Introduction to Communication Science

About this course: Since Antiquity, scholars have appreciated the importance of communication: as social beings, we cannot exist without communication. We need to interact with people around us, to make sense of the world and to position ourselves in a wider social and cultural reality. In this course, we look at how and why communication evolved as a science and reflect on today’s dominant paradigms. The course also extends beyond the boundaries of communication science itself, exploring dimensions of history, sociology and psychology. Join our class, together with people all over the world. Introduction to Communication Science explores some of the basic theories, models and concepts from the fields of mass, interpersonal and intrapersonal communication. The course begins with a consideration of several basic models, subsequently progressing to the history of communication theory, linear effect-oriented theories, the reception approach and, finally, exploring theories on the production and reinforcement of culture through communication. Upon completion of this course, students should: • have knowledge of the history and development of communication science; • have knowledge of the dominant theoretical approaches within communication science; • have knowledge and understanding of the most important models and concepts in this field. Beginning the week of February 16, 2015, you will be able to join Signature Track, a system that verifies your identity when you take an exam. This option will allow you to earn a Verified Certificate, which provides formal recognition of your achievements in the course and includes the University of Amsterdam logo. Before then, you can complete a “test run” of the exam. You can then re-take the exam after the Verified Certificate becomes available. For information regarding Verified Certificates, see https://courserahelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/201212399-Verified-Certificates"

Created by:  University of Amsterdam

• Taught by:  Rutger de Graaf, PhD

  Graduate School of Communication Science

Commitment 28 hours of videos and assignments Language English, Subtitles: Spanish, Ukrainian, French, Chinese (Simplified) How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.6 stars Average User Rating 4.6See what learners said Travail en cours

Chaque cours fonctionne comme un manuel interactif en proposant des vidéos préenregistrées, des quiz et des projets.

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University of Amsterdam A modern university with a rich history, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) traces its roots back to 1632, when the Golden Age school Athenaeum Illustre was established to train students in trade and philosophy. Today, with more than 30,000 students, 5,000 staff and 285 study programmes (Bachelor's and Master's), many of which are taught in English, and a budget of more than 600 million euros, it is one of the largest comprehensive universities in Europe. It is a member of the League of European Research Universities and also maintains intensive contact with other leading research universities around the world.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


The Beginnings of Communication Science



In this introduction to the course I will briefly introduce the field of communication science and discuss some basic models that will serve as guidelines to the rest of the course. Also, they explore the historical roots of the science of communication. I will discuss the development of communication theory and the evolution of the media landscape in Antiquity, Medieval and Early Modern times.


16 videos, 8 readings expand

1. Lecture: Welcome to Introduction to Communication Science
2. Lecture: About Us
3. Lecture: About UvA
4. Lecture: Transcripts
5. Lecture: Research in this MOOC
6. Lecture: Survey 1
7. Video: Introduction
8. Video: What is Communication?
9. Video: Concepts
10. Video: Theories
11. Video: Transmission
12. Video: Reception, Signs, and Signification
13. Video: Cultural Approach
14. Video: Three Approaches
15. Lecture: LBON: An Introduction to Communication Science
16. Video: A Short History of Communication Science
17. Video: Greek and Roman Rhetorica
18. Video: Two Schools of Classical Communication Science
19. Video: Rhetorical Theory
20. Video: The Dark Ages of Communication
21. Video: A Renaissance of our Field
22. Video: The Printing Press as an Agent of Change
23. Video: Towards a Modern Communication Science
24. Lecture: LBON: A Short History of Communication Science

Graded: An Introduction to Communication Science
Graded: History of Communication Science

WEEK 2


Technical Approaches to Communication Science
The linear effect-oriented approach is discussed and how it developed in the twentieth century. Evolving from a belief in all-powerful effects after World War I to a more nuanced negotiated effects perspective in the sixties.


16 videos, 3 readings expand

1. Video: Introduction
2. Video: The Power of Propaganda and the All-powerful Media Paradigm
3. Video: Needles, Bullets, and Martians
4. Video: Powerful Media Put to the Test
5. Video: Minimal Effects
6. Video: Powerful Media Rediscovered
7. Video: A Revolution in the Media Landscape
8. Video: Negotiated Effects
9. Lecture: LBON: The Linear Effect-Oriented Approach
10. Lecture: Survey 2
11. Lecture: LBON: The Reception and Significance Perspective
12. Video: An Introduction to the Reception and Signification Perspective
13. Video: Message Construction
14. Video: Active Audiences
15. Video: Selective Processing
16. Video: Cognitive Shortcuts
17. Video: Central and Peripheral Route
18. Video: Getting Through the Filter
19. Video: Encoding, Decoding, and the Construction of Meaning

Graded: The Linear Effect-Oriented Approach
Graded: The Reception and Signification Perspective

WEEK 3


Cultural and Social Approaches to Communication Science
This covers theoretical approaches that understand communication processes as social and cultural forces, as building blocks of reality, and a binding element of power in society.


16 videos, 2 readings expand

1. Video: Introduction to the Cultural Approach
2. Video: Producing and Maintaining Culture
3. Video: Making Sense of the World
4. Video: Popular Culture: Reflection or Illusion?
5. Video: Cultural Studies: Birmingham and Toronto
6. Video: Cultural Groups
7. Video: How To Fit In?
8. Video: Conclusion: Cultural Conformity and Relativism
9. Lecture: LBON: The Cultural Approach
10. Video: Introduction Question & Answers
11. Video: Metaphors
12. Video: The Role of Media in Society
13. Video: Metaphors on the Role of Media in Society
14. Video: Primary and Secondary Research
15. Video: What's New About New Media?
16. Video: Globalization: Village vs. Tribes
17. Video: About the Exam
18. Lecture: Survey 3

Graded: The Cultural Approach

WEEK 4


Final Exam



1 video, 2 readings expand

1. Lecture: Survey 4
2. Video: Thank you
3. Lecture: Final notes

Graded: Exam Part 1
Graded: Exam Part 2
Graded: Exam Part 3
Graded: Exam Part 4