CMNS 301 is a three-credit course that is intended to provide you with a grounding in the field of communication studies, a relatively new interdisciplinary field that draws many of its theoretical ideas about human communication from psychology, sociology, cultural studies, linguistics, philosophy, and literary studies. The course focuses on developing notions of mass communication in the twenty-first century and debates in the field.
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: Innis and McLuhan
Unit 7: Uses and Effects Models of Mass Media
Unit 8: The Frankfurt and Birmingham Schools and Critical Theory
Unit 9: Agenda-Setting Theories in the Digital Age
Objectives
Communication Theory and Analysis is intended to
introduce you to a broad range of approaches to mass communication theory so that you can understand the ideas at play in the professional literature and in the practice of communication.
increase your ability to analyze concepts and issues in mass communication theory, and to develop and defend your own positions on a variety of issues.
help you to determine, through the exploration of debates and case studies, how the positions that you have developed might apply to circumstances arising in your professional practice.
Evaluation
To receive credit for CMNS 301, you must complete all assignments and obtain a composite course grade of at least D (50 percent). The weighting of the composite mark is as follows:
Activity
Weight
Unit Journals (9x5% each)
45%
Critical Review
20%
Final Essay
35%
Total
100%
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Griffin, Em, et al. A First Look at Communication Theory. 9th ed. Boston: McGraw–Hill, 2015. (eText)
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the CMNS 301 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the examination.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.