Communication Theory
Code: 104765 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2503868 Communication in Organisations | FB | 2 | 1 |
Contact
- Name:
- Jaume Soriano Clemente
- Email:
- jaume.soriano@uab.cat
Teaching groups languages
You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject. Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2023.
Teachers
- Marc Blasco Duatis
- Angel Castellanos Diaz
Prerequisites
No specific knowledge is required.
Objectives and Contextualisation
This module belongs to Communication subject or area and it is qualified as fundamental within the Communication in Organizations Bachelor Degree. It is considered that there is a progressive logic linking the basic modules of the Communication subject or area, based on a long teaching experience and structured as follows:
- History of Communication. It introduces students to the historical evolution of communication from the first communicative phenomena to nowadays communicative experiences.
- Structure of Communication. It presents the communicative ecosystem, its dynamics and structural logic.
- Communication theories. It presents and specifies the different theories, schools, authors and different communication analysis perspectives and approaches.
The general training objectives of this module are: 1) to identify the main theories in the communication field, the conceptual elaboration and the theoretical approaches that lay the foundations of its knowledge; I 2) to favour critical thinking about the role of the media within society and their relations with social organizations.
Competences
- Act within one's own area of knowledge, evaluating sex/gender-based inequalities.
- Differentiate the principal theories on communication in organisations, which underpin knowledge of the discipline and its different branches.
- Display thorough knowledge of the contemporary world in its social, economic, political and cultural dimensions.
- Manage time efficiently and plan for short-, medium- and long-term tasks.
- Search for, select and rank any type of source and document that is useful for creating messages.
- Students must be capable of applying their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and they should have building arguments and problem resolution skills within their area of study.
- Students must be capable of communicating information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
- Students must have and understand knowledge of an area of study built on the basis of general secondary education, and while it relies on some advanced textbooks it also includes some aspects coming from the forefront of its field of study.
Learning Outcomes
- Cross-check information to establish its veracity, using evaluation criteria.
- Define the basic concepts of communication.
- Describe the structure of the media and its dynamics.
- Find what is substantial and relevant in documents within the subject.
- Identify the fundamental principles of the theories and history of communication.
- Interpret and discuss documents on the main theories of communication.
- Plan and conduct academic studies in the field of theory, history and structure of communication.
- Present a summary of the studies made, orally and in writing.
- Propose projects and actions that incorporate the gender perspective.
- Relate communication systems to the cultural evolution of contemporary society.
- Submit course assignments on time, showing the individual or group planning involved.
Content
SYLLABUS:
Introduction and year planning. Presenting the program
Interpersonal communication
Non-verbal interpersonal communication
Media communication. Beginning of the communication media research
Media communication. Functionalist paradigm. Uses and gratifications theory
Media communication. Agenda setting theory
Media communication. Silent spiral theory
Media communication. Social construction of reality
Media communication. Birmingham school
Media communication. Media events
Media communication. Mediatisation theory
Media communication. Attention economy/Post-truth
The calendar will be available on the first day of class. Students will find all information on the Virtual Campus: the description of the seminar activities, teaching materials, and any necessary information for the proper follow-up of the subject. In case of a change of teaching modality for health reasons, teachers will make readjustments in the schedule and methodologies.
This teaching guide includes a gender perspective when addressing the module’s content.
Methodology
The teaching methodology will be based on theory lectures, learning throug discussion and debates, readings, tutorials, projects and tests. The main goal of this module is to lay the foundation and develop a critical analysis and critical thinking.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Activities
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Lectures | 30 | 1.2 | 2, 5, 10 |
| Seminars | 13 | 0.52 | 8, 6, 7, 11 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Tutoring | 19 | 0.76 | 1, 7, 4 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Personal study and oriented readings | 65 | 2.6 | 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 11, 10 |
Assessment
Evaluation
1. Continuous assessment of first-time enrolment students
Continuous assessment system: two tests (multiple-choice tests) + coursework + reading presentation + seminar participation.
1.1. Two multiple-choice tests (25% each of the tests in the final grade) which will refer to all the explanations and debates carried out in the classes, in the seminars and in the compulsory readings of the course. The aim of the tests, within the framework of continuous assessment, is to verify the students' knowledge of communication theories, conceptual definition, theoretical approaches and analysis of social communication processes.
