COMM 404

THE INTERNET AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTS

Mon/Wed 1p to 230p
2240 USB
Professor Andr Brock (brocka@umich.edu)
Office Hours: by email appointment: Thursdays 3p-4p
Preferred method of contact: email
Typical email response time: 24-36 hours
*This syllabus subject to change at the discretion of the instructor*

Overview
The Internet has proved to be a fertile space for social movements to construct, organize,
coordinate, and redefine the public sphere. Using information and communication tools
and concepts ranging from mobile phones, flash mobs, and Twitter, these movements
inscribe cultural values in computational venues. Governments, universities, and
extralegal movements are also responding to challenges posed by the emergence of
the Internet as a mundane, inherently democratic technology through increased
surveillance, algorithmic constructions of 'other', or delivering propaganda.
The objective of this course is to engage with conceptual and empirical
understandings of the interaction between new media and social change. We will
explore cases from the last twenty years - primarily focusing on African American culture
and cyberactivism - using the public sphere and third spaces as a conceptual framework.
We will explore the integration of new media tools within these movements as well
governmental and institutional responses to these developments.

Class Format and Expectations

The class will be a combination of semi-structured lectures, discussions based on the
assigned readings, and learning activities. Dialogue is my preferred mode of instruction,
so interactions (class or online) between you, me, and your classmates are the key to
getting a good grade.
As a student in this class, you are expected to:
Bring an open mind and critical perspective to the course materials and class
discussions
read the assigned readings BEFORE class, not during
post required feedback to the class blog by the agreed-upon deadline
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complete assignments in a timely fashion.

As your instructor, I will:

provide stimulating OR informative course materials
actively moderate class discussions,
post assignments and readings on the web in a timely fashion
provide readings where noted or at least tell you where to get them
and give feedback on assignments in a timely fashion
Required Reading:

Kelley, R. (1996) Race Rebels: Culture, Politics, and the Black Working Class. NY: Free
Press.
All other course readings will be provided electronically. Please do not redistribute.
Articles and book chapters noted as [CTOOLS] on C-Tools at least two weeks before the
reading is expected to be read (with the exception of the readings in the first two weeks).
Articles noted as [GSCHOLAR] are to be located using Google Scholar. Likewise,
readings noted as [MIRLYN} are electronic resources available from the librar.
If youre concerned about your printing quota, I will have ONE copy of each reading
available for you to check out and copy. If my copy doesnt return, this courtesy will
cease.
If you wish to read ahead or would like additional information about the course material,
purchase or borrow the indicated texts.
Requirements
TL;DR version
Attend class, read all the assigned readings, participate on the class forum, submit the
midterm writing assignment and submit a final paper/project.
A good grade requires thoughtful, informed participation in class and online, well
executed arguments, and an outstanding final paper/project.
My default grade is C, which is awarded for simply completing assignments to the
letter.

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Readings will be DISCUSSED on the day marked on the syllabus. Assignments are due
as scheduled.
Full Version
Students are expected to attend lectures and discussion regularly and to participate
knowledgeably and thoughtfully in class discussions. Thus students are expected to have
read the assigned materials in advance of each lecture and discussion section.
Students with open laptops are expected to read aloud from course materials when
called upon.
Students are also required to write one short paper and complete a final paper/project.
The assigned papers require you to apply a selected analytical framework discussed in
class to contemporary examples of new media. They will demonstrate your
understanding of key concepts, and your ability to apply what we have learned to larger
questions about culture, society, and new media.
YOU MUST NOT COMMIT ANY SINS OF PLAGIARISM. PLAGIARISM WILL
PROMPT THE RECEIPT OF A ZERO FOR THAT ASSIGNMENT. Anyone discovered
cheating will receive a zero for that exam. Be especially careful when you do research on
the web to cite all web sites and to make sure they are accurate and legitimate.
Students must arrive on time for class and remain in class for the entire session. Students
who arrive late or leave early risk being penalized on participation.
In the case of a foreseeable conflict with class (allowable only for a serious reason), the
student must provide his or her GSI with documentation within the first two weeks of the
semester. In the case of an unforeseeable conflict with class (again, allowable only for a
serious reason, and with documentation), the student must let his or her GSI know by email as soon as possible after learning of the conflict. Accommodations will then be
arranged. Acceptable reasons include illness, family emergency, religious holidays, or
official participation in recognized athletic events.
If you are ill, go to http://lsa.umich.edu/students/ and click on the button that reads What
to Do if Youre Sick and complete the form. This will report your illness to all of your
instructors. You should also email your GSI and/or professor to notify them about an
absence due to illness.
For family emergencies or funerals, etc., notify the Office of the Assistant Dean of
Student Academic Affairs, who will be able to inform all of your instructors. The
assistant to the Assistant Dean is Debbie Walls; e-mail her at dwalls@umich.edu. When
you return to campus, bring documentation for your absence.
For a religious holiday, notify me of the dates of religious holidays on which you will be
absent. Do this within the first two weeks of class.
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For UM athletes and others traveling to represent the university, your team staff will give
you paperwork to provide to your instructors. Notify me within the first two weeks of
class.

