SP511: Introduction to Graduate Studies
Dr. David Ritchie, NH41
Fall Quarter, 2006. Mondays at 5:00, OND 201


Office Hours: Monday before class, Tuesday & Thursday, 11-12; sign-up outside my office door. I usually check my e-mail at least twice daily (cgrd@pdx.edu).
Web Page: http://web.pdx.edu/~cgrd/
Phone: 5-3550. Home: 503-235-7191.

Assigned Reading:
  • Clark, H. H. (1996). Using Language. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. Ch. 1, "Introduction," pp. 3-25.
  • Craig, R. T. (1999). Communication theory as a field. Communication Theory, 9(2): 119-161.
  • Ritchie, L. D. (2003). "ARGUMENT IS WAR" - Or is it a game of chess? Multiple meanings in the analysis of implicit metaphors. Metaphor and Symbol, 18, 125-146, with previous versions and reviewers' comments. (WebCT)
    • The Style Manual of the American Psychological Association.

  • Babbie, Earl, The Practice of Social Research. (References are to the 10th Edition, but most editions cover the same material.) Wadsworth.

Other assigned readings will be available via e-reserve from the library or on WebCT.

Objectives:
  • Understand the current structure of the Communication discipline.
  • Understand the procedures and requirements for the Master's degree in Communication.
  • Improve ability to write a literature review.

Format: The class will operate primarily as a discussion seminar. Discussions will be based entirely on assigned readings, so it is imperative that students keep up with the readings.

WebCT: Each week, students will post discussion notes on the assigned readings on WebCT by Friday evening. These will include questions raised by the week's assignment, as well as applications to your own research interests, or connections to other readings and materials from other coursework; all postings are expected to culminate in questions and issues for discussion. Each student is also expected to post responses to other students' postings each week by Sunday evening (Total of 20% of your grade.)

Attendance: Regular attendance and full participation in every class meeting is essential both to the individual student and to the class. Unexcused absences, repeated late arrivals, or failure to keep up with assigned readings may result in a failing grade.

A seminar format also assumes complete co-presence, and the absence of distractions such as side-bar conversations, cell-phones or other communication devices, or attention to other materials not related to the class.

Assignments: Written assignments will be graded for style and presentation as well as content. Clear, literate (and grammatical) writing is an assumption in this program: You will not receive a passing grade for work that does not meet professional standards of writing. Review the APA style manual and use them on every assignment. If you have had problems in the past with paragraph structure, sentence structure, and/or spelling, be sure to use a good general style manual as well as a dictionary (and you may want to secure the services of a good copy editor). All work is to be double spaced, in 12 point type with one inch margins.

Every paper must include a complete list of references in APA format.

Team Assignment: (10%; Due Oct. 9) You will work in four groups; each will focus on the literature from one decade: 50s, 60s, 70s, or 80s. Select at least one year within the selected decade plus one year from 2000-2006; peruse at least 4 issues from those years from each of the following journals: Journal of Communication, Communication Monographs, and Quarterly Journal of Speech, plus at least one journal from a cognate discipline (for example JPSP, Human Relations). List all articles published in each journal by title (for journals from other disciplines, list only communication-related articles). Skim the abstracts and select several articles to read. Each group will make a complete report to the class characterizing how the discipline has changed over time, focusing on (1) themes and topics of central interest; (2) theoretical assumptions and preoccupations; (3) recurring concepts and how they are defined and observed; (4) how the work of other theorists and researchers is used to develop authors' arguments; (5) developing ideas about research methods.

Written Assignment #1. (10%, Due Oct. 16). Briefly state a researchable question that has been discussed in the Communication literature, and that interests you. Explain why it is interesting, with attention to both its theoretical and its practical importance. Find at least 3 studies within the past 10 years that are related to the topic. Compare and contrast the research questions and findings from these studies. Based on our review of the history of the discipline (Week 3), briefly discuss how this topic fits into the themes that have characterized the discipline over the past few decades. State a more focused research question that is similar in focus and scope to those addressed by the published studies, and identify concepts and theories that may be relevant to your question. This may serve as the basis for your term paper assignment.

