KCOE 4420 - Platforms: circulation, personalisation and virality

The aim of this class is to understand the mechanisms and impacts of the platforms that are pervasive in all areas of our societies. From social interactions, to entertainment, or politics, our lives are mediated by these technologies that circulate, personalize, and push information to users. The class examines – through diverse

materials from academic, journalistic, and tech industry sources – how platforms such as X/Twitter, YouTube, or Netflix are designed and used to create and segment content. By unpacking these algorithmic logics, this class offers insights not only into the dynamics of platforms, but also their cultural and sociopolitical consequences

6x 2h00

This class is assessed via two main assignments, as well as bonus points for ongoing participation. One assignment consists in analysing and connecting two of the readings from the syllabus to the student’s area of professional interest: meaning, the student will explain how the readings shed light on the role of platforms in

the student’s current or planned career. The second assignment is to prepare a short presentation for the final class, tracking how a topic or product has been circulated and been promoted through a specific platform.