Communication in the Digital Age

COMM 1255 <2025-SP> Help desk Content
TU/FR 9:50–11:30am
Ryder 431 (map)
 TU&FR at 15:30+ email to schedule
Dr. Reagle <j.reagle@…>
215 Holmes Hall
Tip: Enter at 41A Leon St.

Course objectives

Digital communication is central to contemporary life and yet (or consequently) we take it for granted. Communication in the Digital Age will remedy this. At its successful completion, you will be able to explain the technical basis, communicative effects, and commercial aspects of digital communication. For instance, you will learn about web protocols, attention and multi-tasking, the shape and strengths of one’s network of relationships; you’ll learn about online ads, content, and privacy; and we’ll discuss how bias can emerge in online platforms.

Successful completion of this course enables one to:

  1. recall, compare, and give examples of key issues and theories of online communication (e.g., deindividuation);
  2. explain how the Internet & web work (e.g., DNS);
  3. ask complex questions and have a sense of how one might address those questions (e.g., are digital natives tech-savvy?);
  4. exercise practical digital competencies (e.g., filtering email, writing web pages, and assessing your digital footprint);
  5. compellingly write in both a short-form online venue and longer-form academic format;

Policies

Active learning and the Web

To really know shoelaces, you have to tie shoes. — Matthew Crawford (2009) Shop Class as Soulcraft.

This is an active learning course meaning that you will be partaking in class and group discussions, participating in class exercises, and sharing and relating what we learn to the larger world.

I also make much use of the Web. For instance, this syllabus is a Web page that I update; I expect you to bookmark it and follow links. (If you find a broken link or typo, let me know!) You can easily find things on this page with ⌘+f. You can open links in new tabs with control-click. We will also make use of Google Drive. In emails I often use markdown conventions and respond below your quoted (‘>’) text.

Academic policies and integrity

In short, come to class on time and with the readings and assignments completed; be respectful and willing to collaborate. There are no provisions for missed exams or late assignments. If you have an issue, such as needing accommodation—illness, disability, athletic event, or religious obligation—do not plead afterward. Instead, beforehand, offer proposals that show initiative and a willingness to work.

Academic Integrity is of utmost importance: “The promotion of independent and original scholarship ensures that students derive the most from their educational experience and their pursuit of knowledge.” Violations include cheating, plagiarism, and participating in or encouraging dishonesty. If you cheat on an exam, you will receive zero credit and be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. If you plagiarize seven or more words in a row or misuse AI-based tools, the same will follow.

AI tool usage

AI-based tools can help and hinder our education. They can tempt us to skip learning and misrepresent our work; this is academic misconduct. They can also be used well and honestly, which requires disclosure and careful effort — they can plagiarize and “hallucinate” facts and sources. Therefore, AI tools cannot be used for quizzes or exams; doing so is misconduct. For anything else, submitted work must substantively be your own; if not, this is misconduct.

All assignments submitted to Canvas must have an appendix with a link to your document’s version history (i.e., a link to itself). Versioning and history is native to GDocs and Pages; if you use MS Word you must use Northeastern’s Office 365 or keep it in your OneDrive/Sharepoint account. Ensure that your documents and their history are publicly accessible. (In GDocs, you must share an editable version with me.) You might also be asked to demonstrate your work by discussing it with me.

If you use AI tools for improving your work (e.g., ChatGPT for feedback or GrammarlyGo and Quillbot for improving composition), include a note or appendix describing your use, including important prompts; failing to do so is misconduct.

Devices and professionalism

We sometimes use devices in class as part of an activity, but the default policy is for gadgets to be silenced and put away. If you want to use a device throughout the course, email me a device proposal with your intended usage. Device users might also be called upon to perform tasks such as looking things up or taking collaborative notes.

Deviations from classroom professionalism and respect may result in dismissal from class and demerits against your grade. See full course policies for more details.

Assignments

There are 1000 points at stake over the term. This is converted to letter grades based on thresholds, without rounding. For example, 870 is a B+; 869 is not. Due dates are in the schedule.

Rubrics

Course

Communication Studies courses are expected, on average, to have a GPA of no more than a 3.3 (B+); this means those receiving an A or A- are in the minority.

