Welcome to the Fall 2003 Cohort!
We are delighted that you are part of
the 2003 cohort. We are proud to have
you as majors and look forward to introducing you to the communication
discipline!
The Department of Communication
requires ALL majors to take only two upper division courses in the same
semester regardless of their chosen career path – Introduction to Communication
Theory (COM 351) and Introduction to Communication Research Methods (COM 365). Taking both courses as a cohort provides a
unique integration of course content that is not possible when taking the
courses in different semesters. Keyton
(2001) emphasizes the key connection between theory and research as follows:
The best research is driven by theory, validates a theory,
further explains
a theory, challenges an existing
theory, or aids in the creation of theory.
Theoretically
driven research is built on the results of previous researchers,
and it provides a foundation for
subsequent researchers. It is highly unlikely
that any theory could be formulated,
tested, and verified in one research
study. Rather, theory is developed
and tested over time. What we come to
know as ‘‘the theory’’ to explain some phenomenon is the
result of many research studies and the efforts of many researchers. (pp. 8-9)
Communication
theory
focuses on WHAT we know about communication processes and communication research methods explains HOW we know it from a
social science perspective! The
primary goal of the cohort is to help you become a knowledgeable consumer and a
limited producer of communication theory and research.
One
of the best ways to discover the integration of theory and research methods is
to develop and conduct your own original research project. Communication theory provides select
explanations of communication processes within five major contexts and requires
you to search the literature to determine what theorists and researchers have
discovered about your topic.
Communication research methods emphasizes effective methods for finding,
consuming, and analyzing research and requires that you select the most
appropriate method(s) to conduct your communication study. As such, the cohort provides you with marketable
skills, more knowledge about communication, and
a complete communication research study that both promotes basic
understanding and produces practical
results which can be extended to other upper-division communication courses as
well as your career.
You
have no doubt heard that the cohort is “challenging.” Make no mistake–we expect you to prepare
thoroughly for each and every class session.
The benefits you receive from the cohort are directly proportional to your
efforts in keeping up with assigned readings and submitting all required work
according to the deadlines outlined in the syllabus. If you
are enrolled in more than 15 credit hours or are working more than 20 hours per
week, you may find it difficult to fulfill the requirements of the cohort.
You
probably also have heard (correctly) that we care about you and are willing to
assist you in making the cohort experience as interesting and informative as
possible.
We
are looking forward to making this the best cohort ever!
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Keyton, J. (2001). Communication research: Asking questions,
finding answers.