Module 7: The Public Intellectual—From Scholarship to Impact

Archaeobytology 300: Institution Building & Strategic Infrastructure

Module Overview

Core Question: How do you, as an Archaeobytologist, translate research into public discourse, policy influence, and cultural change?

Learning Objective: Students will design a personal public intellectual strategy—including writing platforms, speaking circuits, advocacy networks, and media engagement—to amplify their work beyond academic audiences.

Time: Week 15-16

The Shift: From Institution to Individual

Modules 1-6 focused on collective action: - Building organizations (Archive, Foundry, Seed Bank, Haunted Forest) - Designing systems (Ground ownership) - Growing movements (discipline-building)

Module 7 asks: What is YOUR role as an individual thought leader?

The Public Intellectual Challenge

Academic research often stays in academic journals. Public intellectuals: - ✅ Translate scholarship for general audiences - ✅ Intervene in policy debates - ✅ Shape public discourse - ✅ Build personal platforms (audiences, influence, credibility)

But there's tension: - ⚠️ Academia rewards specialization; public work requires breadth - ⚠️ Peer review is slow; public discourse is fast - ⚠️ Academic writing is cautious; public writing must be bold - ⚠️ Universities value publications; public work is often "service" (not counted for tenure)

The Goal: Be a scholar and a public figure. Respected in your field, and influential beyond it.

Core Reading

Primary Texts

Posner, R. (2001). Public Intellectuals: A Study of Decline. Chapters 1-3. - Focus: What is a public intellectual? Why are there fewer today? - Key Insight: Specialization + academic incentives = less public engagement - Question: Can you be a rigorous scholar AND a public intellectual?

Burawoy, M. (2005). "For Public Sociology." American Sociological Review. - Focus: Distinction between professional, policy, critical, and public scholarship - Key Insight: Each type has value, but public scholarship is undervalued - Question: How do you balance professional (tenure) and public (impact) work?

McKenzie, L. (2018). "On the Media: How Academics Can Better Engage." Inside Higher Ed. - Focus: Practical advice for scholars engaging with media - Key Insight: Journalists need sources who can explain complex ideas simply - Question: How do you translate jargon into accessible language?

Case Study Readings

Cory Doctorow (The Prolific Public Intellectual) - Platforms: Blog (Pluralistic), BoingBoing, social media, podcasts, public talks - Topics: Tech policy, surveillance, monopolies, interoperability - Strategy: Daily blog posts + weekly long-form + books + talks - Impact: Cited by lawmakers, influences policy (EU Digital Markets Act) - Model: "Blogger + activist + novelist + speaker"

Safiya Noble (The Scholar-Advocate) - Book: Algorithms of Oppression (academic press, but widely read) - Platforms: Op-eds, talks, testimony (Congressional hearings) - Topics: Search engine bias, algorithmic racism - Strategy: Rigorous scholarship → accessible summary → policy advocacy - Model: "Researcher → writer → expert witness"

Brewster Kahle (The Builder-Evangelist) - Role: Founder of Internet Archive - Platforms: TED Talks, conference keynotes, media interviews - Topics: Digital preservation, universal access to knowledge - Strategy: Build infrastructure, then advocate for its importance - Model: "Practitioner → visionary → advocate"

Zeynep Tufekci (The Op-Ed Maven) - Platforms: New York Times, The Atlantic, Wired, Twitter - Topics: Social media, misinformation, pandemics, tech ethics - Strategy: Research → timely op-eds during crises → book - Impact: Twitter and Tear Gas widely cited, COVID commentary influential - Model: "Sociologist → journalist → public voice"

Tim Berners-Lee (The Founder-Reformer) - Role: Invented the web - Platforms: Solid Project, TED Talks, UN advisory roles - Topics: Web decentralization, data sovereignty - Strategy: Create foundational technology, then fight to preserve its values - Model: "Inventor → guardian → advocate"

Lecture: The Public Intellectual Toolkit

Being a public intellectual requires multiple skills beyond scholarship.

