COMM 3400 - Online Relationships

(crosslisted)
(also INFO 3400 ) (SBA)

Fall. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Junior or senior standing.

N. Bazarova.

This course examines relationships formed through computer-mediated interpersonal communication. It focuses on how people manage interactions and identities, develop interpersonal relationships, and engage in collaboration and conflict in technologically mediated environments (email, instant massaging, blogs, online dating websites, social networking websites). The overall goal for this course is to connect current thinking in relational communication with human behavior on the Internet. Emphasis will be placed on how current theories of interpersonal communication can explain and anticipate interpersonal dynamics on the Internet, but also on how online behaviors may challenge traditional principles of interpersonal communication.