Course Information. Textbook Information: A First Look at Communication Theory, Ninth Edition, by Em Griffin, Andrew Ledbetter, and Glenn Sparks

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1 COMM 3210 Communication Theory (Spring 2016) Section Credit Hours: 3.00 (3-0-3) T/R 3:35 4:50 PM, G121 Course Website: Professor: Brian Amsden Office: Arts & Sciences 210N Office Hours: T/R 1:00 2:00 PM, 5:00 7:00 PM, and by appointment Phone: (678) Fax: (678) Internet: Course Information Catalog Description: Study of major theories of interpersonal, group and mass communication, including the hypodermic effect, group leader theory, social categories theory, and diffusion theory. Course Prerequisites and Co-requisites: COMM 1110 with a minimum grade of C CMS 2010 with a minimum grade of C Textbook Information: A First Look at Communication Theory, Ninth Edition, by Em Griffin, Andrew Ledbetter, and Glenn Sparks Program Learning Outcomes: Communication and Media Studies student learning outcomes: This course provides support for the fourth CMS learning outcome (students will be able to understand theoretical perspectives on communication, media and global culture). Course Learning Outcomes: After completing this course successfully, students will be able to: distinguish the assumptions, methods, and objectives of social scientific, humanistic, and critical theories evaluate communication theories on the basis of scientific and interpretive criteria understand the broad range of questions that communication theories strive to answer

2 apply theories that are useful in interpersonal, group, organizational, and mass mediated contexts Evaluation Exam #1 (Social Scientific Theories) Exam #2 (Humanistic and Critical/Cultural Theories) Group Project Writing Assignments (4) Reading Quizzes (20) Participation 100 points 100 points I use the following scale to determine your final grade. If you earn between and points, your final course grade is. Grades are not rounded up, and no extra credit will be offered ,000 = A = B = C = D = F Exams: ( each) The first major exam will cover parts one, two, and three of the course (interpersonal theory, persuasion theory, and social scientific media theory). The second major exam will cover parts four and five (rhetorical theory, cultural and critical theory). Both exams will be multiple choice, and will require you to demonstrate your understanding of the theories by applying them to specific cases and situations. Before each exam you will be provided with a study guide and you will have the opportunity to ask questions during a class review session. Group Project: () At the end of the semester you will work with 3 or 4 other students to design a half hour presentation to the class on one of the theories from the textbook that we did not cover. (There will be 14 options and 4 5 groups.) Your presentation will do the following: (1) teach the class about the theory s main elements, (2) describe an original context or situation that the theory helps to explain, (3) lead the class in a discussion about the theory s application to that context/situation, and (4) critically evaluate the theory. In the process of developing the group project, you will create a proposal, annotated bibliography, outline, and PowerPoint presentation. Writing Assignments (4): (50 points each) I will assign four small papers, each approximately two pages in length. They will ask you to explore a particular theory in more depth, apply it to a particular situation, or reflect on its application to your own experiences. Individual writing assignments and due dates will be announced in class. If you are absent it is your responsibility contact me and find out what you missed. 2

3 Reading Quizzes (20): (5 points each) Each day there is a reading assigned (see the schedule below) you will need to take a short, five question quiz on D2L before class. You will have 5 minutes to complete the quiz. Before attempting it, you should access the assigned materials and take careful notes. You must complete the quiz by class time on the assigned date. Under no circumstances can you make up a reading quiz. Do not wait until the last minute to attempt the reading quizzes. Participation and Professionalism (100 points): This grade reflects the quantity and quality of your comments in class discussion, your engagement in class activities, your preparedness, and your professionalism. Preparedness means that you come to class having already completed any required readings and homework assignments (including ungraded homework assignments). Professionalism requires regular attendance, punctuality, and taking a respectful tone in face-to-face and electronic communication with myself and your classmates. Mid-term Progress Report: The mid-term grade in this course will be issued by February 29. By university policy, I must issue midterm grades by then. Unfortunately, the first major exam will be the next day, March 1. I will post exam grades on D2L by the end of that day, so students will have a better sense of how they are doing in the course. Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of W. Students pursuing this option must fill out an official withdrawal form, available in the Office of the Registrar or online, by mid-term, which occurs on March 4. This is the last day to withdraw without academic accountability. Technology Computer Requirement: Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to Computer Skill Prerequisites: Able to use Windows operating system Able to use PowerPoint and Microsoft Word Able to send and receive using Outlook or Outlook Express Able to use Desire 2 Learn (an introduction will be provided in class) Able to attach and retrieve files via and in Desire 2 Learn Able to conduct research via library databases In-class use of Student Notebook Computers: Laptops will be required for some class sessions. You will be notified in advance when you need to bring yours. Failure to bring your laptop on assigned days will negatively impact your participation grade. 3

