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2012/2013  BA-1FCO  Fundamentals of Communication, Module 1

English Title
Fundamentals of Communication, Module 1

Course information
Language English
Exam ECTS 5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Bachelor
Duration One Quarter
Course period Autumn, First Quarter
Time Table Please see course schedule at e-Campus
Study board
Study Board for BA in Information Management
Course coordinator
  • Mareike Buss - ITM
Main Category of the Course
  • Communication
Last updated on 28-08-2012
Learning objectives
At the end of the course students should be able to:
  • understand, define, explain and compare concepts of communication and develop a conceptual framework of the basic theoretical elements of communication,
  • write a coherent, argumentative text in English,
  • demonstrate an adequate level of written English that does not constitute a barrier to communication and does not contain significant lexical or grammatical errors.
Examination
Fundamentals of Communication
1st quarter paper:
Type of test Home Assignment
Marking scale Pass / Fail
Second examiner No second examiner
Exam period October
Aids Please, see the detailed regulations below
Duration Please, see the detailed regulations below
Individual paper of max. 3 standard pages. Concerning page count, see section 11(3) and (5) of the 2012 Programme Regulations.
Course content

The course, module 1, focuses on basic theories and concepts in communication studies. It provides an introduction to basic theories and concepts in communication studies. Topics will include:

  • Elements of communication theories, evaluating communication theories, traditions in the field of communication studies.
  • Theories of interpersonal communication (Symbolic Interactionism, Coordinated Management of Meaning, Constructivism, Uncertainty Reduction Theory, Social Information Processing Theory).
  • Theories of group communication (Symbolic Convergence Theory).
  • Theories of mass communication (Aristotle’s Rhetoric, Narrative Paradigm, Cultural Studies, Semiotics – R. Barthes & R. Jakobson).
The workshops parallel to the lectures have a twofold objective. Firstly, they serve to deepen the understanding of the theories and principles presented in the lectures. Secondly, they aim at introducing the students to academic genres, standards, and demands; train description, summaries, comparisons, and analyses; and, thus, to develop the students’ capacity and confidence in reading academic texts and in writing assignments and papers.
Teaching methods
Lectures and workshops
Expected literature
Textbooks:
  • Fairbairn, G., &Winch, C. (1996). Reading, Writing and Reasoning: A Guide for Students. New York: McGraw Hill Higher Education.
  • Griffin, E. (2011). A First Look at Communication Theory. 8th edition. New York: McGraw Hill.
E-compendium (on CBS Learn):
  • Barthes, R. (2009). Mythologies. London: Vintage Classics.
  • Craig, R.T. (1999). Communication theory as a field. Communication Theory, 9, 119-161.
  • Jakobson, R. (1980). Metalanguage as a Linguistic Problem. In The Framework of Language(pp. 81-92). Ann Arbor, MI: Michigan University Press.
Last updated on 28-08-2012