Face-to-face , first term, 30 hours of theory.

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French

1. To familiarise the students with the major theories of communication, the scientific context of their origin, their contributions and limitations to the study of communication phenomena and devices;

2. To enable the students to situate the major theories of communication in relation to each other, as well as in relation to other disciplines of human and social sciences (linguistics, psychology, sociology, anthropology);

3. To articulate the main theories of communication in a rational synthesis;

4. To sharpen the students' ability to critically analyse the phenomena and devices of communication in our society.

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The following chapters of the book "La communication" are discussed in the course (with developments that are not included in the book):

- General introduction: fundamental notions (information, communication, media), the mechanistic and organic “approaches” to communication
- The mathematical theory of information
- The functionalist theories of mass communication
- The structuralist theories of communication
- New linguistic theories and communication
- Systemics and communication
- The interactionist theories in psychosociology (“the school of Palo Alto”)

- Lecture
- Audio-visual illustrations
- Awareness or application exercises

Written examination on:
- Factual knowledge of the subject matter
- The ability to synthesise the subject matter, to link different parts of the course
- The ability to transpose to a new object, theories or concepts studied in class

The course is based on the book:

LOHISSE Jean (2009), La communication. De la transmission à la relation, 4ème éd. en collaboration avec PATRIARCHE Geoffroy et KLEIN Annabelle, Bruxelles, De Boeck.

Among the numerous works of introduction to the major theories of communication, lets mention:

BRETON Philippe, PROULX Serge (1996), L'explosion de la communication, Paris, La Découverte.

HEINDERYCKX François (2002), Une introduction aux fondements théoriques de l'étude des medias, 2ème éd., Liège, Céfal.

MAIGRET Eric (2007), Sociologie de la communication et des médias, 2ème éd., Paris, Armand Colin.

MATTELART Armand, MATTELART Michèle (1995). Histoire des théories de la communication, Paris, La Découverte.

MEUNIER Jean-Pierre, PERAYA Daniel (2004). Introduction aux théories de la communication. Analyse sémio-pragmatique de la communication médiatique, Bruxelles, De Boeck.

WINKIN Yves (dir.) (2000). La Nouvelle Communication, nouv. éd., Paris, Seuil.

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