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G. Thomas Goodnight
Annenberg School for Communication
Spring 2009
Tentative Schedule
DO NOT POST ON WEB!
Humanistic and Social Scientific Approaches to Human
Communication 1
COMM 526
COURSE GOALS: This is an introduction to the Communication Arts and Humanities. As an
introduction, the course overviews basic concepts in the field of communication theory and practice,
acquaints students with landmark authors, and then investigates the study of communication and rhetoric
within the contexts of the public sphere and international communications.
FORMAT: The course will involve instructor presentation, special events, and student
presentations. The course meets once a week. All readings should be completed before class with key
passages underlined, questions readied, and texts brought to class. The class requests two joint reports
together with a final paper in two parts. The first part is a short essay on the student's position in the
field/discipline/university. The second part is a conference-length presentation. Students are requested not
to conduct e-mail, surf the internet, or other extraneous electronic activities during class.
READINGS: Robert T. Craig and Heidi L. Muller, Theorizing Communication: Readings
Across Traditions. Los Angeles: Sage Publications, 2007. Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann, The Social
Construction of Reality , NY: Random House, 1967; Judith Rodin and Stephen P. Steinberg, Public
Discourse in America: Conversation and Community in the Twenty-First Century. PA: University of
Pennsylvania. Daya Kishan Thussu, International Communication: Continuity and Change. New York:
Oxford UP, 2001. BOOKS ARE NOT AT THE BOOKSTORE BECAUSE AMAZON ETC. OFFERS
SAVINGS. ARTICLES MAY BE FOUND ON USC ELECTRONIC RESOURCES, ESPECIALLY
THE EBSCO HOST. A few readings will be posted on Blackboard. ORDER QUICKLY!
The course will also draw from three sources located at the ASC Resource Center: Thomas O’
Sloane, (Ed.). Encyclopedia of Rhetoric. London: Oxford UP 2001. James Jasinski. Sourcebook on
Rhetoric. Los Angeles: Sage, 2001. Donald H. Johnston, Encyclopedia of International Media and
Communication. Amsterdam: Academic Press, 2003. See also: International Encyclopedia of the Social
Sciences. Supplemental readings are available for those not familiar with an area of inquiry.
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION: The instructor holds office hours from 5:00-7:00 pm on
Mondays and by appointments. Phone 213-821-5384. E-mail is the best way of conducting routine
exchange [email protected]. The instructor subscribes to university policies on conduct as outlined in the
Graduate Handbook.
GRADING STANDARDS: Class discussion is highly valued. Please prepare comments on
readings and questions. Presentations are expected to be well-written, well-researched, constructed so as to
make efficient use of class-time, integrate ideas into the readings for the day—as well as make use of
broader class discussion—and generally to project a high-caliber, professional tone. The test of a quality
report is whether the handout and presentation would be useful in teaching a class or reviewing for
comprehensive examinations. The instructor subscribes to USC standards regarding research integrity.
INCOMPLETES: The instructor is limited to giving incompletes only for
medical emergencies. Requests for incompletes must include a plan for completion
by specified dates.
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TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
1. Th Jan 15 Introduction Introduction to Communication & Critical Traditions
Readings: Lloyd Bitzer, "The Rhetorical Situation," Philosophy and Rhetoric, 1968. Karlyn Kohrs
Campbell, "The Ontological Foundations of Rhetorical Theory," Philosophy & Rhetoric, 1970; Sonya Foss
and Cindy Griffin, "Beyond Persuasion: A Proposal for an Invitational Rhetoric," Communication
Monographs, 1995; Scott R Stroud, "Ontological Orientation and the Practice of Rhetoric: A Perspective
the Bhagavad Gita," Southern Communication Journal, 2005. (A class effort to read the inaugural address
will be discussed).
Note: The opening class introduces critical studies in communication through
two classic definitional texts and two subsequent efforts to change and extend
the tradition. Key terms: ontology, epistemology, axiology, exigence, invitation.
2. Th Jan 22 The Presidential Inauguration. Lecture: An Introduction to Critical
Practice
Readings: David Ericson, "Presidential Inaugural Addresses and American Political Culture,"
Presidential Studies Quarterly, 1997; Karlyn Kohrs Campbell & Kathleen Hall Jamieson, "Inaugurating
the Presidency," Presidential Studies Quarterly 1985; Vanessa B. Beasley, "The Rhetoric of Ideological
Consensus in the United States: American Principles and American Pose in Presidential
Inaugurals," Communication Monographs, 2001; Kevin Coe & David Domke, "Petitioners or Prophets?
