MDST 490 Big Data and the Connected Citizen
As consumers of media, citizens should be prepared to assess the messages they receive from sources such as social networks, broadcast, and other media. However, in contemporary society, consumers are also communicating information about themselves, most of which is harvested without their knowledge or understanding. This course prepares students to consider their position as communicators in an interconnected world, where the information they provide about themselves is stored, retrieved, analyzed and used to sell, promote, control, or otherwise influence citizen and consumer behavior.
Prerequisites: General Education Requirement 4 (Mathematical/Logical Reasoning) requirement completed and junior standing (or higher), or instructor's permission.
Special information
4 Undergraduate credits
Effective December 15, 2015 to present
Learning outcomes
General
- Elucidate a clear and useful description of Big Data and its role in their virtual and physical lives;
- Describe the impact and influence of Big Data on individuals and society, public policy, and private entities;
- Make decisions that can effectively alter the ways in which information about their online presence and interactions can be collected and used;
- Describe some of the procedures for collecting data and conducting analysis, and;
- Describe the historical and present uses of Big Data by government and corporations to understand citizen and consumer behavior.