FUNDAMENTALS OF COMMUNICATION THEORY

COM 256

TEXTBOOK/READINGS:

Infante, D.A., Rancer A.S., & Womack, D.F. Building Communication Theory. 3^rd Ed. Waveland Press, 1993.

Littlejohn, S.W. Theories of Human Communication, 6^th Ed. Wadsworth Publishing Co., 1999.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

COM 256 is an introduction to the study of communication for Communication majors. This introduction includes (l) an analysis of the basic elements of the human communication process; (2) an understanding of these concepts in the contexts of interpersonal, small group, organizational, and public, mass communication; and (3) an exploration of the interrelationship of the factors affecting communication systems.

EVALUATION PROCEDURES:

3 hourly exams-possibilities for earning extra credit will be discussed in class

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Because of the limited number of hours allowed for each of the lecture topics and because of the activities and films, daily attendance is expected. On the days you are to take an exam, you will NOT be excused from class unless:

1. I have excused you PRIOR TO the class meeting, or
2. You have a substantiated University-excused illness (doctor's written confirmation) or verified family emergency.

Any unexcused absence will result in an automatic "0" on that examination. If you have any questions, please see me BEFORE the problem arises.

EXTRA CREDIT

There is a possibility of earning a minimum of 3 points of extra credit (3% of your total grade). To earn these points, you must participate in a newsgroup that is part of our class. Prior to each exam, you must post a minimum of three (3) messages (questions, answers to others' questions) on our newsgroup. For those three messages, you earn one point. There is no "partial credit" given.

If you fail to post three messages during before a given exam, you cannot make up the difference later. So . . . 3 messages, posted before each of the 3 exams equals 3 points.

The address of the newsgroup is: udel.fall98.comm256-012

We will discuss ways to access this newsgroup in class.

There may or may not be an opportunity for additional extra credit, but don't count on it. If an opportunity arises, I will announce it in class.

GRADING POLICY:

The Department of Communication adheres to the following grading policy:

Many students seem to believe that they start with an "A" in a class and then work their way down when they "do something wrong." Actually, the reverse is true. Students begin with a zero and work their way up if they "do something right." Grades on individual projects, exams, or performances in the "D" range suggest that the work was done but is of poor quality. Grades in the "C" range suggest that the work fulfills the basic requirements of the syllabus and is of average quality. Grades in the "B" range suggest that the work fulfills the basic requirements and is of high quality. Grades in the "A" range suggest that the work is exceptional. Thus, good grades are earned, not an inherent right. Students must receive a grade of at least "C" in a COM course to have it count toward the major.

Grades will be computed based on points earned from each examination:

3 hourly exams: @100 points: 300

LECTURE TOPICS AND READINGS

(IR&W = Infante, Rancer, & Womack; LJ = Littlejohn.)

UNIT I: COMMUNICATION THEORY AND PROCESSES

UNIT II: COMMUNICATION INPUTS & OUTPUTS

COMMUNICATION CONTEXTS:

UNIT III: COMMUNICATION AND INFLUENCE