Assignments and coursework
From alexdc.org wiki
We will be using a shared wiki, individual blogs, a bookmarking service, and individual twitter accounts as the web platforms for this course.
The wiki functions as the central space for collaboration, where assignments and readings will be posted and discussions will be held. The wiki will also have the required reading list, which may change during the course according to our progress.
The online requirements serve both to familiarize you with new web communication technologies and to continue the discussion beyond the confines of the campus.
- Wiki – 5% of final grade. The first requirement is to use the wiki as directed in the class assignments or to add to the discussion or common pages.
- Blog - 25% of final grade. The second is to publish a minimum of two blog posts each week on topics relevant to the class discussion, as described in the syllabus and context of the readings. Each blog post should link to relevant resources on the web. The blog will be evaluated on the quality of engagement with themes of the class, the clarity of expression, and the cultivation of community through regular posts and comments. Each blog post must include the tag “S10CNJ595”.
- Microblog – 10% of final grade. The third will involve maintaining a Twitter account active with at minimum one posting every 24hrs. Twitter is a free micro-blogging service and community where a post is 140 characters or less. Twitter posts will be evaluated on the cultivation of community through friending, retweets (and being retweeted), and general engagement through @replies.
- Social Bookmarking – 5% of final grade. The fourth is to bookmark websites that are of interest to the course, using the free service delicious ( http://del.icio.us/ or http://delicious.com ). Students will be expected to complete 40 bookmarks relevant to class topics throughout the semester, at least 20 of which should be done by mid-term. Each bookmark must also include the tag “S10CNJ595”.
- Topical Presentation and Discussion – 25% of final grade. You will be expected to deliver a presentation during the course.
You may choose to research and present an existing relational technology (a social network or a social media tool), covering the following aspects: what is the history of the technology or platform? What are the relational aspects and functionalities? How is identity developed? What types of activities created digital traces? How are relationships created and displayed? How are communities formed and managed? How does the social discovery of information, news, and events occur? How does the platform or technology integrate with external web services?
Alternatively, you may choose to interview a recognized thought-leader or entrepreneur in social media, including: how did they get started with social media? What is their field of expertise or strength in social media? What were the milestones in their own online development? What do they consider to be historical milestones in social media (case studies, new technologies, etc.)? What challenges have they faced and what battles have they fought along the way (anecdotes are important)? What is the future of social media?
Presentations should be 20 minutes in length with accompanying visuals.
- Participation - 20% of final grade. Class participation is required. Students are expected to do all the required readings for the course, to attend classes regularly, to have completed the reading in advance of classes, and to participate actively in class discussion. Students will facilitate discussion, together with one other student, on selected syllabus readings. Each reading will be presented by this team of two students, who will coordinate among themselves and come to class prepared to summarize the material, develop additional themes for further discussion and facilitate broad discussion, working from questions submitted by students. Students will be graded on the clarity of presentation and the level of understanding of the readings under discussion.
- Final Exam - 10% of final grade. The final exam will evaluate your familiarity with social media concepts, case studies, and vocabulary.
Recognition will be given to those who demonstrate consistent improvement over the course of the term.
