ComSt 301
Communication Studies 301: Human Communication Theory
Dr. Mark V. Redmond Phone: 294-0183
Office: 338 Carver Hall Email:
Office: M-W 2-3, TTH 11-12 & by appointment Homepage: www.public.iastate.edu/~mredmond
Course Description Examination of the major theories related to human communication; with particular emphasis on theories underlying interpersonal, small group, organizational, and intercultural communication.
Course Objectives
1. Increased understanding of specific human communication theories.
2. A foundation for additional courses in communication studies.
3. Know the traditions of the communication discipline and their impact on the ComSt major.
4. Further development of abstract and analytical cognitive skills.
5. Appreciation and understanding of the role of theory in communication and your life.
Text Em Griffin, Andrew Ledbetter, & Glenn Sparks, A First Look at Communication Theory, NINTH Edition, (Boston, MA: McGraw Hill, 2006).
Additional Readings: Some alternative chapters will be placed on Blackboard.
NOTICE: You must complete all required work (quizzes excluded) in order to pass ComSt 301
Readings You are expected to have read the material for each day prior to the beginning of class. The success of each day’s class period depends upon every student coming prepared to engage in discussion. Success on examinations is increased if you have read the material prior to the given class discussion/lecture.
Reading Report and Quizzes (19 assessments at 4 points each for 76 point total): Reading the material prior to the beginning of the class for which a reading is assigned is required. Because your preparation is critical to class discussion you will be asked to honestly report whether you have completed the day’s assigned chapter prior to the discussion of each chapter and theory. You are to choose the reply which best reflects your work: #1) “Yes, I read and studied it completely” (gets 5 points); #2) “I read it but didn’t study it” (gets 3 points) or #3) “I glanced at it or didn’t read it” (1 point for honesty). No makeup reports/quizzes are given; missing reports = 0 points. Getting all 3’s = 57 points out of 76 for 75%.
Reports are followed by oral quizzes in which a sample of students are selected to answer a question related to the reading. Failure to answer correctly results in zero points. If obvious deception is detected for those who chose #2 will receive -1 and those who chose #1 receive -2 points.
Students indicating #2 should be prepared to answer the following typical questions:
What is the theory about? What did you like about the theory? What did you dislike about the theory? What was the most interesting thing you learned about the theory? Briefly explain one of the major concepts or principles of the theory. Discuss how one of the criteria for evaluating a theory applies to this theory. Discuss how the theory relates to your own experiences.
Students indicating #1 should be prepared to answer questions concerning more specific aspects of each article. You should know the meaning of key terms and concepts and be able to discuss what was covered under each major heading.
Theory Exam: (40 points) This exam covers the material covered in the first three assigned chapters and the first two weeks of the course. The exam consists of fill-in the blanks and short answer essay questions. The purpose of this exam is foster adequate understanding of concepts on which the remainder of the course builds.
Class Participation in Group Discussion and Activities: (15 points) Students will frequently be placed in groups to discuss issues in the readings or complete other assigned learning tasks. Students will be graded on how well they provide informed input and contribute to the group activities based on my observations during class time. Absences reduce participation opportunities and subsequent grade.
Theory Construction and Presentation: (25 Points). Students will work in class to develop a comprehensive communication theory based on the theories covered up until that time. Each group presents its theory in 6 to 8 minutes to the rest of the class. Include a graphical model that reflects your theory. Presentations will be graded based on the following criteria: 1) the scope of your theory, 2) incorporation of covered theories, 3) relevance of theories incorporated, 4) quality of thought, quality of your model, 5) team member contributions and participation, 6) overall presentation quality.
As audience members, you are expected to ask meaningful questions & provide critiques (participation points).
Theory Summary and Application Papers:
For each of the sixteen theories/chapters you read, you are to write a one and a half to two page paper in your own words with 1 inch margins, double spaced, 12 point font, no cover page; NO RIGHT JUSTIFICATION, and your name, chapter number, and theory name all on one line.
Paper Focus: You are to apply the theory to your own experiences and observations of the world. In so doing, you are to identify and integrate key terms, concepts, and principles from the theory. Such discussion can include instances where your experiences/observations contradict or raise questions to any of the theory’s propositions/concepts.
Your paper is required to reflect information from the text, lecture, and class discussion. The paper format is narrative and not outline; meaning that each point should be explained adequately. Simply listing a principle without explanation is not acceptable.
You are expected to “translate” information into your own words. Direct wording ( 3 or more words in phrases/sentences) taken from the text MUST BE IN QUOTATION MARKS or will be considered plagiarism, resulting in failure. The use of quotations is to be minimal, if used at all.
Papers are due at the beginning of the class period that immediately follows the completion of the in-class discussion/lecture on a given theory unless otherwise indicated. Any paper submitted 30 minutes to 24 hours after the class period in which it is due will be docked 10%; those submitted 24-48 hours later will be docked 20%. Papers will not be accepted after 48 hours. Only hard copies of papers are accepted. Papers are not accepted through email except by prior arrangement.
Grading Criteria: Your papers are graded according to the following criteria:
1) Appropriate application of the theory to life experiences/observations
2) Clear explanations of the connection between the theory and your life experiences/observations
3) Inclusion of relevant theory concepts/principles covered in the text and in class.
4) Breadth of concepts and principles included from the theory.
5) Clarity and quality of writing
Paper Grading:
You should write all papers according to the criteria just discussed. Eight of the papers will graded on the basis of an in-depth analysis and the other eight will be given a quick review. SELECTION OF PAPERS FOR IN-DEPTH GRADING IS PRIMARILY RANDOM.
