Cmty Dev & Apld Econ: CL:SocialMedia:Theory2Practice

Explores social media from theoretical and professional practical perspectives, immersing students in the complex and multifaceted world of social media communication. Prerequisites: CDAE 1240, CDAE 1150, CALS 1020, or CALS 1850.

Prereqs enforced by the system: CDAE 1240, CDAE 1150, CALS 1020, or CALS 1850 Open to Degree and PACE students

This course explores the role of social media in public communication and related fields. You will learn about professional, theoretical, cultural, and societal dimensions of social media and apply this understanding in a client-based project managing a social media presence for an on-campus community partner. The course carries a civic learning designation enabling you to translate theory into practice in a real-world, professional context. Over the course of the semester, you will work in a group to develop a social media strategy, produce content, and analyze social metrics. The course integrates two of the most widely used social media management platforms providing opportunities to gain hands-on experience with sophisticated and dynamic digital tools for social media professionals. As part of the coursework, you will complete the requirements to earn a Social Media Marketing certification offered through Hootsuite Academy and boost your resume.

The course meets in-person 3x/week and attendance is expected. Many Fridays will be dedicated as “content labs” throughout the semester in which we will use class time to refine and post social media content to the content management system as part of our civic learning projects. Some additional class time will be allocated for CL project work, but some group and client meeting outside of class will be required. Students will work in groups, but much of the project deliverables will be completed individually.

Grades are based on attendance, assignments, participation, and two semester-long projects (Hootsuite Academy and Civic-Learning project).