Special Topics Research Seminar (525-0-32)

Topic

Foundational Theories of Media and Communication

Instructors

Thomas Joseph Billard

Meeting Info

Frances Searle Building 2407: Tues 2:00PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

"Communication" as a field does not, per se, exist. As Silvio Waisbord has argued, communication is a "post-discipline," held together more so by a set of academic institutions, professional societies, and publication venues than by any coherent canon of theories or set of standard methodologies. Yet you are here to receive training in this so-called field, under the presumption that you will become experts in "communication." This graduate seminar provides an overview of theories that are widely considered foundational to various subdisciplines under the umbrella of communication studies. The goal here is not to exhaust the set of "core" theories, but to provide a starting point for investigation into a few of the most common areas of study. Additionally, the seminar aims to train students in the process of producing social theory regarding media and communication.

Class Materials (Required)

No textbook required.

Class Attributes

Graduate Students Only