COMS 330: Communication Theory
Prerequisites: COMS 130 (completed with a 鈥淐鈥� or better), and junior standing, or
permission of instructor.
Credit hours (3)
A survey of communication theories in a variety of contexts. Includes study of interpersonal,
group, persuasive, organizational, rhetorical, mass media, and intercultural theory.
Contemporary theories and practices in oral communication; examines wide range of
behaviorally oriented theories and studies of oral communication. Speaking (sending)
and listening (receiving) emphasized.
Note(s): Cultural or Behavioral Analysis designated course. This is a core course required
of all students majoring in the School of Communication. School of Communication students
must earn a 鈥淐鈥� or better to have this course count towards major requirements. Students
cannot receive credit for both COMS 230 and COMS 330.
Detailed Description of Course
The course is an overview of the field of communication research. It begins by briefly
outlining the history and development of the field and distinguishes social scientific
study of communication from humanistic approaches. It then proceeds to highlight
methods of inquiry from which theories emerge. Included in this discussion is the
identification of meta-theoretical issues such as epistemology, ontology and other
often unstated assumptions made by the theorist. With the above as a foundation,
the bulk of the course focuses on exposing the student to a wide variety of communication
theories. An attempt is made to include theories from a wide variety of contexts;
intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, public speaking, and mass communication, etc.
Theories discussed are significant because of their historical value in shaping the
field, their present value in generating research or insights into human communication
or their value in illustrating where the field may be headed as it continues to explore
human communication. Examples of theories which could be covered include: Mediational
Theory of Meaning (Osgood), Symbolic Interactionism (Mead), Social Penetration Theory
(Altman and Taylor), etc.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
The course includes lectures/discussion, group exercises, and outside reading/research.
There are also numerous exercises graded only in the aggregate that encourage personal
application of the material being covered.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
At the end of the course students should be able to:
1) Have a basic understanding of the history and evolution of the field of communication.
2) Identify a wide variety of theories within the field and associate them with
the appropriate theorist.
3) Apply these theories to 鈥渞eal life鈥� situations when appropriate.
4) Present their own opinions, reactions, and theoretical concepts in a clear,
confident manner.
Assessment Measures
Students鈥� mastery of the course objectives will be assessed as follows:
1) Exams will be used to assess students鈥� understanding of various theories covered
in the course.
2) Writing and/or oral assignments will be used to assess students鈥� abilities
to understand and react to theories and apply
theories to 鈥渞eal life鈥� situations.
Other Course Information
Occasional use of video equipment may be encouraged (recorder and playback), depending
on the nature of lecture material or group presentations by students.
Review and Approval
April 19, 2016
December 16, 2015
September 2001
March 01, 2021