Social Media Spring 2010 Class Video1

It's very rough, but it's all our own:

The Power of Blogging

The optimism and excitement with which Paul Levinson writes about blogging is apparent. He makes the saying "you can make a difference," very believable. In the section "Changing the World with Your Blog," Levinson gives an example of how Joan Walsh, editor of the blog Open Salon and frequent guest on several MSNBC shows, and himself, to a lesser extent, influenced Barack Obama's decision not to delay the debate between himself and Senator John McCain in 2008. Walsh responded to Levinson's blog saying, "Paul Levinson speaks, Obama listens!" Although this may be an exaggeration, it highlights the potential that every blogger has to influence anyone even the President of the United States.

Earlier in the chapter, Levinson discusses several instances in which he received feedback from several actors or from family of the actors who read his blog. Rich Sommer, who plays Harry Crane in AMC's "Mad Men," not only corrected Levinson but expressed his gratitude for Levinson's reviews. A similar exchange took place with Idris Elba, who played Stringer Bell on HBO's "The Wire." Like Sommer, Elba also thanked Levinson and the two shared some musical interests. Levinson also heard from Len Cariou's ("Brotherhood") wife and Aaron Hart's ("Mad Men") father. This must be a rewarding experience for any blogger. Influencing the President and chatting with certain celebrities, which a few years ago was seemingly impossible, are just two prime examples that demonstrate the power of blogging.

Michael Wesch's Videos

This video serves as a good introduction to Web 2.0 for us.  The introduction of xml as an alternative to html coding opens up new possibilities for user-generated content, collaboration, and social interaction.




And let's add his sequel, Information R/evolution:



And for a somewhat different perspective, from the student side of things...

Welcome to the Class!

Welcome to our class blog!  This is the official blog for Fordham University's Social Media class, and I want to make it clear that I did not choose the name for this blog, it was the students' idea.  Just a disclaimer, thank you very much.

And in case you were wondering, here's our class syllabus:

CM 3307; Social Media; Spring 2010
Dr. Lance Strate, Faculty Memorial Hall, Room 434A
Telephone: (718) 817-4864; E-mail: strate@fordham.edu
http://lancestrate.blogspot.com
Office Hours: Mon. 4:30- 5:30; Tues. 1-2; Wed. 2-3, or by appointment.

Point of View of This Course:
In this course, we will create a collaborative learning environment, and learning community, in order to explore, examine, and understand the contemporary online media environment, with special emphasis on the recent phenomena known as social media, including social networking and Web 2.0.

Required Text:
New New Media, by Paul Levinson
Additional readings will be provided in class or online.

Course Objectives :
1. To explore and participate in the contemporary online media environment and the social networking/Web 2.0 phenomenon.

2. To examine the contemporary online media environment from a variety of different perspectives, including the aesthetic, phenomenological, philosophical, critical, historical, anthropological, psychological, and media ecological.

3. To analyze the personal, social, and cultural implications of the contemporary online media environment.

Evaluation:

1. Participation. First, there is the Fordham College policy that unexcused absences are grounds for failure. Second, there is the basic requirement that you attend class with a minimum of absences (excused or unexcused), and that you come to class on time and remain for the full duration of class. Third, you need to participate sensibly during class meetings. Fourth, you need to participate in group activities online, including an exploration of social media sites such as MySpace, Twitter, and YouTube, and fulfillment of assignments related to that exploration. Participation will account for 40% of the final grade.

2. Written Work and Other Creative Activity. You will be required to produce written commentary and analysis and post it on our public blog. This will include assessments of assigned readings, discussion and analysis of online experiences and materials, and commentary on each other's work. Your written work will be graded in terms of quantity, timeliness, and quality, and will account for 40% of the final grade.

3. Examination. There will be a final examination, which will account for 20% of the final grade.

Tentative Schedule

Jan. 20      Introduction to the Class

Jan. 27      Web 2.0, Social Networking, and Social Media

            Reading Due:  Preface & Chap. 1


Feb. 3           Blogging

            Reading Due: Chap. 2


Feb. 10      YouTube

            Reading Due: Chap. 3


Feb. 17      Wikipedia

            Reading Due: Chap. 4


Feb. 24      Digg

            Reading Due:  Chap. 5


Mar. 3           MySpace

            Reading Due:  Chap. 6


Mar. 10      Facebook

            Reading Due: Chap. 7


Mar. 17      Spring Recess — No Class Meeting

Mar. 24      Twitter

            Reading Due:  Chap. 8


Mar. 31      Second Life

            Reading Due: Chap. 9


Apr. 7           Podcasting

            Reading Due: Chap. 10


Apr. 14      Costs and Consequences

            Reading Due: Chap. 11


Apr. 21      Politics

            Reading Due: Chap. 12


Apr. 28      The Mobile Revolution

            Reading Due: Chap. 13


May 5          Conclusion to the Course

May 12      1:30-3:30 Final Exam