Dept. of Communication, University of Arizona

Kate Kenski

Teaching

This course will expose students to the logic and conduct of research that is aimed at producing generalizable knowledge about human communication. The goal of the course is to develop students’ ability to understand and evaluate social scientific research. Toward that end, students will be exposed to the logic of scientific investigation, different research methods common to the field of communication, statistics, and several special topics in social scientific research. By the end of the semester, students will be able to interpret information presented in fundamental statistics and will be able to conduct elementary statistical analyses, in addition to understanding the strengths, weaknesses, and limitations inherent in different research designs.

This graduate seminar covers classic and contemporary works in area of election campaigns.  The effects of mass media (news, campaign advertising, and entertainment programming) on public opinion are explored.

This course is aimed at providing an understanding of a “social scientific” approach to communication research.  The two main goals will be: (a) to give students the basic tools to perform and publish their own research, and (b) to enhance their ability to read and evaluate published communication research.  The course will help students understand the ways in which people studying communication investigate the social world.  We will go through the research process, from the development of research questions and hypotheses, through gathering data and drawing conclusions, to the development and testing of theory.

This course provides a survey of the field of political communication.  It covers how media are used in political campaigns, how the media cover leaders, issues, and institutions, and how government leaders try to influence media.

COMM228: Introduction to Research Methods in Communication

COMM661: Research Methodologies I

COMM524: Media & Politics in America

COMM424: Media & Politics in America

Web page updated March 23, 2007