4 Course Policies General Policy: Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Resource Handbook, and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities. University Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades. Course Attendance Policy: Attendance is expected for all class periods, and absences will not be excused for any reason. Penalties for absences are as follows: 0 2 absences: Maximum possible participation grade = A+ (100 points) 3 absences: Maximum possible participation grade = A (95 points) 4 absences: Maximum possible participation grade = B (85 points) 5 absences: Maximum possible participation grade = F (50 points) 6 absences: Participation grade = 0 7 absences: Participation grade = 0, plus additional 100 point penalty 8 absences: Automatic F in course *If you will be missing class for a religious observance, official military duty, or for a school-sponsored activity, I may be willing to offer an accommodation, providing that (1) you talk to me within the first week of the semester and (2) I determine that the absence will not interfere with your ability to complete the course objectives. Course Tardiness Policy: You are expected to be in the classroom by the time class begins. If you arrive after I take roll you will be counted as tardy. Likewise, if you leave class early for any reason you will receive a tardy. Every two tardies count as one absence. * If you miss 30 minutes or more of a class period, you receive a absence (not a tardy). **A tardy will be given if you leave the classroom for an excessive amount of time. Missed Work: Late work will not be accepted unless you notify me in advance and provide a valid explanation. Otherwise, you will receive no credit for the assignment. If you notify me in advance and provide a valid explanation, I may accept the assignment for partial credit. Reading quizzes and in-class assignments cannot be made up under any circumstances. Grade Appeal Policy: If you would like to appeal a grade, you must take the following steps. (1) Take 24 hours to consider my comments and your response. (2) Within 7 days of 4

5 receiving the grade, send me a written appeal that explains why, according to the guidelines of the assignment and/or the assignment rubric, your grade should be different. Appeals must be in writing, and I will not consider any appeals after 7 days. *If you choose to initiate a grade appeal, my decision may be to leave the grade unchanged, to raise it, or to lower it. By appealing a grade you accept that risk. Academic Dishonesty: Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic misconduct. The most common forms of academic misconduct are cheating, plagiarism, unapproved collaboration with other students, and using work produced for another class. At a minimum, academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the work involved. Academic dishonesty on major assignments (worth 10% or more of the course grade) will result in an immediate F for the course. All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Life/Judicial Affairs. Judicial procedures are described at Plagiarism Detection Software: Students agree that by taking this course all required papers may be subject to submission for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted papers will be included as source documents in the Turnitin.com reference database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such papers. Disruption of the Learning Environment: Behavior which disrupts the teaching learning process during class activities will not be tolerated. While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior. A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class. A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal. If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF. A more detailed description of examples of disruptive behavior and appeal procedures is provided at: Special Circumstances: Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator at: Student Center 255 (678) disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu 5

6 Schedule Date Subject Matter Readings/Material Due T 1/12 Introduction to course H 1/14 Foundations of social scientific, humanistic, and critical theory Chapters 1 3 Part One: Interpersonal Theory T 1/19 Expectancy Violations Theory Chapter 7 H 1/21 Uncertainty Reduction Theory Chapter 9 T 1/26 Genderlect Styles Chapter 34 Speak Up, I Can t Hear You, by Deborah Cameron H 1/28 Social Information Processing Theory Chapter 10 Part Two: Persuasion and Small Group Theory T 2/2 Elaboration Likelihood Model Chapter 15 H 2/4 Cognitive Dissonance Theory Chapter 16 T 2/9 Group Decision Making Chapter 17 H 2/11 Small Group Activity Guide to Small Group Activity Part Three: Social Scientific Media Theory T 2/16 Uses and Gratifications Chapter 28 H 2/18 Cultivation Theory Chapter 29 T 2/23 Agenda-Setting Theory Chapter 30 H 2/25 Review for Exam #1 Study Guide for Exam #1 T 3/1 Exam #1 Part Four: Rhetorical Theory H 3/3 Symbolic Interactionism Chapter 5 6

7 T 3/8 H 3/10 NO CLASS SPRING BREAK NO CLASS SPRING BREAK T 3/15 Dramatism Chapter 23 H 3/17 Dramatism (part II) A Pentadic Analysis by David Ling T 3/22 Narrative Paradigm Chapter 24 H 3/24 Symbolic Convergence Theory Chapter 18 Part Five: Cultural and Critical Theory T 3/29 Cultural Approach to Organizations Chapter 19 H 3/31 Media Ecology Chapter 25 T 4/5 Semiotics Chapter 26 H 4/7 Cultural Studies (part I) Representation and the Media, by Stuart Hall (Parts 1, 2, 3, 4) T 4/12 Review for Exam #2 Study Guide for Exam #2 H 4/14 Exam #2 T 4/19 H 4/21 T 4/26 H 4/28 Group Project Work (attendance required) Group Project Work (attendance required) Groups 1 and 2 Present Groups 3 and 4 Present 7