Правительство Российской Федерации
Федеральное государственное автономное образовательное учреждение
высшего профессионального образования
"Национальный исследовательский университет
"Высшая школа экономики"
Факультет коммуникаций, медиа и дизайна. Департамент интегрированных
коммуникаций.
Faculty of Communications, Media and Design. Department of integrated communications.
Программа дисциплины Основы теории коммуникаций (Часть 2)
(преподается на английском языке)
Course syllabus
Fundamentals of Communication Theory (Part 2)
для направления 42.03.01 "Реклама и связи с общественностью" подготовки бакалавра
Автор программы:
Course Instructor
Ендальцева Александра Сергеевна, aendaltseva@hse.ru
Endaltseva Alexandra, aendaltseva@hse.ru
Одобрена на заседании департамента интегрированных коммуникаций «___»____________ 20 г
Рук. Департаментом: С.А. Зверев.
Москва, 2015
Настоящая программа не может быть использована другими подразделениями
университета и другими вузами без разрешения кафедры-разработчика программы.
Course description
Course name: Fundamentals of Communication Theory
Instructor: Alexandra Endaltseva
Study plan status: Required
Pre-requisites: Sophomore year, Undergraduate level, Advertising and public relations major,
intermediate level English (ability to read and comprehend written text, comprehend oral speech, deliver
own thoughts in English)
Course timeframe: 3rd- - 4th modules, 56 academic hours (24 hours of lectures; 32 hours of
seminars)
Course Introduction
This is an introductory course for students aiming to pursue an Advertising and Public Relations
major. The course is designed as a distance learning English course to explore internationally recognized
major theoretical concepts and applications of communication studies, as well as major approaches to
communication theory. Communication discipline borrows a lot of its theoretical base from psychology,
sociology, anthropology, philosophy, critical theory, feminist theory, business management, economics,
and linguistics. Hence, this course will also address multidisciplinary theoretical issues from various
communication branches, such as interpersonal, group, organizational, rhetorical, mass, and cultural
communication. Coursework is designed to encourage students to give critical consideration to the place of
theory within the communication discipline and to apply the theories in their everyday lives. This course
will also connect major communication theories with the major traditions in communication theory,
including semiotics, phenomenology, and cybernetic, sociocultural, critical, rhetorical traditions. Finally,
the course will allow students to get an understanding on the role of theory in communication studies and
become familiar with the key English vocabulary used by scholars in the humanities and social sciences.
The course will utilize skype conference sessions, handouts, videos, and the Internet to examine and
discuss the economic, social, and political impact of communication.
Course objectives
The course is aimed at introducing sophomore year students to the role of theory in communication
studies; explaining the key traditions of communication theory as well as the key influencers from different
from communication academic fields (psychology, sociology, anthropology, philosophy, critical theory,
feminist theory, business management, economics, and linguistics); discussing the key theories from each
theoretical tradition as represented in various communication branches (interpersonal, group,
organizational, rhetorical, mass, and cultural communication).
Learning outcomes
The goals of this course are to achieve the learning outcomes, where the students will:
 Know:
- How communication is defined in English-language academic literature;
- Traditions of communication theory;
- What branches communication studies consist of;
- Key theories in different branches of communication as connected to different theoretical
traditions
- Major names in communication theory and traditions.
 Be able to:
- Compare and contrast the key research traditions in communication studies;
- Identify the influencers on communication studies from various fields of scholarly thought;
- Understand the role of theory in the analysis of issues in communication studies.
 Have skills in:
- Using communication theories appropriately to explain communication phenomena in different
communication branches;
- Connecting different theories to different research traditions in communication;
- Identifying and explaining the major theories in the various branches of communication studies;
- Writing an academic text with the use of professional vocabulary in English
Competencies
Learning outcomes
 Students know:
- How communication is defined
in English-language academic
- Being able to read, analyze
literature;
and make sense of English- Traditions of communication
written text;
theory;
- Being able to evaluate and
- What branches communication
correlate information from
various sources in order to
studies consist of;
solve research and professional - Key theories in different
issues;
branches of communication as
- Being able to utilize
connected to different theoretical
academic vocabulary in
traditions
professional conversation
- Major names in
communication theory and
traditions.
