Information Package / Course Catalogue
Communication Theories I
Course Code: İLT201
Course Type: Required
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 3
Prt.: 0
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 5
Objectives of the Course

The aim of this course is to provide students with a critical theoretical perspective by examining classical and modern communication theories along with their historical development. Communication Theories I focuses on positivist, empirical, and structuralist approaches within communication sciences. The course aims to enable students to apply theoretical frameworks to the analysis of media, cinema, and television texts and to evaluate mass communication processes through diverse theoretical lenses.

Course Content

This course examines the theoretical foundations of communication studies. Communication Theories I primarily focuses on message-centered and early empirical models such as the Hypodermic Needle Theory, Two-Step Flow, Uses and Gratifications, Agenda-Setting, Spiral of Silence, Knowledge Gap, and Cultural Indicators. The course emphasizes the historical development and the media contexts in which these theories emerged. Students will gain the ability to analyze media messages through the lens of positivist and early communication paradigms.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Lec. Sumru YILDIRIM
Lec. Taner KIZILHAN
Prof. Hatice Hale BOZKURT
Prof. Hüseyin ÇELİK
Learning Outcomes
1.Defines fundamental concepts, models, and paradigms.
2.Explains the historical evolution of media effects.
3.Identifies classical communication models and their components.
4.Lists the core assumptions of modern communication theories (Agenda Setting, Cultivation, etc.).
5.Describes the characteristics of audience-centered approaches and media dependency models.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Severin, W. J. & Tankard, J. W. (2010). Communication Theories: Origins, Methods, and Uses in the Mass Media. Pearson.
2.McQuail, D. (2010). McQuail’s Mass Communication Theory. London: Sage.
3.Baran, S. J., & Davis, D. K. (2015). Mass Communication Theory: Foundations, Ferment, and Future. Boston: Cengage.
4.Alemdar, K. & Erdoğan, İ. (2013). İletişim ve Toplum. İstanbul: Der Yayınları.
5.Özçetin, B. (2022). Kitle iletişim kuramları: Kavramlar, okullar, modeller (6. bs.). İstanbul: İletişim Yayınları.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Introduction: What is Theory, Model, Paradigm? Role of Theory in Science
Week 2 - Theoretical
Mass, Mass Communication and Introduction to Mass Communication Theories
Week 3 - Theoretical
Classification of Communication Research and Theoretical Approaches
Week 4 - Theoretical
Effect and Process-Oriented Approaches: Transmission Models
Week 5 - Theoretical
The Era of Strong Media Effects Theories
Week 6 - Theoretical
Lasswell Model, Shannon & Weaver Mathematical Model
Week 7 - Theoretical
Schramm Model, Propaganda Concept and Two-Step Flow Theory
Week 8 - Theoretical
Persuasion Concept and Studies, Riley & Riley Sociological Model
Week 9 - Theoretical
The Era of Limited Media Effects Theories
Week 10 - Theoretical
Midterm- Reassertion of Strong Media Effects
Week 11 - Theoretical
Agenda Setting, Spiral of Silence, Framing Theory
Week 12 - Theoretical
Gerbner’s Cultivation Theory and Cultural Indicators
Week 13 - Theoretical
Audience-Oriented Approaches: Uses and Gratifications Theory
Week 14 - Theoretical
Uses and Effects Model, Dependency Theory, Expectancy-Value Approach
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Midterm Examination1%40
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory140342
Midterm Examination130131
Final Examination150151
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)124
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
PÇ-14
PÇ-15
PÇ-16
OÇ-1
5
5
5
OÇ-2
5
5
5
OÇ-3
5
5
5
OÇ-4
5
5
5
OÇ-5
5
5
5
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026