COMM 385 - Applied Communication Theory

(3 hours) Prerequisites: COMM 110. Communication is a discipline steeped in theory borrowing from other disciplines and developing our own. We borrow from philosophy, psychology, sociology, business, literature, economics, and others. We develop from existing theories, such as critical theory, start from scratch to yield hypodermic needle, uses and gratifications theory, and social presence theory. COMM-385 offers the opportunity to explore communication theory from its historical contexts to its present utilization in scholarly research. Through a biblical lens, we critically examine the nature of theory and how various perspectives inform and explain the dynamic communication phenomena we experience daily. Additionally, we learn a variety of research techniques involved with qualitative, quantitative, and critical research. You will decide on a specific communication theory and consider an associated research plan for use in a future course.