According to the course rubric, an excellent “A” student:

  • shows mastery in assignments. Their work demonstrates an impressive understanding of readings, discussions, themes, and ideas. It is fluid, clear, analytical, well-organized and grammatically polished. Reasoning and logic are well-grounded and examples precise.
  • has virtually perfect attendance. Their commitment to the class resembles that of the teacher.
  • is prepared for class. They always read assignments and participate fully. Their attention to detail is such that they occasionally catch the teacher in a mistake.
  • shows interest in the class. They look up or dig out what they don’t understand. They often ask interesting questions or make thoughtful comments.
  • has retentive minds. They can connect past learning with the present.
  • has a winning attitude. They have the determination, initiative, and self-discipline to succeed.

Letter grades

  1. Impressive: worthy of being an exemplar.
  2. Good: many strengths and some weaknesses.
  3. Satisfactory: strengths marred by weaknesses.
  4. Unsatisfactory: weaknesses dominate (any) strengths.
  5. Deficient: fails to address assignment or academic requirements.

See the grading scale for letter↔︎points thresholds.

Writing

As the writing rubric states, excellent prose:

Participation

See the participation assessment.

Resources

Many links are found throughout this syllabus (remember, ⌘+f is your friend), but I’ve gathered some of the most important ones below.

Readings

Most readings are linked to from this page, if not check this zip file. For selections, I specify the chapter (ch=) or pages (pp=) to read.

If you encounter a paywall, try incognito mode; pasting the URL at archive.ph, archive.org, or searching for the title at Proquest via our library. I use the browser plugin Web Archives to help with this.

Schedule

Jan 07 Tue - Are you tech-savvy?

Welcome! We introduce ourselves, cover class logistics, and consider if digital natives are tech-savvy. We also try to put this concern about “digital natives” in context. Come to class prepared to discuss the readings and complete the two small assignments below.

  1. Bring a mnemonic that connects your name with a memorable image: “Imagine me …” I could say: “Imagine Prof. Reagle being chased by beagles.”
  2. Use the readings to generate a higher-order question (analysis, synthesis, evaluation) from Question Taxonomy. Do you have a sense of how you would go about answering your question?

Jan 10 Fri - Markdown

Complete the assignment below using the boyd essay as a provocation. For example, you might write a paragraph in response, linking to the essay, using some formatting, and perhaps embedding a related image or video. Bring a device to class.

Due: Wiki tutorial

A wiki is an easy-to-create website using a lightweight syntax—such as markdown—for specifying images, links, and headings. Markdown is simple text, easy to read and write, supported by many editors, and can be mixed with HTML when needed (such as to embed a YouTube video). You can use it on websites such as Reddit, in note-taking apps such as Notion and Obsidian, or even with Google Docs.

REQUIRED: Go to HackMD and create your wiki.

  1. Sign in by creating an account or using an existing social media account. You could use Dropbox and easily backup/export your work there.
  2. Create a new note/page entitled “Home Page.”
  3. Read about markdown syntax (or watch a video tutorial). Copy the markdown from my homepage into your page and edit it to make it your own.
  4. Press + to create a note for your “Wiki tutorial.” Reflect on the reading above while using headings, links, images, and videos. (Remember to use blank lines above and below paragraphs.)
    1. Copy the URL of this page, go back to your home page, and link to it.
  5. Similarly, create and link to a page for your first set of reading responses. Feel free to copy the source of my example/template page.
  6. Make sure all three of your pages have their share options , set Read to Everyone and Write to Owners.

This isn’t graded and does not count toward your five reading responses, but I will give you feedback. Email me your assignment no later than 90 minutes before class: include HackMD in your descriptive subject line; include the <link> to your home page and tutorial page, followed by the markdown of the tutorial page (e.g., an email like this).

Jan 14 Tue - Attention

Read the chapter below and conduct the “online intention” exercise from the Attention Probes.

(Remember, you don’t have to write a response to this reading because it is not a required practical exercise; but, you do have to write five responses by the middle of the term so pace yourself. If you do write a response, include it on your wiki response page and send an email with HackMD in your descriptive subject line and the URL and markdown following the directions above.)

Jan 17 Fri - How the web works

Identify something about the web that you would like to learn more about or something from the reading you found confusing. Don’t get too hung up on technical details (especially about cryptography), we’ll cover everything in class.

