Menu
Past Topics
Structural Equation Modeling
This seminar explores applications of path analysis and structural equation models. After a review of basic ideas of structure, interpretation, estimation, and inference in recursive models, we turn to problems of specification, identification, and model selection in simple recursive and latent-variable models. The LISREL model will be introduced, and its use in the specification of a variety of models will be reviewed: Factor models, MIMIC models, recursive and nonrecursive models with and without unobservables, multiple group models, multilevel models, etc. Most estimation will be carried out using LISREL and mPlus. Be comfortable with topics beyond multiple regression analysis, with standard methods of statistical inference, and with standard methods of data analysis. Be able to assess the consequences of well-specified prior assumptions about causality.
Communication and Social Support
In this seminar, we review theory and research addressing the connection between communication and social support. This includes historical and contemporary interdisciplinary perspectives on social support; relationships between social support, stress and health; communication as enacted social support, key forms of supportive communication (e.g., emotional/comforting, informational/advising); support-seeking, supportive interactions, and supportive relationships; predictors and outcomes of effective supportive communication; and methods for studying social support as a communication scholar, with the goal of developing skills at critique and synthesis. We will also consider positive communication behavior that may build and maintain supportive relationships, including praise, gratitude, forgiveness, and celebratory support.
Risk Communication
This seminar is an overview of social scientific perspectives on risk and includes major theoretical approaches to risk, examples of research from each paradigm, and applications of the concepts to environmental and health topics. We will explore the complex ways in which people think and talk about risk, design messages and campaigns that take those processes into account within applied health and environmental contexts.
Meta Analysis
The assumption that knowledge is cumulative is foundational to the scientific enterprise. But, it is only since the development of meta-analysis that this assumption has become a practical reality. Meta-analysis is a set of procedures that leverage scientific values and standard statistical theory to quantitatively summarize the findings of individual studies. The results provide a stronger test of theory and more precise parameter estimates than any individual study can. Facility with meta-analysis is an essential tool for scientists of every discipline. Students will gain facility with this essential tool by reading the relevant literature, then conducting a meta-analysis on the topic of their choice.
Computer Mediated Communication
This seminar focuses on theory, concepts, and empirical findings related to computer-mediated communication (CMC), and most, although not all readings will approach these issues through the lens of interpersonal communication. The course will begin by defining what CMC is and what scholars of CMC are interested in studying. After that, the course readings concentrate on the major theories and research foundations in scholarship on CMC.
Advice
This seminar takes a broad perspective on how advice succeeds and fails, systematically reviewing and synthesizing theory and research on advice from multiple disciplines, such as communication, psychology, applied linguistics, business, law, and medicine. Using different levels of analysis, we focus on advisor and recipient roles, advising interactions and relationships, and advice as a resource and connection in groups and networks, and we consider personal relationships (romantic, family) and contexts (workplace, health, education, therapy, online).
Affect, Persuasion, and Health
This seminar examines the nature and substance of theories of emotions as they apply to communication, such as persuasion, social influence, risk, and health communication. Considering different perspectives on emotion, theories of emotions, theories and approaches to fear appeals, motivated resistance to strategic communication, empathy, affect and risk communication, students critically evaluate and assess theories and approaches to the study of emotions in persuasion and health communication, and to integrate and apply the theories in their own research."