Lecture One: What is Communication?

Definition of Communication
Communication is the imparting, conveying, or exchanging of information via spoken words/sounds, writing, or signs.

Features of Communication
Communication is a process Communication consists of creating and responding to messages Communication involves adapting to people and the environment

Visible aspects of Communication

People Symbols Technology

Invisible aspects of Comm

Meaning Subjectivity Learning

Communication Modes
Visual Messages (sight) Tactile Messages (touch) Olfactory and Gustatory messages (smell and taste) Auditory Messages (sound)

What is Communication Theory

Communication Theory focuses on Relationships

2 General Types of Relationships

Relationship of Circumstance Relationships of Choice

3 Dimensions of Relationships
Trust Intimacy Power

Communication Theory looks at:

Content of the actual message that is communicated (Content Dimension) What the message indicates about the senders relationship to the other person (Relational Dimension)

Areas of Comm Theory

Intrapersonal Comm Interpersonal Comm Small Group Organizational Health

Comm is affected by various contexts

Psychological Physical Social Cultural Temporal

What is Rhetoric?
The study of effective language use The art of expressive speech The science of persuasion The use of symbols to persuade or inform A discipline that explores how messages influence people

Rhetorical Communication is
An intentional, source-created message with specific goals toward the audience

3 Dimensions of Rhetoric
Human beings create messages Symbols are the medium for rhetoric Its goal is to persuade (influence) others

Concern with social truths

Truths of natural science Social truths

Proof
Inartistic proof Artistic proof
Ethos, logos, pathos

Stages of Rhetorical Criticism

Description Interpretation Evaluation

What is Performance?
Broad Definition Narrow Definition

Key Elements of Performance

Performer Text Context

Burkes Pentad
Act-what happens Agent-by whom Agency-how Scene-where and when Purpose-why

Types/ Genres of Performance

Everyday life Literary Storymaking Ethnographic Cultural Performance Postmodern/Avant-Garde/ Performance Art