Presidential Discourse, God, and the Ascendancy of Religious Conservatives," Journal of
Communication, 2006. James W. Carey, A Cultural Approach to Communication (on WEB).
Note: This class is a discussion of critical practices. How are major public
events presented, analyzed, described, and studied? All students are
requested to watch Obama's speech and present a short report on one
trajectory of interpretation, reception, or criticism.
2a. Th Jan 29 No Class Assignment: ICA/NCA, Journals, Field Identification,
Conferences, Issues in Communication, Practice
3. Th Feb 5 Theory: Cybernetics & Systems Theory of Communication
Readings: Craig/Muller, 261-313; Stafford Beer, "What is Cybernetics?" Emerald Group, 2004;
Francis Heylighen and Cliff Joslyn, in Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology, 2001.
Supplement: Littlejohn, "System Theory," 34-52. Lecture: Root Metaphors and Systems Theory Views
4. Fr Feb 6 Professionalism Day: Attendance required for at least half the day.
Complete Assignment begun for the 29th.
5. Th Feb 12 Theory: Phenomenology & Hermeneutics
Readings Craig/Muller, 217—260. Mary S. Strine, "When is Communication
Intercultural," James Clifford, "On Ethnographic Authority," Representations, 1983. Supplement:
Littlejohn, "Interpretive and Critical Theories," 131-141.
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6. Th Feb 19 Theory: Sociopsychological:
Readings Craig/Muller, 319-325, 339-360; Harold D. Lasswell, "The Structure and Function of
Communication in Society," 37-51; Lazardsfeld, "The Nature of Personal Influence," 150-173.
Supplement: Littlejohn, "Theories of Mass Communication," 252-282.
7. Th Feb 26 Theory Sociocultural
Readings Craig/Muller 365-390; Selections from Gerbner & Gross, "Living with Television, The
Violence Profile," Clifford Geertz, "Deep Play: Notes on the Balinese Cockfight," Irving Goffman,
Framing TBD
8. Th Mrc 5 Theory Semiotic & Constructivism:
Readings Craig/Muller 163-200; Littlejohn, 52-61. Berger and Luckman, The Social
Construction of Reality. Kenneth Burke, "The Definition of Man," with rejoinder by Celeste Condit;
Littlejohn, "Symbolic Interactionist and Dramatistic Theories," 95-110.
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9. Th Mrc 12 Theory Critical/Cultural
Readings Craig/Muller 425-456; Raymie McKerrow, "Critical Rhetoric: Theory and Praxis," 1989;
Stuart Hall, "Culture, the Media and the 'Ideological Effect,' 313-348; Stuart Hall, "Gramsci's Relevance for
the Study of Race and Ethnicity," 1986; Littlejohn, 142-151. DUE: ROUGH DRAFT OF TOPIC
FOR FINAL PAPER!
Th Mrc 19 No Class: Spring Break
10. Th Mrc 26 International: Traditional Technologies and Theories
Reading: Thussu 1-81. Walter Fisher, “The Narrative Paradigm,” Journal of Communication, 35,
1985. Walter Fisher, “Technical Logical, Rhetorical Logic, and Narrative Rationality,” Argumentation, 1,
1987. Concept: Prudence (Jasinski 462-469) Social Knowledge (Jasinski)
11. Th Apr 2 International: Globalization of Media Political Economy
Reading: Thussu, 82-197. P C. Pezzulo. “Performing Critical Interruptions: Rhetorical Invention and
Narratives of the Environmental Justice Movement.” Western Journal of Communication, 64, 1-25.
Jennifer Peeples and Kevin M. DeLuca, “The Truth of the Matter: Motherhood, Community and
Environmental Justice,” Women's Studies in Communication, 29, 2006. K Olson and GT Goodnight,
“Entanglements of Consumption, Cruelty, Privacy and Fashion: The Social Controversy Over Fur,”
Quarterly Journal of Speech, 1994.
