Block 1

Week 1 (11 September): 

Introduction

Resources

Read

NB here and below, “read” means before the next class. In addition, unless hyperlinked, the texts can be found on Brightspace.

Here and below, “Fun” means it is an optional thing to do.

Create

  • Write your first blog post. Make sure to add your group category to your post!

Other things to do

  • Sign up for the course blog using this link.
    • Use your Leiden e-mail!If you are uncomfortable using your own name, you are allowed to use a pseudonym.
  • Familiarize yourself with the WordPress CMS Gutenberg editor
    • Make sure you know how to create posts
    • Learn about the Roles plugin (i.e. understand how you can control the visibility of your content)
  • On Brightspace: Choose your preference for a podcasting or video-based workshop and portfolio item.
  • Fun: Scroll around on Wired, the Verge, listen to Hard Fork, sign up to Platfomer or check out another tech-focused news publication.

Week 2 (18 September): 

A Hyperfast History of the Digital

Resources

Read

  • Digital Media and Society, Chapter 1 (Lindgren 2017)

Create

  • Write your second blog.

Things to do

  • Get to know about the basic workings of the web through Part 1 of the Working with the Web tutorial.
  • Try changing some WordPress settings in this sandbox enviroment.
    • On our course website you don’t have administrator privileges, but if you want this playground to look like our site, you can download Blogstream here. This is the WordPress Theme for this course website.
    • Once you downloaded this theme you can upload the zip file containing the theme to the playground by clicking My WordPress Website -> Dashboard -> Appearance -> Themes -> Add New -> Upload. Don’t forget to press Activate.
  • Fun:

Week 3 (25 September): 

The World Brain(drain)

Resources

Read

Create

  • Write your third blog.

Other things to do

Week 4 (2 October):

The Valley where Gold turned into Silicon (and back again)

Resources

  • Lecture slides can be found here, after class.

Read

Create

  • Write your fourth blog.

Things to do

Week 5 (9 October):

The Ego Online

  • Lecture slides can be found here, after class.

Read

Create

  • Write your fifth blog.

Things to do

Week 6 (16 October):

Algorithmic Culture and Society

  • Lecture slides can be found here, after class.
  • Original Instagram Research Decks, with annotations by Facebook, can be found here and here.
  • NB: Take care ♥ these items contain a discussion of and data on how Instagram affects mental health, including suicide and self-harm. Leiden University’s support for mental health and other well-being can be found here. Suicide prevention helpline: 113, or find help here online.

Read

Create

  • Write your sixth blog.

Things to do

  • While your blogs are not the same as an academic paper, referencing is still very important. In fact, if a piece of information is not linked to (referenced), it does not exist on the web, so:
    • Make sure you use URLs to link to content online.
    • If you have included references that are not online but are listed at the bottom of your post, you can use the magic of anchor links to put in a link.
    • If you made videos or podcasts, you can still use references, e.g. by putting a list of links in the descriptions of the video.
    • Go back and check this is for all your content so far!
  • Fun: Spend a day with an online community you love.

Week 7 (23 October) 

Digital Playgrounds

Resources

  • Lecture slides can be found here, after class.

Read

Play

NB Here and in Block 2, “Play” means spending at least half an hour with the referenced game. Yes, you have to play games!

  • Flappy Bird (most true to the original when played on a smartphone)

No Class (30 October):

  • The ‘My Take-aways from the Course’-test is online on Brightspace from the 30th October to the 6th of November. Don’t forget to complete it, as it is part of your final grade for this course. You will not get a separate grade or feedback for this ‘Take Aways’ test.
  • This is a good time to lay out a strategy for the remainder of your content production. It is also a good moment to get back and improve your previous blogs with your growing understanding of how WordPress works.
  • Fun: Spend a day offline!