Goals, epistemology and methods of qualitative inquiry in communication. Strengths and limitations of different qualitative research methodologies. Distinctive contributions of qualitative research to theory and practice of communication.
This course is designed as a first database course for students without any previous experience. The general aim of the course is to understand the basic concepts, principles, and hand-on experiences on database systems. The course will evolve from understanding, visualizing, and analyzing data. Then transition to understanding relational databases by designing and building databases using Access and querying using Structured Query Language (SQL).
Field experience for candidates for the M.A. degree in any field of communications through work in industry, government, education, research or business agencies. Laboratory, 12 hours per week.
Individual reading study on some communications aspects not treated in depth in a regular course or of topical interest. Advance consultation regarding reading list and examination procedure required. May be repeated to a maximum of 12 credits.
Examination and critical analysis of the major theories of communication processes, including systems theory, structural theories and semiotics, behaviorism, symbolic interactionism, theories of the social construction of reality, and other theoretical approaches to the study of communication.
The scientific method. Communication research as part of social science research. Study and practice of quantitative behavioral research techniques which apply to communication.
This course is designed to provide a broad introduction to communication in a health care context. Topics addressed are patient-provider communication, small group communication, communication in health care organizations, intercultural communication in health care, and health images in the mass media.
Admission is free. But note that this is a technical research talk, of interest to social scientists, not a presentation targeted for the general public.
The course reviews existing and emerging theoretical, perspectives relevant to the context of interpersonal communication. Emphasis is on theories of message production and reception, identity management, relationship development, and related processes. Methods of investigation unique to the study of interpersonal interaction are also addressed. Students are expected to be familiar with general communication theory and basic research methods prior to enrolling in the course.
Instructional communication is a blending of three disciplines including pedagogy (i.e., teaching), educational psychology (i.e., cognitive learning), and communication. Although each of these unique disciplines is embedded in its own theoretical and research tradition, this course will focus on where these three disciplines intersect.
