Comm 215: Introduction to Communication Theory

Comm 215: Introduction to Communication Theory

Fall 2003

Instructor:Dr. Jan W. Kelly, Associate Professor of Communication

E-mail:

Office: 456 St. Thomas; Hrs: Mon. & Wed, 2- 3 pm; Fri. 9-10am

Required Text: Em Griffin, A First Look at Communication Theory. New York:

McGraw Hill, Inc., 2000. Visit the website:

Purpose of the Course. In this course, we will examine various theories that attempt to describe, explain and/or predict human communication behavior. We will study theories in the contexts of the communication field: interpersonal, small group, pubic, organizational, mass media, intercultural and gender.

Since the practicality of theories is a central tenet of this course, students will be encouraged, through structured assignments, to apply the theories to their own lives. Theories are brought to life in the classroom through the use of modern films (see class schedule).

Outcomes for Students:

1. To be knowledgeable about theories that explain a wide range of communication phenomena,

2.To enhance communication competence as a result of studying

theories.

3.To distinguish similarities and differences among theories.

4.To understand the ways in which communication

inquiry occurs.

5.To develop competencies in using theories to analyze actual events.

6.To appreciate the current conduct of communication research.

Course Requirements:Component of final grade

1.Four exams65%

2.Application log15%

3.Abstract of current scholarship20%

4.Attendance. Each absence over four will lower your final grade by one step on

the scale.

Application Log (AL)

Communication theorist Kurt Lewin's famous maxim is that there is nothing as practical as a good theory. For this assignment, a major component of the course (and your grade) you must apply each theory to your life. Monitor and analyze what you watch, read, observe, hear, looking for opportunities to use theories to interpret your world. This is meant to be a creative assignment, so the guidelines are broad.

You can present television shows, movies, newspaper and magazine articles, cartoons, personal conversations, electronic conversations, textbooks from other courses-the list of potential materials is endless.

Here's the procedure. After you read a chapter on a theory in our text, you are to write a paragraph making a specific application of the theory to your own life. These paragraphs must be typed. Identify the chapter and the specific theory in each entry and bring the current one(s) to class each Wednesday, I will collect a random sample of the logs every Wednesday and return them the next class, reading some of the best at the start of class. The class schedule lists the theory applications that must be ready for the lottery each Wednesday. Keep these applications bound together in a secure way since I will also collect them twice during the semester for grading purposes. The logs provide you with an opportunity to show that you understand the theories and see their practical implication for your own communication and behavior. Everyone in class should earn an A for this assignment. The unprepared, however, will suffer reduced grades based on a three-strike system. I'll explain. If you are selected by random on Wednesday and your logs are incomplete or unsound, your final grade will be lowered one step. Strike two means another one step lowering of your final grade, and strike three means you receive an "F" for this part of the course. So the motto "be prepared" is essential for this component of the course. If you plan to be absent from class on any given Wednesday, enlist a colleague to submit your log should you be selected that day. You must prepare a total of 29 applications during the semester-one for each theory.

Abstracts of Current Scholarship (ACS)

Early in the semester, you will be randomly assigned one communication theory

on which you will do additional research. You will prepare an abstract of one current research article that extends, advances, modifies, challenges, your assigned theory. A separate handout details this assignment. On your assigned day (see the class schedule), you will present your abstract to the class, providing copies for ALL class members. Use both sides of the paper. Since duplication o'f articles will not be allowed, I will develop a system for you to reserve a specific article, which will then be off limits to all other students enrolled in Comm 410. Criteria for evaluation: clear understanding of the article and how it relates to your theory; sources cited- appropriateness of style.

Class will be divided into four groups (A, B, C, D) for the Application Log and the Abstract assignments. The class schedule shows due dates for each group.

Class Schedule

Communication Theory & Research -- Fall 2003

Please note: All assigned readings must be read in preparation for the class period in which they will be discussed. Unprepared students may be asked to leave.

Aug. 27General introduction to course. Review syllabus.

