COMMUNICATION STUDIES. COM 600 Communication Theory, Ethics and Worldview Fall 2011 COM 105: WEDNESDAY 9-11:45

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1 Mission Statement: Our mission is to serve as a leading center of Christian thought and action providing an excellent education from a biblical perspective and global context in pivotal professions to equip Christian leaders to change the world. COURSE SYLLABUS SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION & THE ARTS COMMUNICATION STUDIES COM 600 Communication Theory, Ethics and Worldview Fall 2011 COM 105: WEDNESDAY 9-11:45 INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION Associate Professor: Dr. Benson P. Fraser Telephone: (757) Fax: (757) bensfra@regent.edu Office hours: Wednesday & 2-5. Office is located on the Second Floor of the Communication Building All students are required to read and have a thorough understanding of the syllabus. Any questions or concerns need to be addressed to the instructor. Page 1 of 11

2 COURSE DESCRIPTION COM 600 Communication Theory, Ethics and Worldview (3) This course involves the study of various historical, theoretical and ethics perspectives in the field of communication and the arts held by artists, scholars, and professionals who embrace a Christian worldview. Furthermore, this course prepares students to understand the role media and communication in the development of one s own worldview and the worldviews existent in our culture. This course will challenge students to enter a discussion on the role that communication and the media play in shaping or reinforcing many of the ethical and religious beliefs existent within our culture. Students have the opportunity to develop a biblical basis for the practice, ethics and study of communication. RATIONALE/COURSE OVERVIEW The primary purpose of this course is to guide the student toward the development of a biblical foundation for the study, research, and practice of communication. In the process, each student will be introduction to several approaches to our understanding of our field and the ethical challenges faced by communication scholars, artiest and those working in the field of communication. The emphasis of this course will be on understanding the role and function of communication ethics and worldview in our culture. A clear attempt will be made to acquaint each student with the intellectual, ethical and spiritual tools necessary to build and analyze a theory from a Judeo-Christian perspective. Integration of Faith and Learning To begin this section on the integration of faith and learning, we would like to refer to a brief comment made by John Courtney Murray, given at the inaugural series of St. Thomas More Lectures at Yale University. This class, as Father Murray reminds us, raises the question of the uniqueness of our subject matter and the problem of God amid the whole range of problems that we face. If God is a reality, his reality is unique; it will therefore present to man a unique problem. The problem of God exhibits only the barest analogy with the standard model of a problem as it is found in science. In the scientific world of observation and inference, hypothesis and verification, the data are, as it were, out there. The scientist is distant and detached from them; other things being equal any number of men who are scientists can do the same experiment and record the same results. No personal issues arise in the scientific problem. In contrast, the problem of God is primary among the fateful human questions that, as Pascal said, take us by the throat. The whole man--is profoundly engaged both in the position of the problem and its solution. In fact, he is in a real sense a datum of the problem itself, and his solution of it has personal consequences that touch every aspect of his conduct, character, and consciousness. Moreover, the problem of God is unique in that no man may say of it, It is not my problem. Dostoievski s challenge is valid: If God is not, everything is permitted. But the challenge needs to be Page 2 of 11

3 amended to include, except one thing. If God is not, no one is permitted to say or even think that he is, for this would be a monstrous deception of oneself and of others. It would be to cherish and propagate a pernicious illusion whose result would necessarily be the destruction of man. On the other hand, if God is, again one thing is not permitted. It is not permitted that any man should be ignorant of him, for this ignorance, too, would be the destruction of man. On both counts, therefore, no man may say that the problem of God is not his problem. Murray, J. C. (1964). The problem of God. New Haven: Yale University Press. As indicated by the quotation above the issues raised in this class speak to the whole of our life not just the academic. We cannot divorce the sacred from the secular, one s heart from one s mind, or the God of reason from the God of history. Furthermore, we engage the content of this class as communication scholars looking at theology and not as theologians looking at communication. By this we mean that you are to respond to questions raised in the class or to specific class assignments as a communication scholar speaking or writing to other scholars in the field. Although the professor provides a framework or structure for the class it is the responsibility of the student to integrate the subject matter of the class into their own worldview. DEPARTMENTAL OF COMMUNICATION STUDIES PROGRAM OUTCOME 1. Christian Worldview - Masters degree students will formulate their own Christian worldview as professionals working in the field of communication. 2. Academics - Masters degree students will evaluate and critique their own use of media and will explain how they are seeking to increase media literacy. 3. Christian Community - Masters degree students will contribute to Christian community at Regent University through their interactions with other Regent University students, faculty and staff. 4. Mission Impact - Masters degree students will explain the global implications of media technology. COMMUNICATION THEORY, ETHICS, AND WORLDVIEW OUTCOMES The objectives of this course are: 1. To develop critical and analytical skills regarding human communication and Christian faith. 2. To become acquainted with basic theoretical and theological concepts pertaining to communication ethics. 3. Demonstrate knowledge about and ability to describe current ethical issues in the field of communication theory. Page 3 of 11