Skill 1: Writing for Different Audiences

| Audience | Format | Length | Tone | Example | |----------|--------|--------|------|---------| | Academics | Journal article | 8,000-12,000 words | Formal, jargon-heavy, cautious | "The Archaeobyte: A Taxonomic Framework" | | Practitioners | Trade publication | 2,000-3,000 words | Professional, actionable | "How to Preserve Your Organization's Digital History" | | Policymakers | Policy brief | 1,000-1,500 words | Clear, evidence-based, recommendations | "Why We Need a Right to Archive Act" | | General Public | Op-ed | 800-1,200 words | Accessible, urgent, compelling | "When TikTok Dies, Who Will Remember?" | | Social Media | Thread/post | 200-500 words | Conversational, visual, shareable | "🧵 on why platform shutdowns are cultural vandalism" |

The Translation Challenge: - Academic: "The Umbrabyte represents a liminal ontological state characterized by platform-mediated mortality." - Public: "When a platform shuts down, your memories don't just disappear—they're murdered."

Key Question: Can you explain your most complex idea in one sentence? One paragraph? One page?

Skill 2: Media Engagement

How to Work With Journalists:

| Scenario | What They Need | What You Should Do | What to Avoid | |----------|---------------|-------------------|---------------| | Breaking News (platform shutdown) | Quick quote (1-2 sentences) | Respond within hours, provide clear take | Jargon, hedging ("it depends...") | | Feature Article (deep dive on topic) | 30-60 min interview, examples, context | Prepare stories, cite data, suggest visuals | Academic speak, over-complexity | | Op-Ed Pitch (you write for them) | 800-1,200 words, timely hook, strong argument | Connect news event to your expertise | Boring lede, buried insight | | Podcast Interview | 45-90 min conversation, accessible stories | Speak conversationally, use metaphors | Reading from notes, monotone | | TV Appearance | 3-5 min segment, sound bites | Rehearse key points, be concise | Rambling, qualifications |

Building Media Relationships: 1. Create a Media Kit: Bio, headshot, expertise areas, past media 2. Pitch Proactively: Don't wait for journalists to find you 3. Be Responsive: Journalists work on tight deadlines 4. Offer More Than Asked: Suggest visuals, other sources, story angles 5. Follow Up: Share the piece, thank the journalist, stay in touch

Example Media Kit (Archaeobytologist): - Name: Dr. [You] - Title: Archaeobytologist, [University/Organization] - Expertise: Digital preservation, platform shutdowns, web history, data sovereignty - Available For: Interviews, commentary, op-eds - Past Media: [Links to articles, podcast appearances, etc.] - Contact: [Email, phone, Twitter]

Skill 3: Public Speaking

Where Public Intellectuals Speak:

| Venue | Audience | Format | Preparation | Example Topic | |-------|----------|--------|-------------|---------------| | Academic Conference | Scholars | 20 min talk + Q&A | Slides, citations, technical | "Taxonomic Analysis of Umbrabytes" | | Industry Conference | Practitioners | 30-45 min keynote | Story-driven, actionable | "How to Build a 50-Year Archive" | | TED/TEDx | General public | 18 min, no slides | Memorized, rehearsed | "The Internet Is Forgetting" | | Policy Hearing | Legislators, staffers | 5 min testimony + Q&A | Policy brief, clear asks | "Why We Need a Right to Archive" | | Public Lecture | Community | 45-60 min + Q&A | Accessible, visual | "The Lost Web: What GeoCities Taught Us" | | Podcast | Niche audience | 45-90 min conversation | Conversational, stories | "The Economics of Digital Preservation" |

Speaking Best Practices: - Rule of Three: People remember 3 points max - Stories > Data: Lead with narrative, support with evidence - Visual Anchors: Show examples (screenshots, videos, artifacts) - Interactive: Ask questions, invite participation (not lecture) - Practice: Rehearse out loud, time yourself, get feedback

Skill 4: Platform Building

Where to Build Your Audience:

| Platform | Best For | Frequency | Content Type | Time Investment | |----------|---------|-----------|--------------|-----------------| | Blog (Substack, Ghost) | Long-form thinking | Weekly | Essays (1,000-3,000 words) | High (3-5 hours/post) | | Twitter/Mastodon | Real-time commentary | Daily | Threads, hot takes, links | Medium (30 min/day) | | YouTube | Visual explainers | Monthly | 10-20 min videos | Very high (full production) | | Podcast (guest or host) | Conversational depth | Episodic | 45-90 min discussions | High (recording + editing) | | Newsletter (email) | Direct relationship | Weekly/biweekly | Curated links + commentary | Medium (1-2 hours) | | LinkedIn | Professional network | Weekly | Short posts, industry news | Low (15 min/post) |

