Introduction to Digital Sociology

Module aims and Learning Outcomes

Module aims and Learning Outcomes

Module aims

This module introduces you to Digital Sociology by exploring what it means to be a Sociologist in the rapidly developing technological world.  In doing so it avoids simple explanations that put ‘real’ life and digital life into separate spheres and instead teases out the possibilities of research and enquiry into and using the online social realm.  It introduces debates about the relationship between technology and society.  It also helps us understand how sociological theories may assist us in our understanding of what ‘social’ means in these new settings. 

The module considers structures in society through themes of cooperation, individuality and interaction by exploring social networks, identity, and power structures for example, digital citizenship, activism and surveillance of online activities. It explores deviancy amplification by using moral panic theory.  You are asked to engage with contemporary popular writing and media content about these issues in order to investigate and be able to confidently comment on and debate about them.

It will also introduce you to digital social research methods asking what issues there are for social researchers in a digital society; what new material is available to social researchers; how social scientists can harness the new tools available to them and how they can navigate through this space in a secure, mindful and ethical way?  This module is designed to appeal to all budding social scientists that would like to explore the possibilities of future digital research across disciplinary boundaries.

There are both lectures and seminars for this class within those there will be sessions that may include film screenings, workshops via LinkedIn Learning and independent working sessions.  As usual, away from scheduled events, you are expected to prepare for sessions, think actively about the topic and be aware of contemporary issues and developing news stories.  In terms of assessment CW1 is a blog entry and CW2 is a group poster presentation.

Teaching sessions will consist of lectures and seminars on Tuesday morning. Every week course material will be posted on the Moodle site. You should look at the site regularly and check your university email address for updates from your tutors.  Remember, tutors are not supposed to reply to private emails; also, do message tutors via Moodle as the messages are to a non-reply box.  All students are expected to attend every session and to complete all coursework on time. More information about this is included below.

What is Digital Sociology

Main topic of study

• What are the challenges for social research in digital society?
• What new types of data are available now to social researchers?
• ‘Forgetting’ in the digital age and ethical issues with research.
• Information/network society theory and the digital revolution;
• Theories about the relationship between technology and society, technological determinism; digital optimism, techno-phobias and moral panics;
• How can classical sociological theories help us understand the ‘social’ in social media?
• Structures in society: cooperation; individuality and interaction: Interaction and identity; Online communities; Social networks and Social media; Digital citizenship; Digital power; Digital activism
• Digital research ethics: e-research and Big Data.
• Reflecting on your own online behaviour; Keeping yourself safe online and managing online identities.
• Mindful online behaviour and social media use – cyber bullying, flaming and trolling.

Module Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module, students will be able to:

Knowledge

1. Identify different theoretical approaches to digital debates (SID, CID, COI)

2. Demonstrate an understanding of key issues and debates in social sciences (SI, CID, COI)

Thinking skills

1. Differentiate between ‘media hype’ and more measured arguments about a variety of topics (CID, COI)

Subject-based practical skills

1. Build knowledge of digital sociology research methods including ethical issues (DP, CID, EID)

Skills for life and work (general skills)

1. Identify and summarise key points from a variety of sources and differentiate between reliable and unreliable sources (COI, CID)
2. Work as part of a presentation team and present ideas to an audience (DP, EID, SID, PID)
3. Write a blog entry (DP, CID).
4. Build knowledge of cyber security issues for research, work and personal life together with mindful online behaviour and resilience (DP, EID. SID, CID, COI)

 What is the Assessment Task?

For this you will need to research academic literature about blogging, visit and read blogs of your own choosing plus those about whatever aspect of social media it is that you are writing about.  I would recommend that you stick to those covered in your set book and any other book about digital sociology.  You can draw on SY3007 and your learning about hacking and other online deviant behaviours if you wish so that you can inform your discussion about the dangers of social media.  Please note though that does not mean however that you can reproduce work that you have already submitted for another module which is a specific academic misconduct of Self Plagiarism.

