Communication Studies (COMS) 201 Lecture 60
Introduction to Communication Theory
Summer 2008
Mon, Wed, 11:00AM - 1:45 PM - SA 119

Instructor:	C. W. James Butler
Office Location:	SS209
Office Phone:	N/A
E-Mail:	jcbutler@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:	N/A
Office Hours:	Mon. 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM Wed. 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM

Additional Information

While we will explore the history of communication theory in the twentieth century the major focus will be on communication within today's popular culture. As such, some of the material we study manifests coarse language, sexuality, and violence. If this presents a problem for you, please contact me.

Course Description

This course introduces key communication theories.  We will examine these together in order to understand how communication occurs and to uncover critical ideas about communication. While there will be a significant consideration of the role of technology in modern communications, there will also be a strong emphasis on written and oral modes within popular culture.

 

Objectives of the Course

This course is designed to provide a broad introduction to a range of communication theories. Additionally, the course is intended to foster critical thinking that will assist students to approach their academic work from an informed and thoughtful stance.  

Textbooks and Readings:

The textbook for this course is: Julia T. Wood, Communication Theories in Action: An Introduction. 3^rd Edition (Thomson Wadsworth, 2004).  Available at the Bookstore.

Assignments and Evaluation

Proposal: 5%[1] (Due July 21)

Tutorial participation: 10%

Mid-term exam: 25% (July 23 - In-class)

Essay: 30%[2] (Due in final class August 13)

Exam 30%  (TBA)

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.
Note: Please hand in your essays directly to your tutor or instructor if possible. If it is not possible to do so, a daytime drop box is available in SS110; a date stamp is provided for your use. A night drop box is also available for after-hours submission. Assignments will be removed the following morning, stamped with the previous day's date, and placed in the instructor's mailbox.

Registrar-scheduled Final Examination:  Yes

 Policy for Late Assignments

Assignments submitted after the deadline may be penalized with the loss of a grade (e.g.: A- to B+) for each day late.

Writing Skills Statement

Faculty policy directs that all written assignments (including, although to a lesser extent, written exam responses) will be assessed at least partly on writing skills. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Writing skills include not only surface correctness (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc) but also general clarity and organization. Research papers must be properly documented.

If you need help with your writing, you may use the Writing Centre.  Visit the website for more details: www.efwr.ucalgary.ca

Grading System

The following grading system is used in the Faculty of Communication and Culture:

A+ (96-100); A (92-95); A- (86-91); B+ (81-85); B (77-80); B- (71-76);
C+ (65-70); C (62-64); C- (59-61); D+ (55-58); D (50-54); F (0-49)

 

Plagiarism

Using any source whatsoever without clearly documenting it is a serious academic offense. Consequences include failure on the assignment, failure in the course and possibly suspension or expulsion from the university.

You must document not only direct quotations but also paraphrases and ideas where they appear in your text. A reference list at the end is insufficient by itself. Readers must be able to tell exactly where your words and ideas end and other people's words and ideas begin. This includes assignments submitted in non-traditional formats such as Web pages or visual media, and material taken from such sources.

Please consult your instructor or the Writing Centre (SS 106, efwr.ucalgary.ca) if you have any questions regarding how to document sources.

Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with a disability who may require academic accommodation, it is your responsibility to register with the Disability Resource Centre (220-8237) and discuss your needs with your instructor no later than fourteen (14) days after the start of the course.

Students' Union

For details about the current Students' Union contacts for the Faculty of Communication and Culture see http://www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/su

"SAFEWALK" Program -- 220-5333

Campus Security will escort individuals day or night -- call 220-5333 for assistance. Use any campus phone, emergency phone or the yellow phone located at most parking lot booths.

Ethics
Whenever you perform research with human participants (i.e. surveys, interviews, observation) as part of your university studies, you are responsible for following university research ethics guidelines.  Your instructor must review and approve of your research plans and supervise your research.  For more information about your research ethics responsibilities, see

The Faculty of Communication and Culture Research Ethics site: http://www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/ethics

or the University of Calgary Research Ethics site: http://www.ucalgary.ca/research/compliance/ethics/info/undergrad/

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

 

SECTION ONE: LAYING A FOUNDATION

 

2 July:            Intro to the course, housekeeping,

Introduction to the field of Communications

 

7 July:                       Intro to theories (Chapter 2 and 3)

General Semantics (Chapter 4)

 

SECTION TWO: INTERPERSONAL MESSAGES

 

9 July:                        Symbolic Interactionism (Chapter 5)

 Co-ordinated Management of Meaning (Chapter 7)

 

SECTION THREE: COGNITIVE PROCESSING

14 July:          Constructivism (Chapter 7)

Ethnography (Chapter 6)

 

SECTION FOUR: RELATIONSHIP MAINTENANCE

 

16 July:          Interactional Theory (Chapter 8)

Dialectical Theory (Chapter 8)

 

21 July:          Social Exchange Theory (Chapter 9)

Developmental Theory (Chapter 9)

23 July           MID TERM EXAM. IN-CLASS. MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

SECTION FIVE: COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE

 

28 July:          Standpoint and Speech Community Theories (Chapter 10)

Organizational Culture Theory (Chapter 10)

 

30 July:          The Rhetorical Model (no assigned reading)

Dramaturgy (Chapter 6)

 

4 August:        Technological Determinism (Chapter 11)

Cultivation Theory (Chapter 11)

 

 6 August:       Muted Group Theory and Feminist Theories (Chapter 12)

Cultural Studies Theories (Chapters 12 and 13)

          

13 August:      In class review

 

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[1] A handout describing the requirements for the proposal will be provided at the first class.

[2] A detailed handout describing the requirements will be available at the first class and