MEVIT4610 – Social media
Course content
This course aims to give you a broad understanding of "social media". We will read and discuss current research on common uses of social media, analyse the different specifics, and investigate how social media functions, both as a technology and as a communication channel in contemporary societies.
Research from the Nordic countries will be compared to and contrasted with research from other parts of the world.
Students will assemble their own reading lists from current research, and conduct research for a term paper. In addition, students are expected to be active in social media, as participation is a must to get a full understanding of the phenomenon.
Learning outcome
Upon completion of the course, the student is expected to be able to:
- Discuss social media as a phenomenon, and compare it to other media
- Account for common uses of social media
- Explain basic concepts, theories, and problematics in research on social media
- Express herself or himself in a typical genre in a social medium
- Analyze means of expression, technology, and/or use in social media
- Locate and understand new research publications on social media
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Admission as master student, with a Bachelor?s Degree in Media Studies or equivalent.
Teaching
Teaching will be held in seminars, where students are expected to meet prepared, and to take an active part in discussions. The first weeks will be devoted to an overview of current research, then the students will develop their own term paper projects, where they will analyze a certain use of social media.
These projects will be discussed in the seminars, and in individual supervision. During the whole semester, students will participate in social media, and actively express themselves in a social medium of choice.
Examination
Portfolio exam. The portfolio consists of: (1) A term paper analysing social media use, and (2) a selection of own texts from social media.
Use of sources and citation
You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
Evaluation of MEVIT4610 spring 2014 (only in Norwegian).