Communication Theory & Research (CMN 102) Course Number: 50528 (U) MWF 11:00-11:50 Wohlers Hall 141

Spring Semester 2013 ****************************************************************************** Instructor Information: Instructor: Dr. B. L. Quick Office: 4105 Lincoln Hall E-mail: bquick@illinois.edu Phone: 217.333.3617 Office Hours: M & W: 10:00-11:00 (or by appointment) Teaching Assistants: Jiyoung Chae jchae6@illinois.edu Jermaine Martinez jmartinez@illinois.edu Macarena Pena Y Lillo penayli2@illinois.edu Liesel Siebel sharabi2@illinois.edu

****************************************************************************** Course Overview: This course provides a general overview of theory and research on human communication. It surveys basic structures and processes of communication (such as language and nonverbal communication), important functions and effects of messages (such as persuasion and identity management), and various media and contexts of communication (such as conversation, news and entertainment media, and organizational settings). The course serves as a broad introduction to basic concepts, principles, findings, and methods in the behavioralscientific study of communication. Course materials consist of lectures, readings, and discussion section material. Lectures present detailed reviews and analyses of research bearing on each topic treated in the course, with particular attention to the relationship between claims (e.g., hypotheses or explanations) and the available research evidence. Lectures supplement but do not duplicate the readings; readings supplement but do not duplicate the lectures. Most of the content of the course is available only in lectures, and students are responsible for learning the detailed content of each lecture. If you miss a lecture, you are responsible for getting notes from a classmate.

Readings consist of representative studies (exemplifying major research questions and approaches), research reviews, and theoretical treatments (which summarize and analyze a body of research). Because the lectures present a substantial body of detailed information and analyses, students are encouraged to use the discussion sections as opportunities to ask questions and seek any needed clarification of lectures and readings. Additional supplementary material for topics covered in the course is also presented in discussion sections, and students are responsible for learning the additional content presented there. ****************************************************************************** Course Materials: Course manual available at TIS (bookstore over on Sixth Street). ****************************************************************************** Course Structure: I employ a quasi-Socratic teaching style. As a result, at the beginning of class I will frequently ask questions over the notes and/or reading. Lecture will be the predominant mode of instruction. However, group work will also be facilitated along with the showing of several of my favorite films and video clips. My responsibility as a professor is to stimulate your minds. More specifically, it is my responsibility to present the material in a meaningful way in order for you to see the applicability of communication theory and research within your life. This is a responsibility I take seriously. Lastly, I love teaching this course! The material discussed in this course closely aligns with several of my teaching and research interests. In short, I will do my best to bring enthusiasm and passion for communication to you day in and day out. In my opinion learning is a collaborative process. In that, each of us has a responsibility. My responsibility is to provide you with an expertise in theory and research. Your responsibility is to come to class having read the assigned readings as well as being prepared to discuss them. If you need additional help outside of the classroom, please do not hesitate to contact me, Jermaine, Jiyoung, Liesel, or Macarena via e-mail, phone, or just simply stopping by my office. ****************************************************************************** Attendance: Attendance is highly recommended and at this level I would be surprised to see attendance be an issue. Considering the amount of money you invested to enroll in this course it would be in your best interest to attend regularly. Besides, I believe you will find the material thought provoking. In addition to you attending lecture, it is equally important for you to come to attend your weekly breakout sections. For both lecture and discussion section please read the assigned reading for the day. I truly believe that learning is maximized during moments when students offer feedback of the material. Please be prepared to share your ideas with the rest of us and engage in a constructive dialogue throughout the course. Exams will cover material from the packet, video clips, and material discussed in the breakout sections and lecture. ******************************************************************************

