Introduction to Communication Behavior

This course introduces students to social science research on the consumption, sharing, and influence of mediated communication. We will explore the motivations behind media consumption and sharing, including social identity, entertainment, information-seeking, and social connection. We also examine the impact of various types of mediated content (e.g., violence, gender and sexuality, race and ethnicity, politics and activism, misinformation, health and wellbeing); genres (e.g., news, entertainment, educational, marketing); and mediums (e.g., television, film, social media) on what we think and how we act. The aim of the course is to provide students with (1) a broad understanding of both the positive and negative effects of mediated communication on personal, professional, social, and civic lives, and (2) the basic conceptual tools to evaluate the assumptions, theories, methods, and empirical evidence that underpin these presumed effects and behaviors.