In recent years we’ve heard more and more about the negative aspects of social media. Trolling, personal attacks, lessening of attention spans, rumor mills, misinformation and fake news, etc. And all of it readily available to anyone with a phone, including children so young that they shouldn’t have phones at all.
Yet for reasons unfathomable, Arizona State University is now offering bachelor’s degrees in how to become an “influencer,” a person on social media who has become so popular that they actually make money by influencing the actions of others.
From ASU:
Do you dream of monetizing your video channel or making social media your career? Learn to create powerful content across video, podcasts, social media and emerging platforms while building your brand. With hands-on experiences in Phoenix, Los Angeles and online, you’ll master the art and science of digital influence.
Program description
The Bachelor of Arts program in content creation prepares you to become an influencer and strategic storyteller who thrives in the rapidly evolving creator economy. Program coursework emphasizes content planning, video and podcast production, global perspectives and personal branding.
Why? Why legitimize “personal branding” efforts on social media? Why recognize social media as a medium worthy of a college education?
Why not just offer a sound degree in journalism? Goodness knows we need more college-educated professional journalists. Of course, professional journalists are supposed to focus on presenting news and information to the public, not hyping their own popularity …
I noticed the “influencer” degree is being offered through ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Cronkite must be rolling in his grave.
“spinning” in his grave …
That too. And also “turning”
Absolutely disgraceful !!! Talk about tertiary education selling its soul, Colorado … 🙁
I just heard about this today and I’m appalled. I hope fervently that it’s not something other universities are going to start doing. And yes, I did wonder if they’re doing it just to attract additional students/tuition.
johnthecook…I think you hit the nail squarely on the head, additional students and tuition. Stupid is as stupid does! Next thing they will be offering is “Daydreaming” 101.
That might already be the introductory course. Seems to me anyone hoping to make a living as an influencer (and worse, betting their college education on it) is already daydreaming.
unreal. I so don’t want this to be true yet fear it really is
Unfortunately it’s all too true. Just check the ASU website. But please, if you find out it’s a fake website, let me know. Because I don’t want to believe it either.
This reminds me that freedom of speech includes bad speech. Also, a college education depends a lot on the institution’s philosophy and reputation. A “liberal education” used to mean a program of wide-ranging topics and areas of concentration so as to produce well-rounded citizens. That was another time. Now universities pay their athletes and nobody even mentions a concern about their studies. It’s all about money to most of them. Like government, education comes down to culture and the individual’s judgment. The bumpy ride continues.
I couldn’t speak to ASU’s philosophy and reputation before today. But now I have. And apparently ASU is not the only school teaching social media “influencing” (see my comment below about the Today Show story). As for college athletes, I’ve got “Coach Prime” and his revolving door of transfer portal athletes right up the road in Boulder. Never any mention of scholastics. Such an old-fashioned notion — scholastics at a university.
I feel like such a fossil. For my journalism degree in the ’60s I had to take 2 courses each in history, economics, science, math, and some others, in addition to the journalism classes. I wonder what their requirements are today …
The Today Show website has more on the ASU course content and includes a video.
Eek!
I am so disappointed with our universities.
It’s disturbing and sad. Like you said, being an influence is replacing journalism.
So much of what the “influencer” curriculum includes sounds like basic mass communication/journalism coursework. Taking that and redirecting it for wannabe influencers is disturbing in ways I can’t even express.
It’s not really college/university anymore.
Just a “holding pen” – like when they added grades up to secondary school.
Keeps some off the job market ( and delays grad. unhappiness at available job opportunities?)
Only way it makes any sense…as well as allowing institutions to make money – even from those who really shouldn’t be/ aren’t prepared to in high edu.