This module will address the ways in which digital media are changing contemporary democracies, with emphasis on the use of social media by political actors, citizens, and the media. The module will enable students to understand how social media platforms are changing the ways in which politicians and journalists communicate with the general public, as well as how citizens leverage the affordances of social media to engage in public life.
The module will draw on state-of-the-art theory and research to raise awareness of, and promote debates, about the democratic implications of the increasing social media use by different segments of society. Students will learn about how platform affordances structure communication and action in social media, the role of algorithms and content moderation, and develop a critical view of the role of social media in contemporary societies from different angles — analysing political actors, the media, and the general public. Students will also develop important professional skills to work with social media in their future careers, such as understanding social media analytics, and critically analyse social media communication strategies.