- COMSTU280 Special Topics: Communication Across Social Media
- Course Description
- This course examines the rapid changes in communication due to widespread access to interactive digital technology. While Social Media and eNetworking portals have enhanced our access to the physical world, are they potentially limiting exposure to it, by creating unlimited access to fully, virtual worlds? Specifically, this course will explore how Wi-Fi and 3G have increased access to member community sites like never before via digital media tools such as eReaders, Netbooks and Smartphones. Through the examination of the increasing role of the internet, email, instant and txt messaging in our daily interaction with family, friends and coworkers, the course will investigate the greater effects, both positive and negative, of on-line shopping, gaming communities, career boards, professional networking groups, distance learning, search engines, virtual worlds, dating and social networking sites on interpersonal communication.
- Academic Information
- Credits: 3
- Schedule & Fee
- Dates: Jun 1 - Aug 26
Class #: 1463
Course Fee: $960
Lab Fee: $0
Total Course Fee: $960 - Instructor
- Ronald Vining
ron.vining@umb.edu - Second Life and Social Networking
- Students will be required to join a variety of social networking groups to complete research assignments. Sites could include, but are not limited to, Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace. They will have the option to participate in some activities in Second Life during this course as well. If interested in being included in Second Life activities, students should have access to a computer that is less than 2-3 years old with a good graphics card. Go to http://www.secondlife.com and download the software, select an avatar and avatar name, and obtain a Second Life account. Students should do this at least 2-3 weeks before the course starts if possible to test it out.
We hope to have a user-friendly easy orientation available so that students can quickly function successfully in Second Life. Once you have an avatar please email your instructor indicating you want to participate in SL in the course and give the instructor your avatar name. The course syllabus will then give you information about activities. - Wimba Requirement
- UMB online courses use Wimba classroom (a live discussion tool) at least twice during the semester. Information about Horizon Wimba can be found at www.dlvpc.umb.edu/wimbasupport.htm. Your course instructor will inform you about dates and times of course meetings in Wimba Classroom.