Cory Doctorow's "Pluralistic" Model: - Daily blog post: 1,000-3,000 words on multiple topics - Cross-posted: Blog, Twitter, Mastodon, Tumblr (same content, different platforms) - Aggregated: Weekly newsletter compiling all posts - Result: Massive reach (100k+ readers), no platform dependency

Platform Strategy: 1. Choose One Primary: Blog or newsletter (you own the audience) 2. Use Social for Distribution: Share primary content on Twitter/Mastodon 3. Guest Appearances: Podcasts, op-eds (borrow audiences) 4. Consistency > Volume: Weekly 1,000 words beats daily 100 words 5. Build Email List: Social platforms can ban you; email is yours

Skill 5: Policy Engagement

How to Influence Policy:

| Mechanism | How It Works | When to Use | Example | |-----------|--------------|-------------|---------| | Whitepapers | Research report with policy recommendations | Before legislation is drafted | "The Case for a Right to Archive Act" | | Testimony | Speak at legislative hearings, regulatory proceedings | When lawmakers are considering bills | Testify to Congress on platform accountability | | Op-Eds | Public argument in major publications | During policy debates | "Why TikTok Ban Won't Solve the Real Problem" | | Coalition Letters | Signed by many experts/orgs | Show broad support for policy | 100 scholars sign letter to EU on preservation | | Informal Briefings | Meet with staffers, regulators | Build relationships, educate | Explain Archaeobytology to Congressional staff | | Model Legislation | Draft actual law text | Offer ready-made solution | Write bill text for "Platform Accountability Act" |

Building Policy Influence: 1. Identify Champions: Which lawmakers care about your issue? 2. Build Relationships: Meet staffers, offer expertise 3. Be Non-Partisan: Frame issues as bipartisan (e.g., "preserving culture" not "regulating tech") 4. Provide Evidence: Lawmakers need data, examples, constituent stories 5. Offer Solutions: Don't just criticize—propose actionable policies

Example Policy Pathway: 1. Publish research on platform shutdowns 2. Write op-ed when major platform dies (Twitter, TikTok, etc.) 3. Get invited to testify at hearing 4. Draft model legislation with advocacy org (EFF, Internet Archive) 5. Lawmakers introduce bill 6. Advocate for passage (more testimony, media, coalition building)

Framework: The Public Intellectual Strategy Canvas

Your assignment will design a personal 5-year plan to become a public intellectual in Archaeobytology.

Section 1: Personal Brand & Expertise

What is your niche?

Public intellectuals are known for something specific: - Cory Doctorow: Tech monopolies & interoperability - Safiya Noble: Algorithmic bias - Zeynep Tufekci: Social media & collective action

Your Archaeobytology Niche: - Option 1: Platform shutdowns (expert on murdered platforms) - Option 2: Digital sovereignty (Three Pillars evangelist) - Option 3: Memory institutions (museums/archives for digital artifacts) - Option 4: Web history (GeoCities, Web 1.0, early social media) - Option 5: [Your original focus]

Brand Statement (1 sentence): - Example: "I study how platforms murder our digital memories—and how we can build systems that outlast them."

Elevator Pitch (3 sentences): - Example: "When GeoCities shut down in 2009, 30 million websites disappeared overnight. I'm an Archaeobytologist—I study murdered digital artifacts and design institutions to prevent future cultural loss. My work helps museums, libraries, and policymakers understand that digital preservation is an urgent public issue."

Section 2: Platform & Audience Building (Years 1-2)

Where will you build your audience?

Primary Platform (Choose One):

- Blog (Substack/Ghost): Weekly essays on Archaeobytology topics - Newsletter: Curated links + commentary on preservation, platform deaths - Podcast: Interview Archaeobytologists, curators, archivists

Content Strategy: - Frequency: Weekly (consistent rhythm) - Length: 1,000-2,000 words (or 30-45 min audio) - Topics: Mix of theory, practice, news commentary, case studies - Goal: 1,000 subscribers by end of Year 2

Secondary Platforms (Use for Distribution):

- Twitter/Mastodon: Share blog posts, live-tweet platform shutdowns, engage in debates - LinkedIn: Professional network, industry commentary - YouTube (optional): Video explainers, if you have production capacity

Content Calendar (Example): - Week 1: Case study (GeoCities deep dive) - Week 2: Theory (Three Pillars explained) - Week 3: News commentary (respond to platform shutdown) - Week 4: Interview (Archaeobytologist spotlight)

Audience Engagement: - Respond to comments - Ask questions, invite feedback - Create community (Discord, subreddit) - Feature reader submissions

Section 3: Scholarship & Public Writing (Years 1-5)

Balance academic rigor with public accessibility.