1.2. Completion of a coursework project (30% of the grade) in the subject seminar. The coursework will be an academic essay on a topical issue that first appeared in the media after the beginning of the course. The aim of the work will be to evaluate the understanding, capacity for analysis, structuring and systematisation of the knowledge acquired throughout the course applied to a specific case or situation.
It will have to be developed from the perspective of the theories analysed within the framework of the subject. The seminar faculty will approve, or not, the academic essay proposal and, if necessary, will indicate the necessary indications for the reformulation of the project. Likewise, the seminar lecturers will be in charge of tutoring the completion of the work during the course.
1.3. Oral presentation in seminar (10% of the final mark). The seminar will include the presentation and discussion of the compulsory reading articles. These readings are planned to favour student learning and the application of communication theories in the analysis of reality and current affairs. The compulsory readings will be, together with the content of the theoretical classes, one of the main axes of the subject tests.
1.4. Seminar participation (10% of the final mark). Attendance and participation of the students will be assessed in the seminar.
Final mark
Each student will have to take, as a minimum, the two multiple-choice tests and the coursework. In order to pass the course, each of the two multiple-choice tests must be passed with a minimum mark of 5 points each. If one of the tests is failed, it will not be averaged with the rest of the grades, the final grade of the course will be that of the failed test. If the student does not take one of the two tests, the final mark will be "Not evaluable". If the student fails both tests, the final mark will be the average of the two failed tests.
As for the coursework, if a student does not pass the proposal or does not submit it, it will be considered as "Not assessable". In accordance with this model of continuous assessment for first-time students, a "Not evaluable" in the coursework will also mean a "Not evaluable" in the subject.
The final mark, as detailed above, will be the result of:
-Test 1 (multiple-choice): 25%
-Test 2 (multiple-choice test): 25%.
-Coursework: 30%.
- Oral presentation in seminar: 10%.
- Participation in seminars: 10%.
2. Evaluation of students with second or more registrations
Students with second or more enrolments may be assigned to one (excluding the other) of the following assessment modalities:
2.1. Continuous assessment -two tests (multiple-choice tests) + coursework + oral presentation in seminar + participation in the seminar. Students will follow the same evaluation procedure explained in section 1 and will have to communicate it by e-mail to the teaching staff. The requirements to pass the course are the same as those specified in section 1.
Final mark
It will follow the same procedure explained in section 1.
2.2. Final synthesis test (multiple-choice). Students with a second or higher enrolment may opt for assessment by means of a single synthesis test, in accordance with article 117.2 of the UAB Academic Regulations applicable to university students regulated in accordance with Royal Decree 1393/2007, of 29 October, modified by Royal Decree 861/2010 of 2 July. Students who opt for this modality will be able to attend theory classes and seminars, bearing in mind that their evaluation system will be the completion of a single synthesis test, test type. In other words, they will not be assessed in the seminar, nor for coursework or other activities.
Final mark
The grade of the students assigned to the evaluation system of a final synthesis test will be the grade of the final test.
3. Single assessment
In accordance with the UAB Academic Regulations approved by the Governing Council on 7 July 2022, students may request a single assessment in those subjects that allow it. The application for single assessment implies the waiver of continuous assessment. To opt for this option, a reasoned application must be submitted to the centre within the deadlines set annually (from 18 to 29 September 2023). Exceptionally, in the case of a duly justified work or health situation, students may apply for single assessment outside this established period.
The single assessment system for the subject is based on the following percentages:
A) 50% Theoretical test. It will have to be passed(5 or more) to pass the subject (essential condition).
B) 30% Individual coursework as described in section 1.2.
C) 10% Oral presentation of a course reading.
D) 10% Submission of an individual analysis and reflection task for each of the course readings.
A (50%) + B (30%) + C (10%) + D (10%) = 100% Final mark for the course.
4. Remedial activities:
In accordance with the UAB Academic Regulations (Title IV, on Assessment, modified by agreement of the Governing Council of 12 July 2017) a recovery of the assessment activities will be scheduled. The following students will be able to present themselves:
4.1. Students of first registration or more attached to the continuous assessment system - two tests (multiple-choice) + coursework + participation in the seminar-.
Students will have the right to retake the subject if they have been assessed on all the activities, the weight of which is equivalent to at least 2/3 of the total grade for the subject.
Students who have taken the multiple-choice tests and have failed will have the right to make up one or both of the failed tests.
The coursework will be excluded from the make-up. The aim of the work, on the part of the students, is to demonstrate the understanding, capacity for analysis, structuring and systematisation of the knowledge acquired throughout the course and applied to a specific case or situation. This is the result of a continuous activity from the beginning of the course that cannot be recovered in a short period of time.
Participation in seminars will also be excluded from the possibility of recuperation for obvious reasons.
4.2 Single assessment students
Students will have the right to recover the subject if they have been evaluated on the set of activities the weight of which is equivalent to a minimum of 2/3 of the total grade of the subject.
The theoretical test can only be recovered if the student has obtained a grade lower than 5.
Individual coursework is not recoverable and the mark obtained (whether passed or not) will form part of the weighted average of the final mark.
The grade obtained in the individual analysis and reflection tasks for each of the course readings will form part of the weighted average of the final grade. Only in the case of failing this test and if the student considers it appropriate, he/she may choose to make it up with a test of the same nature.
4.3. Students of second or more enrolments assigned to the system of final synthesis test (multiple-choice). Students who have sat and failed the final synthesis test (multiple-choice).
5. Options for raising the grade:
5.1. Both students who have opted for continuous assessment and those who have opted for single assessment and have passed the tests (multiple-choice) may sit the make-up test to raise their mark. They can do so by presenting themselves to raise the grade of one or both tests. In any case, the student will have to assume the results, whether they are positive or negative. In the final grade, the mark of the make-up test will be taken into account. If the make-up exams have been passed, the weighted average between the assessment activities will be made taking into account the mark of the make-up test or tests taken. If one of the make-up tests is failed, the final mark will be that of the failed test. If both tests are failed, the final mark will be the average of the two failed marks.
5.2. Students with a second or higher registration who have opted for the final synthesis test system and have passed, will also have the option of sitting the make-up exam in order to raise their mark. In any case, the student will have to assumethe results, whether they are positive or negative. The final grade will be the grade of the make-up exam.
6. Ordinary review of the grading of the assessment activities:
In case of disagreement with the qualification of the different assessment activities, students will have the right to the ordinary review of these activities. In the case of test and synthesis tests, the ordinary review will be done with the teacher responsible for the group. For coursework, oral presentations and seminar participation, the ordinary revision will be carried out with the corresponding seminar teacher. The dates and times of the ordinary revision will be made public through the space of the subject in the Virtual Campus of the UAB.
7. Extraordinary review of the final grade of the course:
In case of disagreement with the final grade of the subject, students will have the right to request an extraordinary review. Within fifteen calendar days of the publication of the final grade, a reasoned request must be submitted to the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Communication Sciences and handed in to the Academic Administration. The review will be carried out in accordance with the instructions on extraordinary review approved by the Faculty Board on 5 May 2016, published on the Faculty's website:
http://www.uab.cat/web/estudiar/graus/informacio-academica/avaluacio/revisioextraordinaria- de-la-calificación-final-1345714263962.*html
PLAGIARITY: Any student who commits any irregularity (copying, plagiarism, identity theft,...) that may lead to a significant variation in the grade of an evaluation act, will be graded with 0 for this evaluation act. In case of several irregularities, the final grade of the course will be 0.
Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual essay | 30 | 10 | 0.4 | 1, 6, 7, 11, 9, 4 |
| Oral presentation of works | 10 | 3 | 0.12 | 8, 11 |
| Seminar participation | 10 | 6 | 0.24 | 8, 6, 7, 11 |
| Test 1 | 25 | 2 | 0.08 | 2, 3, 8, 5, 10, 4 |
| Test 2 | 25 | 2 | 0.08 | 2, 3, 8, 5, 10, 4 |
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Software
This subject does not require knowledge of specific computer programmes other than those for writing university papers and for telematic communication.