12. Th Apr 9 International: Counterflows in a Digital World
Reading: Thussu, 200-263. Heather Sehmel. “Websites and Advocacy Campaigns,” Business
Communication Quarterly, Jun2002, Vol. 65 Issue 2, p100-1 Kevin DeLuca and Jennifer Peeples, "From
Public Sphere to Public screen: Democracy, Activism,and the 'Violence' of Seattle, Critical Studies in
Media Communication 17 (2002) 121-151
13. Th Apr 16 Public Culture: Community and Ideology
Rodin and Steinberg 1-53, 89-127 (See “The Thinning of American Political Culture,” Thomas
Bender 27-35;“Primary Tensions in American Public Life,” Richard Wiebe 35-40; “Deliberative
Democracy and Public Discourse,” David Ryfe 40-53;“Leadership in a Complex Democratic Society,”
Michael Schudson, 89-96; Political Leadership in the Great Health Care Debate of 1993-1994,” Derek Bok
96-106; “Modeling Public Discourse in Popular Culture,” Neal Gabler 117-127. Michael McGee,
Ideograph)
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14. Th Apr 23 Public Culture: Identity and Memory
Rodin and Steinberg 53-89, 127-178; (See: Affirmative Action and the Culture of Intolerance,”
Christopher Edley, Jr. 53-60; “The North American,” Richard Rodriquez 60-71;“Sports and Public
Behavior,” Richard Lapchick 71-80; “Performance, Debate, or Productive Conversation? “Imagining an
Exemplary Conversation on Race,” Drew Faust et al 80-89; “Creating a National Discourse: Truth and
Reconciliation in South Africa,” Alex Borain, 127-135;“Political Apologies and Public Discourse,”
Graham G. Dodds, 163-178. Erik Doxtader, Middle Voice and Forgiveness essays)
15. Th Apr 30 Public Culture: The Future of the Public Sphere & the University
Rodin and Steinberg 163-249. (See: “The Principles of Public Discourse: What is Good Public
Discourse?” David M. Ryfe, 163-178; “A Paradox of Public Discourse and Political Democracy,” Neil
Smelser, 178-184; “The Practice of Public Discourse: A Study of Sixteen Discourse Organizations,” David
M. Ryfe 184-201; “Lessons from the Field: Pracitioner Perspectives on Public Discourse Programs,” Jay
Rosen et al 201-213; “Building Community in the Twenty-First Century,” Joyce Appleby 213-227;
“The Myth of Academic Community,” Ron M. Randel, 227-232; “The University as Discourse
Community,” Judith Rodin 232-237; “Creating Community in Cyberspace: Criteria for A Discourse
Technology Project,” Stephen P. Steinberg 237-249. POROI statement & website)
FINAL PROJECT
PART A. The first part of the project asks that you present a cluster of 5-10 terms that
informs your thinking about communication theory. The terms are to be defined and fit
within a tradition of inquiry. Key authors that influence your outlook toward
critical/rhetorical studies and communication are to be identified, and key works noted.
This should lead to area of study, area and institutional affiliations, and a trajectory for
developing an area of the field in relation to communication practices and competencies.
(7-10 pages). Part A due last day of class.
PART B A convention paper length study should be presented that conjoins theory and
practice in a way to make a statement about communication as a project. Theories
developed in the class should be linked to an event, genre, action, narrative, image,
language game complex and appreciated or critiqued. The Obama Inaugural will serve as
an example of theory/practice criticism, but the topic and trajectory should reflect your
interests, issues, and area of work within the field. Topic initially developed in a 2 page
essay with sources identified. Final paper due last day of finals.
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Name. __________
(Designate top 5 choices, l being the most desired; also strike one date that
you would prefer not to report. I will try to give everyone at least one report
that was selected, whilecovering all dates).
FIRST REPORT
_____ Cybernetics—Shannon & Weaver (Feb 5)
_____ Phenomenology and Ethnography--Shutz (Feb 12)
_____ Sociopsychology—Lazzarsfeld, Lasswell (Feb 19)
_____ Sociocultural—Bandura, Geertz, Goffman (Feb 26)
_____ Constructivism-Semiotics—Berger/Luckman (Mrc 5)
_____ Critical Theory—Hegemony, Hall, McKerrow (Mrc 12)
_____ International—Traditional Theory/Narrative (Mrc 26)
_____ International—Globalization/Movements (Apr 2)
_____ International—Counterflow, Digital Advocacy (Apr 9)
_____ Public Culture—Community & Ideology (Apr 16)
_____ Public Culture—Identity & Memory (Apr 23)
_____ Public Culture—Future, Field & University (Apr 30)
A REPORT:
A report should include a Powerpoint presentation and a handout, and public
presentation for half-hour then discussion. The handout should be in sentence form, with
outside research, that specifies the person or subject discussed, historical location, key
terms, model of the theory, example if relevant, type of studies the work promotes,
complements and criticism. The report should focus also on key passages from the
common reading, opening up for discussion positive and negative observations. The
works generally are classics in the field. The international and public culture reports
require explication of work and position as well as extension of subject.