COMM 321 Section 400 - Ecampus
INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION THEORY (3 credits)
Oregon State University...Go Beavs!
Professor Gregg Walker
Email: gwalker@oregonstate.edu; profwalk@yahoo.com, Phone: 541.737.5397
Course Information, Policies, Assignments, Links, and Tentative Syllabus
SECTION A: GENERAL INFORMATION
A1. COURSE DESCRIPTION
COMM 321 - Introduction to Communication Theory - is an Ecampus course that focuses on the
nature of communication and theories that seek to explain communication phenomena. The
course features a wide variety of theories and concepts that can help us understand, explain, and
predict communication behavior. By understanding diverse theoretical and conceptual
explanations of communication, we can better analyze communication situations and engage those
situations as competent communicators. This course combines approximately 90 hours of
instruction, online activities, and assignments for 3 credits. Here are course goals, objectives,
desired outcomes, requirements, procedures, and policies.
A2. COURSE GOALS
 Focus on improving communication competence.
 Review the nature of the theory and research relationship.
 Introduce students to a wide range of communication theories.
A3. TEACHING OBJECTIVES
 Provide students with opportunities to apply communication theories to communication
events.
 Give students feedback on the quality of their analytical written work.
 Test students on their knowledge of communication theories.
 Encourage students to engage in student to student interaction about communication
theories.
A4. LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Students will understand the nature of theory and the theory-research relationship.
 Students will demonstrate their knowledge of communication theories through (1)
examinations, (2) the application of theories to communication events, and (3) on-line
discussion.
 Students will improve their communication competence through knowledge and application
of communication theories.
This course is offered through Oregon State University Extended Campus. For more information, contact:
Web: ecampus.oregonstate.edu
Email: ecampus@oregonstate.edu Tel: 800-667-1465
SECTION B: COURSE POLICIES OF PROCEDURES
B1. Student Responsibilities. As a member of COMM 321 Ecampus, you have a number of
responsibilities. First, you are responsible for the content of the course that is presented through
the course textbook, lecture slides, and Discussion Board (DB). Second, you are responsible for
completing the required assignments on time, including papers, exams, and DB posts. Third, you
are responsible for submitting original work.
B2. The Course Blackboard Site. The COMM 321 Blackboard site includes course information
assignment descriptions, a reading and video viewing schedule, video class sessions from the
Winter 2008 on-campus class, lecture slides, grades, the Discussion Board, and links. You should
consult the Blackboard site periodically throughout the term.
B3. Reading Material. The course text is the 9th edition of A First Look at Communication
Theory, by Em Griffin. The 7th and 8th editions are acceptable, and may be available at used
book outlets (e.g., check half.com and amazon.com). If you get an older edition, you should
indicate that when writing papers and exams. This book is required. The book is supported by a
very useful website: www.afirstlook.com. Some chapters from older versions of the course
text are archived on that website. Required archived chapters are noted on the course syllabus
by name and an asterisk (*).
B4. Video Material. The class includes a variety of video material. While not required viewing,
the video material is recommended. Video material includes:

A set of “video lectures” in the Documents Section of the COMM 321 Blackboard site.
These are not really lectures per se. Rather, they are some of the COMM 321 class
sessions that took place during winter 2008 on the Oregon State University campus in
Corvallis. The class sessions include activities, discussion, video clips (e.g., from movies),
and lectures with lecture slides. As you watch the class sessions, you can fast-forward
through any sections that do not seem pertinent or helpful. The first video lecture refers to
the Summer 2008 Ecampus course, but applies to this and future COMM 321 Ecampus
classes. Note, though, that some assignments and the paper submission procedure
have changed.

Material on the textbook website, www.afirstlook.com. This website supports the
textbook and class very well. Particularly valuable are video interviews with a number of
the communication theorists featured in the textbook.

Video clips. Class sessions include a number of video clips from movies and television
shows that are presented to illustrate communication theories and concepts. The textbook
website also includes recommended videos.
