2020 Fall

THEATER R1B 005 - LEC 005

Performance: Writing and Research

Social Media Performance and its Platforms

Christian R Nagler

Aug 26, 2020 - Dec 11, 2020

Mo, We, Fr

11:00 am - 11:59 am

Internet/Online

Class #:25613

Units: 4

Instruction Mode: Remote Instruction
Time Conflict Enrollment Allowed

Offered through Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies

Current Enrollment

Total Open Seats: 0

Enrolled:

Waitlisted:

Capacity:

Waitlist Max:

No Reserved Seats

Hours & Workload

3 hours of instructor presentation of course materials per week, and 9 hours of outside work hours per week.

Course Catalog Description

Reading and composition in connection with the study of dramatic literature. R1A satisfies the first half of the Reading and Composition requirement, and R1B satisfies the second half.

In this class we will investigate what performance means on/in/for social media. What forms and genres of self-presentation, narrative, staging, dialogue, action, address, protest, embodiment, commentary, critique, and pedagogy have developed both in line with and in resistance to digital platforms? The performances we consider will range from works of online performance art to popular and functional displays of social media entrepreneurs, digital self-marketers, influencers, celebrities, political personalities, instructors and everyday people. How do we draw connections between these and previous (pre-internet) forms? We will consider various methods of analyzing and interpreting social media performances, and this will help us understand the broader social, political, economic and neuro-psychological issues of digital platforms and networked communications. As the platforms have emerged, as they have grown, as they have come to be a dominant channel for production and consumption of representations, and as they have more recently come under widespread public scrutiny, how have the performances of individuals and groups reacted and adapted? Crucially, how have discourses of race, class, gender, and environmental justice been inflected by social media forms? Students will engage in a semester-long research project in which they synthesize many sources, points of view and variations on a particular form of social media performance.

Class Notes

R&C classes offered by TDPS in Fall 2020 will meet during scheduled class times remotely and synchronously for at least ½ of the scheduled class hours per week. The remainder of class time will be held either synchronously or asynchronously. Some of the Zoom class meetings will involve break-out groups. Regular reading, writing, video viewing assignments, research-based assignments, etc. will be shared with students via bCourses. Final assessment will involve written papers. Students are expected to use the video option in Zoom for this class. Please contact the instructor if you have extenuating circumstances that prevent use of the video option (or if you have other technical issues). show less

Rules & Requirements

Requisites

Previously passed an R_A course with a letter grade of C-or better. Previously passed an articulated R_A course with a letter grade of C-or better. Score a 4 on the Advanced Placement Exam in English Literature and Composition. Score a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Exam in English Language and Composition. Score of 5, 6, or 7 on the International Baccalaureate Higher Level Examination