Academic Track (For Tenure/Credibility):

- Years 1-3: Publish 3-5 peer-reviewed articles - Year 4: Submit book manuscript (academic press) - Year 5: Book published (The Archaeobytology of the Social Web)

Public Track (For Impact):

- Years 1-2: Blog/newsletter (build platform) - Years 2-3: Op-eds in major outlets (Wired, The Atlantic, New York Times) - Years 3-4: Trade book or edited volume (popular press) - Year 5: Regular columnist or podcast host

Translation Strategy: - Every academic article → 1 blog post (accessible version) - Every blog series (4-6 posts) → 1 op-ed (condensed) - Every op-ed series → 1 book chapter (expanded)

Writing Goals: | Year | Academic | Public | Media | |------|----------|--------|-------| | 1 | 1 article | 50 blog posts | 5 podcast guest appearances | | 2 | 2 articles | 50 blog posts | 10 podcast/media appearances | | 3 | 2 articles | 50 blog posts + 2 op-eds | 15 appearances + 1 conference keynote | | 4 | Book manuscript | 50 blog posts + 3 op-eds | 20 appearances + 3 keynotes | | 5 | Book published | 50 blog posts + 5 op-eds | 25 appearances + 5 keynotes + testimony |

Section 4: Speaking Circuit (Years 2-5)

Build reputation through public speaking.

Year 2: Local/Regional

- University guest lectures (5-10 talks) - Regional conferences (librarians, archivists, historians) - Local community groups (tech meetups, maker spaces)

Year 3: National

- Major conferences (keynote or panel at archival/tech conferences) - Webinars (Internet Archive, EFF, professional societies) - Podcast circuit (guest on 10-15 podcasts)

Year 4: International

- International conferences (ADHO, 4S, museum associations) - TED/TEDx (apply for speaking slot) - University lecture series (visiting scholar programs)

Year 5: High-Profile

- TED main stage (if accepted) - Policy testimony (Congressional hearings, EU Parliament) - Major media (60 Minutes, Frontline, high-profile podcasts)

Speaker Kit: - 5 Standard Talks: Develop 5 talks you can give anywhere 1. "The Lost Internet: What We Lose When Platforms Die" 2. "Building the 50-Year Archive" 3. "Digital Sovereignty and the Three Pillars" 4. "Archaeobytology 101: An Introduction" 5. "The Future of Memory Institutions" - Demo Reel: Video clips of past talks (for organizers to preview) - Speaker Page: Website with bio, talk descriptions, booking info

Section 5: Policy & Advocacy (Years 3-5)

Translate research into policy influence.

Year 3: Build Legitimacy

- Publish policy whitepaper ("The Case for a Right to Archive") - Join advocacy coalitions (EFF, Internet Archive, library associations) - Meet with Congressional/EU staffers (informal briefings)

Year 4: Testify & Advocate

- Testify at legislative hearings (when relevant bills considered) - Op-eds during policy debates (frame issues for public) - Coalition letters (organize scholars to sign joint statements)

Year 5: Shape Legislation

- Draft model legislation (work with advocacy orgs) - Advise lawmakers (formal advisor role) - Media campaigns (when bills move, amplify in press)

Policy Goals: - Short-term (3 years): Expand Library of Congress web archiving, increase NEH preservation funding - Medium-term (5 years): Pass "Right to Archive Act" (fair use for preservation) - Long-term (10 years): Platform accountability laws (require export tools, notice before shutdown)

Section 6: Measuring Impact

How do you know if your public intellectual work is succeeding?

| Metric | Year 1 | Year 3 | Year 5 | |--------|--------|--------|--------| | Platform: Blog/newsletter subscribers | 100 | 1,000 | 5,000 | | Social Media: Followers (Twitter/Mastodon) | 500 | 5,000 | 25,000 | | Media: Appearances (podcasts, articles, TV) | 5 | 20 | 50 | | Speaking: Talks per year | 5 | 15 | 30 | | Policy: Testimonies, policy citations | 0 | 1 | 5 | | Academic: Citations of your work | 10 | 100 | 500 | | Cultural: Your terms used by others | 0 | 5 articles | 50 articles |

Qualitative Indicators: - Recognition: Journalists reach out to you for quotes - Influence: Policymakers cite your work - Community: People identify as Archaeobytologists because of you - Cultural Impact: Your concepts enter public discourse (e.g., "Umbrabyte" used in mainstream media)

Section 7: Three Pillars in Public Intellectual Work

Does your public intellectual strategy embody sovereignty?

