This is an advanced level course in persuasion. The specific objectives of the course
are for the students to (1) have a working knowledge of selected theories of
persuasion; (2) be able to demonstrate knowledge of the substance and sequencing of
each of the steps in a persuasion campaign; (3) have analyzed multiple messages from
the perspective of one or more theories; (4) have crafted a message utilizing
principles from one or more of the theories; and (5) become a more critical consumer
of persuasive messages and persuasive campaigns. Papers and exams will allow students
to apply their learning.

Week 1	Introduction to persuasion and communication modes
Week 2:	The campaign: Targets, goals & type of change
Week 3:	Audience analysis & message strategies 
Week 4: Message channels & recipient factors
Week 5:	Formative research: Interviews & focus groups	 
Week 6:	Cognitive response theory
Week 7:	Dual process theories				
Week 8:	Credibility & Acceptability
Week 9:	The attitude-behavior relationship
Week 10:Theory of attitude, Theory of reasoned action	
Week 11:Theory of planned behavior & extension 	 
Week 12:Cognitive dissonance theory & evaluative research
Week 13:Message irrelevant affect & Emotional appeals 		
Week 14:Resistance to persuasion
Week 15:Language features & persuasion	 
Week 16:Interpersonal influence

“Academic honesty is – defined broadly and simply – the 
performance of all academic work without cheating, lying, 
stealing, or receiving assistance from any other person or 
using any source of information not appropriately authorized or 
attributed” (From the Preamble to “A Culture of Honesty”). The 
University, the Department of Communication Studies, and I 
personally take academic honesty very seriously. Every student 
at the University of Georgia should be familiar with the 
booklet, “A Culture of Honesty: Policies and Procedures on 
Academic Dishonesty.” If you are not, please obtain one of 
these booklets and read it carefully. This document has a 
thorough presentation of four types of academic dishonesty, 
including plagiarism, unauthorized assistance, lying/tampering, 
and theft, as well as the procedures that are in place to 
adjudicate alleged incidents of academic dishonesty. The 
policies and procedures described in “A Culture of Honesty” 
will be strictly followed. University Mandated Statement 
Concerning the University Honor Code & Academic Honesty All 
academic work must meet the standards contained in “A Culture 
of Honesty.” Students are responsible for informing themselves 
about those standards before performing any academic work. More 
detailed information about academic honesty can be found at
http://www.uga.edu/ovpi/honesty/acadhon.htm.