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Module Specifications

Archived Version 2012 - 2013

Module Title Introduction to Communication Studies
Module Code CM151
School School of Communications

Online Module Resources

Module Co-ordinatorDr Des McGuinnessOffice Number
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Description

This module is for students starting to understand Communication Studies in terms of forms of communication that go beyond face-to-face situations and usually involve technology. The module takes a long view (e.g. Raymond Williams’s Long Revolution) and applies it to a history of modes of human communicatons. By stretching students' imaginations in this way, by setting up a sharp contrast between media in the past and media in the present, students can think more creatively about communication media in the 21st century and how they shape contemporary cultures around the world. Contextualizing communication, students will learn communication studies and theory, media ideology and media concepts and theories. Students will also develop an ability to conduct academic research, writing and presentation. The module is organized around three strands; (I) processes within which mediated communication have evolved; (ii) developments in mediated communication- print, radio, television and personal media technologies. (iii) academic research, writing and presentation

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe and discuss the fundamentals of commmunciation studies.
2. Critique modes of human commmunication in terms of keys characteristics of communication theory.
3. Understand the importance of technology in processeses of mediated communication
4. Research, write and present theoretically informed assignments and seminar reports



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture24Weekly Lecture
Seminars72Weekly seminar presentations- preparation and presestation
Independent Study154Reading, research, and presentation of seminar/assigment/annotated bibliography
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introducting CM151

Symbol in Human Communication

Symobolic Interactionism

The Guttenberg Revolution

Scientific Revolution and Mechanistic Models of Communication

Structuralism, Ideology and Communication Theory

Radical Modes/Theories of Communication

Railway Lines, Telegraphs and the Internet

Analogue, Digital Radio and Community Radio

Audio-Visual Communication: Television

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable
Indicative Reading List

  • David Crowley & Paul Heyer (eds): 0, Communication in History: Technology, Culture, Society,
  • Denis McQuail: 2010, Mass Communication Theory, 6th ed., SAGE,, Los Angeles, Calif. ; London, 9781849202916
  • Stephen W. Littlejohn: 1992, Theories of human communication, Wadsworth Pub. Co., Belmont, Calif., 0534161340
  • Stuart Price: 1996, Communication Studies, Longman, Harlow, 0582277957
  • Eoin Devereux: 2003, Understanding Media, Thousand Oaks, Calif : Sage Publications, 076195483X
  • Andrew Lock, Charles R. Peters: 1996, Handbook of human symbolic evolution, Oxford : New York : Clarendon Press ; Oxford University Press, 0198521537
  • Brian Winston: 1998, Media technology and society:Media technology and society : a history : from the Telegraph to the Internet, Routledge, London, New York, 0415142296
  • Robert Perks and Alistair Thomson: 1998, The Oral History Reader, Routledge, ., London, New York, 0415133513
  • Benedict Anderson: 1983, Imagined communities, Verso, London, 0860910598
Other Resources

4421, 0, European Journal of Communication, http://ejc.sagepub.com/,
Programme or List of Programmes
CSBA in Communication Studies
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