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Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation
Introduction to Communication Inquiry
Course: COM207

First Term: 2009 Summer I
 Lecture   3.0 Credit(s)   3.0 Period(s)   3.0 Load  
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S


Description: Overview of theory and methodological practice in communication with particular attention to scholarly writing skills. Emphasis on development of critical thinking skills through active participation in the research process.



MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Trace the history of the communication field and describe the breadth of the discipline today. (I)
2. Explain the purposes of communication scholarship. (I)
3. Identify and describe a broad range of communication theories. (II)
4. Describe the relationship between communication theory and practice. (II)
5. Identify and describe the basic paradigms of communications research. (III)
6. Analyze, synthesize and evaluate research as a precursor to the development of students` own inquiries about communication phenomena. (IV)
7. Identify and describe the types of research found in the communication field and methods associated with each. (IV)
8. Write at least one paper in each of the primary academic styles including MLA and APA (Modern Language Association and American Psychological Association). (IV)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.
 
MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Introduction to the Communication Discipline
   A. History
   B. Breadth of discipline today
   C. Purposes of scholarship
II. Communication Theory
   A. Process of theory development
   B. Theory evaluation
   C. Functions of theory
   D. Types of theories
      1. Interpersonal
      2. Group
      3. Public
      4. Mass communication
      5. Cultural context
   E. Theory and application
III. Communication Research Process
   A. Paradigms
      1. Functional
      2. Interpretive
      3. Rhetorical
   B. Applications
IV. Analysis, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Research in Communication
   A. Research resources
      1. Internet
      2. Print-based
   B. Writing
      1. MLA, APA stylesheets
      2. The research report
         a. Literature review
         b. Method
         c. Discussion
         d. Discussion
         e. References
      3. Abstracts
         a. Informative
         b. Critical
         c. Evaluative
   C. Research methods
      1. Experiment
      2. Survey
 
MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 12/9/2003

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.