Theories of Persuasion (205-DL-20)

Instructors

Jen Baker
Jennifer (Jen) Baker’s expertise is in the interdependence of communication theory and practice, where she strives to help others find true confidence in their communication and interaction with others. She is an experienced writer with a background in marketing, corporate communication, and technical writing and has been teaching communication courses for almost 20 years at the University of Texas Austin, University of North Carolina Greensboro, and Northwestern. She founded an inner-city high school speech/debate team, assisted with photography and animation in independent films, and produced a radio show on communication. Baker lives in Evanston IL and is raising two young children, along with her elderly canine. She has been awarded the SPS Distinguished Teaching Award and called the happiest professor that a student has ever known. Baker received her MA in Communication Studies from the University of Texas at Austin.

Meeting Info

Online: TBA

Overview of class

Acts of persuasion influence us in all aspects of our lives. This course will examine the different ways in which we observe and use persuasion in the communication we have with our families and friends, our workplace, and the general public. How effective are we? How are we affected by persuasion? We will explore how we use communication strategically to facilitate persuasion, both in thought and in action. We will look at the foundations and ethics of persuasion, including how we process persuasion and how digital media affects the use of persuasion. The course will culminate in an overall assessment of how persuasion impacts us, as individuals and as a society, in a project that reflects influence in the workplace. Students should identify and apply their professional and personal life experiences to the course materials.

This course is conducted completely online. A technology fee will be added to tuition.

Registration Requirements

None

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:
Identify how persuasion affects our daily lives and interactions with others.
Analyze persuasive techniques commonly used in media and their effects on the audience/user.
Determine how to use persuasion successfully in a variety of contexts.
Create persuasive messages to influence specific audiences.
Reflect on the ethics of implementing persuasive techniques.
Apply persuasion in strategic communication contexts.
Evaluate how persuasion affects you and how your use of persuasion affects others.

Class Materials (Required)

Confirm course texts and materials by contacting instructor or viewing course Canvas site or University bookstore website.

Class Attributes

Asynchronous:Remote class-no scheduled mtg time