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Communication Studies (CMNS) 301
Communication Theory and Analysis (Revision 4)

Revision 4 closed, replaced by current version.

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Opened in Moodle January 11, 2008.

Delivery mode: Individualized study with a video component.* Online-enhanced.
*Overseas students, please contact the University Library before registering in a course that has an audio/visual component.

Credits: 3 - Social Science.

Prerequisite: None.

Centre: Centre for State and Legal Studies

CMNS 301 has a Challenge for Credit option.

Télé-université du Québec equivalency: COM 1001/1002.

Course website

Overview

This is one of two foundation courses for the Bachelor of Professional Arts (Communication Studies) degree program. It introduces students to an array of international theories of mass communication. The course focuses on developing notions of mass communication in the twentieth century, debates surrounding issues in the field, and the practical application of theory to practice. The course is designed to accommodate varying levels of experience with communication theory. Students are advised to take the course early in their program.

Course Objectives

Communication Theory and Analysis is intended to accomplish the following objectives:

  1. Understanding: to introduce students to a broad range of approaches to mass communication theory so that students can comprehend the ideas at play in the professional literature and in the practice of communication.
  2. Critical analysis: to increase students' ability to analyse concepts and issues in mass communication theory, and to develop and defend their own positions on a variety of issues.
  3. Application: through the exploration of debates and case studies, to help students determine how the positions that they have developed might apply to circumstances arising in their professional practice.

Outline

Part I: Introduction

  • Unit 1: Introduction to Theory

Part II: Persuasion

  • Unit 2: Classical Rhetoric and Public Communication
  • Unit 3: Contemporary Rhetoric and Attitude Change
  • Unit 4: Propaganda

Part III: Media and Culture

  • Unit 5: Semiotics
  • Unit 6: McLuhan and Innis
  • Unit 7: Uses and Effects Models of Mass Media
  • Unit 8: The Frankfurt and Birmingham Schools and Critical Theory
  • Unit 9: Agenda-setting Theories

Part IV: Conclusion

  • Unit 10: Comparing Theories

Evaluation

To receive credit for CMNS 301, you must complete all of the assignments and achieve a course composite grade of at least “D” (50 percent). The weighting of the composite mark is as follows:

Unit Journals 9 worth 5% each Critical Review Position Paper Total
45% 20% 35% 100%

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

Textbooks

Griffin, Em. A First Look at Communication Theory, 7th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2009.

Marris, Paul, and Sue Thornham, eds. Media Studies: A Reader, 2nd ed. New York: New York University Press, 2000.

Other materials

The course materials also include a study guide, student manual, and a reading file.

Library-based course materials

Viewing

Several videotapes are held on reserve for students enrolled in Communication Studies 301, and are available on request from Athabasca University Library. As you work your way through the Study Guide, you will be directed to view these videos. Please note that Manufacturing Consent consists of two parts, and Mixed Messages consists of five programs.

The Killing Screens: Media and the Culture of Violence, produced by George Gerbner and directed by Sut Jhally. Northampton, MA: Media Education Foundation, 1994.

Killing Us Softly: Advertising's Image of Women, by Jean Kilbourne, Joseph Vitagliano, and Pat Stallone. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge Documentary Films, 1979.

Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media, directed and produced by Peter Wintonick and Mark Achbar, a Necessary Illusions-National Film Board of Canada co-production. Montreal: National Film Board of Canada, 1994. Parts 1 and 2.

Mixed Messages: Portrayals of Women in Media. Edmonton: Access, 1995. Programs 1-5.

Modern Times, written and directed by Charlie Chaplin. Beverly Hills: FoxVideo, Inc., 1989.

Listening

Several compact discs are held on reserve for students enrolled in Communication Studies 301, and are available on request from Athabasca University Library. As you work through Unit 8 in the Study Guide, you will be directed to listen to selections from the following compact discs as examples of music categories.

American Graffiti. MCA Records, Inc. MCAS 2-8001.

Anarchy in the UK: UK Punk I (1976-77). Rhino Records, Inc. R2 71171.

Bedtime for Democracy. Dead Kennedys. Alternative Tentacles Records. Virus 50CD.

The Best of the Cadillacs. The Cadillacs. Rhino Records, Inc. R2 709555.

Come Go with Me: The Best of The Del-Vikings. The Del-Vikings. HIP-O Records. HIPBD 40059.

Dirty Dancing: The Time of Your Life. Original Soundtrack from the Vestron Motion Picture. RCA 6408-2-R.

Operator's Manual. The Buzzcocks. International Record Syndicate. X213135.

Sinatra 80th: All the Best. Frank Sinatra. Capitol Compact Disc. 7243 8 35952 2 8.

Symphonies 5 and 7, by Ludwig Van Beethoven. Directed by Christian Thielemann. Philharmonia Orchestra. Deutsche Grammophon. Stereo 449 981-2.

Special Course Feature

Students registered in this course may take part in computer conferencing.