Living in the Information Age

Pedagogical approach

This course is based on epistemology of doing, which is a pedagogical and research practice that privileges experiential learning. In this approach, students are not delivered ready-made, prepackaged knowledge, rather they engage with the contexts so that to develop knowledge structures and appropriate them. This course embodies this approach to learning by engaging the students in a series of activities that allow learning by doing.

Course information

This course introduces students to the aspects of human communication in an information-rich society. We focus on making sense of "The Information Age" and what it implies for the citizens of the 21st century. This course addresses information technologies as social constructions. Specific topics for the course include Wikipedia and research online, mass media in the digital context, social networking and online presence.

Learning Objectives

During this course, students should:

-          Become familiar with the theories describing human communication in an information rich society;

-          Acquire media literacy in application to social media settings;

-          Become cognizant about the role of audience in media production and consumption;

-          Learn to be active member of online communities and platforms.

Like other communication courses, this one strives to

-       Investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and skills, and values that underlie competent communication;

-       Promote active critical thinking about the role of communication in everyday life;

-       Improve your ability to analyze human communication interaction;

-       Build an understanding of human communication that you can use and apply in your life.

Assignments

This is the list of assignments and projects for the semester. Some assignments consist of several steps.

Weekly discussions– conversations with peers to apply and explore the readings assigned for the week

Wikipedia project– an assignment to make 300-400 word modification to a Wikipedia page on local content

Virtual resume project– an assignment to create and assemble a virtual resume using the tools of VirtualCV.com or LinkedIn.com or other site  

Response to an articlein New York Times related to our course – an assignment to create a brief response to the article using “Post Comment” function.

Twitter and Delicious activity– an assignment to peruse these sites

Phone or office consultation– a meeting with a professor in the office or by phone 

Final project: Argumentative essay– a paper in which the author is to develop a position on an aspect of a topic touched in discussions or a topic related to the course. The objective is to persuade a specific audience that a certain action should be taken.

Screenshots/Files/Links (Optional)

Screenshots (or Other Supporting Materials): 

This is a sample of weekly modules. The module includes a to do list, discussion prompt, activity for the week, and future activ

a sample of successful student work with wikipedia