Advanced Social Media Syllabus 2017
Advanced Social Media Syllabus 2017
Social Media
JOU 4930 | Spring 2017 | Section 08E5 | 334 Weimer Hall
Thursdays 12:503:50 p.m. (periods 6, 7, 8)
Instructor: Mindy McAdams, Professor, Department of Journalism
Email:
[email protected]
Office:
3049 Weimer Hall
Office hours: Wednesdays 13 p.m. | And by appointment
Office phone: (352) 392-8456 (NOTE: Email is better. Much better.)
WEBSITE:
https://socmeduf.wordpress.com/
Course Description
Students in this course analyze social media platforms and social media accounts used by news
organizations and individuals in professional contexts; write individual posts for various purposes and
goals; produce photos, videos and graphics for social sharing.
Course Objectives
In this course, students learn how to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Study and analyze social media use by news organizations and journalists
Create and critique social media posts
Create photos, videos and graphics for use in social media posts
Edit and improve their profiles on social media accounts
Learn about voice and branding in social media
Learn about analytics, community, demographics
Prerequisites
Students who enroll in this course must have completed JOU 3101 Reporting with a C or better.
Consideration will be given to students who have completed RTV 2100, JOU 3109C or MMC 2100.
Students who have not completed any of those courses should not enroll in this course.
Mobile devices must be turned OFF and placed out of sight during class. Do not check text messages,
social media, email, etc., during class, as your instructor considers this quite rude and therefore grounds
for disciplinary action. Give your full and undivided attention to anyone who is speaking in class,
including your fellow students.
Students are expected to use their own laptop computer during class. However, if you are seen checking
social media or any other sites unrelated to the immediate topics being discussed in class, penalties will
be imposed. Penalties range from a warning (first offense) to grade point deductions, starting at 50
percent of one assignment for the second offense and up to half a letter grade for the course for chronic
issues. Please give your full attention to the class while you are in the classroom.
See Attendance and participation under Course Requirements below for grading specifics.
UF Attendance Policies
> https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/attendance.aspx
Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty of any kind is not tolerated in this course. It will be reported to the students
department chair AND to the universitys Dean of Students. It will result in a failing grade for this course
(for details, see http://regulations.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/4042.pdf ). A formal report of
the offense will be filed with the universitys Dean of Students.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:
Using any work done by another person and submitting it for a class assignment.
Submitting work you did for another class.
Copying and pasting text written by another person without quotation marks and/or without
complete attribution, which usually includes a link to the original work.
Use of images produced by others without explicit permission of the creator of the image.
Attribution is not the same as permission. Most images found online are not free to use.
Course Requirements
Read this entire document in the first week of classes. If anything is not clear to you, ask me for
clarification on or before Jan. 10, 2017. This syllabus is a contract between you and me.
Please make sure to check the course website at least once a week. If you rely only on a printed or
downloaded copy, you may miss a change in the schedule.
> WEBSITE: https://socmeduf.wordpress.com/
Quizzes
There will be quizzes on the assigned reading. Quizzes are in Canvas and are open-book. On the Course
Schedule page on the course website (see above), the readings covered on that weeks quiz are listed
under the same week as the quiz. Deadlines: In Canvas.
Assignments
Assignments are listed and LINKED on the Course Schedule page on the course website (see above).
Exact deadlines: In Canvas.
Presentations
Presentations will involve a 10-minute demonstration in class, showing how news organizations are
using a particular app/social media platform from a list to be provided by the instructor.
30 percent
50 percent
10 percent
10 percent
100 percent
92100 points
9091 points
8889 points
8287 points
8081 points
7879 points
A
A
B+
B
B
C+
7277 points
7071 points
6869 points
6267 points
6061 points
59 points or fewer
C
C
D+
D
D
E
Jan. 4
Jan. 410
April 19
April 2228
Jan. 16
March 511
Course Evaluations
Students are expected to provide feedback on the quality of instruction in this course based on 10
criteria. These evaluations are conducted online: https://evaluations.ufl.edu
Evaluations are typically open during the final weeks of the semester. Students will be given specific
dates when they are open. Summary results of these assessments are available to students:
https://evaluations.ufl.edu/results/
Week 1 | Jan. 5
Introduction to the course; expectations
Week 2 | Jan. 12
Listening to the audience; social media and the evolving news ecosystem
Your social media profile: Inventory assignment (in class)
Your social media journal (starts now)
Week 3 | Jan. 19
Using social platforms to reach targeted audiences and to find sources
Professional use of Twitter; how journalists use Twitter; Twitter lists; whom to follow
Week 4 | Jan. 26
What consumers like; consequences of the Facebook algorithm
Facebook and news; Instant Articles; Pages; Groups
Week 5 | Feb. 2
Spreading your message by acquiring fans and followers
Instagram and Snapchat
Scheduling postswhy and how (Buffer, Hootsuite, SocialFlow)
Week 6 | Feb. 9
Engagement: What does it mean for news?
Building communities; responding to people; comment sections
Audience metrics and analysis
Week 7 | Feb. 16
Using the right tone and language in responses
Viral media and sharing behaviors
Advanced Social Media syllabus / McAdams
Week 8 | Feb. 23
Being authentic; transparency
Short social videos; live streaming videos; Facebook Live and news events
Week 9 | March 2
Class does not meet; your instructor will be at a conference. However, there is a quiz and an assignment.
Social media guidelines from professional news organizations
Social media is everyones job
Week 10 | March 9
Spring Breakno class
Week 11 | March 16
Asking questions (relates to engagement and community)
Crowdsourcing and UGC
Live coverage of events, breaking news
Week 12 | March 23
Providing value; free vs. paid
Curation and aggregation: Best practices
Week 13 | March 30
Using social network ads
Images, cards and animated GIFs: Creating attention with visuals
Week 14 | April 6
Preparing for mistakes; appropriate ways to react; handling corrections
Verification and fact checking with social media; fake news
Week 15 | April 13
Exceeding the audiences expectations
Data protection, security and privacy for journalists
Classes end: April 19 (Wednesday)
Finals: Monday, April 24Friday, April 28
Weekly topics are subject to change. Please check the Course Schedule page on the course website for
the latest updates.