Communication Studies Research Seminar (394-0-2)

Topic

Dissecting 'Sticky' Messages

Instructors

Camille Jacquelyne Saucier

Meeting Info

Frances Searle Building 3417: Mon, Wed 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

Ever wondered why rumors about tampered Halloween candy seem to persist in our memory for years, but messages correcting these stories quickly fade? How about why this message ‘amnesia' seems to disproportionately happen to important content like public health announcements or perhaps to your last class lecture? This course draws on theories from communication and psychology to dissect what message elements tend to make content ‘sticky'—the elusive quality of messages that seem more engaging, understandable, memorable, and shareable. We will discuss how these elements can be applied and how you can leverage them to change thoughts, attitudes, and behavior more effectively. The course and assignments are structured to help you think about the mechanisms associated with ‘sticky' messages and complete a research paper where you dissect a message of your choosing. At the same time, you will learn critical steps in constructing an argument supported by research, from defending a claim, planning and outlining, drafting, and peer editing. For the capstone project, you will select a persuasive communication message, such as a PSA or advertisement, to critically ‘dissect' and identify what persuasive elements are used as well as possible strategies for improvement.

Class Attributes

Department Majors Only

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Reserved for Communication Studies Majors.