PWS 268 Persuasion/Influence in Media and Relationships

In this course, we will examine some of the theories, concepts, and research associated with persuasion and their application for ethical and effective interaction in personal, professional  and mass media settings. In addition, emphasis will be placed on social influence, compliance gaining and deception. Class activities, discussions, readings and assignments are designed to facilitate a "better understanding of how persuasion functions, an improved knowledge of ways to maximize our own persuasive efforts, and a greater ability to resist influence attempts, especially unscrupulous influence attempts, by others" (Gass, Seiter, 2007).