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Internet and Society

Internet and Society, SOCI4260-1/5260-1
Maymester 2014, May 12-May 29, MoTuWeTh 12:30PM - 3:50PM, Chilton 274/Th121
Prof. Gabe Ignatow, ignatow.blogspot.com, ignatow@unt.edu
Overview
This course is designed with specific learning outcomes in mind, applicable to sociology majors and non-majors:
  1. Develop a basic understanding of the social dimensions of information communication technologies.
  2. Read, with substantial comprehension, current articles, reports, and academic papers related to developments in IT (information technology) and social science
  3. Extract from the readings an understanding of the social and political context surrounding digital information systems.
Week 1
Introduction
A
Information Overload

B
Identity, Relationships, and Lifestyles
C
Exam 1 20% of final grade
Week 2
Digital Inequality
Winner-take-all economics
A
Digital literacy
B
C
And choose one of the following:


Exam 2 30% of final grade



Week 3
Politics and Revolution
A
B



The News
C


Sobieraj and Berry. 2011. From Incivility to Outrage: Political Discourse in Blogs, Talk Radio, and Cable News.

Ignatow and Williams. 2011. New Media and the ‘Anchor Baby’ Boom.

 Final Exam 40% of final grade



10% of final grade for participation/class presentation

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