B5. Exams. There are two exams, both feature essay questions. The exams will be posted on
Blackboard two weeks before their due date. They can be sent to you via email or surface
mail upon request. They are “take-home” style essay exams and do not require a proctor.
B6. Papers. You will write three papers. You will prepare two Communication Event Analysis
(CEA) papers. Your third paper will be either an additional CEA paper or a book critique. The CEA
paper task is explained in the first video lecture although the submission procedure has
This course is offered through Oregon State University Extended Campus. For more information, contact:
Web: ecampus.oregonstate.edu
Email: ecampus@oregonstate.edu Tel: 800-667-1465
changed. The assignment guidelines for both the CEA papers and the book critique are in the
Assignments section of the Blackboard site. The first video also explains the “blog task” which is no
longer part of the course. It has been replaced by the Discussion Board assignment.
B7. Submitting Papers & Exams. Submit papers and exams as MSWord files to:
gwalker@oregonstate.edu OR profwalk@yahoo.com. Use the COMM 321 Blackboard digital
drop box as a back-up. I will acknowledge receipt of your work within 72 hours (3 days).
B8. Returning Papers & Exams. Papers/exams will be returned electronically with comments.
B9. The COMM 321 ecampus Discussion Board. This course includes a “discussion board”
on the COMM 321 Blackboard site. Students are required to post a minimum of one substantive
comment each week. Posts are due by 2359 (1159 PM) each Sunday night. Students are
encouraged to post more than one comment weekly (one substantive post weekly is sufficient for
about 70% of available points). More detailed posting instructions are in the Assignments
section of the Blackboard site.
B10. Late Assignments. Papers should be turned in on time. For each week (defined as ten
minutes to seven days) a paper is late, it loses 10% of its worth. Late papers cannot be rewritten.
I tend to apply very rigorous standards to extremely late papers.
B11. Re-doing Papers and Exams. As long as you submit assignments on time (by 2359 or
11:59 PM of the due date) you can re-write papers and take a second, etc. version of an exam.
On any given assignment, the best result (points or grades) grade is recorded.
B12. Incomplete Policy. Take this course only if you plan to finish it in a timely manner (during
this term). I assign an "I" or incomplete only when there is a strong and compelling case for doing
so (e.g., health reasons, military commitment). I will not consider assigning an incomplete unless
the individual has completed over 50% of the course tasks (e.g., CEA papers 1 and 2, the
midterm, and DB posts). Please note that the work of students who are assigned an incomplete
is subject to assignment weight reduction. They consequently may not be eligible for A and B
grades because some of their work will be submitted late.
An “I” (Incomplete) must be resolved by the end of the subsequent term. If the work needed to
meet all course requirements is not received by the last day of regular classes of the subsequent
term, the student may earn an "F" in the course.
B13. Course Task Due Dates...see syllabus in Blackboard for exact dates.
Date Received (by 2359 or 11:59 PM Pacific Time) and Task
*Every Sunday night
DISCUSSION BOARD POSTS
Week 3 (Friday)
COMMUNICATION EVENT ANALYSIS 1
Week 6 (Monday)
EXAM THE FIRST (Midterm)
Week 7 (Friday)
COMMUNICATION EVENT ANALYSIS 2
Week 9 (Friday)
COMMUNICATION EVENT ANALYSIS 3/Book Critique
Finals Wk (Wednesday)
EXAM THE SECOND (Final)
Finals Wk (Thursday) Any paper re-writes or second chance exam questions
This course is offered through Oregon State University Extended Campus. For more information, contact:
Web: ecampus.oregonstate.edu
Email: ecampus@oregonstate.edu Tel: 800-667-1465
B14. Assignment Point Values. There are a few. Here is the list with point values.
