| Course title | Introduction to Communication Studies |
|---|---|
| Course code | KZU/USKBN |
| Organizational form of instruction | Lecture |
| Level of course | Bachelor |
| Year of study | not specified |
| Semester | Winter and summer |
| Number of ECTS credits | 6 |
| Language of instruction | Czech |
| Status of course | Compulsory |
| Form of instruction | Face-to-face |
| Work placements | This is not an internship |
| Recommended optional programme components | None |
| Course availability | The course is available to visiting students |
| Lecturer(s) |
|---|
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| Course content |
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1. Introductory Session: Course overview, content introduction, and completion requirements. 2. What We Know About Communication: Scientific study of communication vs. popular myths and misconceptions. Communication sciences: Media and communication studies vs. journalism theory. 3. Core Concepts of Communication Studies: Defining social communication; key characteristics and communication axioms; functions of communication; social communication vs. social interaction; typology of interactions (J. Thompson). 4. Communication Models: Transmission models of communication; reception and ritual models of communication. 5. Typology of Social Communication: Factors and parameters of communicative action: Institutionalization vs. individualization; types of human collectivity. 6. Levels of Social Organization (McQuail): The pyramid of communication. 7. The Interpersonal Communication Process: From sender to receiver; encoding and decoding of messages. 8. Structure of a Communicative Event I: Social context and its structure; social and cultural norms. 9. Structure of a Communicative Event II: Environmental factors and spatial distance (proxemics). 10. Nonverbal Communication I: Facial expressions (kinesics), gestures, and body posture (posturics). 11. Nonverbal Communication II: Touch (haptics), eye contact (oculesics), and spatial orientation. 12. Role of Nonverbal Communication in Media: Facts vs. myths; detection of nonverbal cues of deception in media contexts; Mehrabian's myth of nonverbal communication. 13. Course Wrap-Up: Summary, review, and semester reflection.
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| Learning activities and teaching methods |
| Lecture, Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training) |
| Learning outcomes |
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The aim of the course is to introduce students to the basics of theoretical approaches to human communication, including the possibilities of its investigation. The basic topics of communication studies will be introduced. The course will present communication issues in a comprehensive manner, covering the full range of topics, problems and approaches that the scientific study of communication presents. Participants will learn the basic conceptual apparatus and tools for analyzing communication processes and situations. The course is designed as a first, basic insight that sets the stage for subsequent, follow-up courses, both required (Introduction to Media Communication Theory) and elective (Social Communication, Communication Skills, Foundations of Social Psychology), in which the topic of communication is further developed through specific examples and topics.
Students are familiar with basic approaches to the study of communication. Students acquire core terminology for communication research. Students are able to analyze selected media cases through the lens of communication using the acquired conceptual framework. Students demonstrate a basic understanding of the approaches and contributions of disciplines focused on the study of communication. |
| Prerequisites |
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unspecified
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| Assessment methods and criteria |
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Written exam, Written exam
Credit requirements: - regular active participation in class - attendance at the lectures (2 absences allowed) - preparation for class (given knowledge of the texts) - complete the assigned course sub-tasks by the deadlines Examination Requirements: - written exam based on the topics covered during the semestr The course has a virtual classroom on the learning portal of the Department of Media and Cultural Studies and Journalism (moodle.upol.cz), where you will find course materials, weekly required readings, and coursework assignments. |
| Recommended literature |
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| Study plans that include the course |
| Faculty | Study plan (Version) | Category of Branch/Specialization | Recommended semester | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study plan (Version): Journalism (2025) | Category: Journalism, library science and informatics | 1 | Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Winter |
| Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study plan (Version): Journalism (2022) | Category: Journalism, library science and informatics | 1 | Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Winter |
| Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study plan (Version): Journalism (2022) | Category: Journalism, library science and informatics | 1 | Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Winter |
| Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study plan (Version): Journalism (2019) | Category: Journalism, library science and informatics | 1 | Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Winter |
| Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study plan (Version): Journalism (2026) | Category: Journalism, library science and informatics | 1 | Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Winter |
| Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study plan (Version): Journalism (2019) | Category: Journalism, library science and informatics | 1 | Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Winter |
| Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study plan (Version): Journalism (2025) | Category: Journalism, library science and informatics | 1 | Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Winter |
| Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study plan (Version): Journalism (2019) | Category: Journalism, library science and informatics | 1 | Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Winter |
| Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study plan (Version): Journalism (2022) | Category: Journalism, library science and informatics | 1 | Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Winter |