Online · School of Communication & the Arts · Strategic & Personal Communication

Communication Theory and Practices

COMS-520

CG Section 8WK 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 Modified 12/12/2022  Course Description

Intensive study of current theories, research, and trends in communication.

Requisites

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog (https://catalog.liberty.edu/).

 Rationale

Understanding communication theories is essential to understanding the discipline of communication studies. As Littlejohn states, “Theories provide explanations that help us understand the phenomenon we call communication” (2). This course will provide an overview of communication theories across the major areas within the discipline of communication studies.

 Course Learning Outcomes

A. Analyze dominant theories from each of the field’s historical traditions and contexts.

B. Evaluate the philosophical and worldview assumptions underlying major theories and traditions.

C. Develop a biblically informed, Christian perspective of communication theory and its uses for both research and praxis.

 Course Resources

Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are registered: Liberty University Online Bookstore (https://bncvirtual.com/liberty).

Additional Materials for Learning

A. Computer with basic audio/video output equipment

B. Internet access (broadband recommended)

C. Canvas recommended browsers (https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Basics-Guide/What-are-the-browser-and-

computer-requirements-for-Canvas/ta-p/66)

D. Microsoft Word

E. Media player software

 Course Assignments

  Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations (http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=18202&printpage=y), the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

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Discussions (5)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will complete five Discussions. Discussion threads should be at least 600 words and should include two scholarly citations outside the course textbook to substantiate the student’s arguments. The student will reply to their classmates’ threads. All replies should be at least 450 words, contain two scholarly citations, and be posted intermittently throughout the week. All posts should follow proper APA style.

Definition of Communication Essay Assignment

Students will submit a 500-word essay describing their personal definitions of communication. Opinions should be supported by rational arguments. This brief essay should be formatted in APA style.

Journal Article Review Assignment

The student will analyze one communication journal article. The student must ensure the article is from a communication journal. In this brief paper, the student will choose one article and discuss elements of that article. The paper should be at least 500 words and follow APA style.

Research Project Assignments (5)

Throughout this course, the student will be completing a research project regarding one theory of communication. The final product of this research project will be a 15–20-page research paper and a 10-minute multimedia presentation of the paper. For this project, the student needs to collect 15 relevant sources, which must be cited in the paper. All portions of this project must be correctly formatted in APA style. This project will be submitted in the following stages:

Title Page

The student will choose one of the theories discussed in the textbook to serve as the topic for the research project. Using the chosen theory as the title of the paper, the student should create an APA-formatted title page to submit for approval. If the APA format is incorrect, the student will receive comments from the instructor and resubmit a corrected title page. As soon as the student receives the instructor’s approval, they should begin research for their project.

Introduction

The student will use their research to create an introduction paragraph with their thesis statement as the last sentence of the paragraph. These paragraphs may vary in length depending on the complexity of the paper topic; however, all paragraphs should define relevant terms and contextualize the research for the purposes of this project.

Literature Review

The student will submit the body of the paper, which should be a review of the 15 sources found during the research process. This review should be written in paragraph format with appropriate topic sentences for each paragraph. Furthermore, through this literature review, the student should compare/contrast, analyze, and apply the scholarly perspectives presented in the research. Since the review will serve as the body of the paper, the student should aim to have between 15–20 pages of text.

Paper Submission

The student should submit their final research paper. The final paper should be between 15–20 pages with the additional title page, abstract, works cited page, and appendix (if necessary). At least 15 sources should be listed on the works cited page and all sources should be used within the paper. This final draft of the paper should demonstrate flawless APA format.

Presentation (Discussion)

The student will create a multimedia presentation of their theory that includes a video. The video should be between 9–10 minutes and uploaded to YouTube for viewing.

Quizzes (2)

Students will complete an essay midterm exam and an essay final exam. Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned modules. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 9 essay questions, and have a 2 hour and 45 minute time limit.

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 Course Grading

10

Discussions (5 at 60 pts ea) 300

Journal Article Review Assignment 40

20

Research Project: Introduction Assignment 20

Course Requirements Checklist

Definition of Communication Essay Assignment

40

Research Project: Title Page Assignment

Research Project: Literature Review Assignment

80

Research Project: Paper Submission Assignment

150

Presentation Assignment (Discussion Research Project - Presentation)

170

Quiz: Midterm (Chs. 1–4, 7-8) 90

90

Total 1010

 Course Policies

Quiz: Final (Chs. 5, 9, 11–12)

Copyright Policy

Liberty University complies with applicable copyright laws. No copyrighted material may be duplicated for any purpose not expressly allowed by laws unless written permission has been granted by the copyright holder and submitted to the course instructor.

Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism will not be tolerated in an Liberty University Online courses. For more information about this policy, see the Student Expectations link inside the course.

 Policies

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Late Assignment Policy

Course Assignments, including discussions, exams, and other graded assignments, should be submitted on time.

If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor immediately by email. Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:

1. Late assignments submitted within one week after the due date will receive up to a 10% deduction.

2. Assignments submitted more than one week and less than 2 weeks late will receive up to a 20% deduction.

3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted outside of special

circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by

the instructor.

