This is a broad theory course that covers the scientific method, application of theory to general social issues and to research on those issues, the logical positivist outlook, and issues such as Paradigm Shift and the Rashomon Effect as they apply to human interaction. On a narrower focus, the class covers many of the most important theories of communications, and attempts to cover basic theories from other fields such as structuralism, functionalism, feminism, and neo-marxism / critical theory.

Prerequisites: COM 110 Introduction to Mass Media, upper division status

Bibliography of Sources:

General Theory

Mass Communication Theory: An Introduction

Festinger, Leon. (1957). A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance. Stanford University Press.

Festinger, Leon, et. al. ed. (1990). Extending Psychological Frontiers: Selected Works of Leon Festinger. Russell Sage Foundation.

Festinger, Leon. (1964). Conflict, Decision, and Dissonance. Stanford University Press.

Gerbner, George. (2002). Against the Mainstream: The Selected Works of George Gerbner. Lang, Peter Publishing, Incorporated.

McCombs, Maxwell, et. al. (1997). Communication and Democracy: Exploring the Intellectual Frontiers in Agenda-Setting Theory. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.

Noelle-Neumann, Elisabeth. (1993). Spiral of Silence: Public Opinion, Our Social Skin. University of Chicago Press.

Protess, David et. al. ed. (1991). Agenda Setting: Readings on Media, Public Opinion and Policy Making. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.

Shannon, Claude, et. al. (1963). Mathematical Theory of Communication. University of Illinois Press