Communication Models and Theory

Ficha de unidade curricular - Ano letivo 2017/2018

Teaching language

Portuguese

Intended learning outcomes (Knowledges, skills and competencies to be developed by the students)

At the end of the course the students should be able to:

- Understand what are the theories and models of communication and what are their purposes.
- Characterize the main theories and models of communication in its historical, scientific and technological context.
- Reflect on mediated communication from different points of view: production, content and reception.
- Critically analyze the media (new and traditional), taking into account their roles in contemporary societies and their social, political and economic effects.

Syllabus

- Theories and models of communication: what are they?
- The perspective of media's unlimited effects: Hypodermic theory and developments.
- The perspective of media's limited effects: the theory of two-step flow of communication, the psychological studies of persuasion, the American functionalism and the hypothesis of the uses and gratifications.
- The technological perspective of the media: 'the medium is the message'.
- The perspective of the media's cognitive effects: agenda-setting.
- The critical perspective of the media: the Frankfurt School and the Cultural Studies.
- Mediated communication from different points of view: studies on the production, content and reception of the media.
- Paradigm shift: the mass communication to network communication.

Teaching methodologies

The sessions are focused on presentation of concepts, debates and practical tasks. Students are invited to submit the results of the different activities.

Assessment methodologies and evidences

The student's evaluation is continuous and summative, including:

a) Test: 40%
b) Group work: 40%
c) Tasks in class: 20%

Assement and Attendance registers

Bibliography

BRANSTON, Gill; STAFFORD, Roy - The Media Student's Book Paperback. Londre e Nova Iorque: Routledge, 2010.
ESTEVES, João Pissarra - Sociologia da Comunicação. Lisboa: F. C. Gulbenkian, 2011.
FISK, John - Introdução ao Estudo da Comunicação. Porto: Edições Asa, 1993.
MATTELARD, Armand; MATTELARD, Michèle - História das Teorias da Comunicação. Porto: Campo
das Letras, 2002.
MCLUHAN, Marshall - Os Meios de Comunicação como Extensões do Homem. São Paulo: Cultrix,
2006.
MCQUAIL, Dennis - Teorias de Comunicação de Massas. Lisboa: F. C. Gulbenkian, 2003.
MATTELART, Armand e NEVEU, Éric - Introdução aos Cultural Studies, Porto: Porto Editora, 2006.
SANTOS, José Rodrigues dos - O Que é Comunicação. Lisboa: Difusão Cultural, 1992.
SERRA, Joaquim Paulo - Manual de Teoria da Comunicação. Covilhã: Labcom, 2007.
SOUSA, Jorge Pedro - Elementos de Teoria e Pesquisa da Comunicação e dos Media. Porto: UFP,
2006.
WOLF, Mauro - Teorias da Comunicação. Lisboa: Presença, 2005.