- Being able to summarize
 Students are able to:
and analyze information;
- Compare and contrast the key
- Being able to persuasively research traditions in
and academically sound
communication studies;
expain their thoughts and
- Identify the influencers on
ideas;
communication studies from
- Being able to conduct
various fields of scholarly
multidisciplinary research
thought;
and projects;
- Understand the role of theory
- Being able to evaluate the in the analysis of issues in
results of professional
communication studies.
practice with the use of
theory
- Being able to critically
 Students have skills in:
evaluate and comprehend
- Using communication theories
personal and community
appropriately to explain
experience;
communication phenomena in
- Being able to reflect on
different communication
professional and social
branches;
activities;
- Connecting different theories
- Being able to deductively
to different research traditions
explain practical phenomena
in communication;
through theory and vise versa;
- Identifying and explaining the
- Being able to create
academically sound written
major theories in the various
text
branches of communication
- Being able to follow ethical
studies;
standards;
- Writing an academic text with
the use of professional
vocabulary in English
Evaluation criteria
Multiple choice questions on
the mid-term test; multiplechoice questions on the final
exam; questions on the home
readings comprehension;
correct identification of 10 key
words within the home
readings
Compare and contrast
questions on the mid-term test
and on the final exam; smallgroup seminar assignments; inclass discussions; presentation
of home-prepared examples of
scholarly and professional
work utilizing the theories
learned
Open-ended questions on the
mid-term test and on the final
exam; small-group seminar
assignments; in-class
discussions; questions on the
home readings comprehension;
presentation of home-prepared
examples of scholarly and
professional work utilizing the
theories learned; seminar
activities
Instructional methods
The course is divided into 9 lecture blocks and 6 seminar blocks. The way this breaks down is 24 academic
hours devoted to the explanation of theoretical traditions and key theories as well as home readings; and 32 academic
hours devoted to critical evaluation of theories in different branches of communication and their application
(interpersonal, group, organizational, rhetorical, mass, and cultural communication). The course is based on distancelearning technology.
In order to ensure students mastering the course material in English the lectures will be organized in the form
of dialogue of instructor with the audience. Each lecture starts with students identifying 10 key words from the home
readings, and then coming up with the short descriptors of each key word. As many students would have taken this
course in Russian language, this method of instruction will help to get used to the new vocabulary as well as give
students the necessary base for academic writing in English. Discussions on the influencers from different fields of
scholarly thought will be held in the end of each lecture in the small-group organization form. Each lecture two
students will be assigned a facilitator role, which will ensure a smooth run of skype lectures as well as give the
students necessary leadership training.
Each seminar will focus on one branch of communication studies, where students will critically evaluate
different communication theories within it. In-class activities will include group discussions, presentation of homeprepared examples of scholarly and professional work as well as personal stories utilizing the theories learned, and
small-group assignments. The instructor will also utilize videos, handouts, and Internet to provoke in-class
discussions on the role of theories in economic, social, and political impact of communication. Each seminar
two students will be assigned a facilitator role, which will ensure a smooth run of discussions as well as give the
students necessary leadership training.
Such instructional methodology secures the logical flow of material, allowing students to opt-in and clarify
the concepts. It differs from the similar courses in Russian language and similar courses in other universities since it
utilizes communication tradition approach to the theory explanation, connects theory to research and practical
approaches through examples discussed during the seminars, and stresses the multidisciplinary nature of
communication field.
Course breakdown
№
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Total
hours
Theme section
Defining communication. Academic study of
communication
What is theory
Traditions of communication theory
Interpersonal communication theories
Group communication theories
Organizational communication theories
Mass communication theories
Culturally-related communication theories
Rhetorical traditions in communication
theories
Total hours
In-class hours
Lectures
Seminars
Homework
2
2
10
12
15
15
16
15
15
14
2
2
3
3
4
3
3
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
6
8
8
8
8
8
8
114
24
32
58
Syllabus
№
1
Theme name
Defining communication.