(Again, you can write a response to these toward the five due by the middle of the semester.)

Jan 21 Tue - Crap detection

Many people are not aware of the power available to them in web searches nor how to evaluate the information they encounter. I’m asking you to use advanced search techniques and reflect on the credibility of online information.

Due: Web search & evaluation

REQUIRED: Review the instructions above and create a HackMd note using the power of the web (headings, links, embedded images, etc.) to show me your searches and results while responding to the readings on the same page. Link to your new note from your homepage and make sure you set: share/readable:everyone. Responding to the readings is part of this assignment, so you can’t count it toward your quota.

Remember, you can link to the results of your searches. For example, this link shows the results of searching for “Joseph Aoun” from January 1st to April 30th in 2014, excluding pages on northeastern.edu.

  • Google Search
    • Learn to refine your Google search – Google’s Advanced Search can also be handy. (See video tutorial, if needed.)
      • What would you query to see how many pages on the English Wikipedia site contain the exact phrase “Northeastern University”? If shown, how many results did you get? (Clicking Tools often shows the count.)
      • What would you query to see web pages about the skatefish without mention of the phrase “ice rink”? (Hint: It can still mention “ice” or “rink” but not “ice rink.”)
      • What would you query to see web pages about the Northeastern Huskies from the first day of 2001 through the last day of 2002?
    • Find me the top image of the exact phrase “penguin pair” with a Creative Commons” usage right.
  • Web credibility
    • Find a web page of questionable credibility and apply some of the criteria discussed by Valenza and Berkley Library.
  • Wikipedia evaluation
    • A version of the “Joseph Reagle” Wikipedia article stated (a) I worked at the World Wide Web Consortium and (b) my book Good Faith Collaboration was “bestselling.” How do these claims relate to the policy of Wikipedia:Verifiability? Would you suggest any changes to the page?
    • According to its history, when was this article first created (i.e., the oldest version)?

Email me your assignment no later than 90 minutes before class: include HackMD in your email’s descriptive subject line; include the <link> to your page, followed by the markdown.

Jan 24 Fri - Learning

We learn about the science of learning.

Jan 28 Tue - Filtering and fake news

Had everyone in the country learned and used “crap detection” skills, would we be so affected by “fake news” and media manipulation, or would we end up in filter bubbles?

Due: Filter your email

REQUIRED: Review the instructions above and create a HackMD page/note with one-to-two screenshots (no more) of your filter and results while responding to the readings on the same page. Link to your new page from your homepage and make sure you set: share/readable:everyone. Remember, in your email to me, include HackMD in your descriptive subject line; include the URL to your page, followed by the markdown. Responding to the readings is a part of this assignment, so you can’t count it toward your response quota.

  1. Review this video on How to Create a Rule in Outlook 365; Microsoft help provides detailed instructions.

  2. Select the “Settings” gear icon ⚙; select “View all Outlook settings” and then “Rules.”

  3. Select “+ Add new rule” and name it “NU News.”

  4. Add a condition: From includes “news@northeastern.edu.”

  5. Add an action: “Move to” a “New folder” named “NU News.”

  6. Uncheck “Stop processing more rules” and check “Run rule now”; select save and dismiss the dialog.

  7. If you don’t already see a spinning circle, meaning the rule is running on existing messages, click the play icon ▷. You will soon see old “News@Northeastern” emails appearing in your new folder.

  8. Try creating another rule for yourself. (Note: Only rules about senders transferred to a different folder can run on existing messages; all other rules apply to new messages only.)

Note: If the above conditions don’t apply to you (e.g., you unsubscribed from News@Northeastern), say so and create a different rule of your choice. I’m not concerned with what rules you have, or if you keep them, I simply want you to try creating one.

Jan 31 Fri - Cooperation

Why do we cooperate, and when and why do we fail to do so? How might the concepts you read about apply to what we see online?

Feb 04 Tue - Social networks

Feb 07 Fri - Catfishing and scams

What do we know of the psychology of those who perpetrate and fall victim to relationship scams?

For class, watch “My wife sent $250,000 to a Romance Scammer.” What psychological attributes do you see in this episode’s characters?

Feb 11 Tue - Haters

Why does digital communication give rise to such toxic behavior, including that of haters and that seen in “bully battles”?

