module specification

This Level 4 module introduces students to debates around the use of social media in business contexts. The module contextualises the understanding of social media with reference to the history, theory and practice of social media in corporate contexts, as well as setting out social media practice. The module combines theory based learning of the contexts and uses of social media with practice based learning around the use of social media in specific employability oriented contexts.

The module aims a) to introduce students to a range of debates about the role of social media in society and in business; b) to encourage students to employ critical methods in the understanding of and analysis of social media, c) to allow students to learn from practice in developing a multi-modal social media campaign.

The syllabus combines lecture and lab based learning. The lecture syllabus will cover a history of social media, social media technologies, social media in the workplace, and major debates around social media.

The lab based syllabus will cover online tools for study and learning; social networking services profiles; blogging and microblogging; basic HTML and simple web design.

This module will be delivered through a combination of modes of delivery, including formal lectures, seminars, computer lab workshops, and individual tutorials. The mixed-mode module delivery will be used to encourage a supportive environment for individual and peer-group learning. 

A blended learning strategy will be employed to enhance the learning experience, facilitate communication between students and tutors and develop collaboration among students. The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) will be used as a platform to support online activities including on-line discussions, evaluation of online resources, and access to electronic reading packs. The VLE will also be used to facilitate formative assessment and related feedback, as well as a tool to integrate useful online learning materials provided by research institutions, academic publications, professional organisations and other relevant sources.

On successful completion of this module students will:

1. Have gained a thorough understanding of social media and its uses within a corporate context including an understanding of the history of social media and key debates around the use of social media.
2. Have demonstrated the ability to apply critical and theoretical perspectives in the use and analysis of social media
3. Have demonstrated a good understanding of the wider social, culture, theoretical and historical context of social media.

This is a level 4 modules and the assessment strategy is aimed at introducing students to formal assessment including the processes around assessment submission, while allowing opportunities for extensive formative feedback both in development of assessed work and after submission. The assessments are closely tied to the curriculum allowing students to develop work in lab time with the support of the module tutor. The assessments are:

1. Social media marketing campaign: students are required to produce a sequence of social media content combined with a publishing schedule in response to a scenario from a selection set by the module tutor.
2. Social media strategy report: students are required to write a report detailing a social media marketing strategy on the basis of scenarios set by the tutor.

Albarran, A.B. (Ed.) (2013) The Social Media Industries, Media management and economics, Routledge: New York ; London.
Bruns, A. (2008), Blogs, Wikipedia, Second Life and Beyond: From Production to Produsage, London: Peter Lang.
Fuchs, C. (2014) Social Media: A Critical Introduction, SAGE: Los Angeles; London.
Kelly, N. (2013) How to Measure Social Media: A Step-by-Step Guide to Developing and Assessing Social Media ROI, Que: Indianapolis, Ind.
Ryan, D. (2011) The Best Digital Marketing Campaigns in the World: Mastering the Art of Customer Engagement, Kogan Page: London; Philadelphia.
Smith, N. (2011) The Social Media Management Handbook: Everything You Need to Know to Get Social Media Working in Your Business, John Wiley & Sons: Chichester.
Treadaway, C. (2010) Facebook Marketing: An Hour a Day, Wiley: Indianapolis.
Tredinnick, L. (2008), Digital Information Culture, Oxford: Chandos Publishing.
Tuten, T.L. (2013b) Social Media Marketing, Pearson Education Limited: Harlow.