Registry
Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Description | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
This module introduces final year undergraduates to selected tenets of communication theory, with a particular emphasis on how theories can be used as tools to interpret human and mediated communication. Student activities will include in-class debates, essays and seminar presentations. In addition to exploring theories of human communication at the levels of the interpersonal, small group, organisational, and intercultural, the module also examines theories of the media, since this is the area where most students focus their work. Overall, the module critically reviews the conceptual foundations and dominant assumptions informing studies across the interdisciplinary field of communications. It retraces some of the threads that underlie contemporary scholarly approaches to the institutions, forms, patterns and styles through which communication takes place in the contemporary world. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
1. Understand and describe the philosophical underpinnings of communication theory 2. Describe and differentiate human communication in various contexts 3. Explain how media function within the overall evolution of human symbolic power as both instruments of social control/order and as agents of change 4. Explain how different historical situations shape the use of different technologies to disseminate knowledge about society 5. Research and write theoretically-informed assignments and seminar reports | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indicative Content and Learning Activities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The importance of theory. Introduction; major traditions of communication theory; varieties of human communication. Intrapersonal to Interpersonal communication. Intrapersonal to interpersonal communication; the social psychology of communication; phatic communication and online social networking.. Mass communication and media effects. Mass communication and media effects; media uses and gratifications; cultivation theory. Culture industry to cultural industries. Culture industry to cultural industries. Reception theory; encoding/decoding. Reception theory; encoding/decoding. Intercultural communication. Intercultural communication; face negotiation theory; the politicisation of culture. The public sphere. Normative theories of public communication; Habermas and the public sphere. Consumer culture and citizenship. Consumer culture and citizenship; brand communities and tribes. Agendas and Frames. Agenda setting; agenda building; framing. Spiral of silence. Spiral of silence; moral panics; visual pleasure and ideology. New Media and New Power. Media and power; globalisation and convergence; new social movements. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indicative Reading List | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Resources | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Array | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Programme or List of Programmes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CS | BA in Communication Studies | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Timetable this semester: Timetable for CM382 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of Last Revision | 08-OCT-10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Archives: |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
