| Course title | Communication Theories |
| Course code | KomZ3002 |
| Credit points (ECTS) | 3 |
| Total Hours in Course | 81 |
| Number of hours for lectures | 24 |
| Number of hours for seminars and practical classes | 8 |
| Independent study hours | 49 |
| Date of course confirmation | 19/04/2021 |
| Responsible Unit | Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities |
| Course developers | |
| Dr. phil., doc. Juris Vuguls |
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| There is no prerequisite knowledge required for this course | |
| Course abstract | |
| Acquisition of the study course allows students to develop their social and communicative competence, gain an understanding of the important intercultural, organizational and mass communication field of 20th and 21st century communication theories, and develop the theoretical knowledge of the relationship with planning, building the image of the organization, communication with the formation of broader types of news, flexible solution of various psychological and ethical problem situations related to communication. | |
| Learning outcomes and their assessment | |
| Knowledge - students gain an understanding of the most important theories of communication of the 20th and 21st centuries, their basic knowledge of the essence, types and processes of communication.
Assessment - test. Skills: students develop the ability to analyze and evaluate the organization's external communication, formulate the goals and directions of the organization's external communication, cooperate with the media, supervise the preparation of advertising materials, present the organization in their country and abroad. Students develop communication skills at the local and international level, develop the ability to flexibly solve communication-related conflicts and problems based on the knowledge of professional ethics and social psychology. Assessment - work in seminars, attendance of lectures. Competence - students develop social and communicative competence and can plan, coordinate and supervise the organization's external communication, based on the theoretical findings of modern communication science. Assessment - independent work, formal test. |
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| Course Content(Calendar) | |
| 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) 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. |
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| Requirements for awarding credit points | |
| Formal test:
Work in seminars – 10%, independent works (essays) – 30%, attendance of lectures 20%, test – 20%, formal test work – 20%. Automatic formal test is possible when mark in all positions (till formal test work) not less than 7 (good). Study process in part-time distance learning is organised in accordance with the Order of the Vice-Rector of Studies No. 2.4.-5/59 On distance learning procedures at LBTU. Study courses are scheduled for each semester according to the study plan. The students learn the topics included in the study course independently, using the materials created and placed by the lecturer in the e-studies (Moodle). Feedback on the learning of lecture and seminar topics in distance learning is organised in the form of self-assessment tests, discussion forums and independent work, as well as in face-to-face or online consultations, lectures and final examinations according to the timetable. |
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| Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work | |
| During the studies the student develops and submits 3 works 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. |
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| Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes | |
| Independent work is assessed according to the quality requirements of compliance with the task.
Discussions are judged by engagement, ability to reasonably argue and discuss issues related to study topics. Focus in assessment of independent and discussion tasks – development of individual critical thinking and elements of independent thinking in sphere of communication theory. |
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| Compulsory reading | |
| 1. Encyclopedia of Communication Theory. Editors - Littlejohn S. W., Foss K. A. Sage, 2009. p. 1174. [tiešsaiste] [Skatīts 19.04.2021.] 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. 4. Reņģe V. Mūsdienu organizāciju psiholoģija. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2007. 215 lpp. |
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| Further reading | |
| 1. Milēviča I. Ievads komunikācijas teorijās. Lekciju konspekts [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 10.12.2021.]. Pieejams: https://www.alberta-koledza.lv/upload/old/downloads/Ievads_komunik_teorijas.pdf
2. Rozenvalde I. Preses lasītāja svešvārdu vārdnīca. Rīga: Nordik, 2004. 520 lpp. 3. Frīdmens T.L. Pasaule ir plakana: īsa 21. gadsimta vēsture. Rīga: Jumava, 2009. 566 lpp. |
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| Periodicals and other sources | |
| 1. Psiholoģijas pasaule: PP. Rīga: Daro Cēsis. 2007.-2010. ISSN 1691-0435
2. International Journal of Marketing & Business Communication. ISSN: 2277-484X. Pieejams: http://manuscript.publishingindia.com/index.php/IJMBC 3. Journal of Business Communication. Published by Sage Publications. ISSN (printed) 0021-9436. ISSN (electronic) 1552-4582. |
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| Notes | |
| Free- choice course for LBTU basic study programmes. | |