Source (2025): https://calstatela.curriculog.com/proposal:17985/form

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

• Critically understand theory, methodology, and application as it pertains to social media content creation and communication.
• Explain key concepts and foundations of the field.
• Practice creating compelling multimedia content to communicate information to diverse audiences.
• Critically evaluate data analytics on social media platforms, potential mis- and dis-information on social media, and use data and other tools to identify social social media strategies and best practices aimed at engaging audiences in public issues and accurate information.
• Demonstrate an understanding of key legal and ethical principles in content creation and apply that understanding in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity.
• Serve the public good through content creation and combating misinformation and disinformation on social media - including amplifying the voices of those traditionally disenfranchised in society, especially as grounded in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religion and class.

Fit with the Institutional Mission or Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILO) 

1. Knowledge: Mastery of content and processes of inquiry

Students pursuing social media minor will be able to explain key concepts and foundations of the field and question information posted on social media and to discern facts and other quality information from mis- and dis-information, and use their questions as a guide to finding fact-checked information from credible sources – all while producing compelling multimedia content to communicate public issues to diverse audiences.

This meets the university’s goal of mastering content and processes of inquiry: “CSULA graduates have a strong knowledge base in their academic major and can use powerful processes of inquiry in a range of disciplines. They engage contemporary and enduring questions with an understanding of the complexities of human cultures and the physical and natural world and are ready to put their knowledge into action to address contemporary issues.”

2. Proficiency: Intellectual skills

The social media minor requires students to critically assess social media content – as well as understand its theory, methodology and applications – and use data analytics from social media platforms to evaluate and apply best practices, develop creative ways of engaging audiences in public issues, thereby meeting the university’s goals related to intellectual skills: “CSULA graduates are equipped to actively participate in democratic society. They are critical thinkers who make use of quantitative and qualitative reasoning. They have the ability to find, use, evaluate and process information in order to engage in complex decision-making. They read critically, speak and write clearly and thoughtfully and communicate effectively.”

3. Place and Community: Urban and global mission

Students in the social minor will demonstrate an understanding of key legal and ethical principles in content creation and apply that understanding to serve the public good through compelling content creation, combat mis- and dis-information on social media – in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity. They will produce content that amplifies the voices of those traditionally disenfranchised in society, especially as grounded in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religion and class. These goals speak to the university’s urban and global mission: “CSULA graduates are engaged individuals who have contributed to the multi-lingual and multiethnic communities that constitute Los Angeles and the world of the future. They are aware of how their actions impact society and the environment, and they strive to make socially responsible decisions. They are community builders sensitive to the needs of diverse individuals and groups and committed to renewing the communities in which they live.”

4. Transformation: Integrative learning

As they serve the public good by covering local communities and producing compelling multimedia content to communicate key information to diverse audiences, students pursuing the social media minor will achieve the university’s goal of putting into practice what they are learning: “CSULA graduates integrate academic learning with life. They engage in community, professional, creative, research and scholarly projects that lead to changes in their sense of self and understanding of their worlds. Graduates integrate their knowledge, skills and experience to address complex and contemporary issues and act ethically as leaders for the 21st century.”