Theoretical approaches to the study of human interaction, media effects and strategic communication. The course emphasizes the way theories can be used in message design, dissemination, and analysis.

Various articles available in Canvas modules. (No, you don’t have to buy a book, but you still need to read!)

• Students will have opportunities to understand what theory is and how to think with and apply theory in personal and professional work situations.

  Assessment: a) Class activities will emphasize theory comprehension by discussing key principles and components of various theories. b) Students will confirm their cognitive awareness of these theories by applying their knowledge to various communication texts/phenomena in class discussions, in quizzes, and in these assignments: Infographic, Apps and Explanations, News and Social Media, and Pop Culture.

  Ties to SUU Essential Learning Outcomes: Communication & Critical Thinking; Digital Literacy; Inquiry & Analysis

• Students will have the opportunity to become familiar with major theories that span key areas of study in the communication discipline.

  Assessment: a) Students will study relevant communication theories and well-known theorists in lecture/class discussion to become familiar with their application and strengths/weaknesses. b) Students will have an opportunity to evaluate their level of mastery in course quizzes and portfolio assignments. c) Students will also be exposed to the various ways theory informs research by completing these assignments: Original Article Explanation, Key Terms, and Annotated Bibliography.

  Ties to SUU Essential Learning Outcomes: Communication & Critical Thinking

• Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their acquired theoretical knowledge about a key communication theory by completing a capstone theory portfolio that is thoroughly conceptualized, researched, and executed in correct APA style (where applicable).

  Assessment: a) Students will complete all portfolio assignments. b) Students will display all assignments in a wix, weebly, canva, google sites or wordpress blog page to display their semester’s work. c) Students will present a sample of their work in a 5–7-minute presentation at the end of the semester.

  Ties to SUU Essential Learning Outcomes: Inquiry & Analysis; Communication & Critical Thinking; Digital Literacy

Quizzes

Quizzes will consist of multiple-choice and short answer questions taken from assigned readings in Canvas as well as course lectures/discussions. All quizzes will be taken via Canvas and will be open note. You cannot take them with other students. Any student caught violating this expectation will fail that quiz. Repeat offenders will fail the course and disciplinary actions will be pursued. Quizzes will be challenging and will require you to read the material thoroughly, take good notes and make connections between theory and application. Regular class attendance and completing course readings will be critical here. With the exception of the final, quizzes will be open for 1 week after that instructional unit ends, so plan your time accordingly. There will be 6 Units of Instruction with a quiz for each one.

Written Work

Assignments for this class should conform to APA 7th edition style (where appropriate). It is your responsibility to obtain the style guide and make sure you understand how to properly cite your sources in both the text and in the reference section. The specific requirements for each assignment are discussed in Canvas, including a discussion of how the grade for each assignment will be weighted. Please read each of these documents carefully. Although we will discuss them in class, you may have additional questions that require you to meet with me during office hours. If you are unsure about how to complete these assignments, please ask because I want you to be successful in this course. Additionally, if you have any concerns over a grade that you receive on an assignment or quiz, think carefully about your question, write down what you see as a discrepancy and address it within 1 week. Issues not addressed during this time will stand as graded.

Grading Scale

Assignments and Points

Unit Breakdown

• Unit #1: Day 1 Discussion; Understanding Communication Theories
• Unit #2: Uncertainty Reduction; Social Penetration; Relational Dialectics
• Unit #3: Elaboration Likelihood; Extended Parallel Process
• Unit #4: Agenda Setting; Uses & Gratifications; Media Ecology
• Unit #5: Aristotle; Constructivism
• Unit #6: Kategoria (Attack); Image Repair (Apologia); Antapologia (Response)

Weekly Schedule

Week #1

• Aug 27 — Course Introduction; “Message”; Portfolio
• Aug 29 — Understanding Communication Theories — Attendance & AI Quiz Due

Week #2

• Sep 1 — No Class – Labor Day
• Sep 3 — Understanding Communication Theories — Topic Approval Due
• Sep 5 — Understanding Communication Theories

Week #3

• Sep 8 — Understanding Communication Theories (Unit 1 Ends)
• Sep 10 — Workshop Day — Original Article Due
• Sep 12 — Uncertainty Reduction Theory

Week #4

• Sep 15 — Uncertainty Reduction Theory — Unit #1 Quiz Due
• Sep 17 — Social Penetration Theory
• Sep 19 — Social Penetration Theory — Key Terms Due

