Throughout the semester, we will be discussing the issues of social networking in the Web environment. This is an issue we can expect to see covered frequently in the press and other media. One goal of this effort is to encourage you to remain aware of current issues, even while you are busy with your studies. Our hope is that this will become a lifelong habit that helps you understand current issues and inspires civic engagement.  Each Honors 110 instructor has selected a theme to explore in further depth throughout the term.  The topics are all "hot" topics frequently found in the news.  Regularly reading a newspaper, such as The New York Times, will help you understand and discuss the issues for our theme:  The Internet as a Community

This is really a big topic, and I can assure you there will be many articles over the next few weeks for us to share and discuss.  We'll be looking at blogging, podcasting, wikis, and social networks such as Facebook, MySpace, Flickr, etc. Social impacts we'll be reading about and discussing include both positive aspects (e.g., maintaining long distance relationships, rapid and inexpensive information sharing) and negative aspects (e.g., privacy, safety, fraud, addiction.)

To become familiar with the theme, please read:
Haas, N. (2006, January 8). "In Your Facebook.com." New York Times (Available online through the library databases. The New York Times is listed on the A-Z database list. It is also available through Lexis-Nexis.)

A thorough discussion of the theme is available in the CQ Researcher issue of July 28, 2006: "Cyber Socializing." CQ Researcher is listed on the A-Z database list.

At least once a week, write a (minimum one-page) entry in your journal about an article from the media or the Web .  Select an article on our theme you find interesting, relevant and useful and summarize the article.  Then tell how it relates to your experience or why you found it interesting.  

On "Theme Days" come prepared to discuss your favorite articles/webpages (minimum of two articles.)

I encourage you to sign up for the NYT email headlines service at www.nytimes.com. You should also become familiar with the databases the library provides. These databases will typically lead you to reputable articles you aren't likely to find with Google. From the library's home page http://library.uncw.edu/ click on the "Databases & Articles" link, or go directly to http://library.uncw.edu/web/research/databases/index.html.