Gwybodaeth Modiwlau

Module Identifier
MC11120
Module Title
INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION STUDIES
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Dr Daniel G J Chandler
Semester
Semester 2
Pre-Requisite
MC11020

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 10 x 2 hour lecture-workshops
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Essay - 2,000 words  50%
Semester Assessment Case Study - 2,000 words  50%
Supplementary Assessment All failed or missing elements must be retaken or made good, choosing different assignment questions than those originally submitted.  100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Make links between classic and contemporary debates in communication.

2. Describe and explain some of the key patterns and concerns in research relating to specific communication media, as explored in case studies.

3. Outline and reflect upon some of the main methodological 'tools' utilised in communication research.

Content

Lecture-workshop sessions will explore the following topics:

  • What is Communication?
  • Denotation and connotation
  • Bodily Communication (1): Kinesics
  • Bodily Communication (2): Proxemics, Haptics and Paralanguage
  • Pictorial Communication
    • Persuasive Communication: Advertising The Medium as the Message Domestic and Mobile Phones Computer-Mediated Communication Active Audience Theory and Parasocial Interaction

Brief description

This module offers a balance between theory and illustrative example by firstly introducing students to some of the key questions and theoretical debates that characterize both the traditional and contemporary concerns within the field of communication studies. These ideas are then 'rethought' through a series of case studies that explore particular forms of communication.

Within and through this structure, students will become familiar with the nature of the research relating to such modes of communication as press, radio, advertising, mobile phone technologies and the internet. In addition, students will encounter some of the research tools that implicitly frame this research, such as content analysis, semiotic analysis, discourse analysis and various quantitative methodologies.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number * Students will be given the opportunity to reflect upon basic statistical data (primarily presented in percentages), through encountering key research studies in the field.
Communication * Students' written communication skills will be developed (e.g. appropriate language and style, accuracy, precision and ability to be concise). * Opportunities will be given, through interactive lecture-workshop sessions, for students to develop confidence in using their speaking and listening skills when communicating their ideas.
Improving own Learning and Performance * Students will be able to develop their skills of information location and retrieval. * Students will be given opportunities to develop effective note-taking skills. * Students will develop their critical thinking skills. * Through group and whole class discussion students will be given opportunities to develop an awareness of the opinions of others and reconsider initial ideas if necessary.
Information Technology * Students will be given the opportunity to develop their authorial and note-taking skills when planning and preparing for the written assignments, and will be encouraged to develop their note-taking skills in lectures. * Students will be given opportunities to develop their skills using electronic search and retrieval of sources both on the web and AU LIS. * Students will develop their skills when referencing from the web and related sources, and will focus on the selection of materials appropriate to task. * E-mail and Blackboard will be the main forms of communication and information-sharing in this module, so students will be encouraged to actively engage in these processes.
Personal Development and Career planning * Students will be given the opportunity to evaluate currrent knowledge and skills and set targets for self-improvement. * Students will be encouraged to take increasing responsibility for managing their own learning. * Students will be encouraged to build upon the knowledge gained from lectures through developing skills in self study (supported by the general and specific reading lists and other resorces distributed throughout the module).
Problem solving * Students should be able to identify tensions and debates in the field, and will be encoraged to critically reflect. * Students should gain experience in applying different approaches and materials to undertsyand data and other patterns in research.
Research skills * Students will be able to develop their skills of information location and retrieval. * Students will be given opportunities to develop effective note-taking skills. * Students will be encouraged to evaluate, interpret and reflect upon a variety of sources, and to make links to accomodate new ideas.
Subject Specific Skills
Team work * Most sessions will involve group work where students will be able to collaborate through discussion.

Reading List

Essential Reading
Chandler, Daniel (2007) Semiotics: The Basics Routledge Primo search Fiske, John (1990) Introduction to Communication Studies Routledge Primo search Recommended Text
Argyle, Michael The Psychology of Interpersonal Behaviour, 5th Edn. London: Penguin Primo search Beck, Andrew, Peter Bennett & Peter Wall (2001) Communication Studies: The Essential Introduction. London: Routledge Primo search Deacon, David, Michael Pickering, Peter Golding & Graham Murdock (2007) Researching Communications: A Practical Guide to Methods in Media and Cultural Analysis. London: Arnold Primo search Hartley, Peter (1993) Interpersonal Communication. London: Routledge Primo search McQuail, Dennis (2005) McQuail's Mass Communication Theory (5th Edn). London: Sage Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4