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).

1. Students will have opportunities to understand what theory is and how to think with and apply theory in their personal lives and future careers.

   Assessment:

   1. Class activities will emphasize theory comprehension by discussing key principles and components of various theories.
   2. 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: infographics, apps & explanations, news & social media, & pop culture.

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

2. Students will have the opportunity to become familiar with major theories, theorists and critics that span key areas of study in the communication discipline.

   Assessment:

   1. Students will study relevant communication theories and well-known theorists in lecture/class discussion in order to become familiar with their application and strengths/weaknesses.
   2. Students will have an opportunity to evaluate their level of mastery in course quizzes and portfolio assignments.
   3. Students will also be exposed to the various ways theory informs research by completing these assignments: original article explanation & annotated bibliography.

   Ties to SUU Essential Learning Outcomes: Communication & Critical Thinking

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

   Assessment:

   1. Students will complete all portfolio assignments.
   2. Students will display all assignments in a wix, weebly or google sites page (a wordpress blog can also work) to display their semester’s work.
   3. Students will present 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

Required Canvas Assignments

Students will read provided readings and respond with relevant CANVAS assignments.

Course Assignments

You need to select a communcation theory you will use to complete your Theory Portfolio. Take the time to find a theory that really interests you because once you start on the theory you must stick with it through the rest of the semester. You may choose any theory to study, even if more than one person is working on the same theory. The theory must be a communication-related theory. Some aspect of the communication stages, parts and processes must be addressed. To complete this assignment, provide a brief answer to the following questions:

• What is the name of the theory?
• Who is the creator behind this theory?
• Why do you want to study this theory?

What you read in any theory textbook is a short summary of the original author’s idea(s). As such, it is incomplete and doesn’t necessarily represent all there is to know about the theory. Your task here is to find the original article written by the theory’s creator, a comprehensive book chapter written by the author(s), or find four other credible sources you can use to create a summary of the theory. You will need to:

• Get a PDF copy of the article or web links and read them thoroughly (you will need to submit these sources with your summary), which can be in the form of a bibliography if you go the multi-source route. Work to understand the major concepts/claims of the theory.
• Provide a specific 1-1.5 page summary of the theory. The summary should feel like a response to the question: “So, what’s this theory about anyway?” Specifically, your summary should address the key functions of the theory by showing what the theory is designed to explain, predict and control. You may want to include other functions as well.

At the end of the semester you will present your portfolio in a 4-5 minute presentation on video. You will record your presentation and post it on CANVAS. The presentation should focus on 1 (and only 1) example that you think is most interesting from your portfolio. You should also discuss what you learned by completing this assignment. It should be clear what the final product of your semester’s work looks like. Familiarize yourself with the evaluation rubric, remember the rules you learned in COMM 1010 or other speech classes and practice your presentation so it is both timely & smooth.

You should identify and create an appropriate layout for your portfolio assignments.  There are various different formats you can use: Wix, Weebly, Wordpress blog, or Google sites.  You should think about how people might navigate the content (typically in a non-linear fashion) and what would make it easiest for them to examine your work.  I’m having you set this up earlier in the semester so as you complete each assignment, receive feedback and make changes then you can load the final version into your portfolio.  For this assignment you will need to send a working link and have titles for each assignment in some kind of attractive and user-friendly layout.  Remember that every assignment except the first one (e.g., why you want to study the theory) should be included. Points will be deducted for each missing assignment.

Your task is to create an infographic for the theory you’re studying. Remember that an infographic is an attempt to explain “something” in very few words and effective pictures or graphics. So in this case, anyone who looks at the finished product should come away with a clear idea of what the theory is and how it works. To get you started, here are a couple of sites that can show you how to create an infographic:

• http://piktochart.com/
• http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/free-ppt-infographic-templates-designs-ht
• http://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/59428-12-Tools-to-Create-Infographics
• https://venngage.com/business?vap=adw-maker&utm_source=maker-adw2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIu7jNr9CT4QIVghx9Ch2BkQNYEAAYASAAEgK1TvD_BwE

(Some sites allow you to build an infographic but then charge you to download it. Make sure you can download a copy without cost before building your infographic.)

Of course, there are many other sites available to help you. Also, some of you may have more design experience than others, but regardless of skill level, simply do your best. It might be helpful to run your design by another person and ask him/her to give you an honest critique based on the grading criteria. This is a list of links related to tips about creating/evaluating infographics that you may find helpful:

• https://www.impactbnd.com/blog/12-eye-catching-infographic-design-tips
• https://designshack.net/articles/graphics/5-key-infographic-elements/
• https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/dos-and-donts-infographic-creation
• https://www.behance.net/gallery/16995453/Save-The-Animals-Infographic-Series

Remember that the goal of an infographic is to provide a visual explanation that is both clear and interesting. Once you have created the infographic, you should provide a 2-paragraph narrative that explains how your infographic captures the essence of the theory.

In order to think with theory, you should be able to identify it in the world around you. Thus, your task is to identify three apps that are directly related to an important aspect of the theory. To complete this assignment, you will need to supply the following details for each app:

1. The name of the app, the cost & a picture/image (a basic screenshot is fine).
2. A summary of the app’s purpose.
3. A clear explanation of how this app is directly related to the theory and how your knowledge of the theory helps you understand the app’s purpose in a deeper way.

