This course will critically examine the theories that underpin development of the key areas of mass communication. By taking a critical/reflective approach to learning through lectures, seminar presentations and discussions, the course hopes to convey content and perspectives that go against the grain by being, counter-intuitive and critically informed what mass media do, why, how, and with what impact and implications.

This course considers various theoretical perspectives on communication processes. In this course, we will examine the foundation of theoretical inquiry (including the nature and development of theory), selected approaches to theorizing, applications of theory, and ethical implications of theory in a number of communication contexts.