4 4. To become sensitive to the ethical and theological issues relevant to the study of communication. 5. To become acquainted with the literature in the area of communication and ethics and worldview. 6. To be conversant (able to provide free recall and discuss particulars) about some of the more prominent views of communication and ethics. 7. To be able to describe and discuss various worldviews and explanation how each relate to a biblically based view of inquiry. COURSE MATERIALS Texts Required Bonhoeffer, D. (1959). The cost of discipleship. New York: Simon & Schuster. Buechner, F. (1977). Telling the truth: The gospel as tragedy, comedy and fairytail. New York: Harper. Craddock, F. B. (2002). Overhearing the Gospel: Revised and Expanded. St. Louis, MI: Chalice Press. Nicholi, A. M., Jr. (2002). The question of God: C. S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud debate God, love, sex, and the meaning of life. New York: The Free Press. O Connor, F. (1969). Mystery & Manners. New York: Farrar. Schultze, Q. J. (2000). Communicating for life: Christian stewardship in community and Media. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. Smith, J. K. A. (2006). Who s Afraid of Postmodernism? Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. Texts Recommended Anderson, J. A. (1996). Communication theory: Epistemological foundations. New York: The Guilford Press. Andrew, J. D. (1976). The major film theories: An introduction. London: Oxford University Press. Bails, M. (1994). Hole in our soul. New York: The Free Press. Blamires, H. (1963). The Christian mind: How should a Christian think? Ann Arbor, MI: Servant Publications. Barman, E. G. (1977). Verbal art as performance. Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press. Brown, F. B. (2000). Good taste, bad taste, and Christian taste: Aesthetics in religious life. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Chesterton, G. K. (1990). Orthodoxy. New York: Image Books. Crabb, L. (1997). Connecting. Nashville, TN: Word Publishing. Gitlin, T. (2002). Media unlimited: How the torrent of images and sounds overwhelms our lives. New York: Henry Holt and Company. Grenz, S. J. (1996). A primer on Postmodernism. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. Griffin, E. (2000). A first look at communication theory. (5th ed.). New York: McGraw- Hill, Inc. Grandfield, P. (1994). The Church & Communication. Kansas City: Sheed & Ward. Infante, D. A. Page 4 of 11

5 Guinness, O. (1994). Fit Bodies Fat Minds: Why Evangelicals Don t Think and What to do About it. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books. Kinnaman, D. & Lyons, g. (2007). unchristian: What a new generation really thinks about Christianity and why it matters. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books. Lindvall, T. R. (2002). The mother of all laughter. New York: Broadman & Holman. Lyden, J. C. (2003). Film as religion: Myths, morals, and rituals. New York: New York University Press. Infante, D. A., Rancer, A. S., & Womack, D. F. (1990). Building communication theory. Prospect Heights, Illinois: Waveland Press, Inc. Lewis, c. S. (1947). Abolition of man. New York: Harper. Lewis, C. S. (1960). Mere Christianity. NY: Macmillan. McCloud, S. (1993). Understanding comics: The invisible art. New York: Harper Collins. Newport, R. (1992). Aesthetics of film. Austin: University of Texas Press. Pearcey, N. (2004). Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from its cultural captivity. Weaton, Il: Crossway Books. Postman, N. (1985). Amusing ourselves to death. New York: Penguin Books. Postman, N. (1988). Conscientious objections. New York: Vintage Books. Schultze, Q.J. (2002). Habits of the high-tech heart. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. Tannen, D (1990), You Just Don t Understand: Women and Men in Conversation. New York: Ballantine Books. Veith, Jr., G. E. (1994). Postmodern times. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books. Warren, M. (1997). Seeing through the media. Harrisburg, PA: Trinity Press International. Sissela, B. (1978). Lying. New York: Vintage Books. Weaver, R. M. (1964), Visions or Order. Wilmington, DE: Intercollegiate Studies Institute. Wolterstorff, N. (1995). Divine discourse: Philosophical reflections on the claim that God speaks. Cambridge: University Press. Wilder, A. N. (1971). Early Christian Rhetoric: The language of the Gospel. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS Class participation (attendance, in class discussion, short written assignments, quizzes and in class projects) will contribute to the student s grade. Each student is responsible for assigned readings and course participation. Discussion and debate are crucial for the successful integration of scholarly materials. Other students depend on your participation in the class and in providing them with your written assignments and dialogue. Part of the class participation will be to keep up on the weekly readings. You will be expected to review for in class discussion the content of the books or articles assigned. These weekly review assignments will take on various forms and are designed to give you experience in reading and understanding a published work. The books and articles assigned in this class well be reported on by the student in various ways--for example, through an in class essay or some other form of written assignment and/or quiz. Hopefully by reading, analyzing and discussing key books and Page 5 of 11

