The society which scorns excellence in plumbing as a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy: neither its pipes nor its theories will hold water.

John W. Gardner

Description: This course is based on the apparent oxymoron that few things are so practical as good theories. In fact, theories are tools to help us understand our world. Some of these theories are scientific in that they help us to explain and predict behavior. Others are humanistic in that they help us to understand and interpret the meaning of behavior. This entry-level course surveys a variety of communication theories in both the humanistic and scientific disciplines. These theories are the underpinnings of other departmental courses including those in interpersonal, organizational, public, and mass-media communication.

Objectives: If you successfully complete this course, you will be able to:

• define theory and explain its role in research
• explain the difference between humanistic and scientific theories
• describe a variety of communication and rhetorical theories
• apply communication theories to real-world situations
• critically evaluate communication theories

Text: Griffin, Em, (2006). A First Look at Communication Theory, 6th edition, New York: McGraw-Hill.

Grading: Your final grade will be computed on the basis of the following:

• 10% = Quizzes and class participation
• 10% = Response 1
• 20% = Midterm exam
• 20% = Paper
• 20% = Response 2
• 20% = Final exam

Attendance: You are expected to attend all classes. Attendance is important to your progress and your classmates'. Much of what you learn will come from discussions and interactions with your fellow students. A formal assignment or exam for which you are absent will be graded as an F. If an emergency prevents you from attending class (such as a personal illness or family death), you must alert me in advance of your absence and return to class with written documentation for your absence. Undocumented absences will reduce your final grade. You are expected to be on time for all classes. Late arrivals are disruptive to the instructor and your fellow students.

Academic Honesty: It is assumed that the work you submit for this course, whether written or spoken, is your own. Any attempt to represent someone else's work as your own will be considered plagiarism--a form of academic misconduct. Plagiarism includes copying another student's work on papers or tests, copying without attribution the ideas or words from published sources, and submitting papers or giving speeches prepared in previous semesters. Such academic misconduct will result in a failing grade for the assignment, a probable failing grade for the course, and a report to the Dean for possible disciplinary action. Be advised that internet services such as EVE 2.3 and Turnitin.com make the detection of plagiarism easy. Refer to Drexel's Student Handbook for more details.

Assignments: Each class meeting will require you to prepare a reading and a writing assignment. See the Schedule of Events for details. Click on the chapter designators for study guide questions to help you focus on the key concepts in your textbook. Expect a short quiz on each chapter as a check of your understanding of the concepts. Click on the paper and journal designators for details on the writing assignments. Late assignments will be penalized one letter grade increment for each class day late.

Special Needs

Students with disabilities requesting accommodations and services at Drexel University need to present a current accommodation verification letter (AVL) to faculty before accommodations can be made. AVLs are issued by the Office of Disability Services (ODS). For additional information, contact the ODS at http://drexel.edu/disability/, 3201 Arch St., Ste. 210, Philadelphia, PA 19104, V 215.895.1401, or TTY 215.895.2299.

Other resources for students with special needs are available from the following:

• English Language Center
• Office of Student Services
• Writing Center