Fundamentals of Communication Theory (Part 2)

Bachelor 2023/2024

Type: Compulsory course (Advertising and Public Relations)

Area of studies: Advertising and Public Relations

Delivered by: School of Communication

Where: Faculty of Creative Industries

When: 2 year, 4 module

Mode of studies: distance learning

Online hours: 80

Open to: students of one campus

Instructors: Дроздов Денис Андреевич, Polina Guseva, Marina Petukhova

Language: English

ECTS credits: 3

Contact hours: 26

Full Syllabus

Abstract

This is an introductory course for students aiming to pursue Advertising and Public Relations major. The course is designed as an extension of Communication theory fundamentals course in Russian to explore internationally recognized major theoretical concepts and applications of communication studies, as well as major approaches to communication theory. Communication discipline borrows a lot of its theoretical base from psychology, sociology, anthropology, philosophy, critical theory, feminist theory, business management, economics, and linguistics. Hence, this course will also address multidisciplinary theoretical issues from various communication branches, such as interpersonal, group, organizational, intercultural, gender communication as well as critical approaches and mass communication and media perception. Coursework is designed to encourage students to give critical consideration to the place of theory within the communication discipline and to apply the theories in their everyday lives. This course will also connect major communication theories with the major traditions in communication theory, including semiotics, phenomenology, cybernetic, socio-cultural, socio-psychological, critical, and rhetorical traditions. Finally, the course will allow students to get an understanding on the role of theory in communication studies and become familiar with the key English vocabulary used by scholars in the humanities and social sciences. The course will utilize handouts, videos, project work and the Internet to examine and discuss the economic, social, and political impact of communication. Also, students are expected to take an online course, prior taking the class. Each of in-class seminars correspond with the material students familiarize themselves with during the online course. The guidelines and instructions on course are explicitly detailed below.

Learning Objectives

To create an understanding of the essence of communication theory as a practical and research discipline
To get familiar with major theories is communication field, including theories of micro-, meta- and macro level
To learn and apply modern tools and techniques in communication research
To develop skills necessary for strategic communication

Expected Learning Outcomes

To be aware of types of communication theory field;
To understand how communication theory developed and how what are its implications in different contexts
To identify, analyse, and discuss actual case studies and/or strategic communication in fields of: interpersonal, group, mediated, mass, online communication
To understand, recognize, and examine the phenomenon of communication research and its application for professional and personal life
To utilise major concepts and constructs in the analysis of communication practice
To examine how multiculturalism and diversity impact on communication theory and practice

Course Contents

Lecture 1 Introduction
Lecture 7 Theories of Public Relations
Lecture 2 Interpersonal Communication
Lecture 3 Group Communication
Lecture 8 Critical Theory in Communication
Lecture 9 Theory Guided Communication

Assessment Elements

Essay
In-class activity
On-line course
Final test
Debates
Debates take place on one predetermined topic (case) in mini-groups. Within a mini-group, students in pairs prepare arguments for or against. In pairs, they present the use of their theories in solving a specific case, proving to each other that the theory is or is not suitable for resolving the situation. Each side of the debate prepares a speech for about 5-7 minutes, where it is mandatory to mention the main concepts of the theory and apply them to solving the problem.

Interim Assessment

2023/2024 4th module
0.2 * Debates + 0.2 * Essay + 0.2 * Final test + 0.25 * In-class activity + 0.15 * On-line course

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

A first look at communication theory, Griffin, E., 2015
Communication Theory and Research, edited by Denis McQuail, et al., SAGE Publications, 2006. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/hselibrary-ebooks/detail.action?docID=334341.
Theories and Models of Communication, edited by Paul Cobley, and Peter J. Schulz, De Gruyter, Inc., 2013. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/hselibrary-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1108066.

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Caywood, C. L. (1997). The Handbook of Strategic Public Relations & Integrated Communications. New York: McGraw-Hill Professional. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=51946
Christian Fuchs. (2016). Critical Theory of Communication: New Readings of Lukács, Adorno, Marcuse, Honneth and Habermas in the Age of the Internet. Netherlands, Europe: University of Westminster Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.BC121641
Communication and Organizational Knowledge : Contemporary Issues for Theory and Practice, edited by Heather E. Canary, and Robert D. McPhee, Routledge, 2010. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/hselibrary-ebooks/detail.action?docID=547335&query=Communication+and+Organizational+Knowledge+%3A+Contemporary+Issues+for+Theory+and+Practice
Language, Power and Ideology : Studies in political discourse, edited by Ruth Wodak, John Benjamins Publishing Company, 1989. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/hselibrary-ebooks/detail.action?docID=673092.
Martin, J. (2015). Situating Speech: A Rhetorical Approach to Political Strategy. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.9ADDDE3B
Schiffrin, D., Hamilton, H. E., & Tannen, D. (2015). The Handbook of Discourse Analysis (Vol. Second edition). Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=985110
Solomon, Denise, and Jennifer Theiss. Interpersonal Communication : Putting Theory into Practice, Routledge, 2013. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/hselibrary-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1101332.
Theaker, Alison. The Public Relations Handbook, Taylor & Francis Group, 2011. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/hselibrary-ebooks/detail.action?docID=957791.

Course Syllabus