Course Description
An in-depth look at social media history, theory and practice. Students will gain a general understanding of social media usage within and on behalf of organizations and institutions through a critical thinking approach that focuses on the practical application of social media techniques.
Overview
What do you think social media is all about? Connections? Friends? Notoriety? Advertising? Business? Yes. it’s all of that.
During this course we will look at the roots of social media and where it is now. And now. And now. And…our entire course could follow the latest trend. So we won’t do that. We are going to look at social media as a communication system in the same way we might look at television or newspapers.
As a group we’ll attempt to explain and define social media. We’ll apply specific and successful communication methods and techniques. We’ll work for a real client. And we’ll look at social media in an organizational context, it’s use for communications, marketing, and learning and how to measure whether we are successful.
We will be using the HootSuite for Students curriculum to learn how to manage and measure our social media usage. At the end of semester you will be a HootSuite Certified Professional. That means you’ll have something very cool for your résumé. And you’ll be listed in HootSuite’s Certified Professional directory on their website.
Resources
Reading/Viewing
Textbook
Hootsuite Social Media Certification:
You will have assignments in Hootsuite. Look in the course schedule for the current module assignment. You will watch these modules outside of class; we may discuss them but I expect you will use the knowledge. After viewing all the Hootsuite modules you can take the Hootsuite Certification exam.
Current Events:
You’re required to subscribe (free) to at least one (or all) of the following websites. Read articles from them daily. We will talk about current events in every class.
- Social Media Examiner
- Social Media Marketing
- Social Media Today
- The Social Times
- The Center for Social Media
The best way to keep up with blogs and websites is by using their RSS feed. You’ll need desktop or online software to read RSS feeds. I recommend Feedly, a web / mobile app and browser plugin.
LinkedIn Learning
All MTSU students now have full access to LinkedIn Learning, an online library of tutorials. Throughout the semester I may assign or recommend modules and courses to view. You should watch these modules outside of class; we will not discuss them but I expect you will use the knowledge. I would suggest you complete all courses, even if only a few modules are suggested. These can be listed under skills on your resume and as a certification on your LinkedIn profile.
You can start using LinkedIn Learning now by going to mtsu.edu/itd/lil.php for more information and access to MTSU’s LinkedIn Learning portal. When accessing the portal, users with existing Lynda profiles will be given the opportunity to migrate their existing work, playlists, etc. to the new environment.
EXTRA CREDIT OPP: I will not assign entire courses but if you complete one that I approve and show or email me the Certificate of Completion you will receive 75 points. That is half a grade step.
Accounts
You must have (or open), and keep up, active accounts for the following services, as well as others as assigned:
- Website (WordPress) You may use your existing WordPress website.
- Facebook or Twitter
- YouTube (requires a Google account)
- Slideshare
Social Media Follows
You must follow/like/join/subscribe/add the accounts below:
- WordPress: mtsunewmedia.wordpress.com
- LinkedIn: Todd O’Neill (me)
- LinkedIn: MTSU Interactive Media Group
- twitter: @mtsuninteractive, @emcmtsu. @mediacollegemt
- Facebook: MTSU Interactive Page, EMC MTSU, MTSU College of Media and Entertainment
- YouTube: MTSU New Media
Experiential Learning (EXL)
This course is an Experiential Learning Course (EXL.) This course includes a hands-on learning project (applied learning, service learning, creative activity, teacher education, laboratory, co-op, or internship). MTSU wants to provide relevant real-world learning opportunities that will benefit students. This course will count toward completion of the designation, EXL Scholars Program. For more information about the EXL Scholars Program, check the website: http://www.mtsu.edu/exl/. It is strongly recommended that you keep copies of all coursework as it will be helpful if you wish to pursue the EXL Scholars designation.
Mechanics, Levers, and Gears
Assignment and Project Publishing
You will publish all of your assignments to your website. They should all be professional quality. Treat them as documents you will give to your client or boss, not as class assignments. By the end of semester you’ll have the beginning of a professional portfolio of work to show to an internship, employer or prospective client.
D2L
We will be using the Desire2Learn for grading and selected assignments. We WILL NOT use D2L email. I will not be checking that Inbox.
Send all email to me at todd.oneill@mtsu.edu from your mtmail.mtsu.edu address. No other FROM address should be used. Department policy, not mine. Use a subject line that makes sense.
GroupMe
I have created a Group.me list for this course. Join it here. In case you don’t know, Group.me is a text message service. Your phone number remains hidden. We can exchange messages about the class, projects, or ask each other questions, etc. I will also use it for class announcements instead of email. It works on smartphones and feature/flip phones; any device that can send or receive text messages. Text message rates may apply. Your mileage may vary. Batteries not included. Keep your hands inside the car at all times.
Copyright and Course Assignments
Any creative work that has been “fixed in a tangible medium of expression” is covered by copyright law. All materials used in a project must be either supplied by the client, created by you specifically for the project and therefore owned by the client, or obtained specifically for the project. Copyrighted material may only be used with written or emailed permission of the copyright holder(s). If you use your personal material for your client you should either grant them the rights or negotiate a fee for use. Other allowed materials include Creative Commons and Public Domain materials used with proper attribution.
