 |
COMMUNICATION/LINGUISTICS
354
PERSUASION THEORY |
| Spring
Semester 2009
Tuesday/Thursday 8 - 9:30 a.m.
Olin 209 |
INSTRUCTOR:
Mark D. Johns
- Office: Campus
House -- Phone: x1347 -- E-mail: mjohns @ luther.edu
- Office hours:
see my schedule
LINKS
OVERVIEW
This course is designed to make you
more aware of the role of persuasion in our society, particularly in the mass
media, and to increase your sophistication in recognizing persuasive techniques
and in critically analyzing and interpreting persuasive messages. In addition,
this course aims to increase your appreciation for the challenges faced by persuaders
and equip you to recognize flaws in the construction of persuasive messages
and offer alternative constructions.
OBJECTIVES
- Each student will understand
the role of persuasion in the American political system and economic foundations
of industry, within the context of the mass media.
- Each
student will be familiar with the dominant theories of persuasive processes and
will understand the logical, psychological, and cultural assumptions made by persuaders
in designing persuasive messages and campaigns.
- Each
student will begin to demonstrate analytical and critical thinking skills required
to link persuasion theory with practical application as a persuader or persuadee.
COURSE
FORMAT
This class meets for lecture
and discussion twice each week. Students who are not present at class sessions
deprive themselves of information provided by the instructor that will be essential
to successful completion of the course. Even more, they also deprive their classmates
of the opportunity for interactive discussion and the sharing of experiences,
opinions, questions, arguments and ideas. Each member of the class is expected
to prepare for class by completing the readings and other assignments for the
day, to be on time, and present for the entire class period.
READINGS
Reading assignments are noted on the schedule
posted on the class Katie site.
The primary text will be Persuasion in the Media Age,
Second Edition, by Timothy A. Borchers (McGraw-Hill Companies, 2005,
ISBN: 0-07-286291-2). This text is available in the bookstore and should be
obtained before the beginning of the second class session.
Additional readings, as noted on the schedule, may be distributed in class
and/or made available on library reserve or on the class Katie site.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Each student
must regularly check his/her Luther e-mail account, as the instructor will assume
that email messages sent to @luther.edu addresses between scheduled class sessions
will be seen and read by all class members.
OBLIGATIONS, ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING
Your overall grade for the course will be based on a scale of 1000 points
calculated from:
- Reading & Participation:
Being present, on time, prepared and engaged with the subject material in
class discussions (100 points).
- Quizzes: Four
(of five) quizzes over assigned reading material (25 points each) will be
given over the course of the semester. (100 points total).
- Writing: Four
short analysis papers of 3 to 4 pages (75 points each) will be due through
the semester, as noted on Katie. Papers will be graded on the basis of substance,
focus, clarity, intelligent use of course materials, strength and originality
of ideas, and on caliber of writing (300 points total).
- Speaking: Two
persuasive speech presentations of 5 to 7 minutes each on topics assigned
(100 points each). Speeches will be graded on substance and preparation, appropriate
adaptation to the audience, creative application of course concepts, and demonstration
of excellence in extemporaneous presentation (200 points total).
- Research: A paper
of 5 to 7 double-spaced typed pages (125 points), and an oral presentation,
on a topic related to a group project (75
points) as discussed in class. Research papers will be graded on the basis
of depth of topic, substance, focus, clarity, the number, quality and intelligent
use of appropriate sources, strength and originality of ideas, an on caliber
of writing (200 points total).
- Test: A Final
exam (100 points).
A complete schedule of all assignments,
deadlines and exams is posted on the Katie site, and will be kept up to date
as any changes or adjustments are made through the semester.
OTHER COURSE POLICIES
