Digital Communication, Information, and Media 189

04:189:151 Organizational Communication Dynamics Online (3) Students learn to navigate workplace situations where success depends on strong and strategic communication skills. Students begin the course with an extensive self-inventory of their communication strengths and weaknesses, and then apply that understanding to negotiations in small groups in person and in digital environments. Situations can include: facilitating agreement in an effective meeting with difficult personalities; networking in a limited amount of time; selling an idea internally to supervisors and coworkers; and coordinating an online discussion space in virtual teams, designing a webinar with colleagues from another culture, etc.

04:189:152 The Structure of Information (3) Through the lens of different media such as newspaper articles, blogs, Wikipedia entries, Twitter posts, and news programs, students examine and judge the quality of information presented, analyze the economic and cultural factors that affect the availability and reliability of electronic information, and compare and contrast with other sources. After this exploration of information searching and evaluation, the class will address how information is organized and attributed.

04:189:251 Strategic Presentation Methods in Digital Media (3) This course examines theories and techniques for analyzing, producing, and disseminating messages. Students will learn how to use web-based and multimedia presentation tools to connect with a variety of audiences and convey a desired message. Each student will craft a message to support some social change by developing and shaping the message into compelling digital media presentations in a range of formats.

04:189:351 Leadership in Digital Contexts (3) Students will use scenarios, simulations, and game-playing as individuals, in small groups, and as a class to employ creativity and innovation in problem solving, weigh risk, perform leadership and management roles with peers, and grapple with the consequences of making and implementing decisions in digital environments. Students will learn how to assess and select among various technologies for making and disseminating decisions. This course presents a framework for understanding the role of technology in leadership functions including planning, information dissemination, consensus building, negotiation, and engagement with stakeholders for informed and participative decision-making in online and virtual settings. Prerequisite:  Either 04:189:151 or 152.

04:189:352 Self and Society in Virtual Contexts (3) Students explore what it means to have multiple and merging "identities" in an online community by attending this seminar in person in a traditional classroom supported with interactions as avatars within a social virtual world. How are interpersonal relationships and group interactions manifested in virtual environments? How is selfhood expressed? What is the impact on communication when gender, race, and other physical attributes are self-selected and represented digitally? What are the implications for privacy and security? What does this mean for the workplace? What do "human rights" mean in a virtual society and is citizenship changed with purely online interaction? Through role-playing and discussion, students connect to evaluate the consequences of a digital context on the self and society. Prerequisite: Either 04:189:151 or 152.

04:189:451 Capstone in Digital Communication, Information, and Media (3) The capstone course is designed to facilitate students' synthesis of what they have learned in the program, through a directed project. Students will first work together in class to identify and refine projects or areas of research to complete. Projects might include some of the following elements: independent research; ethnography; organizational analysis; digital internship; service learning; multimedia project; or a cross-listed directed reading project. Capstone project presentations will be captured digitally for feedback from the larger community at the School of Communication and Information. Capstone projects may be done individually or in groups. Projects will contribute to the students' eportfolios; a portion of this class will include preparation of an eportfolio of material from the minor. Prerequisites: Completion of at least 15 credits within the minor, or completion of 12 credits and concurrent enrollment in 1 other DCIM course. Open only to declared DCIM minors.