2021/22 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG5700M Digital Resistance: Media Protest by Marginalised Groups

30 creditsClass Size: 80

Module manager: Dr. Laura Loyola-Hernández
Email: l.t.loyolahernandez@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2021/22

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

In recent years, there has been an explosion of research on the role of social media in contemporary social movements like Black Lives Matter, Occupy Wall Street, Indignados movement and the Arab Spring. Yet, little attention has been brought to the everyday use of social media as a tool of resistance to challenge unequal gender, racial, colonial and economic relations. This module will explore the diverse ways in which marginalised communities are using digital media as a tool of protest and resistance. The module will have guest lectures via Skype, podcasts, live streaming and online Q & A that will allow students to interact and learn from scholars from around the globe that might be restricted because of money and visa related issues to come to the UK. Key questions that will be answered through lectures are: can social media be used to challenge geopolitical notions of activism? What are the uses of social media as an everyday tool of resistance against racism, white supremacy, colonialism, misogyny, homo and transphobia, ableism, among others? Can there be a decolonial approach regarding the use of social media as resistance given the neoliberal and colonial implications of technology companies and social media? What are some of the ethical implications of using social media as a tool of protest?

Objectives

The module aims to:
1. Introduce students to key aspects of the role of social media as a tool of protest.
2. Challenge students to critically think what we understand by politics, protest and resistance.
3. Show students the importance of understanding space and place in the virtual world.
4. Equip students with analytical skills to comprehend the global, national and local views on socio-political and economic inequalities.
5. Encourage students to identify literature and other information sources, and knowledge of selected techniques of information retrieval, analysis and presentation in written and visual format.

Learning outcomes
Students successfully completing this module should be able to:
1. Demonstrate in-depth specialist knowledge of theories and methods for the analysis of digital spaces, politics and protest.
2. Reflect on the ethical issues that arise in thinking of digital spaces as tools of protest and resistance.
3. Demonstrate an ability to apply key methods, theories and approaches with regards to virtual spaces and alternative forms of politics.
4. Creatively and critically, formulate independent research on virtual spaces and politics.

Skills outcomes
This module will help students develop communication skills and critical thinking on sensitive subjects that we encounter online.

Syllabus

Each year the syllabus will contain: (1) an introduction to key notions of politics, resistance and protest, (2) discussions of recent case studies and original research on the topic of digital spaces and resistance and (3) ethical issues that emerged when thinking of social media and digital spaces as acts of resistance and protest. Representative case studies may include: the use of social media (such as Instagram) as forms of feminist protest in Mexico, WhatsApp use during social demonstrations in Brazil, decolonising the internet project in South Asia, among others. Main theories include black and latinx feminism and media, critical race theory, decolonising theory on politics and resistance.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	11	1.00	11.00
Private study hours			278.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Private study

Preparation for lectures and seminars 140 hours, 138 hours preparation for the assessment.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Feedback will be given with the two final assessment pieces. A workshop will be provided as in one of the seminars to provide any support needed for the assessments, including the production of memes, as well as give oral feedback on the progress students are making with their final projects and essays.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	3,000 word essay	60.00
Report	1,500 word project that includes the production of a meme, gif or political commentary on social media	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 12/07/2021 12:36:53

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD