Communications Studies (COMS) 381 - Lecture 20
History of Communications
Winter 2007
Saturdays 08:00 a.m. - Noon  

Instructor:	Dr. Mark Wolfe
Office Location:	By appointment
Office Phone:	471-3202
E-Mail:	mwolfe@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:	www.ucalgary.ca/~mwolfe
Office Hours:	By appointment

Additional Information

Note: COMS 381.20 IS A HALF-YEAR COURSE RUNNING AS A WEEKEND U SESSION IN WINTER 2007 Please check the course website before attending the first class and then regularly for announcements, reading schedules and updates: www.ucalgary.ca/~mwolfe/380- 98-Fall.html

Course Description

This course surveys major events in the early history of human communication -- from Neanderthal bone etchings to television -- and uses communication theory to understand their evolutionary influence on social reality and human being. Lectures and class interaction aim at developing a critical perspective on information technologies specifically that have emerged throughout history, with emphasis in the latter part of the course on mass communication technologies. Tutorials comprise technology demonstrations, a tutorial on researching and writing term papers, website training in preparation for a major class project, and working time for preparation of collaborative student presentations.

Objectives of the Course

Students will develop historical appreciation and theoretical grasp of the role of communication and information technologies in the intellectual development of the West, particularly as influenced by other cultures. Ongoing class interaction and presentations will encourage collaborative work and strengthen public speaking skills. Weekly research reports and the completion of a major term project will underscore the importance of historical and cultural context when using a contemporary information technology to manipulate, create and share meaning.

Textbooks and Readings:

Crowley, David and Heyer, Paul, Communication in History. Fifth Edition. Allyn and Bacon, 2007. Ong, Walter J., Orality and Literacy: The Technologizing of the Word. Routledge, 1982. COMS 380 Book of Readings -- Prepared by Mark Wolfe

Assignments and Evaluation

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.

Weekly research reports 30 % Group Presentation -- 20 % Quiz #1 -- 10% Quiz #2 -- 10% Term Paper or Website --20% In-class participation -- 10%.

Note: Please return assignments directly to the 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: No

Please note: If your class is held in the evening, the Registrar's Office will make every attempt to schedule the final exam during the evening; however, there is NO guarantee that the exam will NOT be scheduled during the day.

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 wish help with your writing at any stage, including drafts, you are invited to contact the Writing Centre, SS110, 220-7255.

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. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. 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 (SS110) 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 www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info

"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.

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

To be handed out in class.