| Number | | Course Title | | Description | | Pre-requisites |
81
| 111 | | Speech Communication | |
Training in fundamental processes and attributes of effective public speaking. Note: Credit may not be received for this course and COMM 112. Does not count toward Communication major. (OC) | | |
| 112 | | Business and Professional Speaking | |
Develops theoretical and applied material concerning communication practices appropriate to business and professional settings. Note: Credit may not be received for this course and COMM 111. Does not count toward Communication major. (OC) | | |
| 115 | | Interpersonal Skills | |
Training in basic processes and skills of face-to-face interaction. Emphasis on developing language, nonverbal, and conflict management skills. Note: Does not count toward Communication major. (OC) | | |
| 201 | | Introduction to Communication | |
Introduction to basic concepts of communication discipline. Focuses on communication processes in interpersonal, small groups, organizations, and mass media. | | |
| 255 | | Communication Practice | |
Explores vocational options within the communication field and develops skills relevant to career planning. Students develop an academic plan that integrates with their long-term vocational aspirations. | | |
| 275 | | African American Communication | |
Study of various dimensions of communication pertaining specifically to African-Americans. Communication patterns within the African-American community as well as communication patterns about that community are analyzed. | | |
| 301 | | Special Topics in Communication | |
Investigation of topics not offered in regular courses. Topics vary. May not be repeated. | | 201 |
| 302 | | Advanced Speech Communication | |
Advanced principles and techniques of effective public speaking. | | 111 and consent |
| 303 | | Introduction to Communication Technologies | |
Students learn about communication technologies in contemporary society, explore the various contexts in which these technologies are used, and apply theoretical perspectives to the use of these technologies. | | 201 or consent |
| 304 | | Argument In Everyday Life | |
Surveys theory and practice related to the creation and analysis of arguments in public communication. Topics include argument structure, evidence, types and limitations of inferences, and the adaptation of messages to particular contexts. | | |
| 305 | | Introduction to Mass Communication | |
Survey of media institutions and effects. | | 201 |
| 311 | | Persuasion | |
Theory and practice of social influence; discusses relationships between the idea of persuasion and broader theories of communication and human behavior. | | Junior Standing |
| 312 | | Group Process | |
Studies communication processes in group settings; emphasizes empirical research findings in leadership, interpersonal bargaining, and problems of group problem-solving. | | 201 |
| 313 | | Organizational Communication | |
Surveys recent theory and research dealing with the roles and effects of communication in complex organizations. | | 201 |
| 315 | | Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | |
Study of communication principles as they apply in everyday life. Applying social conventions as guides for effective communication. | | |
| 316 | | Research Methods | |
Introduction to basic research methods of communication discipline. Examines relationship of theory and methods, research design, and measurement in communication contexts. | | 201 |
| 317 | | Communication Internship | |
Practical experience in communication-related employment. Contact department for application procedures and guidelines. | | Junior standing, 2.5 GPA, and consent. |
| 318 | | Introduction to Advertising | |
Theory, research, and practices of advertising profession. Topics include audience analysis and message creation, ethical problems, campaign strategies, and the effects of advertising practices. | | 305 |
| 319 | | Debate | |
Principles and techniques of preparing evidence and of persuasive speaking before critical listeners. | | 111 or consent |
| 320 | | Newswriting | |
Study and practice of newswriting and reporting techniques for routine news stories, including story organization, writing story leads, and the elements of hard news and feature journalism. (WR) | | 305 and word-processing competence, or consent |
| 323 | | Magazine and Feature Writing | |
Introduction to practice and techniques of preparing articles for popular, specialized, and trade publication; attention to marketing and magazine makeup. (WR) | | 320 and word-processing competence |
| 324 | | Communication and Gender | |
The course examines how gender identities, roles, and norms have been structured within different modes of communication (e.g., interpersonal, mass media, and institutional). | | |
| 325 | | Communicating Hip-Hop | |
Analysis of rap music as a communicative force both within and about hip-hop culture. Topics of study include the origins, development, and participants of the culture with special emphasis on rap music as the primary vehicle of communication. | | |
| 326 | | African Americans in American Media | |
The evolution of the popular image of African Americans as reflected in the visual media of television and the cinema. Note: Crosslisted with PAS 312. | | |
| 327 | | Mass Media Processes and Effects | |
