COMM 1000H-A Introduction to Communications Notes

Course Overview

  • COURSE: COMM 1000: Introduction to Communications
  • CLASS STARTS: 8:30 AM, Fall 2025
  • INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Andrew Alexander Monti
  • CONTACT: andrewmonti@trentu.ca
  • LOCATION: Trent Durham University, Greater Toronto Area
  • SYLLABUS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Recognizes the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg.

Class Structure

  • Weekly Schedule:
    • Lecture: Thursday 8:30-10:20 AM
    • Workshop: Thursday 10:30-11:20 AM
      • FACILITIES: DRA Room A116
  • WORKSHOP CONTENT: Academic Writing, MLA Basics, Applying Theory, Analysis.

Course Objectives

  • Understand communication as a discipline and practice.
  • Analyze the influence of communication on culture and social awareness.
  • Conduct original communication analyses.
  • Articulate communication concepts clearly in both oral and written forms.

Key Components of Communication Studies

  • Interdisciplinary Nature: Draws from various fields including English, Philosophy, Anthropology, Political Science, Media Studies, etc.
  • Main Areas of Inquiry:
    • Processes of human communication.
    • Interpersonal and cultural communication patterns.
    • Communication's impact on behavior and societal interactions.
  • Methods: Quantitative and qualitative approaches.

Categories of Communication Theory

  • Craig’s 7 Communication Traditions:
    • Rhetorical
    • Semiotic
    • Phenomenological
    • Cybernetic
    • Sociopsychological
    • Sociocultural
    • Critical
  • Lasswell's Linear Model:
    • "Who says what to whom in which channel with what effect?"

Communication Practice

  • Audience-Centric Design: Understand that receivers create meaning, influenced by their own interpretations.
  • Key Questions:
    • Who are the receivers of communication?
    • Why is audience interpretation vital?

Fundamental Concepts in Communication

  • Communication: Transfer of information/meaning.
  • Media: Technologies that facilitate this transfer.
  • Culture: Shared symbolic expressions and meanings.

Course Components and Marks Distribution

  1. Participation: 10%
  2. Workshop Writing: 20%
  3. First Exam: 20%
  4. Group Proposal: 10%
  5. Second Exam: 20%
  6. Project Presentation: 20%
    • TOTAL: 100%

Academic Integrity

  • Plagiarism Policy: Strict adherence to Trent University's guidelines; violations can lead to severe consequences including expulsion.
  • Ethical Learning Dialectic: Emphasis on personal skill development rather than AI reliance.

Expectations for Students

  • Engagement: Active participation is necessary for success.
  • Reading Assignments: Regularly complete readings prior to class.
  • Time Management: Understand the cumulative nature of learning - plan and study consistently.

Conclusion

  • Value of Communication Skills: Essential for self-expression, professional success, and navigating the complexities of interactions in various contexts.
  • Final Reflection: Focus on enabling self-discovery through coursework.

Next Class (Class 2)

  • Date: September 11
  • Required Readings: Chapters 1 & 2 from Beauchamp & Baran’s Introduction to Human Communication: Perception, Meaning, and Identity
  • Workshop 2: MLA Basics in Class (5% Pass/Fail)