Communication in single parent families, stepfamilies, and homosexual couples. Family communication theory and research applied to students' lives. Critical thinking, time management, maintaining member commitment, and productive use of conflict are among topics emphasized. Activities include videotaped discussions and extended group projects. Introduces quantitative research methods in the communication sciences.
Students learn various research methods for addressing particular types of research questions.
Concepts covered include types of variables, parametric and nonparametric inferential statistics, sampling designs, hypothesis testing, and publication policies. The sound structure of language is explored through analysis and discussion of data from various languages, although English is emphasized. Students are trained in transcription of speech into the International Phonetic Alphabet, and they are introduced to the theory and practice of phonetic and phonological analysis. This course concerns the structure and processing of human language. Topics include parsing, lexical retrieval, sentence production and comprehension, and interactions between language use, perception, and memory.