SRJC Course Outlines

4/29/2024 6:07:37 AMCOMM 10 Course Outline as of Fall 2005

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  COMM 10Title:  INTRO COMM STUDIES  
Full Title:  Introduction to Communication Studies
Last Reviewed:10/8/2018

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum3.00Lecture Scheduled3.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled52.50
Minimum3.00Lab Scheduled03 min.Lab Scheduled0
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total3.00 Contact Total52.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:
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Instructor suggests the thesis that next only to force the most effective way to control a society is to control its means of communication.  If instructor is right, you are victims of this fact.  This lecture-discussion class (you don't give speeches) studies contemporary subjects such as advertising, the impact of television, political propaganda, etc., against the background of Western communication tradition.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:


Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
A survey lecture course in theories of human communication.
(Grade or P/NP)

Prerequisites:
Recommended:
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Fall 1981
Inactive: 
 Area:D
Social and Behavioral Sciences
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 DSocial ScienceFall 1981
 D1Anthropology and Archeology  
 D4Gender Studies  
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 4Social and Behavioral ScienceFall 1981
 4JSociology and Criminology  
 
CSU Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 1981Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 1981Inactive:
 
C-ID:
 CID Descriptor: COMM 180 Introduction to Communication Studies or Introduction to Communication Theory SRJC Equivalent Course(s): COMM10

Certificate/Major Applicable: Not Certificate/Major Applicable



COURSE CONTENT

Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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At the end of the course students should be able to:
1.  Define "communication" and differentiate if from "rhetoric".
2.  List, define, and apply the "Roman Canons" of theory.
3.  Draw from memory the Shannon-Weaver model of communication and apply
   its concepts in an essay.
4.  Draw the "Semantic Triangle" and apply its concepts in an essay.
5.  Express the relationship between sensory perception and communication.
6.  Describe S.I. Hayakawa's "Ladder of Abstraction" and apply it in an
   essay.
7.  Answer correctly at least 60% of objective questions which requre re-
   cognition of various communication theories and concepts as presented
   in the course.
8.  Distinguish between "propaganda" and "persuation".
9.  Name, define, and apply the "Propagandists Seven Tricks of the Trade"
   developed by the Institute for Propaganda Analysis.
10.  Perform a basic Aristotilian rhetorical analysis of a public speech.
    The analysis should include:
    -  identification of the "rhetorical judge"
    -  classification, with support, as a deliberative, epideictic or
       forensic purpose.
    -  identification of the thesis and major supporting arguments
    -  identification of appeals to ethos, logos, and pathos
    -  conclude and support a critical judgement of the speech
11.  Describe the unique characteristics of the mass media.
12.  Recite the conclusions of the "Annenberg Studies" on the effects of
    television.
13.  Critique the theories of Marshall McLuhan focusing on his terms:
    global village, "the medium is the message," and "hot/cool" media.

Topics and Scope
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The course is divided into five units, as outlined below.  The topics for
each unit indicate the issues discussed but not necessarily their order.
At the start of each unit, a handout for that unit will be issued which
details readings and assignments.  At the end of Unit 1, a take-home self-
examination is given for study purposes and will be discussed in class.
The schedule shown is approximate.
1.  Introduction to the course.  (approximately the first week of the
   course)  The nature and extent of Communication Studies.  Relationship
   of this field to other academic fields.
2.  Perception and Language.  Because the general concepts of "language"
   underlie all human communication it needs to be studied first.  The
   nature of "perception" and its relationship to language.  The
   "epistemologic question":  (How do we "know" what exists in order to
     communicate it?)  The "Symbolic Process" and semantics.  Non-verbal
     communication.  "Frames of Reference"  and relativity as applied
     to communication.
3.  Traditional "Rhetoric and Public Address".  Because human communica-
   tion is so complex, it is easier to start analyzing it by examining
   the "speaker-audience" relationship and learning the relatively simple
   manipulative techniques used by speakers.  The Classical approach to
   persuasion.  The classification of speeches.  Ethos, Logos, and Pathos
   as tools of persuation.  Persuasive wording.  The effect of organiza-
   tion.  Propaganda.  Political rehetoric.  Valid and invalid reasoning.
   Case studies.
4.  "Face to Face" Communication.  Interpersonal, informal communication.
   Conversation.  Job interivews.  Samll Group communication.  Organiza-
   tional Communication.  "Networking."
5.  The Mass Media.  The unique features of a "mediated context".  How
   media affects perception.  The theories of McLuhan.  Uses-Gratifica-
   tion theory.  The constraints imposed by a medium and the opportuni-
   ties created by its use.

Assignments:
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1.  Each student is to attend approximately forty-five class lectures.
2.  Each student is to read selected sections from the texts for the
   course.  Reading assignments average twenty pages a week of relatively
   difficult communications theory.
3.  Each student is to visit selected sites in Sonoma County to observe
   the effects of space and background on communication.
4.  Each student is to monitor such current events as are incorporated
   into the course each semester.

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
30 - 40%
Essay exams
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
0 - 0%
Exams
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
60 - 70%
Multiple choice, Matching items, Completion
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
0 - 0%
None


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Littlejohn, Stephen."Theories of Human Communication"
Golden, Berquist, & Coleman. "The Rhetoric of Western Thought"
Griffen. "A First Look at Communication Theory"

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