Communication Theories

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for lectures24

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes8

Independent study hours49

Date of course confirmation19.04.2021

Responsible UnitInstitute of Social Sciences and Humanities

Course developer

Sociālo un humanitāro zinātņu institūts

Juris Vuguls

Dr. phil.

Course abstract

The study course enables students to develop their social and communicative competence by gaining an understanding of the most significant 20th- and 21st-century communication theories in the fields of intercultural, organizational, and mass communication. It also helps students develop the skills to connect theoretical insights with the practical evaluation of an organization’s external communication activities and outcomes, to plan communication strategies, to build the organization’s image, to engage with the mass media, and to handle various psychological and ethical problem situations related to communication with flexibility.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge - Students gain an understanding of the most significant 20th- and 21st-century communication theories and their key insights into the nature, types, and processes of communication. Assessment – Test.

Skills - Students develop the ability to analyze and evaluate an organization’s external communication, define the goals and directions of its external communication, collaborate with the media, oversee the preparation of advertising materials, and present the organization both nationally and internationally. They further enhance their interpersonal skills at both local and international levels and build the capacity to resolve communication-related conflicts and problems flexibly, drawing on the principles of professional ethics and social psychology. Assessment – participation in seminars and lecture attendance.

Competence – Students develop social and communicative competence and are able to plan, coordinate, and supervise an organization’s external communication, drawing on contemporary communication science theories. Assessment - independent work, formal test.

Course Content(Calendar)

Full-time studies:

1. Sources and structure of communication science. (1 lecture)
2. The essence, types and functions of communication. (2 lectures)
3. Stages of the communication process. Communication models. (2 lectures, 1 seminar)
4. Communication codes, media, channels. (1 lecture, 1 seminar)
5. Media richness theory (R. L. Daft, R.H. Lengel). (1 lecture, 1 seminar)
6. Audience satisfaction theory (E. Katz). Audience needs classification (D. Makveil). (2 lectures)
7. Theoretical research of media-created reality. (1 lecture, 1 seminar)
8. The role of technology in communication. Ideas of technological determinism (M.McLuhan, W.Ong, H.Innis). (1 lecture, 1 seminar)
9. Levels of communication (R.T. Craig). (1 lecture)
10. Mass communication (V.Lippmann, H.D. Lasswell, Edward Bernays, J.Ellul propaganda theories). (2 lectures, 1 seminar)
11. Business communication (H. Simon). Internal and external communication of the organization. Effectiveness of business communication. (2 lectures, 1 seminar)
12. The role and functions of an external communication specialist. (1 lecture)
13. Business negotiations. The main principles of conversational art. (2 lectures)
14. Communication barriers, methods of overcoming them. (2 lectures)
15. Conflicts, their resolution in business communication. Conflict resolution styles (T.Kenneth and R.Kilmann). (2 lectures, 1 seminar)
16. Professional ethics. Codes of ethics. (2 lectures)

Part-time distance learning:

All topics specified for full-time studies are covered, but the number of contact hours is reduced to half of the number specified for full-time studies.

Requirements for awarding credit points

The cumulative assessment consists of: seminar work – 10%, individual assignments – 30%, lecture attendance – 20%, test – 20%, and formal test – 20%. An automatic final grade can be awarded if, in all criteria up to the final examination, the student has achieved a mark of 7 (“good”) or higher.

The study process in part-time distance learning is organised in accordance with Order of the Vice-Rector for Studies No. 2.4-8/54 on distance learning procedures at LBTU. Study courses are scheduled for each semester according to the study plan. Students acquire the topics covered in each course independently, using the materials prepared and uploaded by the lecturer in the e-studies environment (Moodle). Feedback on the learning of lecture and seminar topics is provided through self-assessment tests, discussion forums, and individual tasks, as well as during face-to-face or online consultations, lectures, and final examinations, according to the timetable.according to the timetable.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

During the studies, the student develops and submits 3 assignments in printed form at the indicated time:
1. Analysis of the communication situation according to one of the communication models.
2. Presentation of an analysis of one communication theory of free choice.

3. Causes of conflicts and reflection on overcoming them.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Independent assignments are assessed based on the quality of their completion and their compliance with the stated requirements. Discussions are evaluated according to the level of participation and the ability to explain and debate issues related to the course topics with well-reasoned arguments. In evaluating both independent assignments and participation in discussions, primary attention is given to the student’s individual development of critical thinking and independent reasoning in the field of communication theories.

Compulsory reading

1. Encyclopedia of Communication Theory. Editors - Littlejohn S. W., Foss K. A. Sage, 2009. p. 1174. [Skatīts 15.09.2025.] https://teddykw2.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/encyclopedia-of-communication-theory.pdf
2. Butchart, Garnet C. (2019). Embodiment, Relation, Community: A Continental Philosophy of Communication. Penn State University. p. 208.
3. Herbsts D. Komunikācija uzņēmumā. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2007. 119 lpp. (Pieejams: LBTU Pamatfonds; (07/411))
4. Reņģe V. Mūsdienu organizāciju psiholoģija. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2007. 215 lpp. (Pieejams: LBTU Abonements Pamatfonds (07485))

5. Veinberga S. Komunikācija. Teorija un prakse. Sava Grāmata: 2019.. 331 lpp. (Pieejams LNB Grāmatu krātuve)

Periodicals and other sources

1. Psiholoģijas pasaule: PP. - Rīga: Daro Cēsis. 2007.-2011. ISSN 1691.

2. International Journal of Marketing & Business Communication. ISSN: 2277-484X. Pieejams: http://manuscript.publishingindia.com/index.php/IJMBC vai Journal of Business Communication. Published by Sage Publications. ISSN (printed) 0021-9436. ISSN (electronic) 1552-4582. Pieejams datubāzē Sage http://job.sagepub.com/content/by/year LBTU tīklā

Notes

Free elective course for undergraduate students of all faculties at LBTU

Atsauksmes