Universitat Internacional de Catalunya - BarcelonaCommunication Theory
Main language of instruction: Spanish
Head instructor
Dr. Iván LACASA - lacasa@uic.es
Office hours
In order to make an appointment, please request one by writing to:
Iván Lacasa (lacasa@uic.es)
María Victoria (mvictoria@uic.es)
The intellectual discourses, theoretical models or research methodologies that have accompanied the history of the emergence and development of different forms of media can not be summarised in one major and complex theory, niether in a single definition of communication. Given this evidence, in this subject we will defend the opportunity of going on an introductory journey through a selection of theories that have made consistent academic contributions on the media world. Through guided self-learning, the student will critically analyse the main theoretical and methodological forms that have served as a compass for dialogue and discussion what Communication Theory is about.
No pre-course requirements are needed to enrol in this subject.
The studients:
SECTION 1: COMMUNICATION THEORY: FOUNDATIONS AND EVOLUTION
Topic 1: Social science and the theory of mass communication
1.1. What is meant by "science"?
1.2. The social sciences to natural sciences.
Topic 2: The first era of media theory
(A) The theory of mass society
2.1. Historical framework: a new social and media order.
2.2. Two theorists of mass society
2.2.1. Gustave Le Bon
2.2.2. Ferdinand Tönnies
2.3. Major assumptions of the theory of mass society.
2.4. Contributions and limitations of the theory of mass society.
2.5. Current forms of the theory of mass society.
Topic 2: The first era of media theory
(B) The theory of propaganda
2.5. The origin of the propaganda.
2.6. Propaganda and the development of media theory.
2.6.1. Harold Lasswell.
2.6.2. Walter Lippman.
2.7. The Institute for Propaganda Analysis and the seven basic techniques of propaganda.
2.8. Theory of propaganda and theory about the influence of the media.
Topic 3: The second era of media theory: theories of the limited effects
3.1. Origins of the theory of limited effects.
3.2. Hovland: theory and experiments on attitude change.
3.3. Lazarsfeld: two step flow theory
3.4. Limitations of the theories of limited effects.
3.5. Contributions of the theories of limited effects.
Topic 4: The third era of media theory: critical and cultural theories
4.1. The cultural turn of media research.
4.2. Frankfurt School.
4.3. British cultural studies.
4.4. Limitations of cultural theories and criticisms.
4.5. Contributions of cultural theories and criticisms.
Topic 5: The fourth era of media theory: theories of the production of meaning
5.1. From the downtown public-medium-centric approaches
5.2. The active audience and production of meaning
5.3. The theory uses and gratifications
BLOCK 2: DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION OF A RESEARCH COMMUNICATION
Designing a communication research.
Focus and justification of the issues and research questions.
Methodologies for communication research.
The analysis of empirical data.
Presentation of the results of research in communication.
| TRAINING ACTIVITY | ECTS CREDITS |
|---|---|
| Lectures. In lectures, lecturers/professors not only transmit content or knowledge, but also, and above all else, attitudes, motivation, skills and values, etc. They also ensure that participants can express their opinions and arguments to the other students. | 2.6 |
| Seminar. This activity will consist of taking an in-depth look at specific up-to-date topics in a monographic manner-in some cases these topics will have been debated socially-, via active work in small groups. | 1.4 |
| Practical workshop. A highly practical working activity, where students can acquire skills that are practical or also theoretical (intellectual skills, logical skills, critical skills, intellectual learning skills, study skills, quoting skills, etc). | 1.4 |
| Coaching. Monitoring how students learn the content of the subject, either individually or in groups. In the coaching sessions, mistakes will be corrected, queries answered, and exercises and activities to achieve the established objectives will be suggested. | 0.6 |
* Para aprobar la asignatura es imprescindible presentarse al examen y entregar el trabajo.
** La normativa ortográfica de la Facultat se aplicará a todos los exámenes y trabajos.
***Para superar la segunda convocatoria será necesario volverse a evaluar de aquellas actividades que no se hayan aprobado en la primera convocatoria. La tercera, cuarta, quinta y sexta convocatorias se regirán por aquello que a comienzo de cada curso quede indicado en la guía para los alumnos de primera y segunda convocatoria de la nueva edición de la asignatura.
Baran, S. J. & Davis, D. K. (2011). Mass Communication Theory. Foundations, Ferment, and Future. Wadsworth.
Noelle-Neumann, E. (1995). La espiral del silencio. Opinión pública: nuestra piel social. Barcelona: Paidós.
Scheufele, D. y Moy, P. (2000). Twenty-five years of the spiral of silence: A conceptual review and empirical outlook. International Journal of Public Opinion Research, 12 (1), 3-28.