4. Group projects, including group discussion threads and/or replies, and assignments will not be accepted after the due date

outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.

Disability Assistance

Students with a disability and those with medical conditions associated with pregnancy may contact Liberty University’s Online Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu for accommodations. Such accommodations require appropriate documentation of your condition. For more information about ODAS and the accommodations process, including how to request an accommodation, please visit https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation- support/ (https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation-support/). Requests for accommodations not related to disabilities or pregnancy must be directed to the Registrar’s Office, which generally handles medical needs support.

If you have a complaint related to disability discrimination or an accommodation that was not provided, you may contact ODAS or the Office of Equity and Compliance by phone at (434) 592-4999 or by email at equityandcompliance@liberty.edu. Click to see a full copy of Liberty’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Liberty+University+Discrimination,+Harassment,+and+Sexual+Misconduct+Policy) or

the Student Disability Grievance Policy and Procedures (https://www.liberty.edu/disability-support/wp- content/uploads/sites/106/2022/01/Disability-Grievance-Procedures.pdf).

Course Attendance

In an effort to comply with U.S. Department of Education policies, attendance is measured by physical class attendance or any submission of a required assignment within the enrollment dates of the course (such as examinations, written papers or projects, any discussion posts, etc.) or initiating any communication with one’s professor regarding an academic subject. More information regarding the attendance policy (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Online+Attendance+and+Non-Attendance) can be found in the Academic Course Catalogs (https://www.liberty.edu/academics/course-catalogs/). Regular attendance in online courses is expected throughout the length of the term. Students who do not attend within the first week of a sub-term by submitting a required academic assignment (such as the Course Requirements Checklist, an examination, written paper or project, discussion post, or other academic activity) will be dropped from the course. Students who wish to re-engage in the course are encouraged to contact Academic Advising to discuss their enrollment options. Students who begin an online course, but at some point in the semester cease attending, and do not provide official notification to withdraw, will be assigned a grade of “FN” (Failure for Non- Attendance (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Unofficial+Withdrawals)). Students wishing to withdraw from courses after the official start date should familiarize themselves with the withdrawal policy.

              Grading Scale

        A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D-

940- 1010

920- 939

900- 919

860- 899

840- 859

820- 839

780- 819

760- 779

740- 759

700- 739

680- 699

F

679 and below

For courses with a Pass/NP final grade, please refer to the Course Grading section of this syllabus for the assignment requirements and/or point value required to earn a Passing final grade.

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Add/Drop Policy

The full policy statement and procedures are published in the Policy Directory

(https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Dropping+and+Adding+Online+Classes). Honor Code

Liberty University comprises a network of students, Alumni, faculty, staff and supporters that together form a Christian community based upon the truth of the Bible. This truth defines our foundational principles, from our Doctrinal Statement to the Code of Honor. These principles irrevocably align Liberty University’s operational procedures with the long tradition of university culture, which remains distinctively Christian, designed to preserve and advance truth. Our desire is to create a safe, comfortable environment within our community of learning, and we extend our academic and spiritual resources to all of our students with the goal of fostering academic maturity, spiritual growth and character development.

Communities are predicated on shared values and goals. The Code of Honor, an expression of the values from which our Doctrinal Statement was born, defines the fundamental principles by which our community exists. At the core of this code lie two essential concepts: a belief in the significance of all individuals, and a reliance on the existence of objective truth.

While we acknowledge that some may disagree with various elements of the Code of Honor, we maintain the expectation that our students will commit to respect and uphold the Code while enrolled at Liberty University.

Adherence to the principles and concepts established within facilitates the success of our students and strengthens the Liberty community.

The Code of Honor can be viewed in its entirety at https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/ (https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/).

 Schedule

    When Topic Notes

     Course Overview Student Acknowledgements Course Requirements Checklist

   Module 1: Week 1

Learn

Read: 1 item Watch: 1 item

    Apply

Discussion: Communication as a Discipline Definition of Communication Essay Assignment

 Module 2: Week 2

Learn

Read: 1 item Watch: 2 items

      Apply

Discussion: Construction of Reality Research Project: Title Page Assignment Journal Article Review Assignment

 Module 3: Week 3

Learn

Apply Discussion: Language as Symbols

Read: 1 item Watch: 1 item

   Module 4: Week 4

Learn

Read: 1 item Watch: 1 item

  Apply Quiz: Midterm

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    When Topic Notes

   Module 5: Week 5

Learn

Read: 1 item Watch: 1 item

  Apply

Discussion: Organizational Culture Research Project: Introduction Assignment

    Module 6: Week 6

Learn

Read: 1 item Watch: 1 item

 Apply Research Project: Literature Review Assignment

 Module 7: Week 7

Learn

Read: 1 item Watch: 1 item

      Apply

Discussion: Modernism v. Postmodernism Discussion: Research Project – Presentation Research Project: Paper Submission Assignment

   Module 8: Week 8

Learn

Read: 1 item Watch: 1 item

  Apply

Quiz: Final

Discussion Replies: Research Project – Presentation

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