COMM 210: Introduction to Communication Theory Fall 2008 TR - 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Class Location: NORT 104 Professor: Amanda Ruth-McSwain, Ph.D. Main Office: 7 College Way, Room 301 Phone: 953.5783 North Office: Bldg. B, Suite 102 Phone: 760.5879 Email: rutha@cofc.edu Office Hours: T TH from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. (North) M W from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. (Virtual) and by appointment Teaching Assistant: Anna-Fiona Cooke Master s Program in Communication 4 th Floor, Stern Center, Office of Student Life Email: afcooke@edisto.cofc.edu Office Hours: TBA Exam study sessions: Oct. 6, Nov. 10, Dec. 5 Course Objectives: This course will provide an introduction to the broad field of human communication. Through examining representative theories from a variety of communication perspectives - including interpersonal, organizational, media, and cultural - you will gain insight into the development of communication as an area of study. This course is designed to provide students with: An understanding of the nature of theory and its connection with human communication, A familiarity of the basic theories in the major areas within the communication discipline, The ability to apply communication theory to various contexts outside of the classroom, The increased confidence and interest for further study in the communications discipline. Course Materials: Textbook: Griffin, E. (2003). A first look at communication theory (5 th ed.). McGraw-Hill: New York. Course Expectations: Class format This course is structured around lecture, discussion, and application activities in order to accurately and efficiently cover the material. This is an introductory course, meaning that we will cover many theories, quickly. As such, it is designed to give students a broad overview of key communication theories so that students will develop a basic framework, as well as interest, for future study in human communication. Attendance - Attendance is expected and essential to succeed in this course. Attendance is mandatory on application activity days. If you should miss a class, you will be responsible for what takes place in class (i.e., announcements, schedule changes, content, and discussion). Readings You are responsible for the assigned readings in the text, even if we do not discuss the readings during lecture. Be warned all assigned readings (text and supplemental) may appear on examinations. Late assignment policy There will be no make up of exams, quizzes, presentations, assignments, or in-class activities. No late work will be accepted without advanced notice and arrangements. Work that is turned in after the due date will be penalized one letter grade each day it is late thereafter. Classroom etiquette Educators and learners are professionals guided by specific values and engaging in particular behaviors. These values and behaviors include respect, cooperation, active
participation, intellectual inquiry, punctuality, and regular attendance. In addition to the knowledge and skills you attain throughout this course, you will be evaluated on your growth as a professional. Professional characteristics on which you will be judged include punctuality, attendance, collegial attitude, and participation. Because this course relies extensively on discussion and class interaction, attendance and participation is crucial to your success. In addition, as professionals you are expected to be respectful of the work environment so please turn off all beepers, pagers, cell phones before entering the classroom. Honor code Also as professionals, you are to be familiar with the policies set forth in the College of Charleston Student Handbook. Should I suspect that these policies have been broken in any way, I will immediately turn to the College Honors Board. If you are caught cheating (plagiarism, dishonorable testing, etc.) you will receive a zero on the assignment. If you are caught on a repeated offense, you will fail the course. Disabilities Any student eligible for and needing academic adjustments or accommodations because of a disability is requested to speak with Dr. Ruth during the first two weeks of class. Please recognize that I cannot accommodate you if you do not notify me in advance. Consultations You are strongly encouraged to visit me during my office hours, or at any other arranged time, to discuss course expectations, performance, feedback, or concerns. As a former student, I want you to know that I understand the situations and difficulties that ensue from acting simultaneously as students, employees, group members, partners, and family members. Should you have any problems meeting course deadlines or completing assignments, please come talk to me at any time and we can work together to develop a solution. Classroom philosophy I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn (Albert Einstein). As the instructor of this course, I will do my best to provide an interesting, fun, supportive, and practical learning environment. However, learning is an active process in which we will all need to participate. Therefore, I expect you to come to class prepared, participate in class, support your peers, and respect your facilitators (professor, guest speakers, etc.). In addition, you can expect me to provide feedback in a timely manner, come prepared to class, and do my best to facilitate a fun learning experience in COMM 210. Course Assignments: Attendance/Participation Attendance is expected and essential for success in this course. I do not take attendance everyday; however, there will be random attendance checks, attendance exercises, and observations made on your participation