Good program focused on Internet + Society?

[Weysh]

Hi,

I have studied sociology for 6 years and now hold a M.A. degree in Sociology (Concentration: Urban Soc). At the same time I'm also a computer geek (since high school) who actually worked as professional web developer for many years.

At the age of 30, I'm looking forward to a serious academic career path which could combine my social science research experience with my knowledge of how web world works. I'm living in Chicago now, that's where I discovered Northwestern Media, Technology and Society program (I went to Evaston for attend Manuel Castells' talk).

I've never considered Communication before, so I have little knowledge of this field. And communication has so many different sub-fields. I'm a little bit lost at this time.

So I'm asking the good people here, what are the good programs in U.S. to study and focus on Internet and its social impact? Thanks!

(P.S. forgot to mention: PhD programs)

Edited June 30, 2011 by Weysh

[Strangefox]

I am afraid there is no easy answer to this questions. First, there are different rankings that will give you "good" programs. I used inverted commas because these rankings differ and many people don't recommend to rely to much on them. It does not matter how great a program is if you have a terrible advisor and spiteful peers.

But rankings are good to start with because they give you a list of programs to look through. You just need to go to their websites and read carefully about what these prpgrams have to offer. Look for fit with your acamemic interests. Read about professors, see if there is somebody you would like to work with. Contact these professors, tell them about your academic interests, find out if they would be interested and could take you as a student. That's a way to start.

Good luck!

[Weysh]

I am afraid there is no easy answer to this questions. First, there are different rankings that will give you "good" programs. I used inverted commas because these rankings differ and many people don't recommend to rely to much on them. It does not matter how great a program is if you have a terrible advisor and spiteful peers.

But rankings are good to start with because they give you a list of programs to look through. You just need to go to their websites and read carefully about what these prpgrams have to offer. Look for fit with your acamemic interests. Read about professors, see if there is somebody you would like to work with. Contact these professors, tell them about your academic interests, find out if they would be interested and could take you as a student. That's a way to start.

Good luck!

Thanks for replying!

Yes, I do know how grad school application works, how rankings is just a number. I once applied for Sociology programs 2 years ago.

However, as you may or may not noticed, professors do work in "circles". I am reading some professor's work, but it only leads me to the world of his/her academic circle. I still need to know what other possibilities out there.

And also, there's no ranking stat for this particular field. Only communication schools ranking. There are simply so many sub-fields in communications. That was why I got lost finding the right program.

So I'm not looking for a "good" program that is "good" in ranking. I'm simply looking for those programs which are strong at combining web/internet studies with sociological studies (like the NW MTS program).

But thank you for your advice, though.

[Strangefox]

However, as you may or may not noticed, professors do work in "circles". I am reading some professor's work, but it only leads me to the world of his/her academic circle.

What do you mean by circles? Sub-fields?

Also, I did not mean to imply that there is ranking for your particular field (though there might be...). I meant that you should look for the most general rankings and then read about all programs in the list. At least, that's how I did.

Edited July 1, 2011 by Strangefox

[Weysh]

What do you mean by circles? Sub-fields?

No, by "circle" I mean research clusters based on personal circle(forgive my choice of vocabulary if i'm using it wrong. I'm not a native English speaker). It's very common, and very important in academia.

I've tried looking at some ranking lists, but "Communication School" seem to have very different concentrations. I'm only interested in researches which involves new ICTs and social studies.

[Strangefox]

No, by "circle" I mean research clusters based on personal circle(forgive my choice of vocabulary if i'm using it wrong. I'm not a native English speaker). It's very common, and very important in academia.

I've tried looking at some ranking lists, but "Communication School" seem to have very different concentrations. I'm only interested in researches which involves new ICTs and social studies.

Hm, I have never noticed or heard about such circles. May be it happens in some fields and in some countries, but I am not sure that it is true about Communication in the US.

As for the lists of schools, you will have to go through them no matter how different some of these programs are from what you need. Because there is no other way. You just need to look through all possible programs to find the best fit. May be there is some other way, but I don't know it, sorry...

[Weysh]

Hm, I have never noticed or heard about such circles. May be it happens in some fields and in some countries, but I am not sure that it is true about Communication in the US.

As for the lists of schools, you will have to go through them no matter how different some of these programs are from what you need. Because there is no other way. You just need to look through all possible programs to find the best fit. May be there is some other way, but I don't know it, sorry...

Ok. Thanks for the advice.

But, about the circle. It's true in the U.S. For example, if you look at some books which include many articles from different professors from different U, you will find that these professors who put articles in the same book frequently work together, or someone was someone else's student, or ex co-worker...

[Strangefox]

But, about the circle. It's true in the U.S. For example, if you look at some books which include many articles from different professors from different U, you will find that these professors who put articles in the same book frequently work together, or someone was someone else's student, or ex co-worker...

I guess there might be some truth in it: networking and stuff... On the other hand, academia is a small world and sub-fields are sometimes tiny so obviously professors cite works of their (ex)colleagues. But I believe that the bulk of references in any article is always books/articles whose authors the prof who has written this article has never worked with. Because how could he have possibly worked with all these people?? May be later I will see that I am wrong but now the existense of these "circles" just does not seem logical to me...

[sputnik]

Northwestern MTS program, Cornell MST program, University of Illinois - Chicago Communication program.

I suggest you check out AOIR http://aoir.org/

Hi,

I have studied sociology for 6 years and now hold a M.A. degree in Sociology (Concentration: Urban Soc). At the same time I'm also a computer geek (since high school) who actually worked as professional web developer for many years.

At the age of 30, I'm looking forward to a serious academic career path which could combine my social science research experience with my knowledge of how web world works. I'm living in Chicago now, that's where I discovered Northwestern Media, Technology and Society program (I went to Evaston for attend Manuel Castells' talk).

I've never considered Communication before, so I have little knowledge of this field. And communication has so many different sub-fields. I'm a little bit lost at this time.

So I'm asking the good people here, what are the good programs in U.S. to study and focus on Internet and its social impact? Thanks!

(P.S. forgot to mention: PhD programs)

[Weysh]

Northwestern MTS program, Cornell MST program, University of Illinois - Chicago Communication program.

I suggest you check out AOIR http://aoir.org/

wow, thanks for recommending AOIR.

[commsch12]

Berkeley might fit your interests as well: http://www.ischool.berkeley.edu/people/faculty

[sfugradstudies]

If you're willing to move to Canada, our CMNS program has a number of faculty members with sociology/anthropology backgrounds, as well as interests in technology.

http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/future/academicprograms/faculty_of_communication_art_technology/communication.html

Tuition is approx $4,900 CDN per year, no differential for international students.