Shanghai Normal University SUMMER 2021

COM 310: Theory

Term: 2021 Summer Session Instructor: Staff Language of Instruction: English Classroom: TBA Office Hours: TBA Class Sessions Per Week: 5 Total Weeks: 5 Total Class Sessions: 25 Class Session Length (minutes): 145 Credit Hours: 4

Course Description:

This course helps students to build a fundamental understanding of communication by introducing communication theories and histories. The course aims to prepare students for future professional life. Contexts discussed in this course across interpersonal, group, organizational, intercultural, , and cultural aspects. After this course, students should be able to recognize and apply the communication skills to real situations and events.

Course Materials:

A First Look at , 10th Edition, by Em Griffin (Author), Andrew M. Ledbetter (Author), Glenn G. Sparks (Author), 2018 Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education ISBN-13: 978-1260132434 ISBN-10: 1260132439

Course Format and Requirements:

Class time will be used for a combination of lectures, class discussions, and student presentations. Attendance

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Attendance at lectures is vital to get a thorough understanding of the material. This course requires verbal participation in class exercises, activities, and contributions to class discussions. Students must be present and actively involved to receive these points.

Grading Scale: A+: 98%-100% A: 93%-97% A-: 90%-92% B+: 88%-89% B: 83%-87% B-: 80%-82% C+: 78%-79% C: 73%-77% C-: 70%-72% D+: 68%-69% D: 63%-67% D-: 60%-62% F: Below 60%

Course Assignments:

Participation and Discussion Active participation will be the key to its success. The participation accounts for 10% of your final grade. The score will be given based on your contributions to the in-class discussions.

Quizzes There will be 5 quizzes administered through the whole semester and the lowest one will be dropped. Quizzes will always be completed in the first ten minutes of class. There will be no make-up quizzes.

Analysis Paper Through this course, each student is required to write a 10-20-page paper. The paper should focus on one communication theory and demonstrate how it could be used in a communication event. This project will count for 50% of your grade for the course and include three components: a

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Proposal A 1-5-page proposal is due by the end of the first week. The proposal is worth 10% of your final grade. It should include hypothesis or research questions, your initial reference list, and the outline of your final paper.

Final Paper After the proposal is approved, student can proceed to the paper. The final paper is due by the end of the fourth week and is worth 25% of your final grade.

Presentation Two classes in the final week will be used for the presentations. It will count for 10% of your grade. Each student will have 10-15 minutes share your work with the class. The presentation slides should be turned in before the class.

Final Exam The final will be close-book, consisting of short-answer questions and essay questions, covering material from the entire term, including in-class discussion content. Note that the final will not be taken during the normal class times. Exact time and location for final will be announced later.

Course Assessment:

Participation and Discussion 10% Quizzes 15% Analysis Paper 45% Final Exam 30% Total 100%

Course Schedule: Week Topics Activities

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1. Overview Launching Your Study of Communication Theory Quiz 1 Talk About Theory Class Discussion Weighing the Words Proposal

Interpersonal Communication Social Penetration Theory of Irwin Altman & Dalmas Taylor Uncertainty Reduction Theory of Charles Berger

2. Interpersonal Communication Class Discussion Expectancy Violations Theory of Judee Burgoon Quiz 2 Symbolic Interactionism of Coordinated Management of (CMM) of W. Barnett Pearce & Vernon Cronen Cognitive Dissonance Theory of Leon Festinger Elaboration Likelihood Model of Richard Petty & John Cacioppo

3. Group and Public Communication Class Discussion Functional Perspective on Group Decision Making of Randy Quiz 3 Hirokawa & Dennis Gouran Symbolic Convergence Theory of Ernest Bormann Cultural Approach to Organizations of Clifford Geertz & Michael Pacanowsky Critical Theory of Communication in Organizations of Stanly Deetz Dramatism of Narrative Paradigm of Walter Fisher

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4. Mass Communication Class Discussion of Quiz 4 Cultivation Theory of Analysis Paper Uses and Gratifications of Elihu Katz Agenda-Setting Theory of Maxwell McCombs & Donald Shaw of Marshall McLuhan Cultural Studies of Stuart Hall

5. Cultural Context Class Discussion Communication Accommodation Theory of Howard Giles Quiz 5 Genderlect Styles of Deborah Tannen Presentation Standpoint Theory of Sandra Harding & Julia Wood Review Muted Group Theory of Cheris Kramarae Final Exam

Academic Integrity:

Students are encouraged to study together, and to discuss lecture topics with one another, but all other work should be completed independently. Students are expected to adhere to the standards of academic honesty and integrity that are described in the Shanghai Normal University’s Academic Conduct Code. Any work suspected of violating the standards of the Academic Conduct Code will be reported to the Dean’s Office. Penalties for violating the Academic Conduct Code may include dismissal from the program. All students have an individual responsibility to know and understand the provisions of the Academic Conduct Code.

Special Needs or Assistance:

Please contact the Administrative Office immediately if you have a learning disability, a medical issue, or any other type of problem that prevents from seeing you have learned the course material. Our goal is to help you learn, not to penalize you for issues which mask your learning.

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