Mar 28, 2024  
Academic Catalog 2017-2018 
    
Academic Catalog 2017-2018 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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MSC-552 Global Psychology: Social Marketing in a Borderless World

4 semester credits
We use a global perspective in this course to explore ways in which global broadcast and narrowcast media make an impact in society, and how these media are harnessed to actively promote the advancement of social concerns. We assess the use and misuse of traditional media (radio and television), the classical entertainment media (film, theatre, art and music) and the “new” media (internet, social networks, blogs, virtual worlds, and cell phone technologies) in reaching their desired audiences and convincing them of anything. We explore the techniques of social marketing –adapted from advertising – for influencing attitudes and behavior. Students investigate media reach and the new forms of digital divides, and then explore media for social activism, including psychological concepts of empathy, altruism, persuasion and influence, all central to the theory and practice of social marketing. Readings emphasize the analysis of social campaign case studies, preparing students for a final project that combines media and psychology to advance a local or global social cause meaningful to them personally. Other class assignments emphasize active asynchronous discussion, short written work practicing a variety of media styles, and a team project to gain experience in the dispersed teamwork typical of global media campaigns.
Delivery Method: Online
Grading Default: Letter
Learning Outcome(s):  

  1. Research and explain key differences in media literacy, consumption and ownership in populations of different socio-economic profiles.
  2. Understand and apply key concepts of advocacy and social marketing for different types of audiences.
  3. Analyze the potential social impact of proposed media projects, technologies or formats.
  4. Use strategies and techniques of social marketing in developing ethical media campaigns of advocacy and activism.
  5. Advise media content creators in the development of socially responsible programming.
  6. Contribute to scripts or messaging for media projects aimed at social change.
  7. Operate successfully in a multi-media asynchronous learning/working environment, including virtual teams.



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