Prepare an annotated bibliography of five sources from peer-reviewed journal articles (not from a textbook or a book) that use the theory specifically as part of the research. Use no more than 100 words after each citation and be certain the theory is a central part of the research investigation. You will likely find most of what you need in the library database Communication & Mass Media Complete: . If you have any questions, feel free to check with me about your sources.

Each source should contain the following five elements:

• Complete bibliographic citation for the source in APA citation style.
• Summary of the research question or purpose of the article.
• Summary of the method used.
• Summary of the central findings or conclusions.
• Summary of how the theory was used in the research & what you learned about the theory as a result of reading the article.

As you learn to think with the theory you’re studying, you should find at least three examples/artifacts of how people are using the theory to explain and/or make sense out of reality. You can take this information from social media or news outlets. The example you select should be chosen on the basis of it being informative, not entertaining. For instance, a meme can make a social commentary, but the purpose is as much to make you laugh as it is to make a point, so a meme would be a good choice for the pop culture assignment. Your task is to complete the following steps:

1. Submit a copy of the artifact (aka story, post, etc.)
2. Submit a 2-paragraph explanation of how this theory is an obvious part of the artifact & how the theory helps you understand the artifact in a more meaningful way. If you err, make sure it’s on the side of more detail rather than less.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for each artifact.

Yes, theory is even a part of entertainment, so as you study the theory you should identify three examples from TV or movies that portray the theory in a direct fashion. Here, the artifacts should be chosen based on the idea that they are designed to entertain us as the primary purpose, even if you learn something from it or it causes you to think about some issue. Then, illustrate how a knowledge of the theory can help us better understand communication. Your task is to complete the following steps:

1. Submit a copy of the artifact (a link to the clip is probably best or embed it if you like). You may want to do a powerpoint or prezi.
2. Submit a 2-paragraph explanation of how this theory is an obvious part of the artifact and how a knowledge of the theory helped you better understand the communication taking place in the clip. If you err, make sure it’s on the side of more detail rather than less.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for each artifact.

Grade Breakdown

Grades will be based on a 100% scale.

COURSE SCHEDULE - Communication 3100

LATE WORK:

You should plan to turn in your work by 11:59 pm on the day it is due. Be aware of time zone differences. Late work can be accepted on a case-by-case basis if the student contacts the professor in a timely manner (before or within one day) and in a professional manner (well written email, professional phone callWith proper discussion, the instructor may label a late assignment as “not late”. I will not award incompletes in this course except for a serious medical crisis or other extenuating circumstances that will be judged on a case-by-case basis. To be eligible for an incomplete you must be passing the course with a C- and should have completed at least 75% of the assignments.

EMAIL:

DO NOT MESSAGE ME IN CANVAS. ONLY SEND EMAIL MESSAGES TO . You will receive some emails from me this semester as we work through the course material. In our digital world you may have grown accustomed to instant responses through calls, texts, snapchats, etc. Please remember though that I am not at work 24/7 so if you write to me in the evenings or middle of the night and don’t get a response until the next morning when I’m at work, avoid being frustrated – I will do my best to work with you. Please be aware that I check email when I get to work, each time I come/go from my office and before I leave (unless I have a meeting prior). Typically, I don’t check email after I leave work (although I often work at night on other projects) or on weekends, so please know that I’m not ignoring you, but I do have a life outside of work, so please help me make it easier to help you.

No formal attendance is taken except for participation with CANVAS assignments.

Attendance is only documented through quizzes and short written assignments that are only accepted on CANVAS. Quizzes can only be taken at the scheduled time on CANVAS.

ZOOM ETIQUETTE:

Some synchronous (real-time) study discussions will be offered. These optional class sessions will be broadcast over zoom and the recordings will also be posted 24-48 hours after the video has finished rendering (be patient with this process as there will be a lot of traffic on the server). To participate in Zoom meetings, you will need to have a webcam/microphone or a smartphone with the Zoom app. You can find the link in our canvas shell in the Zoom link found in the left side navigation. We will adopt the same rules and norms as in a physical classroom (take notes; participate by asking and answering questions; wear classroom-ready clothing). For everyone’s benefit please:

• Join the course in a quiet, distraction free location
• Be aware of your background
• Out of respect to the instructor and your classmates, turn on your video.
• Mute your microphone unless you are speaking.
• Close browser tabs and software not required for participating in class.
• Remember that our classes are in the Mountain Time zone

COURSE EVALUATIONS:

I appreciate constructive feedback from students about course content and instruction and use this information to help me make improvements to the course based on certain patterns that surface. Obviously, the more feedback I receive the better, so I hope you will take time at the end of the semester to share your experiences in the course with me. You will receive a link inviting you to fill out an online evaluation if you choose to do so.

Online Course Expectations

(NOTE: THIS CLASS REQUIRES SIGNIFICANT SELF-DISCIPLINE TO WORK INDEPENDENTLY AND SUBMIT REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS ON CANVAS. BECAUSE IT IS AN ONLINE CLASS, THERE MAY BE LESS DIRECT INTERACTION WITH THE INSTRUCTOR AS WITH OTHER CLASS. BUT PLEASE (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND APPRECIATED) REACH OUT AND CONTACT THE PROFESSOR WITH ANY CONCERNS OR QUESTIONS.