Course Description:

Graduate course in communication that explores the nature and function of theory across the communication studies discipline. This course is reading and writing intensive. You should be prepared to spend significant time reading, reflecting, and writing about challenging material. I hope that this course and the readings challenge you to consider the following questions:

The primary goal of this course is to understand what theory is and how it is connected to scholarship. Thus, the following specific objectives will be achieved in this course:

• Understand the role of theory, how theory is evaluated, various approaches to theory in communication studies discipline, and how theory is used in research.
• Critically evaluate theory
• Synthesis of theories from different areas into your own philosophical perspective.

We will cooperate fully with the University’s Office of Disability Accommodation to provide reasonable accommodation to students who require help. Students who wish to self-identity should register with the ODA no later than the second day of class.

It is unlawful to bring firearms on the campus of the University—even if you hold a permit.

Extra Credit will not be offered in this course.

All written assignments must be typed. Page length guidelines are based on 12 point Times New Roman Font 1 inch margins expectation (So if you want to use Courier New add a few pages to the requirements). Please use APA Format.

An "Incomplete" will be award only in cases where 75% of the coursework has been completed AND the grade is warranted by an excuse (e.g., medical, military). Inability to complete coursework in a timely fashion does not constitute an acceptable reason for requesting or receiving an incomplete.

All persons shall adhere to the Code of Student Conduct regarding academic dishonesty, including acts of cheating and plagiarism.

Cheating. The willful giving or receiving of information in an unauthorized manner during an examination, illicitly obtaining examination questions in advance, using someone else’s work or written assignments as if they were your own, or any other dishonest means of attempting to fulfill a requirement of this course.

Plagiarism. The use of an author’s words or ideas as if they were your own without giving proper credit to the source, including but not limited to failure to acknowledge a direct quotation. Exact wording from a source must be identified by quotation marks and citation of the author. Concepts and ideas from sources should also be identified by citation of the author. Rules for citing quotes and ideas can be found in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th edition.

Punishments for cheating or plagiarism range from a grade of ZERO points on the assignment in question to failure of the course.

This syllabus should not be construed as a binding contract between the instructor and the students. The professor reserves the right to change any aspect of the course without notice.

Pair up with a fellow student. Each pair will select a week to complete a supplemental reading. You will summarize the additional reading in a 3-4 page (single-space) outline format. Please make copies of your summary to share with the class. Additionally, be prepared to begin the discussion with a brief summary of the additional reading (15-20 minute max summary) and be prepared to relate the reading to the other material assigned for that day. Your written summary and leadership of the discussion will be graded.

Prepare two 5-6 page reaction papers. Each paper should briefly summarize a key point(s) related to the readings (around 2-3 pages) and provide your reaction to the material. How do the readings relate to knowledge, your experience, the world. I am looking for insightful reflection, which include personal observations of human behavior. Don’t pick everything we discussed that week—be selective -- focus in depth on an important concept that sparks your interest. Feel free to relate your discussion to previous readings. Please provide appropriate citations in APA format. While there is not an expectation that you will go beyond the reading assigned on that day to complete this assignment, if you use material to clarify your understanding of a topic please provide the appropriate citation.

Annotated Bibliography (200 points worth 20% of final grade):

Select a topic from the approved list (it must be a different topic than your Report assignment). Gather 8-10 journal articles or books on the topic. Attempt to find seminal works. All articles should be from academic journals, book chapters or seminal texts. Please note that the philosophical nature of some topics will lend themselves to books rather than journals. You can provide seminal or key texts in your review—however, I would like for you to find academic articles that apply or review how these concepts fit into Communication Studies or related fields. For each journal article/book provide the APA citation and summarize the article in a paragraph (150-200 words max: can be single-spaced). Please provide copies of the bibliography to the entire class. Please hand in a copy of the annotated bibliography and copies of the journal articles.

Write a 10-12 page typed double spaced paper that synthesizes material from the entire semester. The paper should explore how you approach communication theory. You must include at least 8 readings from the semester in your paper from at least three of the six areas covered. You should present a coherent approach to communication theory. As you read during the semester continually keep this paper assignment in mind and look for connections of the material across areas.