Communication Event Analysis Paper 1
100 points
Communication Event Analysis Paper 2
130 points
Communication Event Analysis Paper 3 or Book Critique 170 points
Exam 1
220 points
Exam 2
240 points
Discussion Board Work
140 points
TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE
1000 points
B15. Grades. Grades will be assigned on a “flex” standard (I may adjust point boundaries up or
down somewhat, based on distribution of people’s point totals in the class). Students whose total
points are in the top 5% to 10% of the class (minimum one) will earn A or A- grades.
Tentatively, the boundaries are:
910-1000 points
870-890
800-820
720-780
680-700
A
B+
BC
D+
890-910
820-870
780-800
700-720
620-680
AB
C+
CD
B16. Grade Standards. Evaluation of performance and achievement involves judgments of
quality. Please note that I view quality of work as significantly different from (and more important
than) quantity of effort.
The A (90% points) range is for excellent to outstanding performance and superior achievement.
The B (80% points) range denotes good to very good performance and substantial achievement.
The C (70% points) range indicates acceptable and average performance and achievement.
The D (60% points) range is for substandard performance and marginal achievement.
An F is given for unsatisfactory performance and achievement.
An I is given only for documented emergencies or other extraordinary circumstances. An
Incomplete is not a "dead" or finals week option as a stress management tool. An incomplete
will be considered only when the student has submitted and passed more than 50% of assigned
course work (see Item B12).
B17. Instructor Information
Gregg Walker, Professor
Speech Communication Program, Shepard Hall B-3 (Department Office, Shepard Hall 104)
Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331-6199.
Phone: 541-737-5397 (voicemail); 541-737-2461 (main office)
Fax: 541-737-4443
Primary email: gwalker@oregonstate.edu
Secondary email: profwalk@yahoo.com
Please note that I am teaching in Denmark until late June, then traveling in Europe and the
US until early August. I should have access to email and will check it regularly.
SECTION C: STUDENT RESOURCES
C1. Links to OSU Library resources
 General services: http://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/services/studentThis course is offered through Oregon State University Extended Campus. For more information, contact:
Web: ecampus.oregonstate.edu
Email: ecampus@oregonstate.edu Tel: 800-667-1465

services/library_services.htm
24/7 Library support chat: http://osulibrary.oregonstate.edu/reference/
C2. Links to course textbook support and communication theory resources
 The textbook support site: www.afirstlook.com
 Dr. Robert Craig’s (Comm. Professor at the University of Colorado) “metadiscourses”
theory resources page (many links….an excellent site):
http://www.colorado.edu/communication/meta-discourses/theory.htm
C4. Link to Student Conduct information and resources
Student conduct site: http://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/orientation/success/conduct.htm
C5. Link to resources for students with disabilities
Site: http://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/online-degrees/disability-access.htm
C6. Link for student support services
 Ask Ecampus: http://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/ask-ecampus/
 Student services center: http://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/services/student-services/
C7. Link to student career services
Site: http://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/services/student-services/career_services.htm
SECTION D: THE COURSE SYLLABUS (TENTATIVE)
Week/Topics
Textbook Chapters Video Sessions
* chapters/essays at www.afirstlook.com
Video Clips
Assignments
Discusssion
Board Post (DB)
23:59 Sunday
nights
One: Basics of
Communication
Theory &
Research.
Ch1 (Launching)
Ch2 (Talk about)
Ch3 (Weighing)
Ch4 (Mapping)
Video “Lectures”
(or class sessions)
1, 2, 3, 4
The Cardigans
Jim Carrey
Tears for Fears
Wedding Crashers
Two: Messages &
Meanings: The
Verbal Realm
Ch5 (Symbolic)
Ch6 (CMM)
Meaning of
Meaning*
Video “Lecture” 5
My Super-Ex
Girlfriend
Curb Your Enthus.
