Assessment

Continuous Assessment + Digital Media Project + Essay

Module Aims

This module aims to introduce learners to key concepts, methods, and best practices in the use of social and digital media for communication, engagement, and evangelisation within pastoral and ecclesial settings. It seeks to develop learners’ understanding of how social media functions within contemporary culture and how it can be used responsibly and effectively in ministry contexts. The module aims to equip learners with the knowledge and practical skills required to create and manage digital content, to develop and evaluate social media strategies, and to interpret relevant engagement metrics. It also aims to foster awareness of the ethical and legal considerations involved in digital communication, particularly in relation to working with young people and online communities.

Learning Outcomes

• — Explain key theological terms and concepts that relate to Social/Digital media and engagement/evangelization in pastoral and ecclesial settings.
• — Articulate an understanding of the relevance of popular social networks for engaging with contemporary Christian communities.
• — Evaluate the ethical issues and perspectives raised using social media for Christian communication and media practice.
• — Create high-impact content for a variety of social media platforms and manage profiles and monitor content on the most popular social networks.
• — Develop appropriate social media strategies for ecclesial engagement and show a capacity to assess their performance.

Bibliography

• — Coates, Rebecca. Social Media in the Digital Age: History, Ethics, and Professional Uses. San Diego: Cognella, 2008.
• — Message of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for the 47th World Communications Day - Social Networks: Portals of Truth and Faith; New Spaces for Evangelization (24 January 2013), at The Holy See,  https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/messages/communications/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20130124_47th-world-communications-day.html
• — Francis, Pope. Address of the Holy Father to the Participants in the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications (21 September 2013), at The Holy See, http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2013/september/documents/papa- francesco_20130921_plenaria-pccs.html.
• — Christus Vivit Christ Is Alive! : the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit of the Holy Father Francis to Young People and to the Entire People of God. (2019),
• — Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the 50th World Communications Day - Communication and Mercy: A Fruitful Encounter (24 January 24 2016), at The Holy See, https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/communications/documents/papa-francesco_20160124_messaggio-comunicazioni-sociali.html
• — Motu Proprio for the Establishment of the Secretariat for Communications - In the Age of Digital Media (3 July 2015), L’Osservatore Romano 27 (2015): 2-2.
• — Miller, Vincent.  Consuming Religion – Christian Faith and Practice in a Consumer Culture. New York: Bloomsbury, 2003. 
• — Rocchio, Vincent F.  Christianity and the Culture Machine – Media and Theology in the Age of Late Secularism.  Oregon: Cascade, 2016.