Time Schedule:
Walter Lance Bennett
POL S 398
Seattle Campus
Intensive and advanced studies in various aspects of political science. Open only to participants in the departmental Honors program.
Class description
Description: The ways in which we communicate and organize politically are changing rapidly with the development of digital media technologies. This course explores the importance of digital media in contemporary politics with primary focus on political participation and political organization. The course will balance theory, methods, and case studies (primarily focused on elections and forms of collective action such as protests and social movements). The readings and discussions address important theory and empirical findings a rapidly changing field. Discussions will extend beyond the classroom to include a class blog that will enable us to continue exploring earlier topics as the course progresses, along with posting links and resources to illustrate and challenge the class material. Topics include: changing media systems in the digital age; the future of journalism and public information; internet and the public sphere; internet and elections; participatory media and civic identity; networked publics; digital networks; interactive features of election campaigns; collective action, protests and social movement organization; and methods issues involving measuring organizational properties, content distribution and effects.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Paper: The final paper should address a large question that engages as much of the literature as possible. The goal is to see an interesting thread running through a number of weeks. Use the blog to develop these topics and provide helpful feedback. Max length 20 pages. 50% of grade. Due the Monday of finals week. Work: Blog – We will use a class blog to discuss readings, follow up ideas from class discussion, and bring in outside examples. Part of each Wednesday discussion will be to analyze student generated examples online that illustrate topics and questions. The blog participation will count 30% of the class grade. Based on the quality of posts and comments.
Recommended preparation
Readings: Books available at University Book Store: Sunstein, Republic.com 2.0; Buchanan, Nexus: Small Worlds and the Groundbreaking Theory of Networks; Jenkins, Convergence Culture; Howard, New Media Campaigns and the Managed Citizen; Zitrain, The Future of the Internet and How to Stop It. Other readings provided by instructor.
Class assignments and grading
Class discussions: – each student will lead a class discussion at least twice during the quarter. More than one of you may share this responsibility during weeks with heavy reading loads (especially multiple books and articles). Quality of discussion leadership and participation 20%
