Human Communication Theory
Spring 2002
Instructor:
Hours:
Office:
Phillip G. Clampitt
10:45-11:30 Tues., Thurs.
MAC 321
e-mail: clampitp@uwgb.edu
office phone: 465-2324
Course Objectives





Understand the major theoretical ideas about the communication process
Understand the underlying assumptions of the major theories
Understand the major implications of the theories
Understand the critical problems and issues involved in developing communication
theory
Discern the future directions of communication theory
Grading Allocations
Approximate grading percentages:
1. Qualifying exams 1 & 2
2. Mid-term exam
3. Major project
5%
25%
30%
4. Class Participation/Mindflex Grp.
5. Group Presentation
25%
15%
Grading Scale
All grading will be done on a numerical basis which translates into the following letter
grades:
A
AB
B
BC
92 +
89-91
82-88
79-81
C
D
F
70-78
60-69
59-
Texts
The course consists of a number of articles and the following books:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Langer - Philosophy in a New Key
Watzlawick, Beavin & Jackson – Pragmatics of Human Communication
Hofstadter – Godel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid
Bateson – Steps to an Ecology of Mind
Readings will be assigned on a class-by-class basis. However, the “rough” order of
readings is detailed on the following page.
Readings
Unit 1: Introduction
A. Lewis Thomas, “The Scrambler in the Mind” in Medusa and the Snail, 1979,
p. 121-124
Unit 2: Symbolic Interactionists
A. Burke, “Definition of Man” in Language as Symbolic Action, 1966, p. 3-24
B. Burke, “Terministic Screens” in Language as Symbolic Action, 1966, p. 44-57
C. Langer, Chapters 1, 2 & Preface
D. Langer, Chapters 3, 4
E. Langer, Chapters 5, 8
F. Langer, Chapter 10
Unit 3: Palo Alto Group
A. WBJ, Chapters 1, 2
B. WBJ, Chapters 3, 4
C. WBJ, Chapters 5, 6, 7
D. Bateson, p. 3-58
E. Bateson, p. 177-193
F. Bateson, p. 201-227, 271-278
Unit 4: Coordinated Management of Meaning
A. Dance, p. 61-89
Unit 5: Artificial Intelligence
A. Hofstadter, p. 103-126, 127-152 (skim)
B. Hofstadter, p. 153-176
C. Hofstadter, p. 275-309
D. Hofstadter, p. 311-365
E. Hofstadter, p. 366-390
F. Hofstadter, p. 480-548 (skim), 586-632 (skim)
G. Hofstadter, p. 681-719
H. Hofstadter, p. 720-742
I. Schiff, “The artist who was the master of the double take”
Tentative Schedule
Week
Date
Topics/Assignments
1
Jan. 22
Jan. 24
Introduction
Mindflex 1
Communication
Definition
2
Jan. 29
Jan. 31
Mindflex 2a
Mindflex 2b
3
Feb. 5
Feb. 7
Mindflex 3a
Mindflex 3b
4
Feb. 12
Feb. 14
Mindflex 4a
Mindflex 4b
5
Feb. 19
Feb. 21
Mindflex 5a
Mindflex 5b
6
Feb. 26
Feb. 28
Mindflex 6a
Mindflex 6b
7
March 5
March 7
Movie Part 1
Movie Part 2
8
March 12
March 14
Mindflex 7a
Mindflex 7b
9
March 26
March 28
Pre-test/PA Briefing
Pre-test/PA Briefing
10
April 2
April 4
Mindflex 8a
Mindflex 8b
11
April 9
April 11
Mindflex 9a
Mindflex 9b
12
April 16
April 18
Mindflex 10a
Mindflex 10b
13
April 23
April 25
Mindflex 11a
Mindflex 11b
14
April 30
May 2
Pre-test
Pre-test
AI Briefing
AI Briefing
15
May 7
May 9
ALL FINAL PAPERS DUE
Thursday Paper Session Grp:
NO EXCEPTIONS
Class Starts at 7:30 am.
May 11
Tuesday Paper Session Grp:
8:00-10:00 am.
SI Briefing
SI Briefing
Spring Break
Exam: Due April 4
Exam: Due April 6
CMM Briefing
CMM Briefing
Final Project
When preparing your final report on the course, you may find the following books useful:
1. Rigor & Imagination – Wilder & Weakland
2. Mind & Nature: A Necessary Unity – Bateson
3. Gregory Bateson: The Legacy of a Scientist – David Lipset
4. Unified Social Science – Kuhn
5. How Real is Real? – Watzlawick
6. Peoplemaking – Satir
7. The Systems View of the World – Lazlo
8. Language in Thought and Action – Hayakawa
9. The Use and Misuse of Language – Hayakawa
10. The Mind’s I – Hofstadter & Dennett
11. Communication and Interpersonal Relations – Haney
12. Machines Who Think – McCorduck
13. Communication Theory – Borman
14. Mind Design – Haugeland
15. Brainstorms – Dennett
16. The Cognitive Computer – Schank
17. Practical Magic – Lankton
18. Communication , Action, and Meaning – Pearce & Cronen
19. Angel’s Fear – Bateson & Bateson
20. The Selected Correspondence of Kenneth Burke & Malcolm Cowley - Jay