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Grading Standards:
Your final grade will based on the following assessments:

Discussion Leader: 30%

Blog Participation: 40%

Class Participation: 30%

95-100always prepared, having done the reading in advance of section and having
taken good notes in lecture; comments reflect this knowledge of the course materials.
Always willing and able to participate in discussion, asks questions about the course
materials, answers questions posed by the GSI, engages fellow students in discussion and
debate
90-95always prepared, having done the reading in advance of section and having taken
good notes in lecture; comments reflect this knowledge of the course materials.
Frequently willing and able to participate in discussion, asks questions about the course
materials, answers questions posed by the GSI, engages fellow students in discussion and
debate
85-90usually prepared, having done the reading in advance of section and having taken
good notes in lecture; comments reflect this knowledge of the course materials. Usually
willing and able to participate in discussion, sometimes comments are anecdotal and not
related to the topic under discussion
80-85not always prepared; participates occasionally, but comments usually stem from
personal experience and are rarely based on lectures, the texts and other course material;
unable to answer questions posed by the GSI
75-80Rarely participates, when asked a question is rarely prepared, doesnt pay
attention during section, talks with others during section, is late to section
70-75All of the above, plus misses more than three sections without a legitimate,
documentable excuse
55-60All of the above, misses more than four sections without a legitimate excuse, is
disruptive in class, late to section, disrespectful to the GSI

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Major Deadlines
Deadline dates may change as the semester progresses.
Reading Schedule:

January
W7: Introduction to the Course
Syllabus review and Introductions
Assignment: Gladwell, M. Small Change
M12: .Discuss Gladwell and Course Logistics
W14: Starting Points
Poster, M. (1997). Cyberdemocracy: Internet and the public sphere.
Internet Culture, 20118.
M19: MLK Day - No Class
W21: This Internet Thing
Graham, G. Chapter 4. The Internet: A Philosophical Approach. Walther,
J. B., & Jang, J. (2012). London: Routledge 62-83 Cultural and Social
Context
M26: This Internet Thing
Graham, G. Chapter 5. The Internet: A Philosophical Approach. Walther,
J. B., & Jang, J. (2012). London: Routledge 84-102

W28: Culture in Virtual and National Context

Anderson, B. (1991) Introduction. Imagined Communities:Reflections on
the Origins and Spread of Nationalism. NY: Verso. 1-9
Fraser, N. (1990). Rethinking the Public Sphere: A Contribution to the
Critique of Actually Existing Democracy. Social Text, (25/26), 5680

February

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M2: Culture from Up Close

Du Bois, W.E.B. (1940) The White World. Dusk of Dawn.
Du Bois, W.E.B. (1940) The Colored World Within. Dusk of Dawn.
Coates, T. (2014) The case for reparations. The Atlantic Monthly.
Available from http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2014/05/thecase-for-reparations/361631/
W4: First Look: Activism?
Christensen, H. S. (2011). Political activities on the Internet: Slacktivism
or political participation by other means? First Monday, 16(2). Retrieved
from http://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/3336
M9: Cultural Public Spheres
Cohen, C. J. (2004). Deviance as resistance: A new research agenda for the
study of Black politics. Du Bois Review, 1(01), 27-45.
Squires, C. R. (2002). Rethinking the black public sphere: An alternative
vocabulary for multiple public spheres. Communication Theory, 12(4),
446-468..
W11: Cultural Public Spheres
Oldenburg, R. (1989). Chapter 1 and 2. The great good place: Cafs,
coffee shops, community centers, beauty parlors, general stores, bars,
hangouts, and how they get you through the day. New York: Paragon
House.
M16 Virtual Public Spheres?
Papacharissi, Z. (2002). The virtual sphere The internet as a public sphere.
New Media & Society, 4(1), 927. doi:10.1177/14614440222226244
Skoric, M. M. (2012). What Is Slack about Slacktivism? Methodological
and Conceptual Issues in Cyber Activism Research, 77
W18: Second Look: Activism?
Milliken, M. C., & ODonnell, S. (2008). User-generated online video:
The next public sphere? In IEEE International Symposium on Technology
and Society, 2008. ISTAS 2008 (pp. 13). doi:10.1109/ISTAS.
2008.4559781
Class Submissions
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M23: Resistance in Context

Baldwin, J. (1961) Down At The Cross: Letter from a Region in My Mind.
In The Fire Next Time. Available from http://www.negroartist.com/
writings/JAMES%20BALDWIN/The%20Fire%20Next%20Time.htm
13-104

