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ICC 602: Introduction to Digital Communications

This is one of the first courses students will take in the Newhouse School's Communications@Syracuse Online Graduate program at Syracuse University. Students will examine the evolving nature of the communications landscape. Through case studies and analysis, students will evaluate the use and impact of digital communications technologies and explore issues of digital media culture, Internet governance, ethics and diversity. This course consists of asynchronous course work and synchronous live sessions.

Student Learning Outcomes
  • Explain and differentiate between the characteristics of analog and digital media, as well as the properties of digital media technologies that impact traditional practices and create new opportunities in the many communications industries, including broadcast and print media, advertising, public relations and journalism. 
  • Describe and explain the evolution of digital communication platforms in the Internet Age, including foundational Internet technologies and those of the dynamic Web 2.0 era, as well as emergent post-PC technologies. 
  • Explain and address the evolving needs and behaviors of the digital media user, emergent trends in the online and mobile communications and concepts of interactive and responsive design. 
  • Develop and reinforce essential skills for communicators in the digital age, including the creation and consumption of digital media, a foundational understanding of blogging and digital content management, social networking platforms, and mobile and emergent media platforms. 
  • Differentiate between innovations across communications organizations by identifying best practices, trends, entrepreneurship efforts and needs for further innovation.

Course Topics
  • Week 1: Communications and Mass Media in the Digital Age
  • Week 2: The Evolution of Digital Media Technologies
  • Week 3: Web 2.0 and User-Generated Content
  • Week 4: Understanding Digital Culture
  • Week 5: Internet Governance and Ethical Issue
  • Week 6: Midterm
  • Week 7: Disrupting Media and Entrepreneurship 
  • Week 8: Trends in Digital Journalism
  • Week 9: Trends in Advertising and Persuasion
  • Week 10: Emergent Media Technologies
  • Week 11: Case Study Presentations 

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