CMST 2630 - Social Media Literacy
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section A01, CRN 41421,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Dorian Mermer
Professional Qualifications:
M.A. in Rhetoric and Communication from Kent State University, 1989.
Senior Lecturer
Email: dlmermer@ysu.edu
Office: Bliss 2013
Office Phone: 330-941-2255
Additional Contact Methods:
None
Preferred Contact Method: Email. Do not use Blackboard Messages!
Communication Expectations:
I respond to email within 24 hours. If emailed over the weekend, you will receive a response Monday morning after 1:00 PM. I will not be available for student support hours during University observed holidays. Regarding grading assignments, I try to have grades returned within a week of submission.
How to Refer to me:
Dorian
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Course Description
2630. This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the social media environment, examining its impact on individuals, communities, and society. Students develop a critical understanding of social media platforms, content curation, digital citizenship, and online ethics. Through a blend of theoretical concepts and practical applications, this course will equip students with the skills to navigate the digital landscape responsibly and effectively. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | What is Social Media | Encyclopedia Brittanica | https://www.britannica.com/topic/social-media |
| Required | Where do Media Literacy, Digital Literacy and Social Media Literacy Intersect b | Karen Tillman for Edleman Digital | None |
| Required | Social Media Literacy: A Conceptual Framework | Cho, Cannon, Lopez, Li | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10844004/ |
| Required | Understanding Social Media Literacy: A Systematic Review of the Concept and Its Competences | Polance-Livican, Salvo-Garrido | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9325204/ |
| Required | University of North Florida (2026) Introduction to Content Curation | University of North Florida | https://libguides.unf.edu/digitalliteracy/curation#:~:text=Curation%20involves%20organizing%2C%20storing%2C%20and,meaningful%20digital%20content%20to%20curate. |
| Required | Mailchimp (2023) What is Curated Content? Tips, Best Practices & Examples | Mailchimp | https://mailchimp.com/resources/what-is-curated-content/ |
| Required | Robin Good (2017) A gathering of flowers: Content curation history in other words. Medium. | Robin Cook for Medium | https://medium.com/content-curation-official-guide/a-gathering-of-flowers-content-curation-history-in-other-words-6740049b756c |
| Required | New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communication Integration Cell: Social Media Apps | New Jersey Sybersecurity | https://www.cyber.nj.gov/guidance-and-best-practices/social-media-security/social-media-apps |
| Required | Leslie Samuel (n.d.): My top 50 mostly free mobile apps I use to manage my digital life | Leslie Samuel | https://iamlesliesamuel.com/17459/my-top-50-mostly-free-mobile-apps-i-use-to-manage-my-digital-life/%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20Leslie%20Samuel%20My%20Top%2050https://iamlesliesamuel.com/17459/my-top-50-mostly-free-mobile-apps-i-use-to-manage-my-digital-life/ |
| Required | Edward C. Baig (2022): 50 Free Apps for Apple and Android Phones | Edward Baig | https://www.aarp.org/personal-technology/free-apps/ |
| Required | Brandwatcher (2019). The History of Facebook | Brandwatcher | https://www.brandwatch.com/blog/history-of-facebook/ |
| Required | Tech Life Unity (2025) How to Create a Facebook Account in 2025 (YouTube Video) | Tech Life Unity | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1RM0_DPids |
| Required | Business Hook (2024) How a Man with $0 Created Instagram (YouTube Video) | Business Hook | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjvW1LwoAWQ |
| Required | Tech Life Unity (2024) How to Set Up an Instagram Account (YouTube Video) | Tech Life Unity | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YSB468mn4M |
