In spring 2010, I created and taught an undergraduate Junior Seminar in the Department of Commnication Studies titled "Communication, Technology and Interpersonal Relationships." I taught this course for a second time in Spring 2012.
This course examines theories and research related to interpersonal relationships that are mediated through various communication technologies. The course begins with an examination of how early technologies (e.g., the telegraph) played a role in interpersonal communication and relational development. The course then looks at early research on computer-mediated communication (CMC) including chat rooms, e-mail and other early text-only forms of communication. The course then looks at current communication technologies as they relate to friendship, familial, and romantic relationships. Technologies discussed include but are not limited to: text-messaging, blogging, online dating, social networking sites, and video-mediated communication (e.g., Skype). Through the lens of these technologies, we discuss topics such as the formation of intimacy and trust, the maintenance of long-distance relationships, online self-presentation, and online information seeking.
Please contact me if you would like a copy of the syllabus.