This module aims to introduce students to the study of online media and platforms, with a particular focus on ‘big’ social trace data. As well as developing their understanding of how Internet-based media systems work, students will learn about the strengths and weaknesses of using big data for social science research, and engage with key online political communication policy questions.

(LO1) Students will learn about the interactions between the media, platforms, and citizens.

(LO2) Students will develop their understanding of how digital data is generated, collected and used in the modern world.

(LO3) Students will understand key current debates around media, data and society.

(S1) Students will develop their skills in building an argument, selecting appropriate sources, and academic writing.

(S2) Students will be able to link key public policy questions to social science research approaches that could help practically address them.

(S3) Students will develop skills in critically engaging with evidence.

The content of the module is research-driven and contemporary. Students will attend an overview lecture, and will then be asked to complete independent reading in preparation for an active seminar. Seminars will start with a presentation by a member of the class on the assigned readings, and will then continue with a guided class discussion. A key text for the course is Matthew Salganik’s Bit By Bit. This text is available in print, but also as a freely-available online book.

The content for this module is broadly divided into two blocs. The first bloc covers foundations, with content such as the development of the Internet and social media, the characteristics of big data (both helpful and unhelpful), issues with access to data and platform gatekeeping, social science methods for using data, the nature of social networks, and understandings of social media and user content. The second bloc goes into more depth into some of the opportunities and threats that arise in on line political communication, covering topics such as misinformation, disinformation and trolling; hate speech and radicalisation; participation, protest, polarisation, and echo chambers; and the effects of digital and social media on well-being.

Summary of Learning and Teaching Methods:
Teaching method: Lectures and seminars
Description: Weekly lecture plus weekly seminar
Schedule directed student hours: 24
Unscheduled directed student hours: 126
Attendance recorded: YES
Notes: Lecture ideally before seminars
Description of how self-directed learning hours may be used: Reading key and suggested literature, reviewing lecture slides, researching and writing the formative coursework, developing the student’s dissertation proposal, researching and writing the summative coursework.