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University of Colorado Boulder
Fandom, Social Media, and Authenticity in the Digital Age
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University of Colorado Boulder

Fandom, Social Media, and Authenticity in the Digital Age

This course is part of Fandom and Popular Culture in the Digital Age Specialization

Christopher Haynes

Instructor: Christopher Haynes

2,823 already enrolled

Included with Coursera Plus

•Learn more
4 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

(11 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Recommended experience

Beginner level

Curiosity and interest

16 hours to complete
3 weeks at 5 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

4 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

(11 reviews)

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Recommended experience

Beginner level

Curiosity and interest

16 hours to complete
3 weeks at 5 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
  • About
  • Outcomes
  • Modules
  • Recommendations
  • Testimonials

What you'll learn

  • Define and describe the relationship between fandom, popular culture, and digital media as each impact our identity and interactions with others

  • Apply critical self-reflection and close reading frameworks through personal and professional writing

  • Engage with pop culture and fandom communities by leveraging online platforms to make connections and synthesize learning

  • Reflect on your personal relationship to social media, identity, representation, and social interaction online

Skills you'll gain

  • Storytelling
  • Culture
  • Self-Awareness
  • Diversity Awareness
  • Analytical Skills
  • Social Sciences
  • Media and Communications
  • Electronic Media
  • Analysis
  • Social Media
  • Digital Publishing
  • Sociology
  • Social Studies
  • Blogs
  • Content Creation
  • Writing
  • Personal Development
  • Literacy
  • Critical Thinking
  • Instagram

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

4 assignments

Taught in English

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Fandom and Popular Culture in the Digital Age Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

"Fandom, Social Media, and Authenticity in the Digital Age" focuses your attention on the interconnected dynamics of identity, representation, interpretation, and self-reflection. It asks the question: how, where, and with whom do we inhabit the worlds of fandom and popular culture in the digital age? We will explore the role of digital media in the production of celebrity and fandom, using social media tools and platforms as a running case study. More broadly, the course is about what media studies scholar Henry Jenkins has called “participatory culture,” the processes by which bring our selves into digital spaces, establish trust and authenticity (or challenge these concepts), and negotiate identity in and amongst others. Along the way, you will develop skills in critical self-reflection and communication, as well as analysis and interpretation. You’ll audit your own social media usage, and put this learning in context with major social media presences of our era.

Course-Level Learning Outcomes * Define and describe the relationship between fandom, popular culture, and digital media as each impact our identity and interactions with others * Apply critical self-reflection and close reading frameworks through personal and professional writing and online publication * Engage with pop culture and fandom communities by leveraging online platforms to make connections and synthesize learning * Reflect on your personal relationship to social media, identity, representation, and social interaction online Course 1 Skills: * Personal Development * Analysis * Digital Literacy * Writing * Social Media * Close Reading

In this module, you will explore the relationships between key dynamics of fandom, popular culture, and digital media. You will practice skills in self-reflection and interpretation, as well as begin the process of representing your own fandom through writing and digital publication in your very own blog.

What's included

4 videos9 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt2 plugins

4 videos•Total 26 minutes
  • Overview and Introduction•9 minutes•Preview module
  • Instructor Introduction•9 minutes
  • Fandom, Social Media, and Authenticity in the Digital Age•4 minutes
  • Fandom, Pop Culture, and Digital Media in Context•3 minutes
9 readings•Total 165 minutes
  • Fandom and Pop Culture in the Digital Age Specialization Flow•15 minutes
  • How to Learn, and Learn Well, Online•15 minutes
  • Setting Your Goals and Expectations•10 minutes
  • The Fandom, Popular Culture, and Digital Media Framework•30 minutes
  • A Fandom Glossary•10 minutes
  • Choose Your Own Adventure...•60 minutes
  • Optional Additional Readings•10 minutes
  • Fandom Immersion Blog Project Description•10 minutes
  • Download the Fandom Framework Quick Reference•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 20 minutes
  • Definitions of Fandom, Pop Culture, and Digital Media•20 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 20 minutes
  • Introduce Yourself and Share Your Fandom!•20 minutes
2 plugins•Total 30 minutes
  • Media Studies 101: "Analysing Texts: Media and Theory"•15 minutes
  • Mike Caulfield: "Web Literacy for Student Fact Checkers"•15 minutes

In this module, you will explore social media as a case study for participatory culture and the modes of engagement and representation of the self that are possible in the digital age. Specifically, you will explore the concept of the “selfie” as a vehicle for the complex interplay of identity, memory, representation, and participation in popular culture. You’ll practice critical self-reflection as a means to better understand your engagement with fandom and popular culture.

