Thammasat University

Course Syllabus
Social Media in British
and American Culture
Second Semester 2020

Course Number/Section: BS 313, Section 01

Course Time/Place: Tues. 9:30-12:30, LA 305

Instructor: Assistant Professor Dr. Chanon Adsanatham

E-mail: chanon.a@arts.tu.ac.th
PLEASE DON’T SEND LINE MESSAGES.

Course Schedule/Website: https://bs3132020.school.blog

Office Location: LA Building, fourth floor (last office on the left side)

WHAT’S THE COURSE ABOUT?

How often do you use social media; to what extent might it be using and manipulating you;
what knowledge and perspectives are needed to help you become more informed users of
social networking sites? Aiming to address these questions, Social Media in British and
American Culture examines effects and functions of social networking sites to help you
develop critical literacy about how social media is reshaping Britain and American—as well
as your thoughts and actions. We will begin by examining how visual rhetoric constitutes one
of the main building blocks of social media and how it affects your perception, engagement,
decision-making, and experience online. Additionally, we will examine trends and strategies in
social media marketing in 2020, drawing from perspectives of business professionals. We will
also analyze how social media transforms and, sometimes, undermines romance and
relationship, mental health, vanity, democratic elections, and privacy. As a whole, this course
helps you better comprehend current issues and controversies about social media so that you
can be a savvy author and audience of online communication.

This class involves intensive weekly reading, writing, and discussions, as well as producing
multimodal projects for academic and non-academic audiences.

WHAT MAJOR TOPICS WILL THE COURSE COVER?

1. Visual literacy and rhetoric
2. Social media strategies and use in business
3. Impacts of social networking on relationship, dating, and romance
4. Mental health concerns from social media use
5. Social media data as profits and controversies
6. Fake news, democracy, and elections

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 7. Sonic literacy and rhetoric
8. Public speaking
9. Writing professional recommendations

GOALS
1. Analyze visual media to understand how design choices affect perception,
meaning, and persuasion.
2. Examine the functions and effects of social media on human behavior,
communication, politics, and culture.
3. Understand and critique affordances and dangers of social media consumption.
4. Become a more critically and rhetorically informed audience and author of social
media content in daily life.
5. Use knowledge of sonic rhetoric and sound editing to communicate thoughtful
public campaigns to promote responsible, critical consumption and use of social
media.

REQUIRED CLASS MATERIALS

Texts
 PDF articles/media on course website (free)
Software
 Audacity (free audio editing program)
Hardware
 Earphones
Infographics Printing
 Printing handouts for distribution at a high school
Two Active Social Media Accounts

EVALUATION
A 100-93% B+ 92-85% B 84-77% C+ 76-69%
C 68-61% D+ 60-53% D 52-45% F 44% and below

ASSIGNMENTS
 Project 1: Analyzing visual rhetoric on social media (presentation) 40 points
 Project 2: Making recommendations to improve social media site 40 points
for a non-profit (written report)
 Project 3: Promoting critical understanding of a social media issue 50 points
through a podcast and infograhics (podcast and visual media)
 Comprehensive exam building on class presentations, 100 points
discussions, readings
 Reading quizzes variable points
 Homework exercises variable points
 Engagement, contributions and professionalism 20 points

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MAINTAINING A SATISFACTORY QUIZ SCORE
Reading quizzes will be given unannounced to motivate reading. If you are not in your seat
when a quiz is given out, you may not take it. Moreover, if you fail to maintain at least 61%
or C on more than 3 quizzes, you will be required to complete additional exams or
assignments, and your ethos grade will be reduced by 50%.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FOR ASSIGNMENTS AND CLASS?

Intensive Reading Expectation
This class is designated as an intensive reading and thinking course and will require much time
commitment. You will be writing approximately 30-40 pages of reading per class, in addition
to any research materials you will be gathering for your projects. Expect to devote at least
2-3 hours outside of class for homework assigned for each class meeting. When final projects
are due, more time commitment may be necessary.

Active Oral Participation

Participation is a key component of class, constituting a portion of your grade. Each day you
will engage in lots of discussions, so your engagement and presence—mental and physical—
are imperative. There are a number of ways that you can participate and/or collaborate:
asking for clarifications on concepts, posing questions for the class to consider, and
commenting on your classmates’ replies.

Collaboration
Expect to do a lot of small group projects and activities. This class will help you build
collaboration skill, which is significant for your future career and participation in civic life. To
succeed as a collaborator, you will need to demonstrate strong interpersonal ability,
professionalism, and reliability as a team member.

Quality of Thought
The depth and complexity of your thinking and contributions are highly prized and
encouraged. Your assignments will be primarily assessed on these factors.

REQUIRED TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY

This class utilizes computers and the internet extensively. Assignment descriptions and course
calendar will be released online. Ensure that you are proficient in operating email with
attachment, downloading/uploading files/software, and using Microsoft Word and
PowerPoint.

CLASS POLICIES
Checking Course Website & Email
Assignment descriptions, course calendar, and announcements will be released online. I will
also be sending emails throughout the semester. It is expected that you will check
information often in a timely manner.

Punctuality Expectation and On-Time Arrival for Quiz Eligibility

You are expected to arrive to class on time. To take a quiz, you must be in your seat by
the time it is distributed.

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Attendance
Attendance will be taken. If you arrive after attendance is taken, you will be marked
absent, and if you return from break for more than 15 minutes late, you will be
considered absent as well.

If you have more than 2 or more absences without a valid document to support a BAS-
approved reason, your final participation grade will be a zero. When absent, you are
responsible for obtaining all missed information and adhering to assignment due dates.

Absence Due-In-Class Assignments

If you are absent the day a quiz or assignment is given in class, at your initiation, you can
make up one quiz with my TA during his office hour. The quiz must be taken within one
week of absence.

Late Work and Deadline Extension

Assignments are due on the date specified on the course calendar. Late work is not
accepted. If you will be absent, you are still responsible for turning things in on time. If you
are not able to complete a project because of an emergency, please inform me at least
48 hours in advance. The sooner you let me know, the more options I might be able to
suggest to ease your stress. Extension request cannot be considered if the due date lapsed.

Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty includes cheating and plagiarism. Cheating is the unauthorized use of
assistance with the intent to deceive the instructor or any other individual responsible for
evaluating your work. A few examples of cheating and plagiarism:
 Using other people’s ideas or words without proper citation
 Using or possessing unauthorized materials such as notes, books, or soliciting
unauthorized assistance from another student during quizzes or exams
 Reusing a previous assignment or project and re-presenting it as a new, original
work without my permission
 Copy another person’s answer or ideas without citation
 Recycling the assignment in this class to gain credits for another class
 Redistributing examination or quiz materials and/or answer keys
If you are suspected of academic dishonesty, BAS and university procedures will be
followed, and if you are caught, you will receive a zero on the assignment and your
attendance, attentiveness, punctuality, conduct grade. Other appropriate sanctions from
BAS will also be applied.

Technological distraction
Do not use your phone or laptop in class, unless instructed. I find laptop and phone
distraction and interruption disrespectful and detrimental to class engagement. You may
be asked to leave and/or receive a zero participation grade if technological distraction
becomes a concern.

Side Conversations in Class

Please refrain from having side conversations with friends while your instructor and
classmates are speaking. It distracts other and hurts your opportunity to listen—and learn
what others are contributing.

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