Office: SH 245

Phone: 696-3539 (office) 736-6334 (home)

Office Hours 1:00 to 2:00 MW and 1:00 to 2:00 on TTH

Prerequisites: CMM 103 OR 104H or 207 or 305

Textbook: Timothy Borchers, Persuasion in the Media Age

Course Description: This course examines the practice of persuasion in contemporary communications. The course will specifically focus on the use of media technology to present persuasive messages.

Course Philosophy: In order to be an effective communicator, one must understand the extent to which we use persuasive communication. Most of the communication we use is persuasive in some manner, whether written or oral. We are surrounded by persuasive messages from the moment we get up in the morning until we retire at night. It is important to examine those messages and the effect that such communication has on us both personally and as a society. During this semester, we will analyze the use of persuasive messages and the role of persuasion in the media, in advertising and in politics. Hopefully, this course will enable you to become more effective as a consumer or persuasion as well as demonstrate how you can become more effective as a persuader.

Out comes and Objectives:

When finished with this course you should be able to :

a. Define Persuasion

b. Describe ethical responsibilities of a persuader

c. Discuss the relationship between different media and persuasion

d. Describe different models of persuasion

e. Describe different theories of persuasion

f. Describe the role of language and visual images in persuasion

g. Describe the role of motivational appeals in persuasion

Evaluation of Learner Outcomes:

During the course you will:

a. Complete two exams. The tests will cover materials in the textbook, material from handouts and information provided in course lectures.

b. Participate in a number of class exercises designed to apply concepts discussed in class. Class exercises and activities cannot be made up unless the student has an excused absence.

c. Complete a “persuasive report”, either as an oral presentation or as a written paper. A complete assignment sheet will be handled out later.

d. Complete a semester long journal; one and a half to two pages long(weekly) journal entries. Each journal will monitor your own experience with persuasion and persuasive messages on a weekly basis, relating these experiences to the concepts discussed in each chapter, giving full attention to terminology theories covered in class.

Grading Policy

The two exams will be worth 50 points each

The weekly journal will be worth 150 points

The Persuasive Campaign report will be worth 150 points

Attendance and class participation will be worth 5 pts per class for a total of 150 pts.

Total Points Possible: 550 The grades will be calculated on a straight scale of 90-!00 =A 80-89=B, etc.

Attendance Policy. Failure to attend will seriously jeopardize your grade.

As a courtesy to fellow classmates and your Instructor, please turn off cell phones before entering class.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tentative Class Schedule for CMM 308

Week One

Aug 26-28

Introduction of the course, Definition of Persuasion ( Class Activities)

Read Chapters One and Two

Week Two

Sept 2-4

Discussion of Theories of Persuasion (Class

Activities) Read Chapter Three

Week Three

Sept 9-11

Discussion of Role of Ethics in Persuasion (Class Activities)

Chapter Four

Week Four

Sept 16-18

Discussion of Media Influences on Persuasion (Class Activities)

Read Chapter Five

Week Six

Sept 30-Oct 2

Discussion of Visual Images, Logos and Architecture

Read Chapter Seven and study for UNIT EXAM I

Week Seven

Oct 7-9

Discussion of Dramatism, Eloquence, Ideology

Unit Exam I (Chapters 1-6)

Week Eight

Oct 14-16

Discussion of Culture and Persuasive Message

Read Chapter Eight and Nine

Week Nine

Oct. 21-23

Discussion of Ethos, Credibility and Source Image

Read Chapters Ten, Eleven and Tweleve

Week Ten

Oct 28-30

Discussion Continued

Week Eleven

Nov 4-6

Discussion of Reasoning and Narrratives

Read Thirteen and Fourteen

Week Twelve

Nov 11-13

Discussion of Emotions, Needs and Values and Political Persuasion

 

Week Thirteen

Nov 18-20

Unit Exam II (Chapters 7-12)

Week Fourteen

NO CLASS THANKSGIVING BREAK

Week Fifteen

Dec 2 -4

Persuasive Speeches Begin and Continue

Papers Due

Week Sixteen

Last class day Dec 9

Journals Due