COMM 3210 Communication Theory (Fall 2015) Section 80346 Credit Hours: 3.00 (3-0-3) T/R 11:15 AM 12:30 PM, T101 Course Website: https://clayton.view.usg.edu/d2l/home/956355 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)466-4764 Fax: (678)466-4899 Email: bamsden@clayton.edu Internet: http://faculty.clayton.edu/bamsden 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). http://a-s.clayton.edu/vpa/cms 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
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 (21) Participation 200 points 200 points 200 points 200 points 100 points 100 points I use the following scale to determine your final grade. If you earn between and points, and you have no more than 3 absences, your final course grade is. Grades are not rounded up, and no extra credit will be offered. (See course attendance policy for effect of more than 2 absences.) 900 1,000 = A 800 899 = B 700 799 = C 600 699 = D 0 599 = F Exams: (October 1 and November 12, worth 200 points 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 in an online study forum that I will facilitate. Group Project: (December 1 or 3, worth 200 points each) 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): (due dates TBA, worth 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. Reading Quizzes (21): (5 points each, lowest grade dropped) 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: (100 points) This grade reflects the quantity and quality of your comments in class discussion, your engagement in small group activities, and your professionalism. Professionalism requires regular attendance, punctuality, and taking a respectful tone in face-to-face and electronic communication with myself and your classmates. During the semester I may announce additional homework assignments or in-class activities that count as part of your participation grade. If you are absent it is your responsibility to contact me and find out what you missed. In-class activities cannot be made up. Mid-term Progress Report: The mid-term grade in this course will be issued by October 6. 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 October 9. 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 http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm. Computer Skill Prerequisites: Able to use Windows operating system Able to use PowerPoint and Microsoft Word Able to send and receive e-mail using Outlook or Outlook Express Able to use D2L (an introduction will be provided in class) Able to attach and retrieve files via email and in D2L Able to conduct research via library databases In-class use of Student Notebook Computers: Notebook computers will not be used in the classroom except for specified activities. You will be notified in advance when you need to bring yours. 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. However, because emergencies sometimes arise you are allotted a maximum of three absences without penalty. These are akin to sick days or personal days, and should be used when illness, family emergencies, or other unforeseeable conflicts arise. You do not have to offer documentation in these cases, but you should send me quick email to let me know that you will be missing class. Each and every absence over three for any reason whatsoever will reduce your final course grade by a full letter (from B to C, or a D to F, etc.). You would be well advised to use your personal days carefully, because you will not be provided with more, if you should fall ill or have a family emergency late in the semester. *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. It is your responsibility to make whatever arrangements are necessary to insure punctuality, taking into account things like traffic and parking. I usually take attendance first thing, and if you arrive after that point you will be counted as tardy. Likewise, if you leave class early for any reason you will receive a tardy. If you are tardy three times you will be given an absence. If you are tardy five times you will be given another absence. After that point, every tardy counts as an absence. If you miss half or more of a class period, you receive an automatic absence. *A tardy also 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. Cell Phone Policy: When you arrive you should power down your phone completely, put it away, and leave it off for the entire class period. Similarly, you should put away, or leave
at home, other electronic devices (such as MP3 players, tablets, and laptops), except for the days when we use laptops for class activities. If I see or hear your cell phone at any time, or see you using any other electronic device, you will be penalized. The first four times you will lose 10 points. The next three times you will lose 20 points. Every time after that you will receive an absence. 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 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 http://adminservices.clayton.edu/judicial/. 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: http://www.clayton.edu/portals/5/disruptiveclassroombehavior.pdf. Special Circumstances: Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator at:
Student Center 255 (678)466-5445 disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu Schedule Date Subject Matter Readings/Material Due T 8/18 Introduction to course H 8/20 Foundations of social scientific, humanistic, and critical theory Chapters 1 3 Part One: Interpersonal Theory T 8/25 Expectancy Violations Theory Chapter 7 H 8/27 Uncertainty Reduction Theory Chapter 9 T 9/1 Genderlect Styles Chapter 34 Speak Up, I Can t Hear You, by Deborah Cameron Part Two: Persuasion and Small Group Theory H 9/3 Social Judgment Theory Chapter 14 T 9/8 Elaboration Likelihood Model Chapter 15 H 9/10 Cognitive Dissonance Theory Chapter 16 T 9/15 Group Decision Making Chapter 17 H 9/17 Small Group Activity Guide to Small Group Activity Part Three: Social Scientific Media Theory T 9/22 Uses and Gratifications Chapter 28 H 9/24 Cultivation Theory Chapter 29
T 9/29 Agenda-Setting Theory Chapter 30 H 10/1 Exam #1 Study Guide for Exam #1 (Participate in online study session on D2L) Part Four: Rhetorical Theory T 10/6 Symbolic Interactionism Chapter 5 H 10/8 Dramatism Chapter 23 T 10/13 NO CLASSES FALL BREAK H 10/15 Dramatism (part II) A Pentadic Analysis by David Ling T 10/20 Narrative Paradigm Chapter 24 H 10/22 Symbolic Convergence Theory Chapter 18 Part Five: Cultural and Critical Theory T 10/27 Cultural Approach to Organizations Chapter 19 H 10/29 Media Ecology Chapter 25 T 11/3 Semiotics Chapter 26 H 11/5 Cultural Studies Representation and the Media, by Stuart Hall (Parts 1, 2, 3, 4) T 11/10 Cultural Studies (part II) Race and Other Four Letter Words, by Gilbert Rodman H 11/12 Exam #2 Study Guide for Exam #2 (Participate in online study session on D2L) T 11/17 TBA H 11/19 NO CLASS NCA CONFERENCE
T 11/24 H 11/26 T 12/1 H 12/3 NO CLASS MEETING Complete Group Project Preparation on D2L NO CLASS THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY Groups 1 and 2 Present Groups 3 and 4 Present
Syllabus Acknowledgment Form This form is your acknowledgment that you have read and fully understand the course policies. If you have any questions, bring those to my attention before completing this. Initial to acknowledge the following course policies: I understand that there are no excused absences in the course, and that each and every absence over three, for any reason whatsoever, lowers my final course grade by one letter. I understand that I will receive a tardy each time I am late to class or leave early, even if by only a couple minutes, and regardless of the reason. I also understand that three tardies count as one absence, five tardies two absences, and every tardy over five counts as an absence. I understand that I am expected to power down completely and put away my cell phone and other electronic devices at the beginning of class, and leave it/them put away for the remainder of the class. I also understand that I will be penalized every time Professor Amsden sees or hears one of these devices 10 points for the first 4 offenses, 20 points for the next 3 offenses, and an absence for every offense thereafter. Sign to acknowledge: I have read the syllabus in its entirety and I fully understand the course policies. Name (please print) Signature Date