Academic Integrity: I believe that Illini do not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those who do. All forms of academic misconduct are prohibited by the Student Code (Section 1-402). Any form of cheating or plagiarizing will result in immediate disciplinary action. If you have any questions about this please consult either the Student Code or Professor Quick. Citizenship: In a class of this size it is paramount for students to engage in behaviors that do not disrupt others. Students are expected to be respectful of those around them and allow others to listen and learn. Disruptive behaviors can take many forms and include anything that makes it difficult for others to learn. The most common form of disruptive behavior is talking during lecture. Other than times when talking is explicitly allowed (e.g., for answering questions or discussing with others), talking during lecture is not allowed. If students behaviors are disruptive enough that it interrupts the class, the offending party or parties will be penalized 5 points off their final grade. For a second offense, they will be penalized an additional 5 points and asked to leave the class and meet with the Dean of Students about the behavior. Additional offenses will be dealt with using increasingly harsh penalties up to a failing grade in the course. ****************************************************************************** ADA Policy Statement: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal antidiscrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be given a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you have a disability requiring accommodation, please see me after class. ****************************************************************************** Assignments: Exams. The examinations cover lectures, readings, and material covered in discussion sections. There are three hourly exams and a final exam. All examinations are multiple-choice and true and false. The final is cumulative. We will use the three highest exam scores when calculating your grade; thus, the final is optional (i.e., we will drop that score if you do not take the final). It is assumed that examinations will be completed when required. No make-up examinations will be administered, except in cases of documented medical or family emergency. When such problems are encountered, notify your teaching assistant at the earliest possible time; appropriate documentation will be needed. Without an acceptable excuse, a missed examination will receive a failing grade (0). You are expected to come to exams prior to the beginning of the period (so that we can start on time). The ideal is to be there at least 5 minutes early. If you do come late, you should expect that you will have to wait until everyone else has an exam before we can seat you. You must arrive before the first person has finished. Anyone who comes after the first person has finished the exam will not be allowed to take the exam. Assignments (Option 1). Most weeks there will be a brief assignment due in discussion sections. The assignments will include activities like (a) brief reaction papers about the readings, (b) short

reflection papers about course concepts, and (c) summaries of in-class discussions. All assignments are printed in this manual. To complete an assignment, tear the page(s) out of the course manual, and handwrite your responses (for assignments other than those that entail typing a paper). Assignments must be legible in order to receive passing credit. No electronic assignments will be accepted. Part of the assignment means being there for discussion. Because the in-class discussions happen during class, the only way to complete assignments is to attend the discussion section for the entire class period. Thus, you cannot have a friend submit an assignment on your behalf, nor can you send it to your TA by email. There will be 11 assignments. For the assignment portion of the course grade, you need to complete at least 8 assignments satisfactorily to get all possible points (see details below). The reason that we give more assignments than are required to get the maximum points is to account for legitimate reasons for missing class (e.g., being seriously ill, being away as part of an official athletics trip, family emergency). Consequently, we do not allow make-ups of the assignments for any reason. If you find yourself in a situation in which you miss many assignments for legitimate reasons, you may drop the course or choose the grading system that does not count the assignments. Term Paper (Option 2). For this paper, you will summarize a topic in the communication research literature, discuss how it relates to class materials, and apply this research to a practical problem. The final paper will be 7-9 pages long, and will involve several tasks. First, you will choose a data-based research article that was published since the first day of this semester. This article will give you the topic of your paper. (Note: a "data-based" article means that the authors collected data and reported on those data in the article; summaries of other articles are not acceptable.) You will also pick at least four other data-based articles that appear in the reference list of the first article. Your paper will consist of summarizing the five (or more) research articles, discussing how the findings from this research are interpretable based on what you have learned in class, and discussing how the research findings can be applied to situations beyond the research context. A more detailed description of the term paper can be found in the next section of this handbook. Failure to submit the paper by the beginning of lecture on Monday April 30th will result in point deductions. For every 24-hour period the paper is late (beginning the moment class begins), we will deduct one full letter grade from the final paper score. Because the term paper assignment is available since the beginning of the semester, there will be no provisions for excusing late papers without this penalty. Students may turn it in early. ******************************************************************************

Course grading: This course will use a simplified version of contract grading. This will allow you to pick one of two grading system for the course. In Grading System #1: The three highest exam scores are each worth one-quarter of your grade, and the paper is worth the other quarter. In Grading System #2: The three highest exam scores are each worth one-quarter of your grade, and your assignments are worth the other quarter.