Your blog will be about the advantages and disadvantages of the use of social media.  You can pick your topic, for example, you might want to write about blogs in general or Facebook or Twitter.  As it is a blog and not an essay, you are encouraged to reflect on your own experiences, however, do not only rely on your own knowledge.  To achieve the best mark, you should refer to some sources and cite them in the usual way (Harvard Referencing).  If you have little personal experience of social media, you can research online for examples of social media being used.  It is entirely up to you how you approach this, but it must be written as a blog and follow a recognised blog format with the following features:

• A catchy title and opening section.  Explain the purpose of your blog and its topic.
• A definition of social media.
• A discussion about social media in general.
• Evidence that you have researched social media online by referring to examples eg of specific blogs or other online social media groups.
• You can describe or critique those that you have found.
• Separate from your blog and not part of your word count, a list of the sources you used including web site addresses of any groups you discussed in a correctly formatted reference list.  This must also include reference to relevant section(s) of your SY3005 core book: Lindgren, S. (2017) Digital media and society.  London: Sage Publications.
• Interesting relevant pictures.

Learning Outcomes:

Skills for life and work (general skills)

5. Identify and summarise key points from a variety of sources and differentiate between reliable and unreliable sources (COI, CID)
6. Write a blog entry (DP, CID).
7. Build knowledge of cyber security issues for research, work and personal life together with mindful online behaviour and resilience (DP, EID. SID, CID, COI)

What is the Assessment Task?

Production of a conference poster

Here is guidance relating to coursework two – make sure you focus on the topic for the coursework though and do not be sidetracked by any examples you see online.

Please produce a poster (one per group of not more than five students). 

• Groups will be arranged nearer the date.
• The poster will be on the topic of Moral panics about digital technologies.
• This should include:
• An explanation of what is meant by the key sociological concept ‘Moral Panic’ including an explanation of what is meant by ‘Folk Devil’. You can do this by explaining the original concept.
• You can then branch out into examples of Moral panics in relation to technology
• Your own picture or a reproduction of a picture of the ‘amplification spiral’ so that you can explain it to the assessors
• A clear explanation of the role of the media in the progression of a moral panic as part of that spiral.
• Evidence that you clearly understand the difference between ‘media’ and ‘social media’ so include definitions.
• If discussed show understanding of the difference between cyber enabled crime and cyber dependent crime.
• Include a short section on how you researched the topic ie if you searched online for sources, journals etc looked at web sites or blogs etc.
• Each student must speak about some aspect/part of the poster to get a mark – this is non-negotiable.
• Your poster presentation must demonstrate engagement with the module.
• You can use any source as long as it is a legitimate academic source. Please also use photographs, charts or any other graphic image but they must all be properly referenced/cited.  You can also refer to any film, documentary or virtual visit eg to a museum if appropriate and properly cited and referenced and not overly relied on.  You must always strive to use  a majority of academic sources.
• Use imaginative design for the poster.

Understand that this is an academic research poster and not an advertising poster; it should still be eye catching but they are very different things.  Look at one of the many websites about conference posters.

Summary of module for applicants:

This module introduces you to Digital Sociology by exploring what it means to be a Sociologist in the rapidly developing technological world.  In doing so it avoids simple explanations that put ‘real’ life and digital life into separate spheres and instead teases out the possibilities of research and enquiry into and using the online social realm.  It introduces debates about the relationship between technology and society.  It also helps us understand how sociological theories may assist us in our understanding of what ‘social’ means in these new settings. 

The module considers structures in society through themes of cooperation, individuality and interaction by exploring social networks, identity, and power structures including digital citizenship, activism and surveillance of online activities. You are asked to engage with contemporary popular writing and media content about these issues in order to investigate and be able to confidently comment on and debate about them.

It will also introduce you to digital social research methods asking what issues there are for social researchers in a digital society; what new material is available to social researchers; how social scientists can harness the new tools available to them and how they can navigate through this space in a secure, mindful and ethical way?  This module is designed to appeal to all budding social scientists that would like to explore the possibilities of future digital research across disciplinary boundaries.

The main topics of study will usually include:

• What are the challenges for social research in digital society?
• What new types of data are available now to social researchers?
• ‘Forgetting’ in the digital age and ethical issues with research.
• Information/network society theory and the digital revolution;
• Theories about the relationship between technology and society, technological determinism; digital optimism, techno-phobias and moral panics;
• How can classical sociological theories help us understand the ‘social’ in social media?
• Structures in society: cooperation; individuality and interaction: Interaction and identity; Online communities; Social networks and Social media; Digital citizenship; Digital power; Digital activism
• Digital research ethics: e-research and Big Data.
• Reflecting on your own online behaviour; Keeping yourself safe online and managing online identities.
• Mindful online behaviour and social media use – cyber bullying, flaming and trolling.