The University of Michigan School of Information launches two new minors

Starting fall 2022, the University of Michigan School of Information (UMSI) will offer two new minors to U-M undergraduates: Social Media Analysis and Design (SMAD) and User Experience Design (UXD). 

The minors are meant to complement existing degree programs at U-M, providing students additional areas of expertise to their declared majors. They are the first minors to be introduced at UMSI. 

“I’m very excited about the initiation of the new minors,” says Elizabeth Yakel, the senior associate dean for academic affairs at UMSI. “The Bachelor of Science in Information program is a strong program, and these minors are built on the exceptional strength and expertise of our faculty in these areas.” 

The social media analysis and design minor will enable students to analyze social media to solve problems; identify how social media affects individuals, groups, organizations and societies; and apply information ethics when using and designing social media. The minor will be especially attractive to undergraduates who are interested in using social media for marketing, communication, business or organizing social movements. 

The user experience design minor will educate students to research how people use information in their lives and how to design new solutions to solve informational problems. This minor will be helpful for students studying art, design, computer science and psychology. 

Both minors require students to complete the SI 110: Introduction to Information Studies course and are designed to add diversity of interests, training and backgrounds to the UMSI community. 

“A School of Information undergraduate focus gives students a strong STEM foundation with a human focus even if students don’t choose to study information full time,” says Cliff Lampe, professor of information and director of the Bachelor of Science in Information (BSI) program at UMSI. 

For students already pursuing a BSI degree, they will have an opportunity to network with students from across campus who have similar interests but a different disciplinary focus. 

“The major benefit for our students is we’re attracting new and different networks into their classes,” Lampe says. “Students will have more interaction in their areas of expertise with students from around the university with other perspectives.” 

Students interested in pursuing either minor should check with their academic advisors in their schools and colleges and inquire if the minor is an option for them.