COMM 339 - SYLLABUS – Spring 2012

Course Description Syllabus Course Notes and Handouts Course Assignments


last updated 1/16/2012

Mon. 1/23 Course Introduction.  What is Persuasion
Wed.  1/25 The Rhetorical Situation.  AP 1 & 2; 
Fri. 1/27 Persuasion in Society.    Homework 

Unit I  -- PERSUASION THEORY

Mon. 1/30 Persuasion Ethics.   |   Discussion Questions for Wednesday
Wed. 2/1 Theories of Persuasion - Rational or Not?  AP 3 & 4.  
Fri.  2/3 Reasoning and Rational Persuasion.  AP 5    |    4 Stratagms of Persuasion
Mon. 2/6 Learning Theories.  AP 6 & 7 Persuasion Ethics paper due 1/6
Wed. 2/8 Learning Theories con't.  AP 16
Fri.  2/10 Consistency.  AP 8 & 9
Mon. 2/13 Dissonance.  AP 10 & 11    |   Theory Homework 1  |  homework1 answers
Wed. 2/15 Dissonance, con't
Fri.  2/17 Perception and Reasoned Action.  |  Theory Homework 2  |  homework2 answers
Mon. 2/20 Theory Review.   |  Theory Homework 3  |  homework3 answers
Wed.  2/22 Credibility.  AP 12 & 13

Unit II - audiences, Messages and Appeals

Fri.  2/24 Credibility II  AP 14 & 15  -&-  Exam Review
Mon. 2/27  Mid-Term Exam
Wed. 2/29 Introduction to Audience Analysis  Dimensions of the Audience
Fri.  3/2 Using Audience Analysis   |    Homework on Dimensions
Mon. 3/5 Adaptation - Social Bases of Persuasion   |  Term Project - Campaign topic due today
Wed. 3/7 Persuasive Appeals - Framing and Cognitive Shorthands.  AP 17, 18, & 19
Fri.  3/9 Message Strategies and Appeals.  AP 20 & 21
   3/10 - 3/18

Spring Break

Mon. 3/19 More Appeals.  AP 24 & 25    |    Campaign Overview and Audience Paper due: 3/19
Wed.  3/21 And More Appeals.  AP 26, 27 & 28

 

Unit III - PERSUASIVE CAMPAIGNS

Fri.  3/23 Message Design. AP 22 & 23   |   
Mon. 3/16 Introduction to Campaigns.  AP 28, 29 & 30
Wed. 3/28 Campaign Strategy.  AP 31 & 33
Fri.  3/30 Campaign Strategy II.  The Ineffectiveness of Information Campaigns.  AP 35
Mon. 4/2 Models of Campaigns.   AP 37
Wed.  4/4

Strategy and Campaign Planning -- review

Fri.  4/6

Easter Break

Mon. 4/9
Wed.  4/11 Message Strategy Presentations begin    |  Message Strategy Presentation Check List
Fri. 4/13 Message Strategy Presentations
Mon. 4/16 Message Strategy Presentations
Wed.  4/18 Message Strategy Presentations
Fri. 4/20 Message Strategy Presentations conclude

Unit IV - "REAL" WORLD PERSUASION

Mon. 4/23 MSPs reviewed, Campaign Planning
Wed.  4/25 Political Campaigns. AP 32
Fri.  4/27 Politics and Persuasion
Mon.  4/30 Rhetoric of Agitation
Fri.  4/20 Product Advertising Campaigns. AP 34
Fri.  4/27 Advertising Continued
Mon. 4/30 Manipulative and Dangerous Persuasion. AP 36 & 37   |   Campaign Plan due: 4/30
Wed. 5/2 Resistance.  AP 38 & 39
Fri.  5/4 What Works for You?  AP 36
Mon. 5/7 Persuasion and Civic Participation
Wed. 5/9 Conclusions and Review

Final Exams:  8am, Tuesday, May 15 (sec. 2) - WH 316  & 1pm, Wednesday, May 16 (sec. 1) - Trotter Lab