COMMUNICATION STUDIES 464 Advanced Research Methods: Online Social Research
	Spring Semester 2006 Monday Evenings, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.

• Office: Campus House -- Phone: x1347 -- E-mail: johnsmar@luther.edu
• Office hours: M - R 11:00 a.m.– noon; M & W 1:00 – 4:30 p.m., and by appointment (see my schedule)

	Schedule of readings, topics, and assignments (Katie site)			APA Style Guide for research papers
	More Journalism & Mass Communication Resources			Luther College homepage

• Each student will develop an understanding of the ethical issues surrounding human research generally, and the particular ethical decisions facing those who undertake social research online.
• Each student will be familiar with the dominant theories of mass communication processes and effects and will understand the primary advantages and limitations of several approaches to mass communication research.
• Each student will begin to demonstrate analytical and critical thinking skills required to gather and analyze data concerning social behavior in online environments.
• Each student will develop fundamental skills in writing social scientific research reports.

COURSE FORMAT

This class meets in the form of a seminar once each week. The seminar format demands the highest level of student preparation and participation. 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, and to be present, on time, for the entire class period.

READINGS

Reading assignments are noted on the schedule posted on the class KATIE site. It is expected that readings will be completed as scheduled without specific assignment in class. The required texts:

• Online Social Research: Methods, Issues, and Ethics (Digital Formations Series, Vol. 7 – Steve Jones, Series Editor) Edited by Mark D. Johns, Shing-Ling Sarina Chen, and G. Jon Hall (2004, New York: Peter Lang Publishers, ISBN 0-8204-6101-6).

This text is available in the book store and should be obtained before the beginning of the first class session.

Additional readings, as noted on the schedule, will be distributed in class and/or made available on library reserve or on the class KATIE site.

OBLIGATIONS, ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

Each student needs an e-mail account. This is the best way to communicate with classmates and instructor between classes. It is essential that you have access to the class world-wide web, not only for access to the class KATIE site, but also as your primary research tool.

Your overall grade for the course will be based on a scale of 750 points calculated from:

• Reading & Participation: Being present, on time, prepared and engaged with the subject material in class discussions (250 points).
• Research: A paper of 20 to 25 double-spaced typed pages on a topic related to the course and mutually agreed upon with the instructor. Research papers will be graded on the basis of depth of topic, substance and focus of the research, the number, quality and intelligent use of appropriate sources, strength and originality of ideas, clarity and caliber of writing. (200 points drafts, 300 final, 500 points total).

A complete schedule of all assignments is posted on the class KATIE site, and will be kept up to date as any changes or adjustments are made through the semester.

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