Registry
Module Specifications
Archived Version 2015 - 2016
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Description This module introduces final year undergraduates to selected tenets of communication theory, with a particular emphasis on how theories can be used as tools to interpret human and mediated communication. Student activities will include in-class debates, essays and seminar presentations. In addition to exploring theories of human communication at the levels of the interpersonal, small group, organisational, and intercultural, the module also examines theories of the media, since this is the area where most students focus their work. Overall, the module critically reviews the conceptual foundations and dominant assumptions informing studies across the interdisciplinary field of communications. It retraces some of the threads that underlie contemporary scholarly approaches to the institutions, forms, patterns and styles through which communication takes place in the contemporary world. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Learning Outcomes 1. Understand and describe the philosophical underpinnings of communication theory 2. Describe and differentiate human communication in various contexts 3. Explain how media function within the overall evolution of human symbolic power as both instruments of social control/order and as agents of change 4. Explain how different historical situations shape the use of different technologies to disseminate knowledge about society 5. Research and write theoretically-informed assignments and seminar reports | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 |
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Indicative Content and
Learning Activities The importance of theoryIntroduction; major traditions of communication theory; varieties of human communicationIntrapersonal to Interpersonal communicationIntrapersonal to interpersonal communication; the social psychology of communication; phatic communication and online social networking.Mass communication and media effectsMass communication and media effects; media uses and gratifications; cultivation theoryCulture industry to cultural industriesCulture industry to cultural industriesReception theory; encoding/decodingReception theory; encoding/decodingIntercultural communicationIntercultural communication; face negotiation theory; the politicisation of cultureThe public sphereNormative theories of public communication; Habermas and the public sphereConsumer culture and citizenshipConsumer culture and citizenship; brand communities and tribesAgendas and FramesAgenda setting; agenda building; framingSpiral of silenceSpiral of silence; moral panics; visual pleasure and ideologyNew Media and New PowerMedia and power; globalisation and convergence; new social movements | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List
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Other Resources None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Programme or List of Programmes |
CS | BA in Communication Studies |
- See the module specification for CM382 in 2003 - 2004
- See the module specification for CM382 in 2004 - 2005
- See the module specification for CM382 in 2005 - 2006
- See the module specification for CM382 in 2006 - 2007
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- See the module specification for CM382 in 2008 - 2009
- See the module specification for CM382 in 2009 - 2010
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- See the module specification for CM382 in 2011 - 2012
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- See the module specification for CM382 in 2013 - 2014
- See the module specification for CM382 in 2014 - 2015
- See the module specification for CM382 in 2015 - 2016
- See the module specification for CM382 in 2016 - 2017
- See the module specification for CM382 in 2017 - 2018
- See the module specification for CM382 in 2018 - 2019
- See the module specification for CM382 in 2019 - 2020
- See the module specification for CM382 in 2020 - 2021
- See the module specification for CM382 in 2021 - 2022
- See the module specification for CM382 in 2022 - 2023
- See the module specification for the current year