SP 416 and 516 -Theories of CommunicationTuesdays and Thursdays 2-3:50 p.m. PCAT 130 Course Number: 13089 4 credits FALL 2003 Synthia-Lou Coleman, PhD Associate Professor Department of Communication Office: Neuberger Hall 29 Telephone: 503.725.5368 Email: ccoleman@pdx.edu Web page: Cynthia-Lou Coleman, PhD Fall Office Hours: T 4-4:30 W by appointment Th 4-6 p.m. Required Readings Theories of Human Communication (7th edition) 2002 S. Littlejohn Graduate Students Case Study Research (3rd edition 2002) R. Yin Course Packet (fee charged) Clean Copy 1704 SW Broadway Avenue Telephone: 503.221.1876 Recommended Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA Style Manual) From the catalogue "This course examines the major lines of theoretical development in the study of human communication, as well as examining their diverse and alternative assumptive bases for theory construction and critical analysis. Particular attention given to questions of causal or practical necessity, and reductionistic or holistic analysis of communication process and phenomena. Required participation of students in a group project to investigate and report to class on a specific theory. Prerequisite: 6 credits upper-division communication." About the Course What does all this mean? It means you will learn about many of the fundamental theories in communication. In order to accomplish this, you will need to understand the underpinnings of theory. What is theory? How is it defined? How is it studied? What makes a theory? Turning to communication, many researchers spend their entire careers focusing on communication theory but we are restricted to a 10-week period. With that in mind, students will be expected to understand a broad range of theories in general, and several well-chosen theories in depth. You are encouraged to examine theories of special interest to you, and ones that complement other courses you are taking. However, every assignment for this class is unique (you may never submit the same paper for two different classes). Many courses in our department concentrate on specific theories in greater detail (for example, you can take courses in interpersonal, organizational or group communication, to name just three). This class will offer more of an overview of such theories with a greater concentration in contemporary communication and mass media. Students will explore classic and modern theories and methods concerning communication, including mass media. The group process is designed to assist students in learning deeply about specific theories. Groups will be constructed so that students can best use their time to understand theories. Course Objectives: Several objectives are sought:
IMPORTANT Class Issues The class is structured in a traditional lecture and discussion format. At times guest speakers will present discussions. Occasionally films or special events are including, depending on availability. Students will arrive on time. One break will be offered mid-way during class so that students can take a break. At times the class will break into different sections so that 416 and 516 students can meet independently. No food is allowed in class, but drinks are permitted. Eating is distracting to other students and to anyone leading class discussion. Class attendance is mandatory. Professors differ in their approach to class attendance, so let me be clear: attendance and active participation are expected and required. This is particularly important in view we have 10 class sessions only. If you miss one class, you have missed 5% of the course. In that light, each missed class will result in a 5% reduction of your overall numeric grade. Students who have a legitimate reason (which will be determined by the professor) to be excused from attending class are required to speak with the professor concerning the circumstances surrounding the absence. A word about deadlines. Homework, papers and assignments are due on the dates outlined in the Syllabus. There is no provision for late papers. My philosophy is that you have been given these deadlines with ample time to plan effectively. Assignments are due at the beginning of class: you are not allowed to forgo class for the sake of a written assignment. Beware: Computers seem to break down right when you need them most. Do NOT write or print your papers just before class meets. Philosophy & Expectations My philosophy is that your learning is an intersection of reading the materials, actively participating in class discussion, listening to lectures and presentations, and attending to social issues that are relevant to communication. I encourage participation and discussion based on knowledge you have gleaned attending class and from attending to the course materials. My expectation is that you are thoroughly engaged in class: that you come to each class prepared, enthusiastic and open to learning. Writing & Presentation My expectation is that your work will be error-free, clean, written in excellent English style and grammatically correct. You are required to use the stylistic guidelines of your discipline (APA style for communication). Papers, Tests & Assignments You are encouraged to prepare abstracts for each reading. However, these are not graded.
A Note about You are encouraged to contact the professor Email via e-mail whenever you have questions or comments, and please allow 24 hours for a response. However, e-mail is not an acceptable method for turning in assignments for this class. All students are required to hand in assignments on the dates required, in person. Special Circumstances Students with documented disabilities who need accommodation must contact Disability Services for Students to obtain assistance. Inform the professor the first week of class in order to receive accommodation. Students who are requesting to be excused from class because of a religious or personal circumstance must receive permission from the professor the first week of class. Inform the professor of any anticipated absence due to special circumstances. Documentation will be required. Please inform the professor of any personal issues that might affect your attendance or work, or if any of the readings, films or assignments are objectionable. Grading Policies Assignments:
My Policy Courses and professors vary, so please be mindful that the grading requirements for this course will vary from other courses you are taking. Great care is taken in the course to ensure fairness in grading. In the rare case when a grade is disputed, students must deliver a written report with justification to the professor within a week's time. For this class, please identify your assignments with your name. About homework & abstracts Students will be awarded full credit for turning in complete and acceptable homework on time. Remember to keep a copy of each assignment you turn in: it may not be returned to you. A total of 20 abstracts are required for the course (about 2 per week). Final Grading Assessment
About grades in Communication Studies: acceptable passing grades for graduate students are A and B. Acceptable passing grades for undergraduate students are A, B and C. Students cannot take this course for pass-no credit, and incomplete grades are given only in super extraordinary circumstances beyond all perceived control. The University requires that a signed contract must be on file for any incomplete, which must be completed within one academic term (including summer) following the term the course was offered. Ethical Issues Group work. Based on instructor's permission you may collaborate on some assignments with other members of the class. However, every student must turn in her or his own, personal work for each assignment. While you may also work with classmates on the literature reviews or applied case studies, each student will have her/his own unique concept and case study. Also, each paper must be the individual student's work---the paper itself cannot be collaborative. All papers turned in for the class must be the result of your original work in this class specifically: you are not permitted to hand in an assignment you wrote for another class. Similarly you are not permitted to use assignments from this class for any other class. With that in mind, you are encouraged to choose literature, concepts and cases that will assist you in your thesis, project or coursework. Plagiarism It is essential that all students thoroughly understand that any work written by someone else-whether spoken, obtained on the internet, found in magazines, or located within texts---cannot be reproduced in your written materials without attending to copyright, fair use, and citation standards followed in scholarly research. Do not use any information from a source unless you have properly reported and cited the source. Information about citation standards is located in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA Style Manual). See also http://www.apastyle.org/ Whether or not you are familiar with these standards you are still responsible for upholding them. If you claim that work you obtained from another source is your own, or if you submit a paper written for another class, you will receive a grade of zero (0) for the paper. Housekeeping Papers and final projects due at the end of the term are not automatically returned to the student. If you want your final paper or project returned you must make provisions with the professor at the time the paper is due. Questions? Suggestions? Please provide feedback on the syllabus, assignments and the class overall. Your feedback helps make this, and the subsequent class, better! Participation includes class and online discussion, and is graded based on the discretion of the professor. Values are as follows: excellent 95-100 points; above average 84-94; average 72-93; and below average 60-71. Abstracts that are not received on time will receive a reduced grade or no grade. |