Declaration (Independence)

- ❓ Do you own your platform? (Not dependent on Twitter, not paywalled by publishers) - ❓ Can you say what you want? (Not captured by funders, institutions, sponsors) - ❓ Are you financially sustainable? (Not dependent on single income source)

Connection (Community)

- ❓ Do you engage with your audience? (Not just broadcasting) - ❓ Do you amplify others? (Not just self-promotion) - ❓ Do you build networks? (Collaborate, introduce people, grow the field)

Ground (Ownership)

- ❓ Do you own your content? (Blog, not Medium; newsletter, not Substack paywall) - ❓ Do you own your audience? (Email list you control, not follower count) - ❓ Can you take it with you? (If platform shuts down, can you rebuild?)

The Test: If Twitter/Substack/YouTube shut down tomorrow, could you still reach your audience? If no, you're too dependent.

Case Study Deep-Dives

Case 1: Cory Doctorow (The Daily Blogger)

Strategy: Daily blog posts (Pluralistic), cross-posted to all platforms

What Works: - ✅ Consistency (every single day for years) - ✅ Owns platform (blog, not rented social media) - ✅ Multiple entry points (blog, Twitter, Mastodon, Tumblr, email) - ✅ Translates complex ideas (tech policy → accessible prose)

Time Investment: - ~3-4 hours/day writing - Additional time for research, interviews, speaking

Impact: - 100k+ readers - Cited by EU lawmakers on Digital Markets Act - Books become bestsellers (existing audience)

Student Discussion: 1. Can you sustain daily writing for years? 2. How does he avoid burnout?

Case 2: Safiya Noble (The Scholar-Advocate)

Strategy: Academic research → accessible book → policy testimony

What Works: - ✅ Rigorous scholarship (tenure-track credibility) - ✅ Accessible book (Algorithms of Oppression widely read outside academia) - ✅ Policy engagement (Congressional testimony) - ✅ Media-savvy (can explain complex research simply)

Career Path: - Ph.D. → tenure-track job → book → media → policy influence

Impact: - Algorithms of Oppression cited in policy debates - Advises lawmakers on tech regulation - Influences public discourse on algorithmic bias

Student Discussion: 1. Can you balance academic expectations (publish in journals) with public work (op-eds, media)? 2. How do you avoid being dismissed as "not rigorous"?

Case 3: Brewster Kahle (The Builder-Evangelist)

Strategy: Build Internet Archive → advocate for preservation

What Works: - ✅ Credibility through action (built the thing he advocates for) - ✅ Visionary framing ("universal access to all knowledge") - ✅ High-profile platforms (TED, major conferences) - ✅ Media magnet (journalists come to him)

Career Path: - Tech entrepreneur → non-profit founder → evangelist

Impact: - Internet Archive = 800B+ pages preserved - Shapes discourse on digital preservation - Influences policy (though often fighting lawsuits)

Student Discussion: 1. Do you need to build a major institution to be a public intellectual? 2. Can you be a public intellectual without institutional backing?

Assignment: Design Your Public Intellectual Path

Objective: Create a 5-year plan to become a public intellectual in Archaeobytology.

Deliverable: Public Intellectual Strategy (3500-4500 words)

Required Sections:

1. Personal Brand (300 words)

- Niche: What are you known for? - Brand Statement: One-sentence identity - Elevator Pitch: Three sentences explaining your work - Target Audiences: Who are you trying to reach? (Scholars, policymakers, general public, practitioners)

2. Platform Strategy (700 words)

- Primary Platform: Blog, newsletter, podcast, or video (choose one) - Content Plan: Frequency, length, topics - Audience Growth: How do you reach 1,000 subscribers/followers? 5,000? - Monetization (optional): Patreon, sponsorships, paid subscriptions (if relevant)

3. Writing Plan (600 words)

- Academic: Journal articles, book manuscript (timeline) - Public: Blog posts, op-eds, essays (goals per year) - Translation Strategy: How do you turn scholarship into public writing? - Outlets: Where will you publish? (Wired, The Atlantic, etc.)

