COMM 3113\3114 - Persuasive Discourse

1. Course Information
2. Texts & Resources
3. Course Description
4. Course Objectives
5. Introductory Comments
6. Course Content & Schedule
7. Course Requirements
8. Information for Students with Disabilities

Credit Hours: 03
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Instructor: Dr. Debra Worthington
Email: worthdl@auburn.edu
Phone: 334-844-2756

Delivery Systems:

This course requires a computer with Internet access. You will need to be able to adjust settings, install software and plug-ins, and be able to create files on the computer you will be using. Please be advised that public\lab computers often prevent these types of activities. You should check to ensure that you have these capabilities before participating in this course.

Larson, C. U. (1999). Persuasion, Reception, & Responsibility (9th edition). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Understanding, practicing and analyzing persuasion. Surveying alternative theoretical approaches to attitude formation and change. Experience in organizing and presenting persuasive messages. Developing skills as a critical evaluator of persuasion in natural settings.

Persuasive discourse is ever present in our lives. Our friends, family, and colleagues are constantly attempting to influence our thoughts and behaviors. We are also exposed to persuasive messages through television, radio, print, and the Internet. At the same time, we develop our own messages that we hope will successfully persuade our audience, but do so in an ethical manner. Throughout the course, we will explore a number of current topics in the field of persuasion including various theories, message construction, source credibility and the role of ethics in persuasion. By the end of this course, I hope you will have a solid grounding in theories, principles, and strategies, of social influence as they apply to everyday, interpersonal, face-to-face contexts in which influence attempts take place. You should be familiar with findings from empirical investigations on persuasion, social influence, and compliance gaining, and should be able to ethically apply strategies and techniques of persuasion to a wide variety of real-life communication contexts, situations, and settings.

Distance learning is a convenient way to extend your knowledge and get course credit in a specified area--in this case, persuasion. While you may be at taking this course outside the traditional classroom environment, you will still need to apply successful classroom strategies, e.g., reading assignments in a timely manner, staying on track with the course, avoiding procrastination, etc. For this course, you will need to be self-motivated to complete the readings, homework assignments, papers and exams in a timely manner. You do have due dates for assignments.

This course is divided into seven units with homework assignments at the end of each unit. At the end of each unit you are expected to complete homework assignments. There are two short papers. Short Paper #1 must be completed after completion of all other work in Unit Two and prior to beginning Unit Three. Short Paper #2 must be completed and returned prior to taking the Final.

The proctored midterm and final exams are taken with the help of the DLOT office which helps the students find appropriate approved proctors to maintain the integrity of the exams.

Midterm Exam: Due upon completion of Unit Four and following the return of Short Paper #1 and Unit Four Homework Critique.

FINAL: Due following the completion and return of all work in Unit Seven.
These are proctored exams. Please contact the Distance Learning Office at 334-844-3106 to make arrangements to take your midterm and final exam.

This class is on a 10-point scale. 90-100% = A: 80-89.9 % = B; 70-79.9% = C; 60-69.9% = D; 59.9% and less = F.

Media Analysis Paper/Short Paper #1 (15%): This 4-6 page assignment requires you to locate two examples of social influence attempts that appear in the media (e.g., magazine, newspaper, radio, Internet, TV commercial, etc.) and to analyze them from the perspective of one of the theories that we have covered in lecture.

Library Research Paper/Short Paper #2 (10%): In this 4-6 page paper, you will hone your library research skills and gain additional knowledge of an assigned concept/theory.

Midterm Exam (20%): Exams may consist of short answer, multiple choice and essay.

Unit Homework Critiques (15%): You will provide short essays in which you apply specified concepts from the chapter/unit to selected social influence examples.

Final (40%): The comprehensive final exam may consist of short answer, multiple choice, and essay. You must pass the final in order to pass the class. See the course policy statement below for specifics on exam proctoring.

EXAM PROCESS:

Once you have satisfactorily completed all assignments per your course schedule, you must select a proctor to supervise each exam. DLOT approved proctors are academic administrators in the student's locale: school superintendent or principal, academic dean or department head at a college, another independent learning office test supervisor at a college, or an education officer at a military installation. All proposed proctors are verified for appropriateness by DLOT student services staff at Petrie Annex (334)-844-3106. Exams are given under the same circumstances as they would be on campus, e.g. closed book, no notes, 75 minutes. Once the proctored exam is over, the proctor collects the exam and written material, seals them in an envelope and immediately drops them in the mail. When the exam is received by DLOT, it is handled in the same method as an assignment. A final exam and course grade report is provided the faculty member. Copies of this completed form are distributed to the faculty member, the DLOT office, the registrar, and the student. (AU students take their exams at the Distance Learning Office on the AU campus).

Auburn University is committed to providing accommodations and services to students with documented disabilities. Any learner with a qualified disability which requires accommodations should contact The Program for Students with Disabilities, 1244 Haley Center, Auburn University, AL 36849, 334-844-2096 PH, 334-844-2099 FAX. More information is available on their website at www.auburn.edu/disability. The office will fax or mail the required forms to learners to apply for services. Learners who have questions to participate in this course should contact the above office in advance to ensure proper accommodations.