CMNS 3201: Citizen and Consumer Identities in Networked Culture
Students explore the practices and responsibilities of the citizen and the consumer in the context of networked culture, considering ways in which these roles are defined and distinguished in digital space. Particular focus is placed on the question of control over access to knowledge and information and on the interdependence of social participation and surveillance through digital platforms. As well, students explore methods and models for citizen activism and civic engagement through networked platforms. Students learn to engage the inherent contradictions and tensions within these issues as they focus on how keywords are deployed within a variety of cultural narratives.
Learning outcomes
- Explain the concepts and debates that inform relevant keywords, including networked culture, digital citizenship, participatory culture, platforms, algorithm, surveillance, privacy, citizen-consumer, monitorial citizen, and hashtag activist.
- Describe and analyze relationships between citizenship and access to knowledge and information in networked culture.
- Examine the potential of “participatory culture” as a form of citizen empowerment.
- Explain the “data bargain” and its impact on our economic and social participation as citizens.
- Discuss and analyze the opportunities and limitations of citizen activism and civic engagement in networked culture.
Course topics
- Module 1: Democracy, Technology, and Citizenship
- Module 2: Privacy and the Networked Public
- Module 3: Surveillance Culture
- Module 4: The Flow of Information—Fake News, Megapublishers, and Algorithms
- Module 5: Participatory Culture and the Consumer
- Module 6: Digital Media Literacies and Networked Capital
- Module 7: Corporate Narratives and the Selling of Identity
- Module 8: Government Narratives and Techno-nationalism
- Module 9: The Gamer Identity
- Module 10: Consumer Resistance
- Module 11: Regulating Digital Citizens
- Module 12: Datapreneurs and Consumer-Creators
Required text and materials
There is no required textbook for this course.
Assessments
Please be aware that should your course have a final exam, you are responsible for the fee to the online proctoring service, ProctorU, or to the in-person approved Testing Centre. Please contact exams@tru.ca with any questions about this.
To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 50% or higher on the overall course, and 50% or higher on the final mandatory exam.
| Assignment 1: Imagining Digital Public Space | 25% |
| Assignment 2: Agency and Participatory Culture | 25% |
| Assignment 3: The Future of Social Media—Public Engagement or Pure Entertainment? | 25% |
| Mandatory Final Exam | 25% |
| Total | 100% |
Open Learning Faculty Member Information
An Open Learning Faculty Member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of the course.