You may choose to do either the term paper or the assignments. If you turn in both, we will count only your paper grade. (That is, turning in a paper implies that you wish to be graded by System #1, and any assignments you completed will not factor into your grade.) Regardless of which system you use, you will receive a numeric grade for each exam out of 100 points. Exams will be curved according to the class distribution. If you choose to do the paper, maximum number of points you will receive is 100. If you choose to have the assignments count, each one will be graded on a pass-fail basis. If you receive 9 or more passing grades, you will get 100 points for the assignment portion of your grade. 8 passing grades will be worth 90 points. 7 will be awarded 80 points. 6 will be worth 70 points. 5 will be worth 60 points. 4 will be worth 50. 3 will be worth 40. 2 will be worth 30. 1 will be worth 20.

385-400 = A+ 370-384 = A 360-369 = A-

345-359 = B+ 330-344 = B 320-329 = B-

305-319 = C+ 290-304 = C 280-289 = C-

265-279 = D+ 250-264 = D 240-249 = D-

0-239 = F

I am happy to visit with you about your grades at any time. Please note, however, that there are few reasons that warrant a change in grade. Additionally, I ask that our discussions about grades be professional and not laden with emotion or excuses. If extra credit is offered, it will be offered to the entire class and not on an individual case-by-case basis. ******************************************************************************

Calendar: Topics and Schedule for Spring, 2013 ****************************************************************************** Phase #1 ****************************************************************************** Date Topic (Reading) Mon, Jan 14 Wed, Jan 16 Fri, Jan 18 Mon, Jan 21 Wed, Jan 23 Fri, Jan 25 Welcome and Course Overview Roots of Communication Language Acquisition No class in remembrance of Dr. M. L. King Jr. Language Structure Language and Thought Assignment #1: Speech Errors Nonverbal Communication (Satterlee) Nonverbal Communication Communication Research Part #1 (Online) Assignment #2: Nonverbal Communication Identity Management (Malone & Satterlee) Identity Management Communication Research Part #2 (Online) Assignment #3: Identity Management Inference Wrap up Phase #1 Examination #1 Assignment #4: Exam Question

Mon, Jan 28 Wed, Jan 30 Fri, Feb 1

Mon, Feb 4 Wed, Feb 6 Fri, Feb 8

Mon, Feb 11 Wed, Feb 13 Fri, Feb 15

****************************************************************************** Phase #2 ****************************************************************************** Date Mon, Feb 18 Wed, Feb 20 Fri, Feb 22 Topic (Reading) Argumentation Argumentation (Scott) Persuasion Assignment #5: Argument Persuasion (Quick) Communication and Media (Satterlee) Information Dissemination Assignment #6: Dissemination Information Dissemination Media Effects Media Effects (Quintero Johnson) Assignment #7: Media Effects Entertainment Education Wrap up Phase #2 Examination #2 Assignment #8: Exam Question Spring Break Spring Break Spring Break

Mon, Feb 25 Wed, Feb 27 Fri, Mar 1

Mon, Mar 4 Wed, Mar 6 Fri, Mar 8

Mon, Mar 11 Wed, Mar 13 Fri, Mar 15

Mon, Mar 18 Wed, Mar 20 Fri, Mar 22

****************************************************************************** Phase #3 ****************************************************************************** Date Topic (Reading) Mon, Mar 25 Wed, Mar 27 Fri, Mar 29 Social Media Your Social Life (Video) Writing and Printing (Online) Assignment #9: Technology Organizational Communication (Shumate) Family Communication Family Communication (Scott & Caughlin) Assignment #10: Organizations Health Communication Health Communication (Scott) Group Communication Assignment #11: Health Communication Group Communication Interviewing Interviewing Assignment #12: Interviewing Communication & The Department of Communication Wrap up Phase #3 Examination #3

Mon, Apr 1 Wed, Apr 3 Fri, Apr 5

Mon, Apr 8 Wed, Apr 10 Fri, Apr 12

Mon, Apr 15 Wed, Apr 17 Fri, Apr 19

Mon, Apr 22 Wed, Apr 24 Fri, Apr 26

Mon, Apr 29 TBD Wed, May 1 TBD ******************************************************************************