DB
Three: Messages
& Meanings – The
Nonverbal Realm
Ch7 (Exp Viol)
Ch26 (Semiotics)
Interpersonal
Deception Thry*
Video “lecture: 6
Liar Liar
Soul Food
DB. CEA 1 DUE
FRIDAY Week 3 –
23:59 PDT
Four: Interpersonal
Theories – Focus
on Relationships
Ch8 (Social Pen)
Ch9 (Uncertain)
Ch10 (Social Info)
Ch11 (Rel Dial)
Ch12 (Privacy)
Ch13 (Interaction)
Video “Lecture” 7
Video “Lecture” 8
Forget Paris
The Dating Game
The Break-up
DB
Five: Interpersonal
Theories: Focus
on Influence
Ch14 (Soc Judgm)
Ch15 (Elab Like)
Ch16 (Cog Diss)
Video “Lecture” 9
VIDEO LECTURE
10
Coach Carter
Fitness Ads
Mesquite, NV
DB. MIDTERM
(EXAM 1) DUE
MONDAY Week 6
This course is offered through Oregon State University Extended Campus. For more information, contact:
Web: ecampus.oregonstate.edu
Email: ecampus@oregonstate.edu Tel: 800-667-1465
Ch17 (Function)
Ch18 (Symbolic
Conv)
Ch19 (Cultural)
Ch20 (Const)
Ch21 (Critical)
Info Systems in
Organizations*
Video “Lecture” 11
The Office
DB
LISA NEWBORE
VIDEO LECTURE
LISA NEWBORE
VIDEO LECTURE
DB. CEA 2 DUE
FRIDAY Week 7
Eight: Cultural
Contexts –
Intercultural
Communication
Ch31 (Accomm)
Ch32 (Face)
Ch33 (Codes)
Anxiety/
Uncertainty. Mgt*
Video “Lectures”
13 and 14
w/ Prof Sanders
Nine: Cultural
Contexts: Gender
Ch34 (Genderlect)
Ch35 (Standpoint)
Ch36 (Muted Grp)
TBA
TBA
DB. CEA 3 or
BOOK CRIT. DUE
FRIDAY Week 9
Ten and Eleven:
Media and Society
(Culture and
Effects)
Ch25 (Media Ecol)
Ch27 (Cultural)
Ch28 (Uses Grat)
Ch29 (Cultivation)
Ch30 (Agenda)
Technological
Determinism*
Video “Lectures”
12, 15, and 16
In videos…
DB. FINAL EXAM
(EXAM 2) DUE
WEDS Week 11
Rewrites and
second chance
MT questions due
Thurs Week 11
Six: Group
Process Theories
Seven:
Communication in
Organizations
DB
Plagiarism: You are expected to submit your own work in all your assignments, postings to the discussion
board, and other communications, and to clearly give credit to the work of others when you use it.
Academic dishonesty will result in a grade of “F.” Link to Statement of Expectations for Student Conduct:
http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/pages/rules/oars_500/oar_576/576_015.html
Student Conduct Home: http://oregonstate.edu/studentconduct/.
Students with Disabilities: Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty and
Disability and Access Services (DAS). Students with accommodations approved through DAS are
responsible for contacting the faculty member in charge of the course prior to or during the first week of the
term to discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who
have not yet obtained approval through DAS should contact DAS immediately at 541-737-4098.
http://ds.oregonstate.edu/
Student Evaluation of Teaching: We encourage you to engage in the course evaluation process each
term – online, of course. The evaluation form will be available toward the end of each term, and you will
be sent instructions through ONID. You will login to “Student Online Services” to respond to the online
questionnaire. The results on the form are anonymous and are not tabulated until after grades are posted.
Textbook: Click the OSU Beaver Store link associated with the COMM 321 course information in the
Ecampus schedule of classes for course textbook information and ordering.
NOTE to prospective students: This syllabus is intended to provide students who are considering
taking this course an idea of what they will be learning. A more detailed syllabus will be
available on the course Blackboard site for enrolled students and may be more current than this
sample syllabus.
This course is offered through Oregon State University Extended Campus. For more information, contact:
Web: ecampus.oregonstate.edu
Email: ecampus@oregonstate.edu Tel: 800-667-1465