Courses: Communication Theory; Research Methods; Mass Communication Theory. Objectives: This activity introduces students to the socially constructed nature of theorizing through having a few students sort a bag of random items in ways of their choice. The class then discusses the categories of sorted items in terms of their properties as theories…

This single-class activity is designed to introduce concepts of rhetoric, narrative, and public memory to students and to help them recognize the persuasive structure of narratives, particularly as applied to value-based popular discourse. Courses: Instructors can implement this activity in a variety of classes, including Introduction to…

Courses: This class activity is suited for the basic course on public speaking (to discuss issues related to identity, privilege, and audience analysis), interpersonal communication, intercultural communication, and communication pedagogy. Objectives: By completing this 30- to 45-minute activity, students should be able to: (1) define privilege;…

Courses: Digital Media, Survey of Social Media, Professional Communication Skills, Interviewing, and Mediated Communication. Objectives: The goals of this classroom activity are for students to understand strategic communication for self-promotion on social media platforms, especially Twitter, and to utilize them effectively for job applications.

Courses: Crisis Communication, Advanced Public Relations. Objectives: In this multiple class activity, students will (a) apply crisis communication concepts and skills to several phases of an ongoing hypothetical crisis, (b) synthesize course material into a crisis communication manual, and (c) engage in ongoing critical reflection about best…

Communication courses enhance learning through engaging diverse perspectives. However, students' unawareness of diverse perspectives can inhibit communication effectiveness and classroom engagement. Communication teachers encounter challenges and opportunities when these viewpoints impact students' assignment quality, class discussion…

Leveraging arts-based pedagogy, this interpersonal and/or family communication activity allows students to engage creatively with a concept of the instructor's choosing through the creation of a collective poem. Each student contributes statements that the instructor forms into a poem, resulting in a collaborative artifact that engages students'…

Courses: This single-class activity is designed for an intercultural communication class. It is suitable for any course that requires a discussion about identities. Objectives: This activity helps students enhance their understanding of the concept of identities. It allows students to comprehend multiple identity markers (e.g. race, gender, and…

Courses: Communication Research Methods Survey; Qualitative Communication Research Methods. Objectives: It is appropriate to conduct this activity throughout a unit focused on methods of analyzing qualitative data. Implemented during two separate class periods, this activity will help students to differentiate, practice, and reflect on two types…

Courses: This unit activity is suited for upper-level college courses on persuasion, intercultural communication, diversity, leadership, social justice, civil discourse, argumentation, debate, and political communication. Objectives: After completing this unit, learners should be able to: improve their capacity to examine arguments; enhance their…

Courses: Public Speaking, Advanced Public Speaking, Capstone Courses. Objective: This activity is designed to help students identify different components of an elevator speech and assemble elevator speeches highlighting their strengths. The activity ultimately increases students' sense of self-competence.

Course: Civil discourse, argumentation, debate, persuasion, political communication. Objectives: This unit activity will help students build an understanding of civil discourse and its function in society. Students will: (1) increase their capacity to examine arguments critically, (2) enhance their own ability to self-reflect critically, and (3)…

Courses: Presentational courses such as Public Speaking, Interviewing, Business and Professional, Persuasion, Interpersonal; any course where civility may be promoted in the classroom. Objectives: At the end of this single-class activity, students will have an understanding of civility in order to: (1) identify civility and consequences of…

Courses: Research Methods (undergraduate or graduate level). Objective: The aim of this exercise is to optimize the ability for students to integrate an understanding of various methodologies across research paradigms within a 15-week semester, including a review of procedural steps and experiential learning activities to practice each method, a…

Courses: Small group communication or any courses with units on group/team work. Objective: In this single-class activity, students will use reality TV to identify Tuckman's five phases of group development: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. Students analyze how phases of group development manifest through group interaction…