Social Media Strategies Helps Students Stay Relevant

Social media has fundamentally changed the way we communicate, personally and professionally. It has also changed the way businesses interact with the public, other businesses and the media.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication now offers a new class starting in the Spring 2013 Semester to help students and faculty understand the impact of social media on business, society and culture. Social Media Strategies (JMC 21008) is an online course that will employ a variety of hands-on, applicable learning opportunities.

Many students and faculty of Kent State are knowledgeable about the digital world but never think that social media can actually improve their lives and careers. Social Media Strategies will demonstrate how to do this by introducing research, literature and technology into the curriculum.

“The course challenges students to dig a little deeper on a topic that has the power to impact us all,” says Thor Wasbotten, director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. “Students bring to the table varying degrees of social media knowledge and skills. What’s great is that the collaborative learning environment enables them to learn not only from the instructor, but also each other through participation and sharing.”

Students will gain insight into the tactical uses of social media platforms as well as a strategic understanding of how these sites, applications and tools can be used in business and in personal branding. The class will finish with the development of a strategic social media plan for personal and professional use.

All majors are welcome to take to the course and faculty members are encouraged to share this information with their students.

For more information about this course, email Stefanie Moore, assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, at smoore1@kent.edu.