****************************************************************************** Description of Term Paper Due Date. The term paper is due at the beginning of lecture on Monday November 28. You should bear in mind that this is an absolute deadline. We will accept the paper early, but we will not accept it late (for full credit) except under the direst circumstances. Circumstances that would not be considered dire would include (but are not limited to) computer and printer problems, transportation problems, and illnesses that do not involve loss of consciousness. Purpose. There is a LOT of scholarship about communication that we cannot cover in class. This can create problems for you; for example, what if a friend who knows you took a communication course asks you about one of the many topics in communication that we did not cover? Also, from this class, you may know a little about many topics, but you may wish to know a lot about a particular one. This assignment is meant to help you learn to teach yourself about the research literature. Specific Educational Goals. (1) Become familiar with a specific area of research in communication, (2) Practice assimilating and integrating information from research-based sources, and (3) Consider the practical implications of what you have learned. Paper requirements 1. Choose a recent research article The first step is to find a data-based research article that was published since the beginning of this semester. Choose an article on a topic that you want to write your paper on. This article will give you the topic of your paper. (Note: a "data-based" article means that the authors collected data from people and reported on those data in the article; summaries of other articles are not acceptable.) Your article must come from one of the following journals: Communication Monographs, Communication Research, Health Communication, Human Communication Research, Journal of Applied Communication, Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, Journal of Communication, Media Psychology 2. Select four additional articles The second step is to pick at least four other data-based articles that appear in the reference list of the first article. These should be on the same general topic as your recent article so that you can write a coherent paper about that particular topic. 3. Write the paper The final paper will be: 7-9 pages long Typed Stapled (WITHOUT any report cover) In APA style (see the journals listed above for examples of what this looks like) Written in 12-point font Written with margins no bigger than 1.5 inches

Double spaced

The paper will involve several sections. You may consider labeling each section with a separate header so it is clear that your paper has all the required sections. Section one: Introduction (less than 1 page). Your paper should include a brief paragraph in which you introduce your topic and summarize the main parts of your paper. Section two: Article abstracts. Provide a brief ( page) summary of each article in your own words. To do this, you will have to actually read the article (the abstract will not have enough detail). Each summary should explain: (a) what the article examined, (b) how the authors studied it (i.e., a short description of the method), and (c) what the main findings and conclusions were. Be sure your summaries provide enough information that one can tell what the study was about and what the authors found, but do not get bogged down in too much detail. One goal of this part of the overall paper project is getting you to think about how you can summarize something in a way that is both accurate and concise. Section three: Summary of themes (2-3 pages). Summarize the general themes or conclusions across the studies. Essentially, you should try to integrate what was found across these studies into some statements about what is known about the topic area. You will NOT be able to simply paste your summaries into this section. Instead, it should look like a literature review for a research article. You should make general statements, claims, conclusions. Then back up these claims with findings from the various articles. The evaluation of this section will be based on how well you integrate the articles and how well you use the articles to back up your claims about the themes in the literature. Section four: Practical implications (2-3 pages). For this section, you should discuss how the research findings apply to situations outside the research context. Focus on the themes in the findings from the third section, and consider how these findings might be useful to someone. For example, how might somebody change their behavior based on them? Or, how might knowing these findings help someone think about communication more productively? You should feel free to use real or hypothetical examples to explain the utility of the various research findings. Be sure when discussing the practical implications that you EXPLAIN how or why the research articles support such claims about practical implications. This section will be evaluated based on the extent to which your practical implications are well justified; for instance, do you make a convincing case that the research articles have the implications that you say they do? Section five: Conclusion. This should be no more than half a page. Section six: References. Include a list of the articles you used. This list should be in APA style. The reference list does not count in the page limit for the paper. Use an asterisk to indicate the recent article (i.e., the original article that was published since the cutoff date noted above).

Appendices. Include copies of the abstracts from the research articles. (The abstract is the paragraph at the very beginning of the article.) Grading. In addition to the criteria mentioned throughout this document, you will be graded on the quality and clarity of your analysis, the insightfulness of your ideas, and the quality of your writing. You should treat this as a formal writing project. ******************************************************************************