This course explores the concept of race and ethnicity through the analysis of media systems and institutions, communication frames and symbolic representations and social constructions. This course introduces and critiques social theories and methodologies used to analyze and expand the African American presence on the Internet. Students will explore the various ways that the Internet affects African American communities in general and issues of representation, identity, education and power in particular. We will examine theories and the use of race and representation. You will explore current issues in cyberculture and how they relate to age-old trends concerning injustice and inequality. You will also explore how online networking activity is used to combat and provide solutions to these problems. Youth digital media use on social networking sites and all of the surrounding issues, ranging from safety to sexualization are common topics of news reports. Your perspective and participation in this unique learning experience might make its own history as well.

Course PDFs