Master's Degree in What?
I just noticed this post on Library Stuff about SI's new specialization in Social Computing. I had stumbled across this specialization earlier last week actually...I was browsing around the course descriptions looking for anything that I might be able to transfer over to Wayne State (nothing jumped out at me to be honest).
I hate to be cynical...but the truth is that since I'm less pessimistic than I used to be, I'm now forced to be cynical. What kind of job would I be able to get with a degree in MySpace?
Not that the concept isn't cool...a class or two on the subject might be nice (and even interesting), but a whole specialization? I'm not so sure about that.
I'm certainly not knocking SI, Michigan was my first choice in grad schools for about 2 years before I started at WSU...the two programs are as different as night and day and this is more proof of that. There used to be 4 specializations for Michigan's program and now there are 10 (plus one that allows you to make up any specialization you want). It seems had I gone to Michigan I probably would have a hard time finding my focus there...I know me, I definitely would have a hard time finding my focus there.
Of course, I also think that some of the best ideas in social computing are not coming out of the academic setting either...they're coming from average people with a few friends and some time to kill.
Comments
Um...since when did MySpace constitute the entire field of social computing?
MySpace is one implementation of one type of social computing--other examples include blogs and wikis, recommender systems and chat environments, groupware and calendaring, and more.
Isn't this a bit like saying "Library Science"? What would anyone do with a degree in shelving books?
Posted by: Liz Lawley | March 27, 2007 12:19 PM
My point was that I felt social computing as a specialization was a little too narrow given the degree of change in technology related fields.
I am completely aware of the other forms of social computing, I'm a big fan of all of those. Your point is taken though...
Posted by: heidi | March 27, 2007 12:45 PM
There have been CSCW specializations in computing fields for quite some time--social computing is actually a broadening of that field (beyond "work" contexts), rather than a narrowing.
But the good news is you've given me an excellent jumping off point for my CIL talk. :) (Don't worry, no names will be used...)
Posted by: Liz Lawley | March 28, 2007 9:40 AM
Well, glad I could help :)
I'll be interested in your CIL talk since I couldn't get to go this year...will it be published online? If so, I'll keep an eye out for it.
Posted by: heidi | March 28, 2007 9:46 AM