Com 337: Communication Theory
Spring 2007 Tu/Th 11:00am- 12:20pm
4 Clemens Hall
Background. Theory provides perspective on a phenomenon of interest. Theory
organizes and provides a systematic way to understand our social world. Communication
Theory is the most important course in the catalog for a Communication major. Why?
The Communication degree at University at Buffalo is a theoretical degree, as it should
be. What is meant by theoretical is the student learns about communication in an abstract
way so s/he can use these principles upon graduation in different social and intellectual
ways. Certainly the technical aspects of communication (e.g., how to write, how to speak)
are not ignored but are not central to the degree program. The student also takes courses
in research methods and behavioral statistics, as these courses teach students how to test
theories and falsify the claims of theory.
Course Structure. COM 337 is primarily a lecture-style class, considering the 40 odd
students enrolled. The beginning of the course discusses perspectives, definitions, and
qualities of sound theories. After providing some background, theories of human
communication are introduced to the student. The aim of this course is to introduce you
to a wide range of theory popular within the communication discipline. The theories are
organized around the major sub-disciplines of communication that the student is already
familiar with in his or her previous offerings through the department (e.g., organizational,
interpersonal, mass media).
Learning Objectives. I have several goals that help me organize and teach this course.
These goals or objectives include:
1. The student will understand the criteria of good theories in human communication.
2. The student will have a conversational knowledge of several popular communication
theories.
3. The student will understand the value of theory and theory testing in social science
research.
4. The student will be a more critical and keen observer of theory upon finishing this
course.
Academic Integrity. Unfortunately a minority of students in the past have decided to
violate the contract of academic integrity each student has with the university. Listed
below is statement of policy followed by the department of communication. Take a
moment and consider the statement below and for a more complete treatment, see the UB
undergraduate catalogue section on academic dishonesty at: http://undergradcatalog.buffalo.edu/policies/course/integrity.shtml.
Students are responsible for the honest completion and representation of their work, for
the appropriate citation of sources, and for respect for others’ academic endeavors. By
placing their name on academic work, students certify the originality of all work not
otherwise identified by appropriate acknowledgements. It is difficult and unnecessary to
provide a definition for every act of academic dishonesty. The generic term covers a
multitude of wrongful acts and derives content through usage custom, and a commonly
shared understanding of integrity and responsibility. All of these sources of standards are
particularly important in the profession and the practice of communication and
information science. Depending on the severity of the violation, disciplinary action may
range from a warning or admonition, to an “F” grade for a course, to expulsion from a
degree program. For guidelines on specific actions and procedures to be followed in
negotiating and adjudicating charges see the Academic Integrity section of the
Undergraduate Handbook [link above].
The Instructor: David Aragona. I am currently a PhD. student in the communication
department. I hold both a B.A. and a M.A. in communication from UB. All told I have
spent seven consecutive years at the University at Buffalo. This staggering time period is
compounded by the fact that I was also born and raised in Buffalo. My past research has
been conducted in mass media and I am currently studying nonverbal communication
with Dr. Frank.
Contact Information. My email is Daragona@buffalo.edu. My office is 16 Baldy Hall
(In the basement). My office hours are by email arrangement, but immediately after class
will typically be a good time to meet.
Text and Readings. I hate spending money on textbooks, and so do you. Most
communication theories are best understood by reading peer reviewed journal articles. As
such I will post readings for some, but not all of the theories on UBlearns. Readings will
be a mix of journal articles and book chapters. The readings are to be done before the
theory is discussed in class. Completing reading assignments is a vital activity for this
class, as the readings will be included on the test, and the authors do a much better job of
explaining theory than I do.
The Rules. Rule 1: Be on time for class. When you show up late you distract me and
other students around you, it’s annoying. Rule 2: It’s obvious at this point, but still needs
to be stated: Turn off your cell phone. Rule 3: I do not hand out or post lecture notes.
You are responsible for the material in class. This class does not grade attendance, but if
you want to do well it is important to show up. Rule 4: If you miss a test you receive an F
for that test. If you have a reasonable conflict, notify me well in advance so we can make
other arrangements.
Exams and Course Grades. There are 4 graded assignments in this class each worth
25% of your total grade. They are:
- 2 in class Exams (Multiple Choice, True/False, Short Answer)
- Presentation of current research on a theory discussed in class. Presentations will
be about 10 minutes at the beginning of class. No one wants to hear me talk for an
hour and 20 minutes; this is a good chance to learn from each other about the
current state of communication research.
- Final paper (5 pages). You will create your own communication theory. More on
this in class.
In addition, a good attendance rate in this class will positively affect your grade. At
several points during the semester, I will give unannounced in-class assignments.
Completion of these assignments will be good for a 1 point increase on a test raw score.
For instance completing three in-class assignments could raise your test score from a
33/40 to a 336/40. Those of you who choose not to come to class frequently fear not,
these assignments can only help your grade. Of course, if you miss a lot of class it will be
hard to score well on the exams.
Extra Credit. There may be opportunity to earn extra credit if research opportunities
arise within the communication department that needs student participation. There is no
guarantee of this and student participation is voluntary. Typically studies are quite
innocuous and require students to complete an anonymous survey or questionnaire. I
typically grant 1 point on a given exam for each 1 hour of participation.
Course Schedule
Dates
1/16
1/18
1/23
1/25
1/30
2/1
2/6
2/8
2/13
2/15
2/20
2/22
2/27
3/1
3/6
3/8
3/1217
3/20
3/22
3/27
3/29
Topic/Reading
Introduction to course, Definitions of communication and theory
Perspectives on communication, Testing communication theories
Balance theory
Cognitive Dissonance theory, Reading- Festinger and Carlsmith
Bem’s Alternative, Steele’s Self Affirmation, Reading- Steele
article
Elaboration likelihood model , Expectancy violation theory,
Reading- Burgoon on EVT
Foot in the Door, Door in the Face Reading- to be posted
Social Judgment Theory, Social Information processing ReadingSherif 1963
Information Manipulation Theory, Speech Accommodation
Theory, Language Expectancy Theory
Cialdini on Social Proof Reading- Social Proof, Littering Study
Langer on Mindlessness Reading- Langer 1978
Milgram on Authority Reading-Milgram 1963
Bystander Apathy Reading- Darley & Latane 1968
Exam 1 Review
Exam 1
No Class
No Class, Spring Break
Go over Exam 1: Agenda-Setting, Framing Reading-McCombs
and Shaw
Cultivation theory, Social Learning Reading- Gerbner and Gross
Entertainment Education; Knowledge-Gap Hypothesis ReadingTichenor 1970
Exam/Note
Exam 1
4/3
4/5
4/10
4/12
4/17
4/19
4/24
4/26
Spiral of Silence , Uses and Gratifications Reading- Uses and
Grats chapter
Symbolic Interactionism; Spotlight effect
Social Penetration theory; Uncertainty reduction theory readingBerg on Social Penetration, Berger 1975
Groupthink- Reading- Janis on Groupthink
Diffusion of Innovations Reading- Rodgers on diffusion
Non-Verbal Deception Reading- Ekman 1974
Erosion Theory, Reading-Feeley and Barnett 1997 Final Paper
Due
Review
Exam 2
Final Paper
Exam 2