SOCIAL MEDIA RESEARCH AND

The goal of this class is to help students understand the significance and meaning of social media to society and culture on both a large scale and on an individual basis. The class will include reading and conducting research on the effectiveness and effects of social media on individuals and on the larger scale of politics, business, education, society and culture. Research methods like surveys and focus groups as well as participant/observation will be used to help students gather data to answer specific questions about the short term and long term
effects of social media.The origins, structures and business models of the major social media platforms will be examined along with some of the fringe apps which provide similar services but to smaller, niche audiences.
The future of social media, including possible regulations, the changing marketplace, extensive use of artificial intelligence and virtual reality will also be considered.