Catalog Description
As anyone who has experienced miscommunications can attest, the ability to convey one’s ideas is vital to almost every aspect of society, ranging from companies and schools within the domains of business and education, to individuals within the domains of friendship and romantic relationships. With the advent of technologies such as email, instant messaging, discussion boards, and blogs, people continue to have more channels of communication. Text-, audio-, and video-based media differ, however, in the feelings of anonymity that they foster, and the sorts of information (e.g., emotional tone) that they convey. Theories of social cognition suggest that these differences have important implications for the sorts of communication strategies that are likely to be more or less effective when using technologies for communication. For instance, people conveying a message might feel more comfortable advocating controversial positions if they are using more anonymous modes of communication, yet those listening to the message might trust it more if the source is not anonymous. In order to address such issues, this multidisciplinary course will review theories and research addressing the sometimes surprising factors that can have an impact on effective communication in general. Additionally, this course will review how new forms of communication have been used in the realms of personal relationships, education, and the business world. We will discuss how theories and findings from the realm of traditional modes of communication do, and do not, apply in the context of these new forms of communication. Students will explore how these ideas apply across communication media by having the opportunity to do their own research. Students will thus gain not only insight into a highly relevant subject area, but research experience as well. |
|
Course Overview
The purpose of this course is to study the intricacies of communicating with new technologies. Specifically, we will look to discuss how different users are using these technologies for different purposes. Class periods will be devoted primarily to student presentations and group discussions. All class activities and assignments are designed to provide (1) an overview of the research in how these technologies are being used by a variety of users, (2) the opportunity to use a variety of these applications and reflect on the experience, and (3) an opportunity to develop a research topic and conduct quantitative research related to the course topics. This course strives to develop students who are inquisitive, self-reflective, effective communicators, and life-long learners.
Technology
Students will use:
-
The course website (extensively)
The university library databases
-
Journals – (Google Documents)
- Email, journaling, Instant Messenger, Video Conference, etc.
Course Objectives
Students completing this course will:
- Read and discuss the results of research conducted in this area.
- Reflect on experiences using multiple technologies.
- Lead discussions on peer-reviewed journal articles related to course topics.
- Develop research instruments, collect data, and analyze data on a related topic.
- Write a research paper modeled after those presented in peer-reviewed journals.
Course Format
We believe that to learn well, students must reflect about what they’ve read and engage in higher-order thought processes including application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Students and instructors will therefore lead discussions and include activities and examples that require reflection and engagement in higher-order processing. We expect you to take an active role in both in-class and on-line activities and discussions and complete the assigned readings and activities before class. Course discussions, activities, and assessments will be based on the assumption that you have prepared for class by reading the assigned materials. Students are responsible for all assigned readings and all materials discussed in class, even in the case of absences. The instructors reserve the right to include additional assignments or assessments if it appears that students are not completing the required readings. The instructors reserve the right to make any additions or changes to the course syllabus at any time during the semester. If changes need to be made, students will be notified ASAP