Course Goals and Objectives:
The specific objectives we will work to meet during this quarter are:
1. You will become familiar with the concepts and definitions
of persuasion, propaganda and public opinion.
2. You will learn the history of the development and uses of persuasion,
propaganda and public opinion and their relevance to the communication
discipline.
3. You will learn the basic protocols for measuring and reporting
public opinion.
4. You will understand the interplay among mass media, propaganda
and public opinion.
Required texts:
Glynn, C. J. et al (1999). Public Opinion. Boulder,
CO: Westview Press.
Jowett, G.S. and O'Donnell, V. (1999). Propaganda and Persuasion
(3rd edition). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Grades:
Your course grade will be based on the following:
| Mid-term exam | 30% |
| Group project | 30% |
| Final exam | 35% |
| Class participation & homework | 5% |
Midterm & Final Exams: These exams will test your understanding of the information covered in your textbooks and in class lectures and activities. They will include short answer, multiple choice and essay-type questions. The final exam is cumulative, covering information learned throughout the quarter.
Group Project: The group project is designed to allow you (in groups of your own design) to probe in depth an event that you think epitomizes the manipulation of public opinion through the use of the mass media. The event in question can be current or historical. Guidelines for group project are on the Com 413 Web page.
Attendance: Attendance on presentation days is required. An absence on a presentation day will drop your class participation one letter grade. Exceptions can be made in case of emergency, but your excuse will have to be compelling (doctor's excuse required).
Academic Dishonesty: You will be expected to work alone on most assignments. Students caught cheating will receive a grade of F for the assignment. Plagiarism is a serious offense and will be treated as such.
| Week 1 | Tues. 3/27 | Course overview |
| Thurs. 3/29 | Reading: PROPAGANDA & PERSUASION, 1-3 | |
| Week 2 | Tues. 4/3 | Reading: PROPAGANDA & PERSUASION, 4-6 |
| Thurs. 4/5 | ||
| Week 3 | Tues. 4/10 | Reading: PROPAGANDA & PERSUASION, 7-8 |
| Thurs. 4/12 | Preliminary group project ideas due | |
| Week 4 | Tues. 4/17 | Reading TBA |
| Thurs. 4/19 | Final group project ideas due | |
| Week 5 | Tues. 4/24 | *** Midterm exam *** |
| Thurs. 4/26 | Reading: PUBLIC OPINION, 1-3 | |
| Week 6 | Tues. 5/1 | Reading: PUBLIC OPINION, 4-7 |
| Thurs. 5/3 | ||
| Week 7 | Tues. 5/8 | Reading: PUBLIC OPINION, 8-12 |
| Thurs. 5/10 | ||
| Week 8 | Tues. 5/15 | Group Presentations |
| Thurs. 5/17 | Group Presentations | |
| Week 9 | Tues. 5/22 | Group Presentations |
| Thurs. 5/24 | Group Presentations | |
| Week 10 | Tues. 5/29 | Group Presentations |
| Thurs. 5/31 | Group Presentations | |
| Review for final exam | ||
FINAL EXAM: Tuesday, June 5, 6 p.m.