Academic study of
communication.
Different ways to define
communication. Historic inquiry
into the emergence of
Home readings
1. Stephen W. Littlejohn (Author), Karen A.
Foss (Author). Theories of Human
Communication. Waveland Press, Inc.; 10
edition (November 15, 2010)
2. Marianne Dainton Elaine D. Zelley
Read
Read:
1. Chapter1
communication as a field of
study
Applying Communication Theory for
Professional Life
A Practical Introduction Third Edition.
SAGE Publications, Inc, 2014
3. Leslie Baxter, Earl Babbie The Basics of
Communication Research
http://books.google.ru/books?hl=en&lr=&id=P
TE9AAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=intro
duction+to+communication+research&ots=BL
9BoVZXq-&sig=n-j5685H-bdL7sEPjPwLsVcgXk&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=in
troduction%20to%20communication%20resear
ch&f=false
2
What is theory
Dimensions of theory,
philosophical assumptions,
concepts, principles
1. Stephen W. Littlejohn (Author), Karen A.
Foss (Author). Theories of Human
Communication. Waveland Press, Inc.; 10
edition (November 15, 2010)
Read:
1. Chapter 2,
p.19-26
2. Marianne Dainton Elaine D. Zelley
Applying Communication Theory for
Professional Life
A Practical Introduction Third Edition.
SAGE Publications, Inc, 2014
3
4
5
6
Traditions of communication
theory
Semiotic tradition.
Phenomenological tradition.
Cybernetic tradition.
Sociopsychological tradition.
Sociocultural tradition. Critical
tradition. Rhetorical tradition.
Interpersonal communication
theories
Social Penetration Theory.
Identity Management theory.
Carl Rogers. Relational
Dialectics Theory. Relational
Patterns of Interaction.
Group communication theories
Interaction-Process analysis.
Structuration theory. Groupthink
theory. Bona Fide Group Theory
Organizational communication
1. Stephen W. Littlejohn (Author), Karen A.
Foss (Author). Theories of Human
Communication. Waveland Press, Inc.; 10
edition (November 15, 2010)
Read:
1. Chapter 3
2. Em Griffin (Author), Andrew Ledbetter
(Author), Glenn Sparks (Author) A First Look
at Communication Theory (Conversations
with Communication Theorists)
McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social
Sciences/Languages; 9 edition (March 28,
2014)
3. RT Craig. Communication theory as a
field. Communication theory 9 (2), 119-161
1. Stephen W. Littlejohn (Author), Karen A.
Foss (Author). Theories of Human
Communication. Waveland Press, Inc.; 10
edition (November 15, 2010)
1. Stephen W. Littlejohn (Author), Karen A.
Foss (Author). Theories of Human
Communication. Waveland Press, Inc.; 10
edition (November 15, 2010)
1. Stephen W. Littlejohn (Author), Karen A.
Read:
1. Chapter7
Read:
1. Chapter 8
Read:
7
8
9
theories
Managerialism and Weber’s
Theory of Bureaucracy. ActionNetwork Theory. Organizational
culture. Corporate Colonization
theory
Mass communication theories
Jean Baudrillard and the
Semiotics of Media. Cultivation
Theory. Medium theory. Spiral
of silence.
Culturally-related
communication theories
Cross-cultural Adaptation
Theory. Cultural Hermeneutics.
Elaborated and Restricted Codes
Rhetorical traditions in
communication theories
Bakhtin’s Theory of Dialogics.
