIONS

If you having difficulties completing work on time you can ask the module leader to grant you an extension of up to a maximum of 72hrs (including weekends, bank holidays etc). Any work handed in after that will be capped at 40%.

Please note that the 72hr extension is not automatic and must be requested, and agreed in writing.