Quick Reviews: Eight (8) at 5 points each but your grade will be based on your 7 best papers for a total of 35 points. Grades are based on a quick perusal of the paper to insure what you wrote is relevant and will be given a grade of 5 or 0. These will not have any in-depth corrections or feedback.
In-depth Analyses: Eight (8) at 40 points each, but the grade will be based on your 7 best for a total of 280 points. Each part will be evaluated on how well it meets the five criteria
The final total paper grades are based on your best seven reviews and seven analyses. The score from your lowest in-depth analysis paper will act as a bonus. The bonus points are calculated by subtracting 22 from your lowest paper grade. If you had analysis grades of 28, 29, 30, 30, 31,34, 34, 34; the best 7 grades total 222 (79% = C+) but the low paper, 28, results in a bonus of 6 points (28 - 22) for a total of 228 (81% = B-).
Must Be Your Own Work: Discussing theories with other students to help you complete the papers is encouraged, however, the CONTENT OF EACH PAPER MUST BE YOUR OWN WORK AND WORDS, NOT THAT OF ANY OTHER PERSON. Students suspected of not doing their own work will be required to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the relevant material by taking an examination over the material. Failure to comply or adequately demonstrate understanding the relevant material results in failing the course.
Group Analysis of the Semester: (17 points). You will be placed in groups the last week of classes. Each group will divide the 18 theories we’ve covered among the members. Each member is responsible for identifying the most significant piece of information about that theory that personally affects him or her. During the final exam period, each group will briefly meet to coordinate their findings and present them to the class in 8 to 10 minutes. Reports are graded on the basis of quality of information identified and affect.
Grades: The total number of points possible is as follows:
Theory Exam 40 points
Quizzes (19 at 4 points each; 19 bonus points possible) 72 points (90 points possible)
Papers-Quick Reviews (8 at 5 points each, grade based on 7 best) 35 points
Papers-In-depth Analyses (8 at 40 points each, grade based on 7 best) 280 points (298 points possible)
Group Theory/Presentation 25 points
Group Analysis of the Semester 18 points
Participation 15 points
TOTAL POINTS 485 points
Grading Scale
Your point total will be converted to a percentage of the total points available with final course grades assigned according to the following percentages scale:
100-93 = A 86-83 = B 76-73 = C 66-63 = D
92-90 = A- 82-80 = B- 72-70 = C- 62-60 = D-
89-87 = B+ 79-77 = C+ 69-67 = D+ 59- 0 = F
Disability Accommodation: If you have a documented disability and anticipate needing accommodations in this course, please make arrangements to meet with me soon. Please request that a Disability Resources staff send a SAAR form verifying your disability and specifying the accommodation you will need.
Additional Policies:
1. Any problems you encounter during the term or concerns about grading should be raised as soon as possible after the return of a given assignment. Waiting a significant time after an issue or problem reduces my willingness and your opportunity to make corrections or accommodations.
2. You are responsible for understanding and following all course requirements.
3. You are responsible for keeping track of the course schedule and any changes made to the schedule.
4. You are expected to have read the material assigned for a given class period and be prepared to conscientiously participate in activities and discussion.
5. Showing respect to fellow students and me includes not reading unrelated class materials (e.g. , The Daily) during class, not talking at inappropriate times, not arriving late, not sleeping (especially snorers), not packing up early to leave, and acting responsibly in group activities.
6. Laptops may be used only for note taking; otherwise they should be shut off when class begins. Those seeking to use laptops for note taking need to get my permission and sign an agreement indicating they will only use it for note-taking during class time. Violation will result in no longer being able use the laptop during class for note-taking.
7. Please be sure to shut off your cell phone prior to the beginning of class.
Tentative Calendar
(This calendar is likely to change. YOU are responsible for staying informed as to changes)
Date Topic Reading
Jan 13 T Course Intro. Communication and Theory. Practice Quiz Ch. 1 (on Blackboard)
15 Th The nature of theory.
20 T Theory continued Ch. 2 (on Blackboard)
22 Th Theory continued. Communication traditions. Ch. 4 (in reader)
27 T Social Exchange Theory (on Blackboard)
29 Th Theory Exam. Social Exchange Theory
Feb 3 T Social Penetration Theory. Ch. 8
5 Th Uses and Gratifications. Ch. 28
10 T Symbolic Interactionism (on Blackboard)
. 12 Th Symbolic Interactionism continued.
17 T Speech Codes Theory Ch. 33
19 Th Cultivation Theory. Ch. 29
24 T Muted Group Theory. Ch. 36
26 Th Coordinated Management of Meaning. . Ch. 6
Mar 3 T Coordinated Management of Meaning continued. Aristotle’s Rhetoric reviewed.
5 Th Narrative Paradigm Ch. 24
10 T Expectancy Violation Theory. Ch. 7
12 Th Expectancy Violation Theory. Group formation.
Spring Break—March 16-20
24 T GROUP CLASS TIME THEORY CONSTRUCTION
26 Th GROUP THEORY PRESENTATIONS
31 T Uncertainty Reduction Theory (on Blackboard)
Apr 2 Th Uncertainty Reduction Theory continued
7 T FaceTheory/Face Negotiation Theory. (on Blackboard)
9 Th Face Theory/Face Negotiation Theory continued. Ch. 32
Apr 14 T Relational Dialectics Ch. 11
16 Th Relational Dialectics.
21 T Functional Perspective on Group Decision Making Ch. 17
23 Th Functional perspective continued. Cultural Approach to Organizations Ch. 19
28 T Cultural Approach to Organizations continued. Critical Theory of Orgs. Ch. 21
30 Th Critical Theory of Organizations continued
Final exam period used for group presentations (tentatively scheduled for):
Monday, May 4th, 12:00-2:00
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