Overview
CMNS 301 is a three-credit course that is intended to provide you with a grounding in the field of communication studies, a relatively new interdisciplinary field that draws many of its theoretical ideas about human communication from psychology, sociology, cultural studies, linguistics, philosophy, and literary studies. The course focuses on developing notions of mass communication in the twenty-first century and debates in the field.
Outline
Part I: Introduction
- Unit 1: Introduction to Theory
Part II: Persuasion
- Unit 2: Classical Rhetoric and Public Communication
- Unit 3: Contemporary Rhetoric and Attitude Change
- Unit 4: Propaganda
Part III: Media and Culture
- Unit 5: Semiotics
- Unit 6: Innis and McLuhan
- Unit 7: Uses and Effects Models of Mass Media
- Unit 8: The Frankfurt and Birmingham Schools and Critical Theory
- Unit 9: Agenda-Setting Theories in the Digital Age
Objectives
Communication Theory and Analysis is intended to
- introduce you to a broad range of approaches to mass communication theory so that you can understand the ideas at play in the professional literature and in the practice of communication.
- increase your ability to analyze concepts and issues in mass communication theory, and to develop and defend your own positions on a variety of issues.
- help you to determine, through the exploration of debates and case studies, how the positions that you have developed might apply to circumstances arising in your professional practice.
Evaluation
To receive credit for CMNS 301, you must complete all assignments and obtain a composite course grade of at least D (50 percent). The weighting of the composite mark is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Unit Journals (9x5% each) | 45% |
| Critical Review | 20% |
| Final Essay | 35% |
| Total | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Griffin, Em, et al. A First Look at Communication Theory. 11th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2019.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the CMNS 301 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the examination.
| Activity | Weight |
| Take Home Assessment | 25% |
| Online Exam | 75% |
| Total | 100% |
Challenge for credit course registration form