General provisions

The course is offered in English. The course is offered as part of the Master's Programme in Human-Computer Interaction.

Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree equivalent to a Swedish degree of at least 180 credits (i.e. three years of full-time studies). All applicants need to verify English language proficiency.

Learning outcomes

The aim of this course is to provide and develop the students knowledge about Internet and

social media with a focus on how this technology can be used and how its use can be

studied. Students will learn to discuss social interaction patterns and conventions for social design, as well as the components and pieces of interactivity that are the building blocks of social experiences. They will also learn to design a social media site adapted to a particular purpose and user group.

Upon completion of the module, students should be able to:

1. describe and discuss different theoretical perspectives on information technological

changes;

2. describe and discuss the historical development of Internet and Social media;

3. demonstrate knowledge about the current use of Internet and social media in a global

perspective;

4. reflect upon the Internet and social media from the perspective of the individual, the organisation, the enterprise and the society

5. use design principles and high level design patterns for design of social media;

6. apply qualitative and quantitative methods for analysis of usage patterns in social

media;

7. demonstrate oral skills in presentation, discussions and constructive criticism.

Content

The course advances and deepens student's knowledge of key approaches that relate to a

broad range of topics:

- the characteristics of large changes in information and communication technology. First

and second order effects.

- interpersonal life online, perspective on Internet use: access, involvement and interaction,

Digital divide and universal access.

- social shaping: how people shape the information and communication technology.

- social consequences: how the information and communication technology shapes peoples lives.

-Internet and social media cultural practises.

- qualitative and quantitative methods for studying Internet and social media usage patterns.

- intellectual property rights and Internet.

- new media design and development.

The course prepares students for work as digital media researchers and digital media

professionals.

Instruction

Lectures, seminars, tutoring and a final project work.

Assessment

Active participation in lectures and seminars. Quality of written project work and presentations.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator or a decision by the department's working group for study matters.