In recent years, there has been a continued proliferation of social media platforms (like Facebook and Twitter), recording and video-streaming devices (like TiVo and Apple TV), and online “deal-of-the-day” services (like Groupon and Living Social). As individuals participate in these platforms and services, we open ourselves up to new forms of surveillance and monitoring, not only by state authorities but also by private marketers. A whole new industry of social media analysis has been created that aims to perfect algorithms in order to turn personal user data into profit. While some may welcome “customized advertising,” the data mining processes that have emerged over the past few years have far-reaching implications for our everyday lives. Teaching Media Quarterly is seeking materials that critically explore the relationship between surveillance and new media.

Potential topics engaging with new media surveillance might include, but are not limited to, assignments and lessons that address any of the following:

–          political economy of social media platforms

–          data mining, collection, storage, and the use of this data by a range of actors

–          use of social media by law enforcement agencies

–          customized/targeted advertising

–          tracking software/cookies that monitor consumer behavior/patterns

–          critical interrogations of consumer power and new media

–          user/student perspectives on data mining and privacy issues

–          social classification and discrimination through data mining

–          ethics of data mining

–          policy and regulation of data mining

Teaching Media Quarterly Submission Guidelines & Review Policy

Teaching Media Quarterly seeks innovative assignments and lessons that can be used to critically engage with “new media and surveillance” in the undergraduate classroom. All submissions must include: 1) a title, 2) an overview and comprehensive rationale (250-500 words), 3) a detailed lesson plan or assignment instructions, 4) teaching materials (handouts, rubrics, discussion prompts, viewing guides, etc.), 5) a full bibliography of readings, links, and/or media examples, and 6) a short biography (100-150).

Please email all submissions in ONE Microsoft Word document to teachingmedia.contact@gmail.com.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: October 31, 2013

Submissions will be reviewed by each member of the editorial board. Editors will make acceptance decisions based on their vision for the issue and an assessment of contributions. It is the goal of Teaching Media Quarterly to notify submitters of the editors’ decisions within two weeks of submission receipt.

Teaching Media Quarterly is dedicated to circulating practical and timely approaches to media concepts and topics from a variety of disciplinary and methodological perspectives. Our goal is to promote collaborative exchange of undergraduate teaching resources between media educators at higher education institutions. As we hope for continuing discussions and exchange as well as contributions to Teaching Media Quarterly we encourage you to visit our website athttp://www.teachingmedia.org/