1. Understand the nature and characteristics of the Communication Age.

In the Communication Age, communication technology and media converge and permeate day-to-day life. Convergence involves the overlapping and intersecting of technologically mediated and face-to-face interaction. Studying communication is useful to surviving and thriving in an increasingly digital landscape.

2. Define communication.

Communication is the collaborative process of using messages to create and participate in social reality. Communication makes (identities, relationships, organizations, communities, possibilities, social realities) and does (entertains, persuades, informs, regulates, educates, comforts).

3. Identify the various contexts within which communication occurs.

Communication occurs in contexts, which often overlap one another and may include face-to-facecommunication, mediated communication, or a combination of the two. Communication contexts include the interpersonal context (communication with another), the small group context (communication among three or more members working toward a common goal), the public context (communication between a public speaker and an audience), the mass context (communication transmitted by media to a large, undifferentiated audience), and the masspersonal context (using traditionally interpersonal channels to relay a mass message, or traditionally mass channels to relay an interpersonal message).

4. Describe metaphors used to describe communication.

A number of metaphors have been used to describe communication. Communication has been portrayed as transmission, interaction, transaction, and social construction. Each metaphor increases in terms of complexity and in terms of the power given to communication.

5. Explain the importance of considering the ethics of communication.

Communication ethics refers to a code of conduct based on respect for yourself, others, and your surroundings that determines right and wrong communication behavior. Communicating ethically may involve honesty, listening to the other, considering relational consequences, perspective taking, and constructing only those social realities that are beneficial.