Comm 215: Introduction to Communication Theory
Fall 2003
Instructor: Dr. Jan W. Kelly, Associate Professor of Communication
E-mail: kellyj1@scranton.edu
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: www.afirstlook.com.
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:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Component of final grade
Four exams
65%
Application log
15%
Abstract of current scholarship
20%
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 coursesthe 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. 27
Aug. 29
Aug. 31
General introduction to course. Review syllabus.
Intro & Ch. 1: Talk About Theory
Ch. 2: Weighing the Words. Symbolic Convergence Theory (T1)
Sept. 3
Sept. 5
Sept. 7
NO CLASS
Ch. 3: Mapping the Territory. AL: T1
Interpersonal Messages & Ch. 4: Symbolic Interactionism (T2) Neil
Sept. 10
Sept. 12
Sept. 14
Ch. 5: Coordinated Management of Meaning (T3) Life is Beautiful; Don Juan
Ch. 6: Expectancy Violations Theory (T4). AL: T2,3
Ch. 7: Interpersonal Deception (T5) Liar Liar and Ethical Reflections
Sept. 17
Sept. 19
Sept. 21
Cognitive Processing and Ch. 8: Constructivism (T6) Group D
Application Logs due.
Relationship Dev.; Ch. 9: Social Penetration (T7). AL:T4,5,6
Ch. 10: Uncertainty Reduction (T8). Group C Logs due
Sept. 24
Sept. 26
Sept. 28
Ch. 11: Interactional View (T9) When a Man Loves a Woman
Ch. 12: Relational Dialectics (T10). Children of a Lesser God AL: T7,8,9.
Group A, Abstract Presentations.
Oct. 1
Oct. 3
Oct. 5
Exam 1 on Chs. 1-12.
Ch. 13: Social Judgment (T11) Dead Man AL: T10 Groups A & B Logs due
NO CLASS.
Oct. 8
Oct. 10
Oct. 12
FALL BREAK
Ch. 14: Elaboration Likelihood Model (TI2) Footloose. AL: T11
Ch. 15: Functional (T13) Apollo 13 We will not study Ch. 16 and l7
Oct. 15
Oct. 17
Oct. 19
Ch. 18: Cultural Approach (T14) Office Space
Ch. 19: Critical Theory (T15) Roger & Me. AL.- T12,13,14
Ch. 20: Art of Rhetoric (TI6) Patton.
Oct. 22
Oct. 24
Oct. 26
Group B, Abstract Presentations
Ch. 21: Dramatism. (T17) AL: T15,16
Ch. 22: Narrative Paradigm. (T18) Smoke
Oct. 29
Oct. 31
Ch. 23: Technological Determinism (T19)
Ch. 24: Semiotics (T20) Titanic AL: T17,18,19
Nov. 2
Nov. 5
Nov. 7
Nov. 9
Group C, Abstract Presentations
Exam 2. Chs. 13-24 (not 16 or 17)
Ch. 25: Cultural Studies (T21) Insider AL: T20
Ch. 26: Cultivation Theory (T22). Electronic Storyteller
Nov. 12
Nov. 14
Nov. 16
Ch. 27: Agenda-Setting (T23) Mickey Mouse Monopoly
Ch. 28: The Media Equation. (T24) AL: T21,22,23
Ch. 30: Face-negotiation (T25) We will not study chapter 29
Nov. 19
Nov. 21
Nov. 23
Ch. 31: Speech Codes Theory Joy Luck Club (T26) AL: T23,24,25
THANKSGIVING-NO CLASS
THANKSGIVING-NO CLASS
Nov. 26
Nov. 28
Nov. 30
Ch. 32: Genderlect Styles (T27) When Harry Met Sally, He Said She Said
Ch. 33: Standpoint theory (T28). Cider House Rules AL: T26,27
Ch. 34: Muted Group Theory (T29) Mickey Mouse Monopoly
Dec. 3
Dec. 5
Dec. 7
Ch. 35: Order out of Chaos. All logs due.
Group D Abstract Presentations.
No Class-study day.
Exam 3 will be given during the assigned final exam period and covers Chs. 25-35 (not
29.)
Group A
Group A
Group A
Group A
Group A
Group A
Group A
Group A
Coordinated Management of Meaning (T3)
Expectancy Violation (T4)
Interpersonal Deception (T5)
Constructivism (T6)
Social Penetration (T7)
Uncertainty Reduction (T8)
Interactional View (T9)
Relational Dialectics (T10)
Group B
Group B
Group B
Group B
Group B
Group B
Social Judgment (T11)
Elaboration Likelihood Model (T12)
Functional (T13)
Cultural (T14)
Critical (T15)
Rhetoric (T16)
Group C
Group C
Group C
Group C
Group C
Group C
Group C
Dramatism (T17)
Narrative Paradigrn (T18)
Semiotics (T20)
Cultural Studies (T21)
Cultivation (T22)
Agenda Setting (T23)
Media Equation (T24)
Group D
Group D
Group D
Group D
Group D
Face Negotiation (T25)
Speech Codes (T26)
Genderlect Styles (T27)
Standpoint Theory (T28)
Muted Group Theory (T29)