Written Assignment #2. (10%, due Oct. 30). In a short essay (5 pages or so) reflect on the process of academic writing, using the assigned reading as well as any other material, including your own experience. I would like you to touch on at least the following topics:
  • the form of argumentation used, including the role of contrast, opposition, and synthesis
  • the use of citations of other authors, and the use of paraphrases and quotations in particular
  • the use and explanation of key concepts, and how these concepts are related to those used by other authors
  • the role of response and criticism in developing an author's ideas as well as in shaping the final text (this is a good model for the peer review process)

Written Assignment #3. (10%; due Nov. 20). Identify a specific research question. You may develop a question that emerges out of the first written assignment, or you may develop an entirely new question. Write a 12-15 page essay in which you draw on crucial recent literature to summarize the "state of the art" with respect to your research question, and culminates in either a more focused research question or a theory (or competing theories) with testable hypotheses. Note: A series of "book review" synopses is not a literature review: I expect you to develop a coherent essay drawing on prior research in support of your assessment of what we (the social sciences) currently know or theorize about your question. Identify and define key concepts; if different authors have defined a concept differently, discuss the differences and explain how you would plan to resolve them. Bring three copies, one for me and one each for two colleagues. We will exchange papers and each of you will prepare a detailed review and response to two of your colleagues' essays.

Peer Review. (10%, due Nov. 27). You will prepare a detailed written review of two of your colleagues' essays, covering addressing content, additional themes to consider, etc. as well as issues of writing style, clarity, etc. You will bring two copies, one for me and one for the author, and you will summarize the most important points for the class. These will be graded for thoroughness, helpfulness, insight, relevance, and felicity of expression (how well can you point up needed corrections and improvements, and suggest additional ideas to pursue, without being needlessly harsh?)

Final Paper. (20%, due Dec. 4). Revise, incorporating peer review comments; attach a one-page description of how you responded to the reviews.

Poster. (10%, due Dec. 4). You will each prepare a visual summary of your term paper, on a poster or other visual medium with maximum dimensions of 4' by 6'. The poster should consist primarily of diagrams, graphs, causal models, etc.; any words should be in letters at least ¾ inches high - large enough to be read easily from 6-8 feet away. That implies very few words.

Meetings and Assignments


Sept. 25. Introduction; organization; expectations.
Introductions; course procedures.
WebCT: Post a brief self-introduction.

Oct. 2. Communication as a social and cognitive activity.
Assignment:
Clark, H. H. (1996). Using Language. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. Ch. 1, "Introduction," pp. 3-25.

Oct. 9. Journals and the development of the discipline.
Team Assignment: Will be presented and discussed in class.
WbCT: Comment both on the process itself and on your insights and observations.

Oct. 16. Social Research
Assignment: Babbie, Ch. 1-2
Written Assignment #1. Due at the beginning of class.
Oct. 23. The Intellectual Organization of the Discipline: One Model
Assignment: Craig, R. T. (1999). Communication theory as a field. Communication Theory, 9(2): 119-161.

Oct. 30. Writing as a process
Assignment: Ritchie (2003), beginning with the first draft. Read each set of reviewers' / editor's comments then the next draft in succession.
Written Assignment #2 due.

Nov. 6. Research Design
Assignment: Babbie's chapter on Research Design. (Ch. 4 in the 10th edition). WebCT comments should discuss how this material applies to the material you are reviewing for your term project.

Nov. 13. Concepts and Theories
Assignment: Babbie's chapter on Conceptualization (Ch. 5 in the 10th edition).

Nov. 20. Practical and Ethical Issues
Assignment: Babbie's chapter on politics & ethics (Ch. 3 in the 10th edition); PSU HSRRC guidelines, available at http://www.gsr.pdx.edu/compliance/human/forms.html
Written Assignment #3 due. Bring three copies, one for me and one each for two colleagues. We will exchange papers and each of you will prepare a detailed review and response to two of your colleagues' essays.

Nov. 27. Peer Review and Discussion
Each student will give a brief 2-3 minute summary, following which the two reviewers will present their reviews, addressing content, additional themes to consider, etc. as well as issues of writing style, clarity, etc.
WebCT: Post observations and comments about the process.

Dec. 4. Final meeting - Poster Session

You will each prepare a visual summary of your term paper, on a poster or other visual medium with maximum dimensions of 4' by 6'. The poster should consist primarily of diagrams, graphs, causal models, etc.; any words should be in letters at least ¾ inches high - large enough to be read easily from 6-8 feet away. That implies very few words.
Final version of term paper due.