Curriculum

Spring 

Introduction to Online Communities (CMGT-534) - Karen North and Clint Schaff
The Introduction to Online Communities course provides a basic set of knowledge, skills, and terminology needed to understand the advent, growth and development of online communities. Students learn to engage with, critique, and discuss online communities through timely readings, reputable guest lecturers, and lively discussions. Assigned readings include both influential industry blogs and academic publications. Frequent guest lecturers offer information about new developments in the industry and provide students with insights into the leadership and management of online communities. Weekly discussions draw from the week's industry news, other readings, and topics and issues raised by our guests. The class explores business aspects of online communities, motivations for their creation, strategies for cultivating them, as well as trends in this industry. This wealth of knowledge serves as preparation for future classes and projects at APOC.

Technologies for Online Communities (CMGT-599) - Zach Posner
The Technologies for Online Communities course provides a foundation in software development for students enrolled in APOC. Because these “social networking” websites and related software are part of a new way for users to relate to content and each other, they present a unique challenge to develop. This course is a survey of contemporary platforms, languages, and collaborative methodologies. These topics provide a necessary background for students who intend to work as online project managers or product developers. By the end of the semester, students are able to understand foundation concepts of software development, apply collaborative and management techniques, and create all relevant documentation for developing their own online community.

Social Dynamics of New Communication Technologies (CMGT-530) - Dmitri Williams
Social Dynamics of New Communication Technologies covers the theory and practice of interpersonal and group-based communication and communities, with a strong emphasis on online practices. Starting with basic theoretical foundations drawn from sociology, political science and psychology, the course moves through theories of community, identity, behaviors, persuasion and media research. Students work individually and in teams on case-study projects highlighting key aspects of the course, then author individual term projects that tie the theoretical aspects of the course to real-world phenomena and applications.

Summer

Communication Internship - Karen North
Participating in an industry internship is a key aspect of the M.A. program. Students are required to work part-time (around 20 hours a week) with one of our many industry partners. For more information, please see internships.

Uses of Communication Research (COMM-540) - Katya Ognyanova
This course introduces students to the basic set of knowledge and skills needed to design and implement research projects. They learn to form appropriate research questions and answer such questions by collecting and interpreting data. After completion of this course, they will be equipped to move beyond being passive observers of research, to become discriminating consumers and competent practitioners.

Fall

Internet Policy, Practice, and Regulation (CMGT-567) - Michael Overing
This engaging and dynamic class weaves together the topic of the laws and regulations essential to online communities with the "nuts and bolts" of building such a site. The class walks students through an array of legal issues, from contracting to intellectual property, while also discussing special issue and concerns as they are raised by the final project teams.

Communication Practicum - Cody Simms
This is the capstone experience for APOC students. Commonly referred to as the Final Project Class, students break up into small groups and build a site in just one semester. APOC provides each group with a budget to build a fully functioning, dynaic online community. Teammates pitch ideas to each other, conceptualize, scope and descope, hire developers wireframe their ideas, manage the tech development, debug, and launch their sites. Rather than the class building powerpoint presentations, students complete their master's degrees by building innovative businesses through this process.

Elective
Students are encouraged to look far and wide and find an elective from any department at USC that best meets the needs and aspirations of that student and his or her career interests. Students routinely take classes from the Engineering School, Business School, Cinematic Arts, and others. APOC's director assists in finding classes that are the best fit for each student.