Aug. 29Intro & Ch. 1: Talk About Theory

Aug. 31Ch. 2: Weighing the Words. Symbolic Convergence Theory (T1)

Sept. 3NO CLASS

Sept. 5Ch. 3: Mapping the Territory. AL: T1

Sept. 7Interpersonal Messages & Ch. 4: Symbolic Interactionism (T2) Neil

Sept. 10Ch. 5: Coordinated Management of Meaning (T3) Life is Beautiful; Don Juan

Sept. 12Ch. 6: Expectancy Violations Theory (T4). AL: T2,3

Sept. 14Ch. 7: Interpersonal Deception (T5) Liar Liar and Ethical Reflections

Sept. 17Cognitive Processing and Ch. 8: Constructivism (T6) Group D

Application Logs due.

Sept. 19Relationship Dev.; Ch. 9: Social Penetration (T7). AL:T4,5,6

Sept. 21Ch. 10: Uncertainty Reduction (T8). Group C Logs due

Sept. 24Ch. 11: Interactional View (T9) When a Man Loves a Woman

Sept. 26 Ch. 12: Relational Dialectics (T10). Children of a Lesser GodAL: T7,8,9.

Sept. 28Group A, Abstract Presentations.

Oct. 1Exam 1 on Chs. 1-12.

Oct. 3Ch. 13: Social Judgment (T11) Dead ManAL: T10Groups A & B Logs due

Oct. 5NO CLASS.

Oct. 8FALL BREAK

Oct. 10Ch. 14: Elaboration Likelihood Model (TI2) Footloose. AL: T11

Oct. 12Ch. 15: Functional (T13) Apollo 13 We will not study Ch. 16 and l7

Oct. 15Ch. 18: Cultural Approach (T14) Office Space

Oct. 17Ch. 19: Critical Theory (T15) Roger & Me. AL.- T12,13,14

Oct. 19Ch. 20: Art of Rhetoric (TI6) Patton.

Oct. 22Group B, Abstract Presentations

Oct. 24Ch. 21: Dramatism. (T17) AL: T15,16

Oct. 26Ch. 22: Narrative Paradigm. (T18) Smoke

Oct. 29Ch. 23: Technological Determinism (T19)

Oct. 31Ch. 24: Semiotics (T20) TitanicAL: T17,18,19

Nov. 2Group C, Abstract Presentations

Nov. 5Exam 2. Chs. 13-24 (not 16 or 17)

Nov. 7Ch. 25: Cultural Studies (T21) InsiderAL: T20

Nov. 9Ch. 26: Cultivation Theory (T22). Electronic Storyteller

Nov. 12Ch. 27: Agenda-Setting (T23) Mickey Mouse Monopoly

Nov. 14Ch. 28: The Media Equation. (T24) AL: T21,22,23

Nov. 16Ch. 30: Face-negotiation (T25) We will not study chapter 29

Nov. 19Ch. 31: Speech Codes Theory Joy Luck Club (T26) AL: T23,24,25

Nov. 21THANKSGIVING-NO CLASS

Nov. 23THANKSGIVING-NO CLASS

Nov. 26Ch. 32: Genderlect Styles (T27) When Harry Met Sally, He Said She Said

Nov. 28Ch. 33: Standpoint theory (T28). Cider House RulesAL: T26,27

Nov. 30Ch. 34: Muted Group Theory (T29) Mickey Mouse Monopoly

Dec. 3Ch. 35: Order out of Chaos. All logs due.

Dec. 5Group D Abstract Presentations.

Dec. 7No Class-study day.

Exam 3 will be given during the assigned final exam period and covers Chs. 25-35 (not

29.)

Group ACoordinated Management of Meaning (T3)

Group AExpectancy Violation (T4)

Group AInterpersonal Deception (T5)

Group AConstructivism (T6)

Group ASocial Penetration (T7)

Group AUncertainty Reduction (T8)

Group AInteractional View (T9)

Group ARelational Dialectics (T10)

Group BSocial Judgment (T11)

Group BElaboration Likelihood Model (T12)

Group BFunctional (T13)

Group BCultural (T14)

Group BCritical (T15)

Group BRhetoric (T16)

Group CDramatism (T17)

Group CNarrative Paradigrn (T18)

Group CSemiotics (T20)

Group CCultural Studies (T21)

Group CCultivation (T22)

Group CAgenda Setting (T23)

Group CMedia Equation (T24)

Group DFace Negotiation (T25)

Group DSpeech Codes (T26)

Group DGenderlect Styles (T27)

Group DStandpoint Theory (T28)

Group DMuted Group Theory (T29)