Communication in Context: Analysis & Research  (101-2-1)

Instructors

Pablo Boczkowski

Meeting Info

Frances Searle Building 2378: Mon, Wed 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

The second course moves beyond the introduction offered in Communication Studies 101-1 through additional skills training and expanded research and analytic assignments. This section will focus on developing research, analysis, and writing skills through hands-on experience building upon the focus area of Professor Boczkowski in the area of field research. This utilizes methods that emphasize the importance for the researcher to be embedded into the settings that are being studied. To this end, we will combine readings on techniques of field research such as observing and interviewing with literature such as studies that have analyzed communication dynamics using this kind of research. Because this is a hands-on class, students will learn the basics of field research not only by reading about it but also by doing it. During the quarter, each student will be asked to conduct a series of observation sessions and interviews at a site of their choice, and to make available the resulting field notes and interview transcripts to the instructor and fellow students for class discussion. We will constructively reflect on these notes and transcripts to ground the evolution of the learning of field research in concrete settings.

Class Materials (Required)

Creswell, J., & Poth, C. (2023). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (5th edition). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Class Attributes

Department Majors Only

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Reserved for Communication Studies Majors.