Prompt Library: Instructor Syllabus Builder

Copilot Response

📘 Course Title: Social Media in Society

📄 Course Description:

This course critically examines the role of social media in shaping contemporary society. Students will explore how platforms like Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube influence culture, politics, identity, mental health, and the economy. Through readings, discussions, and projects, students will develop media literacy skills and ethical awareness while analyzing the power dynamics and algorithms that drive digital communication.

🎯 Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Critically analyze the cultural, political, and psychological impacts of social media.
2. Demonstrate media literacy by evaluating digital content and platform design.
3. Identify and assess the ethical implications of social media use and data practices.
4. Examine the role of algorithms, misinformation, and AI in shaping public discourse.
5. Collaborate on a research-based project that explores a contemporary social media issue.

📅 Weekly Topics:

📝 Assessments:

Google Gemini Response

Social Media in Society Course Syllabus

Course Number: COMM 3XX Semester: Fall 2025 Instructor: [Instructor Name] Office: [Office Location] Email: [Instructor Email] Office Hours: [Days and Times]

Course Description

Welcome to "Social Media in Society"! This course offers a critical and comprehensive exploration of social media's profound impact on contemporary life. We will delve into how these platforms have reshaped our cultural landscapes, influenced political discourse, affected individual and collective psychology, and transformed economic models. Through interdisciplinary lenses, we will examine the evolution of social media, its underlying technologies, and its complex implications, from the spread of information and the rise of digital activism to concerns about privacy, misinformation, and mental well-being. This course encourages active participation, critical thinking, and a nuanced understanding of the digital world we inhabit.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Critically Analyze Social Media Phenomena: Evaluate the multifaceted impacts of social media on individuals, communities, and global society, identifying both opportunities and challenges.
2. Apply Media Literacy Principles: Discern credible information from misinformation and disinformation on social media platforms, understanding the mechanisms of content creation, dissemination, and consumption.
3. Examine Ethical Implications: Discuss and debate the ethical considerations surrounding social media use, data privacy, platform governance, and user responsibility.
4. Understand Algorithmic Influence: Explain how algorithms shape user experiences, content visibility, and societal narratives on social media platforms.
5. Formulate Informed Perspectives: Develop well-reasoned arguments and solutions regarding current and emerging issues in social media, including its role in activism, mental health, and future technological advancements.

Weekly Topics

Week 1: Introduction to Social Media & Its Evolution

• Defining social media: history, key platforms, and foundational concepts.
• The shift from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 and beyond.
• The networked society: opportunities and challenges.

Week 2: The Architecture of Platforms: Business Models & User Data

• How social media companies make money: advertising, data monetization.
• The value of user data and privacy concerns.
• Introduction to platform governance and terms of service.

Week 3: Identity & Self-Presentation in the Digital Age

• Constructing digital identities: avatars, profiles, and curated selves.
• Performance and authenticity online.
• The impact of self-presentation on self-esteem and social comparison.

Week 4: Communities, Connections & Social Capital

• Online communities: formation, norms, and dynamics.
• Bridging and bonding social capital in digital spaces.
• The role of social media in maintaining relationships.

Week 5: Midterm Review & Midterm Exam

• Review of foundational concepts, theories, and readings from Weeks 1-4.
• Midterm Exam covering all material up to Week 4.

Week 6: Algorithms, Filter Bubbles & Echo Chambers

• How algorithms work: personalization, recommendation engines.
• The concepts of filter bubbles and echo chambers.
• Impact on information diversity and political polarization.

Week 7: Misinformation, Disinformation & Fake News

• Defining misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation.
• Mechanisms of spread and psychological susceptibility.
• Fact-checking, media literacy, and critical evaluation strategies.

Week 8: Social Media & Political Discourse

• The role of social media in political campaigns and elections.
• Online deliberation vs. polarization.
• Censorship, free speech, and platform responsibility.

Week 9: Digital Activism & Social Movements

• "Click-activism" vs. meaningful engagement.
• Social media's role in organizing protests and raising awareness.
• Case studies of successful and unsuccessful digital movements.

Week 10: Social Media & Mental Health

• The psychological impacts: anxiety, depression, FOMO, cyberbullying.
• Body image and self-esteem issues.
• Strategies for digital well-being and responsible use.

Week 11: The Creator Economy & Influencer Culture

• The rise of content creators and influencers.
• Monetization strategies and ethical considerations in sponsored content.
• The impact on consumer culture and aspirational lifestyles.

Week 12: Emerging Technologies: AI, Bots & the Metaverse

• Artificial intelligence in social media: content moderation, deepfakes.
• The role of bots and automated accounts.
• Introduction to the metaverse and its potential social implications.

Week 13: Global Perspectives & Future Challenges

• Social media use in different cultural contexts.
• Digital divides and access inequalities.
• Anticipating future trends and ethical dilemmas.

Week 14: Course Wrap-up & Group Project Presentations

• Synthesis of course themes.
• Group Project Presentations.
• Preparation for final reflection.

Assessments

• Weekly Discussion Participations (25%): Active and thoughtful contributions to weekly online or in-class discussions, demonstrating engagement with readings and topics.
• Media Analysis Paper (25%): A 1500-2000 word paper critically analyzing a specific social media phenomenon, trend, or platform, applying course concepts and theories.
• Midterm Exam (20%): A comprehensive assessment covering key concepts, theories, and historical developments discussed in the first half of the course.
• Group Project & Presentation (20%): In groups, students will research a contemporary issue related to social media, propose a solution or intervention, and present their findings to the class.
• Final Reflection (10%): A 750-1000 word reflective essay summarizing key learnings from the course, discussing how their understanding of social media has evolved, and identifying areas for future personal or academic exploration.

Grading Breakdown

• Weekly Discussion Participations: 25%
• Media Analysis Paper: 25%
• Midterm Exam: 20%
• Group Project & Presentation: 20%
• Final Reflection: 10%
• Total: 100%

Required Readings: A list of required readings (articles, book chapters, reports) will be provided on the course learning management system (LMS). Students are expected to complete all assigned readings before the corresponding class session.

Academic Integrity: All work submitted in this course must adhere to the university's policies on academic integrity. Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.

Disability Services: Students with disabilities who may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact the Disability Services office and the instructor early in the semester so that reasonable accommodations can be arranged.