Communication Models and Theory

Ficha de unidade curricular - Ano letivo 2018/2019

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

- The objects of study of communication theories: communication processes and media.
- Mediated communication from different points of view: studies on the production, content and reception of the media.
- The perspective of the unlimited effects of the media: hypodermic theory and its deployment.
- The perspective of the limited effects of the media: the two-step flow of communication theory, the psychological studies of persuasion, the American functionalism and the hypothesis of uses and gratifications.
- The technological perspective of the media: 'the medium is the message'.
- The perspective of the cognitive effects of the media: agenda-setting.
- The critical perspective of the media: Frankfurt School and Cultural Studies.
- Change of paradigm: from mass communication to network communication or an introduction to digital cultures.
- Development of an exploratory research project.

Teaching methodologies

The sessions are centered on exposition of concepts, face-to-face debates and practical exercises. Students are invited to participate in activities in all classes and regularly present the results of the work they do.

Assessment methodologies and evidences

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

Bibliography

Bollmer, G. (2018). Theorizing Digital Cultures. Los Angeles: Sage.
Esteves, J. P. (2011). Sociologia da Comunicação. Lisboa: F. C. Gulbenkian.
Firsk, J (1993). Introdução ao Estudo da Comunicação. Porto: Edições Asa.
Griffin, E. (2012). A First Look at Communication Theory. Nova Iorque: McGraw-Hill.
Mattelard, A.; Mattelard, M. (2002) - História das Teorias da Comunicação. Porto: Campo das Letras.
Mattelart, A. e Neveu, E. (2006). Introdução aos Cultural Studies. Porto: Porto Editora
McLuhan, M. (2006). Os Meios de Comunicação como Extensões do Homem. São Paulo: Cultrix.
McQuail, D. (2003). Teorias de Comunicação de Massas. Lisboa: F. C. Gulbenkian.
Santos, J. R. (1992). O Que é Comunicação. Lisboa: Difusão Cultural.
Serra, J.P. (2007). Manual de Teoria da Comunicação. Covilhã: Labcom.
Sousa, J. P. (2006). Elementos de Teoria e Pesquisa da Comunicação e dos Media. Porto:
UFP.
Wolf, M. (2005). Teorias da Comunicação. Lisboa: Presença.