6 articles you will improve your ability to understand and practice communication behavior that is consistent with a Biblical understanding of our world. Each book or article assigned for this class will be incorporated into the class lectures and/or discussion. You will be expected to critically reviewed the assigned material in the following ways: 1. A review of the major points made in the assigned article or book. 2. A critical analysis of the major points made in the article or book. 3. A discussion of how the information in the article or book integrates into what we already know about the field of communication and the world in general. In addition, when completing each critical review you should keep the following in mind: Relate the assigned readings to other scholarly writings and to chapters assigned in the major text. If appropriate reflect on the significance of the assigned book in light of its contribution to redemptive communication. Personal Christian Worldview Essay (Due: Oct. 4) The purpose of this assignment is to help you further develop and sharpen your own biblical or Christian worldview and ethical perspective of communication and how it applies to your chosen profession or interest within the communication field. Develop an essay that contains three basic parts: (1) A discussion of your Christian/biblical worldview and ethical standards as it relates to communication generally. In developing this section of your paper and to support your own ideas and contentions, you should draw from and cite/reference ideas found in books or articles that we have used in this course and from other readings or authors who are relevant to your topic. (2) Discussion of specific trends related to worldviews and ethical issues or dilemmas that currently characterize the professional area (e.g. journalism, film production, public relations, political communication, etc. or a particular aspect of it) or role (e.g. online newspaper editor, television producer, actor, advertising copywriter, media specialist in a local church) within communication or the arts that interests you. In developing this section support your contentions by referring to and citing books or articles you find that address what is happening in the professional area or role that interest you. (3) Finally discussion of how your own worldview and ethical standards (presented in part one) relate to what is currently going on in the professional area or role you have chosen (presented in part two). In other words, what are your perspectives, beliefs and ethical standards with regard to communication (or a particular aspect of it), what are the prevailing challenges, values and Page 6 of 11

7 ethical standards currently held by those working in the field, this professional area, and how will this challenge the existing values and beleifs in the field--what are the challenges faced by anyone working in this area? Your typewritten essay should be no less than eight but no more than twelve pages in length. You may use either APA or MLA style and be sure to reference all sources that you use to support your ideas and contentions. It also should draw from a minimum of ten cited sources. Cultural Analysis Project (Due: Nov. 22) This project is to help you apply what you have learned to a specific cultural artifact. What you are to do is to identify a film or set of films, a television program, a web site, social media, book or character from a book, music, a comic book, a play or some such cultural product and critically analyze it. Specifically, I want you to pick texts or artifacts that you see as significant to our culture. You need a text (artifact) that make a noteworthy social comment or in some way has an important influence on our culture. The artifact chosen does not have to be Christian in any overt way but needs to comment on religious thought, social values and beliefs of our society. You are then to analyze the artifact and reflect on what is being presented for public consideration. In doing so pay particular attention to the religious values and messages communicated to the public. You are to evaluate what is being presented in light of your understanding of the world many times in indirect ways. Perhaps one way of looking at this assignment is to ask: What would the Gospel look like if this was all you had? The project will be evaluated on the following criteria: 1. creativity in presentation and thought 2. organization of the material 3. depth of critical analysis 4. scholarship in the written portion of the presentation 5. grammar and writing in the written portions of the presentation 6. references to appropriate material 7. attention to the worldview, ethics and theories relevant to this artifact 8. professional quality of presentation both public ally submitted and submitted to the professor The assignment has two parts: the first part is scholarly and deals with your analysis of the topic under consideration. This is written in an academic style and you should use either the MLA or the APA style guide. A minimum of five references should be used in your analysis. This critical review should be carefully written and your analysis needs to be supported by both scholarly insight and critical thinking. You should argue clearly and support your ideas. This scholarly analysis should be no fewer then three and no more than five pages not including works cited. This part of the assignment is worth fifty percent of the final grade for this assignment. Second, based on the academic analysis you have made you are to produce a creative work that communicates something of the nature of your assessment. In this way the scholarly work will support your creative project. The presentation should be no longer then 5 to 7 minutes and may be as shorter if warranted. Please get approval in writing by the professor. Page 7 of 11