4. Speaking Strategy (600 words)

- Year 1-2: Local/regional talks (types, venues) - Year 3-4: National conferences, podcasts, webinars - Year 5: High-profile (TED, policy testimony, major media) - Speaker Kit: 5 standard talks you'll develop

5. Media Engagement Plan (500 words)

- Media Kit: What you'll prepare (bio, headshot, expertise areas) - Proactive Pitching: When/how will you pitch op-eds? - Reactive Responses: How will you respond to breaking news? - Building Relationships: Strategy for connecting with journalists

6. Policy Influence Roadmap (600 words)

- Year 1-2: Research, whitepapers - Year 3-4: Testimony, coalition building - Year 5: Model legislation, advising role - Policy Goals: What laws/changes are you advocating for?

7. Impact Metrics (400 words)

- Quantitative: Subscribers, followers, talks, media appearances (goals for Years 1, 3, 5) - Qualitative: Recognition, influence, community building - Self-Assessment: How will you know if you're succeeding?

8. Three Pillars Check (300 words)

- Declaration: Do you own your platform? Are you independent? - Connection: Do you build community? Amplify others? - Ground: Do you own content and audience? Can you take it with you?

9. Risk Analysis (500 words)

- Burnout: How do you sustain output without exhaustion? - Gatekeeping: How do you gain credibility without compromising independence? - Co-optation: How do you avoid being used by platforms, corporations, political agendas? - Irrelevance: What if no one cares about your niche?

Evaluation Criteria:

| Criterion | Points | What We're Looking For | |-----------|--------|------------------------| | Strategic Coherence | 30 | Do the pieces fit together? (Platform → writing → speaking → policy) | | Realism | 25 | Is this achievable in 5 years? Or wildly optimistic? | | Balance | 20 | Do you balance scholarly rigor with public accessibility? | | Three Pillars | 15 | Is your strategy sovereign, community-driven, owned? | | Originality | 10 | Did you innovate beyond copying Doctorow/Noble/Kahle? |

Total: 100 points

Discussion Questions for Seminar

1. The Tenure Dilemma: Can you be a public intellectual and get tenure? What if your department doesn't value public work?

2. The Specialization Trade-Off: Public intellectuals need breadth (comment on many topics); academics need depth (expertise in one thing). How do you balance?

3. The Platform Risk: Should you build on Twitter/Substack (large audience) or own your platform (sovereignty but obscurity)?

4. The Burnout Question: Cory Doctorow writes daily. Zeynep Tufekci writes constantly. How do they not burn out? Is that sustainable for you?

5. The Credibility Problem: If you're "just a blogger," why should policymakers listen? Do you need institutional backing (university, think tank)?

6. The Impact vs. Comfort Trade-Off: Public work is risky (you get attacked, criticized, misinterpreted). Academic work is safer (peer review, tenure). Which do you prioritize?

Module Deliverables

By the end of Module 7, students will have:

1. ✅ Completed Reading Responses (Posner, Burawoy, McKenzie on public intellectuals) 2. ✅ Case Study Analysis (Doctorow, Noble, Kahle, Tufekci, Berners-Lee comparative analysis) 3. ✅ Public Intellectual Strategy (3500-4500 words, complete 5-year plan) 4. ✅ Content Calendar (6 months of planned blog/newsletter topics) 5. ✅ Speaker Kit Draft (5 standard talk titles and descriptions)

Looking Ahead: Module 8 (Final Capstone)

Next week is the course culmination.

Module 8: Forging the Third Way—Capstone Design Project asks:

"Design a complete 'Third Way' system—a post-platform alternative that embodies Declaration, Connection, and Ground—and a strategy to make it real."

Your capstone integrates everything from Modules 0-7: - Institutional design (Module 1-4) - Ownership systems (Module 5) - Movement building (Module 6) - Public advocacy (Module 7)

You'll create a portfolio-ready final project: a complete vision for the future of digital culture, sovereignty, and memory.

Instructor Notes

- Guest Speaker: Invite a public intellectual (journalist, blogger, author, podcaster who bridges scholarship and public discourse) - Workshop: Students draft 1 blog post, 1 op-ed, 1 policy brief (practice different genres) - Pitch Practice: Students pitch op-eds to class (simulating pitching to editors) - Media Training: Role-play interviews (one student plays journalist, another plays expert) - The "Would You Read/Follow?" Test: If students wouldn't subscribe to their own platform, it's not compelling

End of Module 7