Week #5

• Sep 22 — Relational Dialectics
• Sep 24 — Relational Dialectics (Unit 2 Ends)
• Sep 26 — Workshop Day — Portfolio Format Due

Week #6

• Sep 29 — Elaboration Likelihood Model
• Oct 1 — Elaboration Likelihood Model — Unit #2 Quiz Due
• Oct 3 — Extended Parallel Process Model

Week #7

• Oct 6 — Extended Parallel Process Model (Unit 3 Ends)
• Oct 8 — Agenda Setting Theory
• Oct 10 — Agenda Setting Theory — Annotated Bibl. Due

Week #8

• Oct 13 — No Class – Fall Break
• Oct 15 — Uses & Gratifications Theory — Unit #3 Quiz Due
• Oct 17 — Uses & Gratifications Theory

Week #9

• Oct 20 — Media Ecology Theory
• Oct 22 — Media Ecology Theory (Unit 4 Ends)
• Oct 24 — Workshop Day — Apps Due

Week #10

• Oct 27 — The Rhetoric of Aristotle
• Oct 29 — The Rhetoric of Aristotle — Unit #4 Quiz Due
• Oct 31 — Constructivism

Week #11

• Nov 3 — Constructivism (Unit 5 Ends)
• Nov 5 — Workshop Day — Infographic Due
• Nov 7 — Kategoria (Theory of Attack)

Week #12

• Nov 10 — Kategoria (Theory of Attack) — Unit #5 Quiz Due
• Nov 12 — Image Repair Theory — News & Social Media Due
• Nov 14 — Image Repair Theory

Week #13

• Nov 17 — Antapologia Theory (Unit 6 Ends)
• Nov 19 — Portfolio Presentations
• Nov 21 — Portfolio Presentations — Pop Culture Due

Week #14

• Nov 24 — No Class – Thanksgiving Break
• Nov 26 — No Class – Thanksgiving Break
• Nov 28 — No Class – Thanksgiving Break

Week #15

• Dec 1 — Portfolio Presentations
• Dec 3 — Portfolio Presentations — Final Portfolio Link Due
• Dec 5 — Portfolio Presentations

Final

• Dec 11 — Quiz #6 Final (Open 9–11 am this day only) — Unit #6 Quiz Due

Late Work and Incompletes

You should plan to turn in your work by 11:59 pm on the day it is due. Late work will receive a non-negotiable 10% grade reduction for each day it is late unless your situation falls under the excused category discussed in the attendance policy. Late assignments must be turned in no later than one week after they are due, or you will receive a zero. Incompletes will not be awarded in this course except for a serious medical crisis or other extenuating circumstances judged on a case-by-case basis. To be eligible for an incomplete contract you must be passing the course with a C- and have completed at least 75% of the assignments.

Technology Use

The following behaviors related to cell phone use distract from the learning environment and will not be tolerated in class: (1) Absolutely no texting. (2) Do not answer your phone unless you’ve notified the instructor regarding an unusual circumstance in your life. (3) Do not take pictures of or record other people; it is a violation of their privacy and rights to an appropriate learning environment. Computer use in class is supported for note-taking and visiting relevant websites; do not check/return email, surf the web, or play games during class.

Email Communication

You will receive frequent emails related to the learning process (e.g., due dates, changes to class schedule). The instructor will use the email you have supplied to SUU, so please check it regularly. While responses will be as timely as possible, email is typically checked during work hours; expect replies within 24 hours during the work week, but not on weekends.

Regular attendance and participation are strongly encouraged in this course. Attendance will be taken daily and a point value explanation will be posted in Canvas for earning points for coming to class. Legitimate absences will be accounted for when calculating this part of your grade. Such absences include documented illness, family emergencies, or school-approved functions. If your absence will affect when assignments or quizzes are due, you need to contact the instructor to discuss an alternative arrangement.

To keep campus running smoothly for all of us, please vigilantly monitor your health. Avoid coming to class if you wake up feeling sick, but notify the instructor (in advance if possible) by email. Your personal health will be the guiding logic behind this policy. Unique situations will be handled on a case-by-case basis, and the instructor reserves the right to make the final judgment about what constitutes an excused absence and opportunities to make up work.

Class sessions will not be recorded nor broadcast over Zoom. Refer to posted slides, notes from classmates, and office hours to help you understand any content you might have missed.

Constructive feedback about course content and instruction is appreciated and used to make improvements based on patterns that surface. Please take time at the end of the semester to share your experiences in the course.