Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 05/31/88
COM207 19886-19915	LEC	3 Credit(s)	3 Period(s)
Introduction to Communication Inquiry
Bases of inquiry into human communication, including introduction to notions of theory, philosophy, problems, and approaches to the study of communication. Prerequisites: COM100.

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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
COM207   19886-19915	Introduction to Communication Inquiry

1.	Describe rhetorical traditions from the earliest theorists through the contemporary theorists. (II)
2.	Select and apply critical methods appropriate to specific communication works and/or events. (III)
3.	Use correct MLA format and style presenting papers. (III)
4.	Identify problems associated with rhetorical research. (IV)
5.	Use standards of evaluation to determine worth and merit of discourse. (V)
6.	Select and manage research materials. (VI)
7.	Identify and analyze a communication research problem. (VII)
8.	Identify and report research evidence. (VIII)
9.	Describe uses of descriptive statistics in communication research. (VIII)
10.	Identify opinion evidence. (IX)
11.	Describe strengths and weaknesses of various research designs. (X)
12.	Apply rules of inductive and deductive reasoning to problem solving. (XI)
13.	Construct an argument using syllogistic and hypothetical patterns. (XI)
14.	Explain the role of theory in communication research. (XII)
15.	Identify the level of a definition. (XIII)
16.	Provide definitions at daily, poetic, and scientific levels. (XIII)
17.	Distinguish between operational and conceptual definitions. (XIII)
18.	Identify definitions in context. (XIII)
19.	Apply standards for definitions. (XIII)
20.	Identify non-directional, directional, and null hypotheses. (XIV)
21.	Write a hypothesis dealing with a communication topic. (XIV)
22.	Identify independent and dependent variables in a hypothesis. (XV)
23.	Write a short communication paper using correct APA style. (XVI)

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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
COM207   19886-19915	Introduction to Communication Inquiry

I. Introduction to the current field of communication II. The rhetorical tradition of communication A. Early theorists B. Rise of Christianity and disputation C. Renaissance and modern period D. Contemporary period III. Critical research A. Historical criticism 1. Elements of historical criticism 2. Research requiring use of historical methods B. Biographical/psychological criticism 1. Rationale 2. Sources 3. Categories of biographical analysis C. Neo-Aristotelian criticism D. Burke's Dramatistic Criticism E. Perelman's New Rhetoric F. Fantasy Theme Analysis G. Writing style for critical research - MLA IV. Problems associated with rhetorical research A. Determination of textual authenticity B. Establishment of time and place C. Assertation of authorship D. Determination of effects on audiences V. Intrinsic research A. Standards of evaluating discourse 1. Truth criterion 2. Ethical criterion 3. Effects criterion 4. Artistic criterion B. Worth and merit of discourse 1. Cathcart's notion of worth versus merit 2. Adaptation as key to audience 3. Position of critic VI. Use of communication resources A. Selecting research materials B. Managing research materials VII. Identifying and constructing research problems A. Considerations for identifying a research problem B. Characteristics of research problem C. Importance of research problem D. Analysis of research problem VIII. Research evidence A. Research evidence as support for statements in research B. Categories of research evidence C. Types of research evidence 1. Primary 2. Secondary D. Definition of statistics E. Statistical evidence 1. Sources and types of statistical information a. Sampling b. Descriptive statistics c. Measures of association d. Significance testing 2. Tests of statistical evidence 3. Reliability and validity a. Defined b. Tests F. Reporting evidence IX. Opinion evidence A. Types of opinion evidence B. Tests of opinion evidence X. Experimental research design and statistical evidence A. Design notations B. Controls and control groups C. Impact of linear causality on research design XI. Research reasoning A. Patterns of reasoning 1. Types of arguments 2. Classification of reasoning a. Inductive b. Deductive B. Structures of reasoning 1. Syllogism 2. Toulmin's alternative structure C. Defects in reasoning XII. Theory in communication research A. Ways of knowing 1. Non-research problem solving 2. Research method a. Use of literature b. Development of argument B. Foundations of theory 1. Communication research as science 2. Importance of theories 3. Theory construction C. Anatomy of theories 1. Definition of theory 2. Components of theory a. Abstract calculus b. Theoretic constructs c. Rules of correspondence XIII. Definitions A. Problems in definitions B. Levels of definition 1. Daily 2. Poetic 3. Scientific C. Clarity of definition 1. Interchangeability of definitions 2. Circularity problems in definitions 3. Operational definitions 4. Contextual definitions D. Standards for definitions 1. Feigl's criteria 2. Sources 3. Rules XIV. Hypotheses A. Concept of a hypothesis 1. Hypothetical syllogism 2. Antecedents and consequences B. Requirements of hypothesis C. Types of hypothesis 1. Non-directional 2. Directional 3. Null XV. Variables A. Definition of a variable B. Types of hypothesized variables 1. Independent 2. Dependent 3. Other types XVI. Writing style for quantitative research - APA

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