SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE DIGITAL ECONOMY - 2024/5

Module Overview

You are familiar with popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. But have you ever considered that social media is more than social networking? Or that it exists in some form across a wide range of digital platforms in almost all industries? In this module we will explore social media platforms as a distinct organizational form that plays an increasingly prominent role in the digital economy because of its orchestration of user participation to produce valuable big data. We will examine how social media platforms have emerged, how they are architected, how they operate to produce and capture value, and their ethical, privacy, and risk implications. The module draws on current research by combining theory with case examples from a variety of contexts (i.e. retailing, music, movies, travel). You will also collaborate with peers on a practical exercise on social media platform design.

Module provider

Surrey Business School

Module Leader

CHO Daniel (SBS)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

1. 
   Introduction to the course 
   

2. 
   What is social media and how did it come about? 
   

3. 
   Platform economy & multisidedness 
   

4. 
   User participation and data production 
   

5. 
   Digital business models 
   

6. 
   Social media within organizations 
   

7. 
   Power & Governance of tech platforms and social media 
   

8. 
   Ethics, privacy, critical perspectives 
   

9. 
   Future scenarios 
   

10. 
    Module review 
    

11. 
    Mock exam 
    

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Individual Coursework 

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate: 

Competencies around the learning outcomes as related to social media and the digital economy 

 

  Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of: 

 

• 
  Group Project (1- poster on platform design of choice), 50%, 1500 words (addresses learning outcomes: 1, 3,4 and 5) 
  


• 
  Exam (Online MCQs), 50%, 90 mins within 24H window (addresses learning outcomes: 1,2, 3 and 5) 
  

• 
  Groups (or individuals) will receive feedback on their submission according to a set rubric  
  


• 
  For assessment 1, general feedback on each section of the assessment is provided to the whole class. Additional qualitative feedback is given to each group.  
  


• 
  Detailed instructions given during seminars where we work through the elements of the assessment. Students receive feedbacks on key concepts covered during the first part of the course (week 1-5) to enable them deliver on assessment 
  

Module aims

• Explore the organisational form of social media, its evolution and architecture, as well as its role in shaping what has become known as the ¿digital economy.
• Establish an understanding of various digital business models pursued by social media platforms and how these transform existing practices and value
• Develop an appreciation and sensitivity to the ethical, privacy, risk, and other critical issues associated with social media platforms in the digital economy

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to: 

The teaching and learning strategy is designed to encourage a critical understanding of the role played by social media in the digital economy. The course aims at developing student’s knowledge of the socio-technical aspects of social media. The course is research-led and offers a mix of theoretical insights and case study material that will be delivered both online and offline where appropriate. In addition to this, the course is structured to provide students with a variety of teaching and learning methods including; practical platform design workshops, group exercises and discussions. 

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MAN3153

Other information

• Digital Capabilities – the module teaches students about digital platforms as a new organizational form and its implications in the context of social media and the digital economy. This builds capabilities for understanding and operating in the digital economy. They also use various software including design software, Surreylearn, Teams and other MS applications 

• Employability – the module is an excellent preparation for students who aim to start their own digital business or apply social media and digital platform skills in the context of their employment in an organization 

• Resourcefulness and resilience – students work in groups where they are expected to contribute their talents and knowledge while also relying on team members to ensure the project goes well. Through various forms of feedback on the module, students can develop their resourcefulness, which can help with their adaptability and resilience in future roles 

• Global and cultural capabilities – Students are exposed to working with team members from various countries and diverse backgrounds. This provides exposure to intercultural communication and cross-cultural ways of working; much like what could be expected in a modern global workplace. 

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2024/5 academic year.