Availability:Available to external students Only in first semester.

Coordinator: Professor Iain Davidson

Online level: 3

Residential School: None

Objectives: Students who successfully complete this unit should:

At 300 level:

• Understand aspects of all the principal changes in communication in the evolution and history of humans
• Understand how changes in communication have affected the material manifestations of particular societies
• Understand the impact of changes in the means of transmission of information, including changing transport
• Understand the processes involved in ensuring that communications in different media are, or are not reliable

At 400 level

• Understand aspects of all the principal changes in communication in the evolution and history of humans
• Understand how changes in communication have affected the material manifestations of particular societies
• Understand the impact of changes in the means of transmission of information, including changing transport
• Understand the processes involved in ensuring that communications in different media are, or are not reliable
• Have an in-depth knowledge of at least one of the principal changes in communication in the evolution and history of humans.

Unit Statement:
The Unit will be taught online. It surveys the major events in the history of communication: animal communication, language; writing; printing; photography; electrical and electronic communication. In addition, it discusses the way the messages were conveyed in these different media.
In all aspects of the study emphasis is placed on the archaeological evidence and on the influence of communications on the way people view the world.

Assessment:
· Take home test/ on-line quizzes out of 60 worth 30%
· Short essays (10 topics at 300-500 words per essay 7% each topic) worth 70%

Prescribed Books:
No Prescribed Books