This lesson offers students a way to analyze conspiracy theories while neither platforming dangerous ideas nor dismissing them as unworthy of academic study. Ideal for argument or rhetoric courses, first, the lesson advances conspiracy theories as a recognizable species of argument; second, the lesson uses a truncated version of Toulmin's model of…

In this activity, students individually rank 12 fictional individuals based on a description of them and their likeliness to survive the zombie apocalypse. There is no right answer, and as such, students will rank the fictional characters differently. Students must come together and determine the top six characters and provide rationales for their…

People often seek advice and social support. One approach for seeking advice is by submitting one's problems/concerns to an advice columnist. More contemporary forms of advice seeking are seen on discussion boards (e.g. Reddit) where individuals ask questions (often anonymously) and gather responses from others. This activity makes use of…

The study of communication through the framework of established theories is central to communication education, and most undergraduate communication programs include a course dedicated to surveying theoretical perspectives. This activity guides students to review and synthesize theoretical knowledge in a March Madness-style end-of-semester…

Courses: Rhetorical Criticism, Contemporary Rhetoric, Argumentation, Persuasion, Communication Theory. Objectives: Students will (1) learn the basics of the narrative rationality as a mode of judging rhetoric, and (2) observe the ways in which humans use narrative fidelity and narrative probability to judge stories.

Students engage in a pedagogy that fosters deliberation on civic issues that elicit different perspectives relevant to a community through a semester-long project that culminates in the execution of public dialogue forum. This project facilitates three learning objectives: dialogic praxis, communication as design, and facilitative leadership.…

Courses: Small Group Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Relational Communication, Communication Theory, Introduction to Communication, or any course with a unit on teamwork or a group project. Objective: This activity engages students in an experiential learning activity through the popular online video game Among Us in order to teach…

LaPiere's pioneering study explored the tenuous connection between attitudes and behaviors in the context of racism. This activity provides a replication proposal framework that is useful for applying critical thinking skills, including new forms of measurement. Students read the study and provide written responses to several discussion prompts…

Courses: Small Group Communication, Online Groups and Communities. Objectives: The objectives of this activity are to expose students to common-bond and common-identity group dynamics, including the differences between memberships, as well as member motivations, goals, and outcomes.

This original teaching idea uses an adaption of the STEM activity the Paper Tower Challenge to have students examine task and maintenance roles as well as non-functioning behaviors in small groups. While problem solving as a small group, students navigate conflict and frustration, assume various small-group roles, and then reflect on their own and…

Courses: Group and Team Communication, Communication Theory, Rhetorical/Media Criticism. Objectives: The aims of this single-class activity are to (1) illustrate the basic concepts, processes, and properties of symbolic convergence theory; (2) apply fantasy theme analysis to the decision-making practices of a zero-history group; and (3) critically…

Courses: Quantitative research methods, research methods, basic communication courses. Objectives: The goals of the exercise are for students: (1) collaboratively to design a "real world" survey questionnaire; (2) to analyze survey questions and survey design to address if and how the survey meets its goals; (3) to evaluate the strengths…

The Instagram Activism Slideshow helps undergraduate students bridge theory and practice by connecting the media arguments they see in their daily lives to the principles of policy argument they learn in argumentation courses. Students use a relevant argumentation theory or concept to argue for a public policy in a concise and palatable Instagram…

Higher education frequently utilizes collaborative learning, and collaboration is also emphasized as an important skill in the workplace. However, students often feel apprehensive about group projects. The semester-long Collaborative Writing and Presenting course teaches students how to collaborate on communication projects using best practices…

Courses: Rhetorical Criticism, Communication Theory, Communication Research Methods, Introduction to Communication Studies. Objectives: This is an introductory exercise that acquaints students with rhetorical criticism as a means of communication inquiry. By the end of the exercise, students will be able to: understand symbols as connected and…