Language, Social Media, and Identity

Catalog description

How do the language and images that we use online shape the way others see us--and the way we see ourselves? This class will explore how digital technology has changed language use and conventions, and how identities are formed through language and other choices online. In the first half of the course, we will examine case studies regarding personal and corporate social media use across various platforms around the world, considering how users select social media platforms and employ language resources, including multimodality, as they write. We will learn about options and tools for online research and discuss the ethical concerns that arise in collecting data via social media. In the second half of the course, students will work on their own case studies examining how language is used to create community and identity within a particular forum or genre (such as Reddit, Facebook, or online advertising). Evaluation will be based on discussion board posts, leading and participating in class discussions, the written case study, and a final research presentation. Students will receive credit for ENG 4040 or COM 4040, not both. These courses may substitute for each other with the F-replacement option.