SSC-320: Psychology of Social Media

Social media plays a pervasive role in our daily lives, and this course will explore the tremendous influence it exerts. In this course, students will examine social media usage and its effects from a psychological perspective. Topics of study will include personality differences, generational differences, and gender differences, as well as studying the digital divide. The course will increase students' media literacy and encourage them to think critically about their own social media use and the content they view on social media. Blending psychology and communication, students will engage with varying topics related to social media, such as fake news, privacy issues, online dating, and cyberbullying. Students will focus on current issues and contemplate possible solutions. Prerequisite: ENG 112 or WRI 118 and Sophomore standing. This course fulfills the Engaging Our World requirement in the General Education Curriculum.