Aimee Carrillo Rowe’s Theory
of Coalition and Alliance
Building. Critical Rhetoric
Foss (Author). Theories of Human
Communication. Waveland Press, Inc.; 10
edition (November 15, 2010)
1. Chapter 9
1. Stephen W. Littlejohn (Author), Karen A.
Foss (Author). Theories of Human
Communication. Waveland Press, Inc.; 10
edition (November 15, 2010)
Read:
1. Stephen W. Littlejohn (Author), Karen A.
Foss (Author). Theories of Human
Communication. Waveland Press, Inc.; 10
edition (November 15, 2010)
Read:
1. Stephen W. Littlejohn (Author), Karen A.
Foss (Author). Theories of Human
Communication. Waveland Press, Inc.; 10
edition (November 15, 2010)
Read:
1. Chapter
10
1. Chapter
11
1. Chapter
11, 7
2. Vangelisti, Anita L.; Daly, John A;
Friedrich, Gustav W. Teaching
Communication: Theory, Research, and
Methods:
http://proxylibrary.hse.ru:2048/login?url=http://
site.ebrary.com/lib/hselibrary/detail.action?doc
ID=10797473
Books
Basic coursebook
1. Stephen W. Littlejohn (Author), Karen A. Foss (Author). Theories of Human Communication.
Waveland Press, Inc.; 10 edition (November 15, 2010)
Additional books
2. Marianne Dainton Elaine D. Zelley Applying Communication Theory for Professional Life
A Practical Introduction Third Edition. SAGE Publications, Inc, 2014
3. Em Griffin (Author), Andrew Ledbetter (Author), Glenn Sparks (Author) A First Look at
Communication Theory (Conversations with Communication Theorists)
McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages; 9 edition (March 28, 2014)
4. Leslie Baxter, Earl Babbie The Basics of Communication Research
http://books.google.ru/books?hl=en&lr=&id=PTE9AAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=introduction
+to+communication+research&ots=BL9BoVZXq-&sig=n-j5685H-bdL7sEPjPwLsVcgXk&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=introduction%20to%20communication%20research&f=
false
5. Vangelisti, Anita L.; Daly, John A; Friedrich, Gustav W. Teaching Communication: Theory,
Research, and Methods:
http://proxylibrary.hse.ru:2048/login?url=http://site.ebrary.com/lib/hselibrary/detail.action?docID=107974
73
6. RT Craig. Communication theory as a field. Communication theory 9 (2), 119-161
Knowledge assessment
Assessment
form
Type
Continuous
Exam
Final
Exam
year
1
2
Procedure
3
4
1
1
Written exam conducted on the 4th week of the
course; includes questions from 1-4 theme sections.
Consists of the total of 10 questions: 6 (0,5 points
each) multiple-choice, 2 (1 point each) compare and
contrast questions, and 2 open-ended questions (2,5
points each).
Length – about 2 pages
Time – 2 academic hours
Written exam conducted on the exam week; includes
questions from 5-9 theme sections. Consists of the
total of 10 questions: 6 (0,5 points each) multiplechoice, 2 (1 point each) compare and contrast
questions, and 2 open-ended questions (2,5 points
each).
Length – about 2 pages
Time – 2 academic hours
Grade Breakdown
Exams – 60% (30% Midterm exam and 30% Final exam). Maximum grade for each exam is 10
points. Total of 10 questions: 6 (0,5 points each) multiple-choice, 2 (1 point each) compare and contrast
questions, and 2 open-ended questions (2,5 points each).
In-class discussion participation and seminar activities – 30%. Maximum grade for participation is
10 points.
Demonstration of home readings mastering during lectures + facilitating classes – 10%. Maximum
grade is 10 points.
Maximum course grade is 10 points.
Diversity Statement:
It is vital that you make thoughtful language choices in your speaking, writing, and interactions. Avoid any
language or discourse that could be considered profane, racist, sexist, ageist, homophobic, and/or
disrespectful to those with special needs.
Academic Integrity Statement:
Academic integrity is crucial in this and other courses. The use of another person’s words, organization, or
ideas (including published and non-published materials) without crediting that person at the time of use is
plagiarism and will not be tolerated. It will result in automatic failure of this course and will be reported to
the Dean of Students Office. Be sure to give credit where credit is due – properly cite other people’s
published work, ideas, and materials. Do Not Cut-and-Paste information/text form the Internet—this is
plagiarism and illegal!
Examples of academic dishonesty:



Submitting a paper written by someone else;
Submitting a paper that has already been submitted to another class; and
Asking someone else to write a paper submitting it