MCCCD Program Description

Introduction to Communication Inquiry

Course: COM207

First Term: 2004 Fall

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 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) 9. Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior in the performance of assigned tasks. (I-VII) 10. Identify opinion evidence. (IX) 11. Describe strengths and weaknesses of various research designs. (X) 12. Apply rules of inductive and deductive reasoning to problem solving. (XI) 13. Construct an argument using syllogistic and hypothetical patterns. (XI) 14. Explain the role of theory in communication research. (XII) 15. Identify the level of a definition. (XIII) 16. Provide definitions at daily, poetic, and scientific levels. (XIII) 17. Distinguish between operational and conceptual definitions. (XIII) 18. Identify definitions in context. (XIII) 19. Apply standards for definitions. (XIII) 20. Identify non-directional, directional, and null hypotheses. (XIV) 21. Write a hypothesis dealing with a communication topic. (XIV) 22. Identify independent and dependent variables in a hypothesis. (XV) 23. Write a short communication paper using correct APA style. (XVI)
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 E. Interpreting Field Note Data F. Writing a Field Research Proposal G. Selecting Supporting Sources VII. Professional Behavior A. Setting and Meeting Timelines B. Using Paradigms Appropriately and Accurately C. Giving and Receiving Criticism D. Modeling Ethical Behavior D. Definition of statistics E. Statistical evidence 1. Sources and types of statistical information a. Sampling b. Descriptive statistics c. Measures of association d. Significance testing 2. Tests of statistical evidence 3. Reliability and validity a. Defined b. Tests F. Reporting evidence IX. Opinion evidence A. Types of opinion evidence B. Tests of opinion evidence X. Experimental research design and statistical evidence A. Design notations B. Controls and control groups C. Impact of linear causality on research design XI. Research reasoning A. Patterns of reasoning 1. Types of arguments 2. Classification of reasoning a. Inductive b. Deductive B. Structures of reasoning 1. Syllogism 2. Toulmin`s alternative structure C. Defects in reasoning XII. Theory in communication research A. Ways of knowing 1. Non-research problem solving 2. Research method a. Use of literature b. Development of argument B. Foundations of theory 1. Communication research as science 2. Importance of theories 3. Theory construction C. Anatomy of theories 1. Definition of theory 2. Components of theory a. Abstract calculus b. Theoretic constructs c. Rules of correspondence XIII. Definitions A. Problems in definitions B. Levels of definition 1. Daily 2. Poetic 3. Scientific C. Clarity of definition 1. Interchangeability of definitions 2. Circularity problems in definitions 3. Operational definitions 4. Contextual definitions D. Standards for definitions 1. Feigl`s criteria 2. Sources 3. Rules XIV. Hypotheses A. Concept of a hypothesis 1. Hypothetical syllogism 2. Antecedents and consequences B. Requirements of hypothesis C. Types of hypothesis 1. Non-directional 2. Directional 3. Null XV. Variables A. Definition of a variable B. Types of hypothesized variables 1. Independent 2. Dependent 3. Other types XVI. Writing style for quantitative research - APA

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.