Unit 1: Social Media Systems, Influence, and Ethical Design
Duration of Days: 41
• Engagement is measurable and varies based on platform design and audience response.
• Patterns of engagement can be identified through structured observation and comparison.
• Influence depends on proportional engagement, not just follower count.
• Algorithms amplify or suppress content using engagement signals and feedback loops.
• Amplification systems can create unintended ethical consequences.
• Platform design involves trade-offs between engagement, profit, and responsibility.
• Responsible design requires anticipating cause-and-effect relationships within systems.
• Analyze engagement patterns using prediction and evidence.
• Generate and refine It Factors across platforms.
• Apply conceptual engagement rate reasoning.
• Model simplified algorithm feedback loops.
• Evaluate ethical case studies.
• Critique prototype platforms for trade-offs.
• Design and defend an original platform prototype.
• Reflect on system consequences and limitations.
Students will complete a culminating performance task designing, justifying, and defending a social media platform prototype incorporating engagement strategy, algorithm logic, and ethical safeguards.