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Fall 2011
Ethnic Studies 98/198
2 Unit(s)

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Human friendly URL (OBSOLETE)
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About the Course:

From its conception, Facebook was launched as a social platform for college students, a network exclusive to only one social group. What began, at first, as an impact on the way we perceived each other as students from a particular college, quickly transcended into an impact on the way we perceived our various other identities, from race to religion and sexual orientation. Through the integration of social networking into our lives, we have subsequently been made more aware of our identities as they are highlighted on the web. What does it mean to pronounce your religious affiliation on Facebook? What does it mean to openly discuss race on Twitter or YouTube?

This class explores the different identities we label ourselves with, and how those intersect with life in the social network. Looking at MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Tumblr, this class will actively discuss identity as a cause and effect of social media. By the end of the course, you will have a better understanding of the assumptions we make in the mediated interactions we have everyday.

Since this course is listed under Ethnic Studies, the class will set up a comparative framework that emphasizes marginalized identities, groups and classes of people and their struggles over power as they relate to social media.

Class comprises of: 
1) Discussion, participation and attendance (25%)
2) Class project/Co-facilitating (25%)
3) Short paper (20%)
4) Final paper (30%)

*Please see the syllabus for further details.

How to Enroll:

Students who want to take the decal are expected to show up on the first day of class (TBA). Please do NOT email the course facilitators about enrollment. Come to the first day of class for further details.