TL;DR: Short version of the instructionsLinks to an external site. Format: Times New Roman, 12-pt font, 1-inch margins (all sides), double-spaced! Submit in .doc, .docx, or .pdf (.pages seems to

not work with the bCourses SpeedGrader). When citing readings, please use the simple parenthetical citation, for example, (Baym 2010). If you cite lecture, please just cite (Lin, "Title of Lecture, "Date). No works cited/bibliography page needed-- assuming you only cite course readings and lecture. Number your answers accordingly! For example, if you answered question A2, please label it "Question A2" before your answer or as a heading/title. Submission Information: Submit through bCourses website only! Please do not wait until the last minute. NOTE: even DSP students will not get much of an extension due to grades being due extremely quickly. See syllabus/bCourses for details on what to do if you encounter errors in submission--follow the directions exactly (this requires that you submit your exam early). Exam Details: This is a take-home final, so you may use any resources you have available to complete the final. Although you may discuss the final with other students, you may NOT work with other students directly in writing the final together (i.e. this is not a group final). Finals with too similar answers will be looked at with suspicion--so please avoid this situation. Your essay should be written in your own words. If you take ideas from lecture or readings, please paraphrase them into your own explanations and then cite where you got these ideas. You may also cite lecture (see above). You will lose points if you directly copy off the readings or the lecture PowerPoints, so please use your own words to explain your answers. Please write a short essay, which means a (very) short introduction and conclusion. As a suggestion (which means you do not have to), you may use a sort of 5-paragraph essay format for each question. Your short essay should have a thesis/argument that answers the question in the prompt directly. Then, your subsequent paragraphs should each be devoted to a key arguments, examples, or cases that prove your overarching argument. You may consider counter- arguments in your conclusion or where most applicable/obvious Here is a little guide for writing a good thesis statement that will work for these prompts: 3-Part-Thesis-Statements-Outline-for-Essays.pdf Choose one from section A and one from section B and write 2 short essays (paragraph form) of approximately 1000 words for EACH answer (approximately 4ish pages double spaced PER answer for a total of 9ish pages--you should NOT go over 9 pages in total). SECTION A: Choose ONE of the two questions below to answer. Label your answer either A1 or A2. A1: In the first part of the course, we discussed several theories about the relationship between technology and society (ANT, technological determinism vs. SCOT). Now, summarize your view of this relationship: which has more power or control: society or technology? How do they relate or interact with one another? To support your argument, provide at least three different examples/concepts from readings and/or cases from the course that best support your position on this relationship. A2: Both utopian and dystopian narratives swirl around virtual communities and social medi While these narratives tend to reveal the bias that one has towards new technology, there also often exists some truth to the narratives. Using at least three different examples/concepts from readings and/or cases from the course, summarize what you think are the biggest positive and/or negative impacts of virtual communities and social media on society today. SECTION B: Choose ONE of the three questions below to answer. Label your answer either B1, B2, or B3. B1: Virtual communities and social media have undoubtedly changed the meaning and ways of gaining social capital in our society. While some have argued that there is an overall decrease in social capital as a result of technology, others have argued the exact opposite has occurred. What are the most significant ways that virtual communities and social media have changed social capital? Use at least three different examples from readings and/or cases from this class to prove your argument. B2: Some have argued that social media is a tool to mobilize the masses (e.g. #BLM, Arab Spring, Brazil), while others have argued that social media is only good to make big splashes and not systematic change (Gladwell, 2010). Overall, to what extent does social media have the power to affect widespread, systemic social change? Use at least three case studies/readings discussed in class as examples to prove your argument. You may analyze some case studies as a way to counter common opposing views as well. B3: Throughout the semester, we have encountered examples of how society reacts to the introduction of new technology. In many cases, a time period is required for the domestication of technology to take place. First, using readings and lectures, clearly explain the social phenomenon of (moral/techno-/privacy/media) panic: how does society often (over) react to fears around new technology and/or new uses of technology? Then, using at least two case studies discussed in class as examples, show how panic happens in these examples and what are better ways for certain social institutions (e.g. media, schools, the public, families, government, etc.) to respond and react to the panic? Grading: Your answers will be graded on 1) how well you use readings, cases, and/or videos from class, 2) how deeply you interact with, discuss, and utilize each of the readings/cases to prove your argument and 3) how insightful the content of your overarching argument or answer to the question is. See full rubric here: Final Exam Rubric Students.docx Do not expect comments, as this is a final exam which means the turn-over for grading is EXTREMELY short. If you have problems with the grade, you will still be able to submit your final for a regrade (see syllabus for details), and your grade can be changed retroactively. FAQ: What I chose from section A and what I chose from section B overlap. Is that a problem if I write about the same case studies or readings in both essays? Yes and no. While there is no EXPLICIT instructions to dock points based on this, remember that your readers do not know you. They have no idea if you did the readings and attended class or not. As a result, it might look suspicious if you used all the same examples for both essays--in fact, it might look like you are trying to be lazy or cut corners. This could create implicit bias in your readers when they grade your paper. I would say that if you use the same case or reading in both essays, be sure that you can really show why and how it is the perfect reading or example to use in order to prove your thesis. Be convincing. If you are, and you show analytical depth in your use of that reading/example, then the readers will have no choice but give you the grade you deserve. How should I approach writing this essay? First, you should choose the question prompt that interests you the most--this will likely make for a better paper. Do not worry about how "hard" the question seems at first. I guarantee that they are of relative equal difficulty, and if you like the prompt, you will generally do a better job on it. Second, I would NOT just try answering the prompt off the top of your head. This is a VERY bad idea for two reasons: 1) you have preconceived notions that are based on non-course material that will lead you astray in answering the prompts and 2) this will result in you trying to force course content to make an argument you came up with on your own resulting in an unconvincing argument. Instead, start by looking at the syllabus and brainstorming every case study, example, and reading that relates to your question prompt. Once you have created an exhaustive list, go through each one quickly and write what you think that case study, example, or reading proves in relation to the research prompt. For example, what would Tufekci say about this question? What do her findings say in relation to X? Once you have done this brainstorming, come up with a thesis that you feel comfortable arguing. The thesis should have depth and dimension--in other words, it should be INTERESTING! See rubric for some guidance. Now, you should easily be able to see what the best 2 or 3 case studies, examples, and readings can be used to prove your thesis! Easy :).