Information Package / Course Catalogue
Communication Theories
Course Code: HİRY501
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: Second Cycle (Master'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 enable students to understand mass communication, to understand the different aspects of communication, to understand how mass media plays a role in society and how it affects society within the framework of theories put forward by communication scientists.

Course Content

Identify the field of mass communication by distinguishing mass communication from communication. Possible effects of media on social structures: Idealist, materialist, autonomy and interdependence relations. Mass communication theories based on scientific research: Lasswell theory, two-step flow theory, agenda setting and determination theory, usage and satisfaction theory Cultural indicators approach.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.Understands the basic factors of mass communication
2...Explain the role of mass media in society.
3....Recognize and compare the theories developed in mass communication.
4. Explain historical events that shed light on mass communication studies.
5. Explain the media practices of the society in which they live.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Hüseyin Köse, Bourdieu Medyaya Karşı/Medya:İşbirlikçi, Zorba ve Çığırtkan,Papirüs Yayınevi, İstanbul, 2004;
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Definition of the concepts of communication, mass communication and mass media, comparison of information-communication concepts, explaining the elements in communication process with two models, obstacles in mass communication process; Explaining the similarities and differences with interpersonal communication in three categories as presentation, representation and mechanics of mass media
Week 2 - Theoretical
Monopolization in communication world (definition, examples, effects) transnational companies, MacBride Report
Week 3 - Theoretical
Introduction to communication sciences, the importance of communication as a social process, its position as an element of socialization, its relationship with other disciplines. Technological developments in communication and related problems; technological developments and social change, characteristics of communication society.
Week 4 - Theoretical
The relationship between mass media, social structure and cultural structure (idealism, materialism, autonomy, interdependence) and related researches.
Week 5 - Theoretical
Changing cultural structures and changing mass communication environment parallel to the evolution of social structures
Week 6 - Theoretical
Communication theories within the framework of three main stages of mass communication research (mass society - behaviorist - empirical-critical phase) (Lasswell's influence theory, Katz and Lazarsfeld's two-step flow theory, consistency theories).
Week 7 - Intermediate Exam
vize
Week 8 - Theoretical
Empirical and critical perspectives in communication research, behavioral trend and its impact on social sciences. Basic features of critical perspective
Week 9 - Theoretical
Basic approaches in mass communication, evaluation of mass media in line with these approaches: Mass society - mass culture Comparison of popular-mass culture concepts, examples and classification of mass culture.
Week 10 - Theoretical
Traditional Marxist approach and three sub-theories of this approach, Political-Economic Theory, Critical Theory and Frankfurt School, Dependency Theory.
Week 11 - Theoretical
Social Cultural Approach and Birmingham School studies, Structural - Functionalist Approaches, Individual - Functionalist Approach. The functions offered by mass media in the social and individual contexts within the framework of the last two approaches.
Week 12 - Theoretical
Agenda setting and determination theory, framing theory: Definition, research and criticism within the framework of the theory.
Week 13 - Theoretical
Explanation of agenda building, silence spiral, usage and satisfaction theories with models.
Week 14 - Final Exam
final exam
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Midterm Examination1%40
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory132365
Midterm Examination129130
Final Examination129130
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)125
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
OÇ-1
5
5
5
5
4
5
4
5
5
OÇ-2
4
5
5
4
4
OÇ-3
4
4
4
4
4
OÇ-4
3
4
5
5
5
OÇ-5
5
5
5
5
5
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026