while in class. Attendance/participation will constitute 50 points of the final point total for the course. Application Activities (AA) Throughout the semester, there will be several days in which an inclass activity is planned. The application activities are designed to employ and reinforce concepts presented in prior lectures. Application activities will vary in length and complexity; however, all activities will be completed within one class period. Each application activity is worth 25 points, constituting 150 points of your final point total for the course. Application activities cannot be made up; however, students will be able to substitute their lowest application activity score with an extra credit opportunity during the semester. Reflection Papers Throughout the semester, you will write four papers applying a theory discussed in class to a real life situation, experience, current event, or the world around you. Reflection papers should be a minimum of two pages and a maximum of four pages. I will assign
reflection paper topics two weeks prior to the due date of the assignment. Grading of the reflection papers will be based on grammar, punctuation, format, content, and supporting evidence. The first reflection paper is worth 30 points and the remaining three reflection papers are worth 40 points, constituting 150 points of the final point total for the course. Group Presentations In groups of three or four, you will prepare a 15-minute presentation on an assigned theory. Presentations should be interesting, fun, engaging, and further extend the theoretical foundations/concepts discussed in class. Students will write a one-page summary (FACT sheet) of their theory that can be used as a handout during the presentation and as a study guide for peers. Presentations will be graded for demonstration of theoretical knowledge, creativity, class involvement, effort, presentation skills, professional appearance, and application. Presentations are worth 50 points of the final point total for the course. Exams There are three scheduled exams throughout the semester. Each exam will be noncumulative and consist of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. Each exam is worth 100 points, constituting 300 points of the final point total for the course. Assignment Points % of Grade Attendance/Participation 50 7 Application Activities 150 21.5 Reflection Papers 150 21.5 Group Presentations 50 7 Exams 300 43 Final Point Total 700 100 Grading Scale: A = 93 to 100 points A- = 90 to 92.99 points B+ = 87 to 89.99 point B = 83 to 86.99 points B- = 80 to 82.99 points C+ = 77 to 79.99 points C = 73 to 76.99 points C- = 70 to 72.99 points D+ = 67 to 69.99 points D = 63 to 66.99 points D- = 60 to 62.99 points F = below 60 points *Please Note: Under NO circumstances will grades be rounded up. An A in this class means you have demonstrated significant achievement (meaning an 89.99 is a B+). Course Schedule: Please note that changes may be made to this document at the discretion of the professor. If such changes are needed, students will be properly notified. Date Topic Reading/Due Tuesday August 26 Introduction to course Thursday August 28 The Study of Communication Chapter 1: Launch Your Study Chapter 2: Talk About Theory Tuesday September 2 Theory What? Theory Who? Chapter 3: Mapping the Territory Chapter 4: Weighing the Words Thursday September 4 Interpersonal Communication (group & date selection) Chapter 5: Symbolic Interactionism Chapter 6: Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM) Tuesday September 9 Interpersonal Communication Chapter 7: Expectancy Violations Chapter 8: Constructivism Thursday September 11 AA1: Interpersonal Communication Reflection Paper #1 Due
Tuesday September 16 Relationship Development Chapter 9: Social Penetration Chapter 10: Uncertainty Reduction Chapter 11: Social Information Processing Thursday September 18 Relationship Maintenance Chapter 12: Relational Dialectics Chapter 13: Interactional View Tuesday September 23 AA2: Relationships Thursday September 25 Influence Chapter 14: Social Judgment Chapter 15: Elaboration Likelihood Tuesday September 30 AA3: Influence Chapter 15: Cognitive Dissonance Thursday October 2 Theory Presentations Reflection Paper #2 Due Tuesday October 7 Exam #1 Thursday October 9 Fall Break Tuesday October 14 Group Decision Making Chapter 17: Functional Perspective on Group Decision Making Chapter 18: Adaptive Structuration Handout: Groupthink Thursday October 16 Organizational Communication Chapter 19: Cultural Approach to Organizations Chapter 20: Critical Theory of Communication Approach to Organizations Tuesday October 21 AA4: Organizational Communication Thursday October 23 Rhetoric Chapter 21: The Rhetoric Chapter 23: Narrative Paradigm Tuesday October 28 Media and Culture Chapter 24: Media Ecology Chapter 25: Semiotics Chapter 26: Cultural Studies Thursday October 30 Media Effects Reflection Paper #3 Due Chapter 27: Cultivation Chapter 28: Agenda-Setting Handout: Gatekeeping Chapter 29: Spiral of Silence Tuesday November 4 AA5: Media Effects Thursday November 6 Tuesday November 11 Exam #2 Theory Presentations Thursday November 13 Intercultural Communication Chapter 30: Accommodation Tuesday November 18 Intercultural Communication Chapter 31: Face-Negotiation Chapter 32: Speech Codes Thursday November 20 AA6: Intercultural Communication Tuesday November 25 Gender and Communication Chapter 33: Genderlect Styles Chapter 34: Standpoint Chapter 35: Muted Group Thursday November 27 Thanksgiving Holiday! Tuesday December 2 Communication Theory Chapter 36: Common Threads Reflection Paper #4 Due Thursday December 4 Theory Presentations Saturday December 13 Exam #3 @ 8:00 a.m.