SRJC Course Outlines

3/28/2024 11:11:48 PMCOMM 10 Course Outline as of Fall 2021

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  COMM 10Title:  INTRO COMM THEORY  
Full Title:  Introduction to Communication Theory
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 Scheduled06 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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An introduction to the theory of human communication.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:


Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
An introduction to the theory of human communication.
(Grade or P/NP)

Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent
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: Both Certificate and Major Applicable



COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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1.  Diagram and define key elements of communication models while applying them to
    communication situations.
2.  Identify and analyze theories that pertain to a variety of communication contexts i.e.
    intrapersonal, interpersonal, public group, organizational, cultural and mass communication.
3.  Utilize a communication theory to describe, explain, or predict human interaction and/or
    behavior.

Objectives: Untitled document
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
 
1. Compare and contrast competing models of communication
2. Diagram and define the basic elements of communication models
3. Identify, explain and contrast the Seven Traditional Fields of Communication
4. Identify, explain and contrast the Seven Contexts of Communication
5. Define "theory" and explain its goals
6. Compare and contrast different approaches to communication research
7. Explain, apply and critique a variety of communication theories drawn from a variety of
    communication contexts

Topics and Scope
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I. Introduction to the Course
    A. Defining communication
         1.   Intentional versus unintentional perspectives
         2.   Sender versus receiver perspectives
         3.      Symbolic versus non-symbolic perspectives
    B. Models of Communication
         1.      Linear
         2.      Interactional
         3.      Transactional
    C. Components of Models of Communication
         1.      Sender
         2.      Receiver
         3.      Message
         4.      Channel
         5.      Encoding
         6.      Decoding
         7.      Noise
         8.      Context
         9.      Feedback
         10.      Frames of Reference
II. The Seven Traditions of the Communication Field
    A. Cybernetic
    B. Rhetorical
    C. Semiotic
    D. Phenomenological
    E. Socio-Psychological
    F. Socio-Cultural
    G. Critical
III. The Seven Contexts of the Communication Field
    A. Intrapersonal
    B. Interpersonal
    C. Group
    D. Organizational
    E. Public/Rhetorical
    F. Mass Media
    G. Cultural
IV. Theory
    A. Definition
    B. Approaches
         1. Covering Laws
         2. Rules
         3. Systems
    C. Goals
         1. Explanation
         2. Understanding
         3. Prediction
         4. Social change
    D. Evaluation
         1. Scope
         2. Logical Consistency
         3. Parsimony
         4. Utility
         5. Testability
         6. Heurism
         7. Test of Time
V. Research
    A. The Scientific Method
    B. Quantitative
    C. Qualitative
    D. Methodologies
         1. Experiments
         2. Surveys
         3. Interviews
         4. Content Analysis
VI. Representative Communication Theories
     A. Intrapersonal and the self in communication
         1. Symbolic Interactionism
         2. General Semantics
         3. Coordinated Management of Meaning
         4. Cognitive Dissonance
          5. Expectancy Violation
         6. Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation (FIRO)
    B. Interpersonal
         1. Uncertainty Reduction
         2. Predicated Outcome Value
         3. Social Exchange
         4. Social Penetration
         5. Relational Dialectics
         6. Constructivism
         7. Proxemics
         8. Attribution
         9. Interactional
     C. Public
         1. The Rhetoric
         2. Dramatism
         3. Narrative Paradigm
         4. Dramaturgy
         5. Toulmin's Nature of Argument
    D. Groups
          1. Groupthink
         2. Structuration
         3. Leadership Styles
    E. Organizational
         1. Organizational Culture
         2. Organizational Information
         3. Information Systems
    F. Cultural
         1. Face-Negotiation
         2. Muted Group
         3. Feminist Standpoint
         4. Genderlect Styles
         5. Cultivation
         6. High and Low Contexts
    G. Media
         1. Agenda Setting
         2. Spiral of Silence
         3. Uses and Gratification
         4. Media Ecology
         5. Social Learning

Assignments:
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1. Regular reading assignments from course texts and supplementary materials
    (20-25 pages/week)
2. Exams covering assigned materials (2 - 20)
3. Homework assignments covering material from the textbook or class discussions and lectures
4. Writing assignments may include journals, short response papers, term papers,
    group papers, etc. a minimum of 500 words
5. Optional: skills demonstrations may consist of group presentations, student created videos,
    in-class skits, etc. explaining and demonstrating a particular communication theory

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
15 - 25%
Short essays, term paper, original research paper
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
0 - 25%
All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
55 - 75%
Multiple choice, True/false, Matching items, Completion, Essays
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
0 - 30%
Class participation, homework and attendance


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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A First Look at Communication Theory. 10 ed. Griffin, Em and Ledbetter, Andrew and Sparks, Glenn. McGraw-Hill Education. 2019
 
Introducing Communication Theory. 6th ed. West, Richard and Turner, Lynn. McGraw Hill. 2018
 
Contemporary Communication Theory. 2nd ed. Infante, Dominic and Rancer, Andrew and Avtgis, Theodore. Kendall Hunt. 2017
 
Human Communication in Society. 4th ed. Alberts, Jess and Nakayama, Thomas and Martin, Judith. Pearson Education. 2015
 
The Rhetoric of Western Thought: From the Mediterranean World to the Global Setting. 10th ed.  Golden, James and Berquist, Goodwin and Coleman, William.   Kendall/Hunt. 2011 (classic)

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