If you decide to use copyrighted materials under the Fair Use guidelines you must provide written justification to the instructor describing the use of the material and the instructor will make a determination of your usage; the instructor’s negative determination is final. Since all of your project material will be published publically there is the risk that your interpretation of Fair Use and that of a copyright holder or court will differ. Which may open you up to a lawsuit, which you will probably lose, and which will cost you a lot of money. Proceed at your own risk.
Evaluation / Grading
You’ll be responsible for:
- Semester Reflection
- Assigned reading, viewing or listening
- Personal online accounts Set-up
- HootSuite University Certification
- Client Project
- Social Media Club Nashville attendance (1 meeting (involvement option, not extra credit)
Professional behavior is expected in everything you do in class and out. That is our contract. In return you’ll be “paid” in accordance with fulfilling that contract. My side of the bargain is providing you with valuable work to do. Attending this class assumes your agreement to these terms.
You may receive up to 1000 points for the work that you do.
- Semester Reflection – 300 Points
- PersonaL accounts set-up – 100 points
- Client Project – 500 points
- Social Media Club Nashville – 100 points
Points to Grade |
|
| 900 – 1000 | A |
| 800 – 899 | B /+ / – |
| 700 – 799 | C /+ / – |
| 600 – 699 | D /+ / – |
| 0 – 599 | F |
Midterm grades
The University has instituted midterm grade reporting. Your midterm grade is based upon a small fraction of the work that will determine your final grade. Your midterm grade should not be interpreted as a strong indication of what your final grade may be. Most of your final grade will be determined by how you perform in the second half of the semester.
Academic Misconduct Policy
Middle Tennessee State University takes a strong stance against academic misconduct. Academic Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, and fabrication.
Academic Misconduct: Plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, or facilitating any such act. For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
- Plagiarism: The adoption or reproduction of ideas, words, statements, images, or works of another person as one’s own without proper attribution. This includes self-plagiarism, which occurs when an author submits material or research from a previous academic exercise to satisfy the requirements of another exercise and uses it without proper citation of its reuse. (SEE Copyright and Course Assignments above.)
- Cheating: Using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise. This includes unapproved collaboration, which occurs when a student works with others on an academic exercise without the express permission of the professor. The term academic exercise includes all forms of work submitted for credit or hours.
- Fabrication: Unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise.
To be clear: going online and taking information without proper citations, copying parts of other student’s work, creating information for the purposes of making your paper seem more official, or anything involving taking someone else’s thoughts or ideas without proper attribution is academic misconduct. If you work together on an assignment when it is not allowed, it is academic misconduct. If you have a question about an assignment, please come see me to clarify. Any cases of academic misconduct will be reported to the Office of Academic Affairs for violating the academic honesty requirements in the student handbook. They will also result in failure for the course. Remember – ignorance is NOT a defense.
Diversity
Negative statements about race, class, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, or religion will not be tolerated. Please choose your words carefully and be mindful of difference in this classroom. Students who violate this policy may incur grade deductions and/or be asked to leave.
Tutoring
Free tutoring is available in study skills, learning strategies and several courses such as biology, physics, history, computer information systems, math, psychology, economics, recording industry, and many more.
The central location for tutoring is the Tutoring Spot, located in Walker Library. For available tutoring opportunities, including days, times, and location, visit http://mtsu.edu/studentsuccess/tutoring.php#on.
You are encouraged to take advantage of this free service.
Tutoring is also available for some courses in the College of Media and Entertainment. Visit your department office for more information.
For Students With Special Needs
Middle Tennessee State University is committed to campus access in accordance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Any student interested in reasonable accommodations can consult the Disability & Access Center (DAC) website and/or contact the DAC for assistance at 615-898-2783 or dacemail@mtsu.edu.
Last Day Of Attendance
At mid-semester, the MTSU Records Office will distribute a list of students enrolled in this class. The instructor will record on the list the last date of attendance for students who have ceased attending but not officially dropped or withdrawn from the class. The attendance record is to comply with federal financial aid regulations for students receiving aid.
Lottery Scholarship
Do you have a lottery scholarship? To retain the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship eligibility, you must earn a cumulative TELS GPA of 2.75 after 24 and 48 attempted hours and a cumulative TELS GPA of 3.0 thereafter. A grade of C, D, F, FA, or I in this class may negatively impact TELS eligibility.
If you drop this class, withdraw, or if you stop attending this class you may lose eligibility for your lottery scholarship, and you may not be able to regain eligibility at a later time.
For additional Lottery rules, please refer to your Lottery Statement of Understanding form or contact your MT One Stop Enrollment Counselor.
The MT One Stop is now open and located in Room 210 of the Student Services & Admissions Center (SSAC). If you have additional questions about financial aid, registration, tuition and billing and transcripts, please contact your MT One Stop Enrollment Counselor or come by the MT One Stop.