| Required | Weston, Z. for Medium. (2023). A Journey through Time: The History of Pinterest | Wsston, Z | https://medium.com/@zacharywestonintech/title-a-journey-through-time-the-history-of-pinterest-5770b700b45c |
| Required | Austen Tosone (2025) A Beginner's Guide to Pinterest, How to Pin Content, Account Setup + More | Austen Tosone | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yePq3XYJKkg |
| Required | Amanda MacArthur for Lifewire. (2024). The Real History of X. | Amanda MacArthur | https://www.lifewire.com/history-of-twitter-3288854 |
| Required | Tech Life Unity (2024) How to Use X a Beginners Guide | Tech Live Unity | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wOtMBkJQMg |
| Required | The Wall Street Journal. (2021). The Rise of TikTok: From Chinese App to Global Sensation. YouTube. | The Wall Street Journal | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2VO6ELhwQY |
| Required | New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communication Integration Cell: Guide to Accessing TikTok's Security and Privacy Settings. | New Jersey Cybersecurity | https://www.cyber.nj.gov/guidance-and-best-practices/social-media-security/guide-to-accessing-tiktok-s-security-privacy-settings |
| Required | Britannica Money (2026): The History of LinkedIn by Brittanica Money | Britannica Money | https://www.britannica.com/money/LinkedIn |
| Required | LinkedIn: How to Use LinkedIn | https://members.linkedin.com/how-to-use-linkedin | |
| Required | Megan Rose Dickey for Business Insider (2013): The 22 Key Turning Points in the History of YouTube | Megan Rose Dickey | https://www.businessinsider.com/key-turning-points-history-of-youtube-2013-2 |
| Required | YouTube: Privacy Controls | YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/howyoutubeworks/user-settings/privacy/ |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Tentative Weekly Schedule
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Read/Watch: Module 1: Exploring Social Media Literacy Learning Materials. | Social Media Literacy | Complete by Aug. 26, 11:59 PM: Module 1 Recorded Discussion. Complete by Aug. 30, 11:59 PM: Social Media Platform Activity. Social Media Literacy Activity. Module 1 Discussion Comments. Module 1 Quiz. |
| 8/31 | Read/Watch: Module 2: Exploring Content Curation Learning Materials | Content Curation | Complete by Sept. 2, 11:59 PM: Module 2 Recorded Discussion. Complete by Sept. 6, 11:59 PM: Content Curation #1. Module 2 Comments. Module 2 Quiz. |
| 9/7 | Read/Watch: Module 3: Exploring Social Media Apps Learning Materials. | Social Media App Review | Complete by Sept. 11, 11:59 PM: Social Media App Review Discussion. Social Media App Review Activity. Complete by Sept. 13, 11:59 PM: Social Media App Review Discussion Comments (Optional). |
| 9/14 | Read/Watch: Module 4: Facebook and Instagram Learning Materials. | Facebook and Instagram | Complete by Sept. 16, 11:59 PM: Module 4: Facebook Activity. Module 4: Instagram Activity. Complete by Sept. 17, 11:59 PM: Content Curation Checkpoint #2. Complete by Sept. 18, 11:59 PM: Module 4 Discussion. Complete by Sept. 20, 11:59 PM: Module 4 Comments. Module 4 Quiz. |
| 9/21 | Read/Watch: Module 5: Pinterest and X Learning Materials. | Pinterest and X | Complete by Sept. 23, 11:59 PM: Module 5: Pinterest Activity. Module 5: X Activity. Complete by Sept. 24, 11:59 PM: Content Curation Checkpoint #3. Complete by Sept. 25, 11:59 PM: Module 5 Discussion. Complete by Sept. 27, 11:59 PM: Module 5 Comments. Module 5 Quiz. |
| 9/28 | Read/Watch: Module 6: TikTok and LinkedIn Learning Materials. | TikTok and LinkedIn | Complete by Sept. 30, 11:59 PM: Module 6: TikTok Activity. Module 6: LinkedIn Activity. Complete by Oct. 1, 11:59 PM: Content Curation Checkpoint #4. Complete by Oct. 2, 11:59 PM: Module 6 Discussion. Complete by Oct. 4, 11:59 PM: Module 6 Comments. Module 6 Quiz. |
| 10/5 | Read/Watch: Module 7: YouTube Learning Materials. | YouTube | Complete by Oct. 7, 11:59 PM: Module 7: YouTube Activity. Complete by Oct. 8, 11:59 PM: Content Curation Checkpoint #5. Complete by Oct. 9, 11:59 PM: Module 7 Discussion. Complete by Oct. 11. 11:59 PM: Module 7 Comments. Module 7 Quiz. |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.