Universitat Internacional de Catalunya - BarcelonaCommunication Theory
Main language of instruction: Spanish
Head instructor
Dra. María VICTORIA - mvictoria@uic.es
Office hours
In order to make an appointment, please email the professor
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
Unit 1: Communication. Elements. Classic structure of communication.
Unit 2: Evolution of mass communication. From propaganda to the creation of
frames of thought.
Unit 3: New approaches. The spiral of silence. Cascade of conformity.
Horizontal communication vs vertical communication. New communication structures.
Unit 4: The formation of public opinion and communication. Communication biases and processing in a world with preconceptions.
Unit 5: Communication beyond content. Information sources beyond media. Communication channels and their effects on public opinion. Heuristics and
other ways to reason efficiently. Framing and changing public opinion.
Unit 6: Misinformation and the ability of information to generate knowledge.
SECTION 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.
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.