8 Final Essay (Due: Dec. 6) A final Essay will be assigned for the last part of the class. This essay will be comprehensive in nature and will be no fewer than ten and no more then twelve pages. This paper is to be written in an academic style and you should use either the MLA or the APA style guide. A minimum of ten references should be used in your writing. The essay should address the following questions: 1. Write a brief essay (three to four pages in length) explaining how human beings are to be understood as embodied actors rather then merely thinking beings. What does this mean for artists and communication professionals with Christian concerns? 2. What are some of the major practices (not ideas) in which people in our culture participate? In three or four pages identify two or three prctices that are significant in our society and discuss their influences on our culture and the church. 3. Please write a three to four page essay examining three cultural practices or institutions through the lens of worship or liturgy. How do these cultural practices and/or institutions influence the larger culture and religious practices? In responding to this question be sure to define your understanding of "religious practice" and "worship" and/or "litergy". Grading Class Participation (including short assignments and quizzes) 30% Personal Christian Worldview Essay 20% Cultural Analysis Project 20% Final Essay 30% Incomplete Grades It is University policy that incomplete grades are to be given only for legitimate deficiencies due to severe illness or emergencies or other significant reasons acceptable to the professor and not because of neglect on the student s part. I cannot deviate from this policy. Please consult the Regent University Academic Catalogue for a more complete statement of university policy. Academic Honesty As should be expected, particularly at a Christian university, students will adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty. This includes the avoidance of plagiarism, defined as the uses of written and oral words of another person, including another student, without the expressed acknowledgment of the speaker s or writer s indebtedness to that person. This also applies to the use of papers and other materials previously submitted to instructors of other classes, either at Regent University or other institutions. Any violation of this policy will normally result in failure of the course. Student Feedback You will be given the opportunity to provide me, as well as the college administration, with written feedback and to evaluate the course structure and its conduct. However, you should feel Page 8 of 11

9 free to bring any concerns to my attention at any time during the semester. I welcome your input, feedback and constructive criticism on this course. COURSE SCHEDULE / OUTLINE / READINGS /PRESENTATIONS Week 1 August 23, 2010 Topic: Worldview and critical thinking Readings: none Week 2 August 30, 2010 Topic: The Question of God Readings: Nicholi The Question of God (Part One) Week 3 September 6, 2010 Topic: Engaging some of the ethical foundations of a Christian worldview. Readings: Nicholi The Question of God (Part Two) & Respond to questions on handout! Week 4 September 13, 2010 Topic: Ethics: What do Ethics have to do with faith? Readings: Handout--Media Ethics: Cases and Moral Reasoning Week 5 September 20, 2010 Topic: A view of Faith Let us assess our place in culture and the thoughts and feelings of those we wish to communicate. Readings: Kinnaman--unchristian (handout) Assignment Due: Response to the unchristian handout and lecture Interview a non-christian Week 6 September 27, 2010 Topic: A Culture in Change: The Modernism and Postmodern Christian. Readings: Smith Who s Afraid of Postmodernism? Response to the reading Week 7 October 4, 2010 Topic: Telling the Truth/Story Readings: Buechner Personal Worldview Essay and Presentation Page 9 of 11

10 Week 8 October 11, 2010 Topic: Communication and Faith Readings: Bonhoeffer Response to the reading Week 9 October 18, 2010 Topic: Modular Week NO CLASS Readings: None Assignment Due: None Week 10 October 25, 2010 Topic: Communication and Christian Worldview Readings: Schultz Communicating for life Assignment Due: Response to the reading Week 11 November 1, 2010 Topic: Understanding Indirect Communication Readings: Craddock Overhearing the Gospel Assignment Due: Response to the reading Week 12 November 8, 2010 Topic: Communication and the Arts Readings: O Connor Mystery & Manners Assignment Due: Response to the reading Week 13 November 15, 2010 Topic: Mediated Communication (Technological Determinism or Communication Efficiency) How do we then communicate? Broadcast, digital, and inter-active communication in the Church Readings: Handouts Week 14 November 22, 2010 Topic: Cultural Analysis Readings: Handouts Assignment Due: Cultural Analysis Project Week 15 November 29, 2010 Topic: Film & Visual Culture Global Communication and the Faith Readings: none Assignment Due: Discussion Week 16 December 6, 2010 Topic: Final Essay Discussion Readings: none Assignment Due: Final Essay Page 10 of 11

11 UNIVERSITY POLICIES AND RESOURCES Please review the following links for important information on University policies: Academic Calendar/Registrar Information Bookstore Honor/Plagiarism Policy Regent Library Student Services (includes links to student handbook, disability services, University calendar, University Writing Center, etc.) Technical Support University Helpdesk Grading Policies (incompletes, extensions, IPs, etc.) Student Course Evaluations Disability Statement the student is responsible for contacting the assistant director of Student Services at to request accommodations, provide necessary documentation, and make arrangement with each instructor. The following website is designed to help our disabled students learn of their rights and responsib8ilties with regard to disability servies. The site also has resources for faculty to become better informed of their responsibilities toward the disable students in their classes. Last Updated: 8/9/2011 At times, due to unforeseen circumstances, course content may be subject to change. Please check with your professor to insure you have the most recently updated Syllabus for this course. Regent University 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, Phone (888) Regent University, All Rights Reserved. Page 11 of 11