What's included

2 videos6 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt1 plugin

2 videos•Total 21 minutes
  • Social Media, Representation, and Participatory Culture•3 minutes•Preview module
  • Interview with Dr. Casey Fiesler Pt. 1: Fandom, Identity, and Social Media•17 minutes
6 readings•Total 145 minutes
  • Participatory Culture and the Study of Fandom in the Digital Age•20 minutes
  • Kim Kardashian, Selfish, and Social Media Celebrity•20 minutes
  • Kim Kardashian and Reception in the Social Media Era•15 minutes
  • Choose Your Own Adventure...•60 minutes
  • Optional Additional Readings•10 minutes
  • Self-Reflection and Awareness Framework•20 minutes
1 assignment•Total 20 minutes
  • Definitions in the Self-Reflection Framework•20 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 45 minutes
  • Self-Reflection Activity: Social Media Audit•45 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
  • Media Studies 101: "Fandom"•15 minutes

In this module, you will explore the dynamics of personal experience and political ideology as each plays into the ways we engage and interpret popular culture and fandom around us. You will use Roxane Gay as a case study, particularly her framing of “bad feminism” as a means of discussing authentic engagement in the digital age. You will gain skills in analysis and interpretation, as well as close reading. You’ll also prepare your final blog project submissions.

What's included

2 videos6 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt1 plugin

2 videos•Total 8 minutes
  • Experience, Ideology, and Pop Culture Interpretation•3 minutes•Preview module
  • Interview with Dr. Casey Fiesler Pt 2: Next Steps for Fandom and Social Media•4 minutes
6 readings•Total 133 minutes
  • Roxane Gay's Model of Cultural Analysis•3 minutes
  • Fandom Framework in Action: Transmedia Adaptation•10 minutes
  • Choose Your Own Adventure...•60 minutes
  • Optional Additional Readings•10 minutes
  • Close Reading and Analysis Framework•20 minutes
  • Preparing Your Project Submission•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 20 minutes
  • Definitions in the Close Reading and Analysis Framework•20 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 30 minutes
  • Close Reading and Analysis Discussion•30 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
  • Media Studies 101: "Ideology"•15 minutes

In this module, you will explore some speculation about the future of social media engagement and the stakes for representation and identity. You will continue to apply your skills of self-reflection and close reading to prepare your fandom immersion blog project submission.

What's included

4 videos5 readings1 assignment1 peer review1 discussion prompt1 plugin

4 videos•Total 22 minutes
  • The Dark Side of Social Media•3 minutes•Preview module
  • Interview with Dr. Casey Fiesler, Pt 3: Online Fandom and the Stakes of Internet Research•10 minutes
  • Interview with Dr. Casey Fiesler Pt 4: Some Advice•4 minutes
  • Conclusion: Fandom, Social Media, and Authenticity•4 minutes
5 readings•Total 130 minutes
  • Black Mirror, "Nosedive," and the Dark Side of Social Media•30 minutes
  • Does Digital Media Change Our Behavior? •15 minutes
  • Digital Platforms Spotlight: Instagram, OnlyFans, and TikTok•15 minutes
  • Choose Your Own Adventure...•60 minutes
  • Optional Additional Readings•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 20 minutes
  • Course Content Review•20 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
  • Fandom Immersion Blog Project•60 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 15 minutes
  • Applying Your Skills•15 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
  • Media Studies 101: "Technology and the Body"•15 minutes

Earn a career certificate

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Instructor

Christopher Haynes
Christopher Haynes
University of Colorado Boulder
8 Courses•4,190 learners

Offered by

University of Colorado Boulder

Offered by

University of Colorado Boulder

CU Boulder is a dynamic community of scholars and learners on one of the most spectacular college campuses in the country. As one of 34 U.S. public institutions in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), we have a proud tradition of academic excellence, with five Nobel laureates and more than 50 members of prestigious academic academies.

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