Feb 14 Fri - The darknet

What is the “darknet” and the two technologies (Tor and Bitcoin) it is dependent on? We have two introductory readings and two related news stories.

Feb 18 Tue - Exam review

If you do a response, craft two multiple choice questions and two short/essay questions that could appear on the exam. For each question, provide an answer/explanation, or even a mnemonic, in a section below all the questions so everyone can self-quiz.

Feb 21 Fri - Exam

The exam will be in class, on paper, and unaided — no notes or devices (e.g., phones, watches, or earphones). There will be about eighteen multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank and four bullet-point responses.

If you have an extended-time accommodation, make sure your instructor has received the DRC notification letter at the start of the semester and the room reservation form one week before the exam.

Feb 25 Tue - Shaped

How does digital communication affect our ability to be mindful? How does it affect self-esteem; is it making us narcissistic?

DUE: Reading responses set #1

This ends the period for the first set of five reading responses, which will receive an entry in the grade book. Please send me the URL of your responses page following example/template page structure. If you do a response for today, include that markdown as well, but I don’t need the markdown of all your previous responses.

Feb 28 Fri - Collapsed context

What does it mean to be authentic online? Is it possible anymore to have more than one persona online? To answer these questions we read a classic study and a scholarly reflection about a recent app.

Mar 04 Tue - NO CLASS

Mar 07 Fri - NO CLASS

Mar 11 Tue - TikTok, fakes, and appropriation

If the digital can shape us as individuals – for the worse – how might it affect our identities?

DUE: Essay proposal, see assignments.

Mar 14 Fri - Finding someone & living alone

How has digital communication changed the relational landscape?

Mar 18 Tue - Ads & social graph background

What are the main types of advertisements available online? This will be relevant to our discussions of algorithmic discrimination, online manipulation, and privacy.

Mar 21 Fri - Manipulated

In what ways are online reviews, ratings, rankings, and comments manipulated? What can you trust and how would you know?

Mar 25 Tue - Bemused

Mar 28 Fri - Online ads & blockers

Knowing what we know about online advertising, should users be able to easily block ads? If so, who then pays for the free content and services we consume?

Due: Ad blocking

REQUIRED: Review the instructions above and create a HackMD note/page with screenshots of a webpage with and without ad blocking while responding to the readings on the same page. Link to your new note from your homepage and make sure you set: share/readable:everyone. In this assignment I want you to learn how to install an ad blocker and experience what it is like to browse a saner web. Whether you continue to use it is up to you!

  1. Install a web browser ad blocker and review some of your favorite sites. I use UBlock Origin Lite on Chrome/Firefox and AdGuard on Safari.
  2. Take a before and after screenshot of a site that demonstrates the difference.

Note: if Northeastern rejects your email as spam because of a discussion of ads, you may send your email to me at my personal address.

Apr 01 Tue - Artificial intelligence

Bots are now capable of creating astounding prose and images. What do you think the consequences will be?

For class, make sure you can access https://www.perplexity.ai/ and https://www.mage.space/.

Apr 04 Fri - Algorithmic bias

Why and how do algorithms exhibit biases (intentional or otherwise)?

Apr 08 Tue - Privacy

How concerned should we be about our privacy online? Is there anything we can do to protect it?

Due: Privacy footprint

REQUIRED: Review the instructions above and create a HackMD note with some of the results of your self-stalking (via links or screenshots) while responding to the readings on the same page. Link to your new note from your homepage and make sure you set: share/readable:everyone. You might be surprised by what is revealed in your public online footprint, but so much more can be had for a fee. You don’t have to document everything, just the interesting highlights.

Please be mindful of your privacy in this assignment and do not share anything that weakens your privacy further, such as screenshots of your phone number.

Apr 11 Fri - Digital language and generations

We return to a thread we begin the course with, how different generations have inhabited the digital age (McCulloch’s chapter 3); we also consider how language evolves (via an interview with McCulloch).

Apr 15 Tue - Pushback

DUE: Reading responses set #2

This ends the period for the second set of five reading responses, which will receive an entry in the grade book. Please send me the URL of your responses page following example/template page structure. If you do a response for today, include that markdown as well, but I don’t need the markdown of all your previous responses.

Apr 18 Fri - TRACE

DUE: Screenshot of TRACE completion due on Canvas.

April 21 - Essay

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