W25: Virtual Resistance in Context

Schroeder, R., & Ling, R. (2014). Durkheim and Weber on the social
implications of new information and communication technologies. New
Media & Society, 16(5), 789805. doi:10.1177/1461444813495157

March
M9: Resistance in Context:
Kelley, R. (2004) Chapters 1-4 Race Rebels
Brock, A. (2012) From the Black hand side: Twitter as a cultural
conversation. Journal of Broadcast and Electronic Media 56,4. 529-549
W11: Modes of Internet Activism
Walther, J. B., & Jang, J. (2012). Communication Processes in
Participatory Websites. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication,
18(1), 215. doi:10.1111/j.1083-6101.2012.01592.x
M16: Modes of Internet Activism: Email and Blogs
Zimbra, D., Abbasi, A., & Chen, H. (2010). A Cyber-archaeology
Approach to Social Movement Research: Framework and Case Study.
Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 16(1), 4870. doi:
10.1111/j.1083-6101.2010.01531.x
Wall, M. A. (2007). Social movements and email: expressions of online
identity in the globalization protests. New Media & Society, 9(2), 258
277. doi:10.1177/1461444807075007
W18: Case Studies: Blogs
Kahn, R., & Kellner, D. (2004). New Media and Internet Activism: From
the Battle of Seattle to Blogging. New Media & Society, 6(1), 8795.
doi:10.1177/1461444804039908
Hurricane Katrina

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Jena 6
Shaquanda Cotton
M23 Modes of Internet Activism: SNS and UGC
Harlow, S., & Guo, L. (2014). Will the Revolution be Tweeted or
Facebooked? Using Digital Communication Tools in Immigrant Activism.
Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 19(3), 463478. doi:
10.1111/jcc4.12062
Gladwell, M. (2010, September 27). Small Change. Retrieved January 7,
2015, from http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/10/04/smallchange-3
W25: Case Study: Trayvon Martin
Beers, D. (2008) Social network(ing) sites.revisiting the story so far: A
response to danah boyd &Nicole Ellison Journal of Computer-Mediated
Communication 13,2. pp. 516529 [GSCHOLAR]
Class Submissions
M30: Modes of Internet Activism: Twitter and Memes
Loken, M. (2014). #BringBackOurGirls and the Invisibility of
Imperialism. Feminist Media Studies, 14(6), 11001101. doi:
10.1080/14680777.2014.975442
Loza, S. (2014) Hashtag feminism, #SolidarityIsForWhiteWomen, and the
other #FemFuture. Ada: A Journal of Gender, New Media, and
Technology, No.5. doi:10.7264/N337770V

April

W1: Case Study: Ferguson

TBD
Class Submissions
M6: Students Choice/TBD
W8: Students Choice/TBD
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M13: Students Choice/TBD

W16: Students Choice/TBD

Weekly Writing Assignment

Each of you must take a turn as discussion leader. You will select a days readings from
the syllabus, and are responsible for posting your thoughts AND one discussion question
to the course blog. Discussion questions must be posted by 5 pm the day before class.
You are then expected to co-lead the class discussion with Andr; your classmates are
expected to respond to the discussion question online AND in class.
During the semester, you should post a minimum of two (2) original posts.
You have two writing prompts available:
1) (at least 1 required) Post a discussion question based on current (or recently
completed) readings. You must also ANSWER your question, using your
experiences, knowledge of, or reactions to the subject matter of the reading.
2) (Optional) Post an observation about digital media devices, events, practices, or
beliefs, based upon your informed speculation based upon course readings (or
outside sources if cited correctly) . Optional posts can happen at any time.
You should also post a minimum of three (3) comments on your discussion section
classmates posts over the course of the semester. A substantive comment will respond
actively to the thread. Your response can be in answer to the OPs analysis, the discussion
question, or to a comment by a classmate. Thread-jacking or trolling will not be tolerated
and will result in a grade reduction.
If youre not the discussion leader, you are responsible for responding to the discussion
question/opinions of the discussion leader by NOON on the day of class. Your response
can be in answer to the OPs analysis, the discussion question, or to a comment by a
classmate.
Your thoughts/discussion question, together with your THREE best responses to another
classmates forum/post, will comprise your written participation grade. Both discussion
and response will be assessed based on clarity of argument and weight of supporting
evidence.
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Your thoughts/discussion question, together with your THREE best responses to

another classmates forum/post, will comprise your written participation grade.
Fulfilling the minimum requirements will net you a C for written participation.
Both discussion and response will be assessed based on clarity of argument, skill in
framing the issue, and the weight of supporting evidence. Attempting to complete this
assignment in its entirety in the first few (or the last few) weeks of the semester will be
considered SPAM and will result in a reduction of your grade.

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