With the advent of virtual communities and online social networks, old questions about the meaning of human social behavior have taken on renewed significance. Using a variety of online social media simultaneously, and drawing upon theoretical literature in a variety of disciplines, this course delves into discourse about community across disciplines. This course will enable students to establish both theoretical and experiential foundations for making decisions and judgments regarding the relations between mediated communication and human community.

This course provides an overview of the social dynamics and phenomena of the internet. It seeks to establish a basic social theory to create a strong foundation for understanding the new cultural and social principles of the Internet with a focus upon the relationship between technology and society. We will examine the ways in which society is changing due to the introduction and widespread use of computers and computer network communication. This includes new social networks and their impact on social lives, changes in social capital, young people and cyber-bullying, online gaming and the social dynamics of virtual worlds, the use of social media in social justice, and other case studies.

Credit Restrictions

Students will receive no credit for Sociology 167 after completing Sociology C167/Information C167. A deficient grade in Sociology C167/Information C167 maybe removed by taking Sociology 167.

Repeat Rules

Course is not repeatable for credit.

Requirements class fulfills