COMM 6500 - Language and Technology

(crosslisted) INFO 6500

Fall. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: COMM 2450/INFO 2450 or permission of instructor. Co-meets with COMM 4500/INFO 4500.

S. Fussell.

Examines how new communication technologies affect the way we produce and understand language and modify interaction with one another. Focuses on the collaborative nature of language use and how Internet technologies affect the joint activities of speakers and listeners during the construction of meaning in conversation.

The graduate students are expected to take the lead on the small group class projects, in terms of identifying research questions, working out the method, and performing statistics. This requires mentorship of the undergraduates on their team. The graduate students are also expected to submit more in depth analyses of the readings for their individual paper assignments.

Outcome 1: Demonstrate a detailed understanding of theoretical perspectives, through careful reading and discussion of class materials.

Outcome 2: Apply theories and methods from class to research projects.

Outcome 3: Demonstrate organizational and collaborative skills through group research projects.