Networks and Social Media PG (10150.2)

Please note these are the 2020 details for this unit
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Networks and Social Media PG
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Arts And Design
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
School Of Arts And Communications Post Graduate Level Band 2 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan Social Work_Exclude 0905)
This new unit aims to equip students with the skills, knowledge and strategic approach to develop and analyse networked communication, with a particular focus on digital innovation and social media. The unit will enable students to acquire the necessary advanced conceptual, analytical and technical skills necessary to operate at a high level in the online environment. The course will help students to improve their practical skills, to develop a deep understanding of the theories and frameworks that underpin and shape networked communications, and to enjoy the space to reflect critically on current and past practice. The rise of the Internet and social media change work, leadership, persuasive and strategic communication and these areas will be explored, evaluated, and critiqued. The unit will allow students to take advantage of the opportunities offered by network technology and social media analytics, by providing practical engagement with network-theoretic methodologies at the macro (network), meso (organisational) and individual levels.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of how networks impact communication and diffusion, security and social change issues, organisational leadership and the development of strategy;
2. Demonstrate a high-level ability to identify, map, evaluate and communicate the connections between issues, organisations and people in the context of online campaigns and controversies; and
3. Demonstrate high-level conceptual and practical engagement with the analytics tools required to manage and analyse an organisation's social media footprint and strategic response capability.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
Not available

Required texts

The list of weekly required readings will be made available on Canvas.

In addition, students are encouraged to broaden their understanding of unit content by reading the following: 

For network science and online networks:

David Easley and Jon Kleinberg (2010) Networks, Crowds, and Markets: Reasoning About a Highly Connected World.
Cambridge University Press. Available free from https://www.cs.cornell.edu/home/kleinber/networks-book/

For social media campaigns:

Carolyn Mae Kim (2016) Social Media Campaigns. Strategies For Public Relations and Marketing. Routledge.

Tracy L. Tuten and Michael R. Solomon (2018) Social Media Marketing. Sage.

Learner engagement

N/A

Inclusion and engagement

N/A

Participation requirements

Participation

It is essential to take part in weekly seminar activities. Failure to do so will compromise your ability to successfully engage with unit content.

Safety

Students who attend campus for class or other purposes must play their part in keeping our campus and community safe by following these basic guidelines to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission:

  • Practise good hand hygiene, washing hands regularly;
  • If you do happen to cough or sneeze, please do so into the crook of your elbow, dispose of tissues immediately and wash hands immediately
  • Practise effective physical distancing;
  • Follow all directions of teaching and other UC staff regarding safety measures;
  • Stay off campus if you are unwell and get tested according to ACT Government guidelines, and 
  • Follow University communications about campus arrangements https://www.canberra.edu.au/coronavirus-advice

Required IT skills

No pre-existing skills are required.

Students are responsible for creating accounts for, and meaningfully engaging with, social media and web analytical tools which are listed in the schedule. Students must take care to create accounts for the tools listed in advance of the weekly seminars.

In-unit costs

N/A

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Additional information

Students are expected to draw on their professional experience where relevant.