Theory and research pertaining to the effects of various mass media. Topics include advertising, journalism, educational programming, violence, and pornography. | | |
| 328 | | Introduction to Urban Communication | |
An investigation into the communicative dimensions of life in urban areas, especially among various ethnic and racial populations. | | |
| 335 | | Video Communication | |
Introduction to basic theory and practices with an emphasis on application of concepts in the development of news stories, advertisements , and other video projects. | | 210, 305 |
| 345 | | Advertising Copywriting | |
Preparation of ad copy. Emphasis on assumptions underlying approaches to copywriting. | | 329 |
| 347 | | Public Relations | |
Study of organization, standards, and practices of public relations agencies, including institutional publications and press releases. | | 201 |
| 348 | | Writing for Public Relations | |
Study of practice of writing in the public relations context, including news releases, brochures, institutional advertising, public service announcements, annual reports, and crisis communication. (WR) | | 347 or consent |
| 360 | | Web Development I | |
Study and practice of producing and placing materials on the World Wide Web. Activities include creating, manipulating, and maintaining graphics, audio, and text documents. | | |
| 361 | | Web Development II | |
Study and use of common scripting languages used to create dynamic, interactive web sites. The scripting languages studied vary, but typically include both server-side and client-side languages. | | 360 or its equivalent |
| 370 | | Desktop Publishing | |
Introduction to the developing field of desktop publishing in organizations. Focus on strategic thinking required to conceptualize printed materials and basic principles of message development applied to produce documents in a computerized environment. | | 250 or consent |
| 380 | | Practicum | |
Participation in supervised research. May not be taken simultaneously with COMM 480. | | 201 or consent |
| 401 | | Independent Study in Communication | |
| | 18 hours in Communication, 3.0 GPA overall and 3.2 GPA in major |
| 410 | | International Communication | |
Study of international communication systems; emphasis on foreign press, freedom of information, satellite communication, and programming patterns in cross-cultural settings. | | 305 |
| 411 | | Mass Communication Law | |
Study of media regulation by constitutional and governmental processes; includes review of legal decisions, role of federal agencies, and historical trends in media control. | | 305 |
| 412 | | Communication Criticism | |
Compares critical methods for analysis and appraisal of persuasive messages in speeches and texts involving news and advertising. | | |
| 421 | | Communication Technologies | |
Exploration of the social role of communication technologies with an emphasis on electronic media. (WR) | | 305 or consent |
| 424 | | Advanced Public Relations | |
Study and supervised practice in public relations. | | 347 |
| 425 | | Advanced Advertising | |
Study and supervised practice in advertising. | | 345 and consent |
| 427 | | Case Studies in Public Relations | |
In depth analysis of particular problems in public relations. Emphasis on historical examples. | | 347 and consent |
| 430 | | Health Communication | |
Nature, function and importance of communication in health care delivery. Applies communication theory and skills to health contexts. (WR) | | 201 or consent |
| 432 | | Advanced Organizational Communication | |
In-depth view of theories of organizational communication, including assumptions, philosophies and methodologies that undergird and shape past and current research. (WR) | | 313 |
| 433 | | Children & TV | |
Explores ways television influences the attitudes, values, and behavior of children and adolescents. Special emphasis on critically analyzing theoretical and empirical literatures on the effects of television on children. (WR) | | 305 or consent |
| 435 | | Media, Culture and Society | |
Advanced study of media culture; analytical and critical perspectives on the institutional and social dimensions of television, film, journalism, and popular music. | | 305 |
| 440 | | Intercultural Communication | |
Survey of theory and research pertaining to problems of cross-cultural communication, including cultural, national, ethnic, and racial divisions. (WR) | | 315 |
| 460 | | Special Topics in Communication Studies | |
Investigation of topics not offered in regular courses. Note: May be repeated up to 6 hours. | | 201 |
| 461 | | Special Topics in Mass Communication | |
Investigation of topics not offered in regular courses. Note: May be repeated up to 6 hours. | | 201 |
| 462 | | Special Topics in Advertising and Public Relations | |
Investigation of topics not offered in regular courses. Note: May be repeated up to 6 hours. | | 201 |
| 463 | | Special Topics in Communication Studies | |
May be repeated when topics vary. (WR) | | 201 |
| 480 | | Senior Practicum | |
Participation in supervised research. May not be taken simultaneously with COMM 380. | | 316 and consent |
| 499 | | Senior Thesis | |
(WR) | | Senior standing; admission to departmental honors program. |
| 506 | | Ethical Problems in Communication | |
Examines the moral and ethical problems posed by communication practices. Topics include case studies in interpersonal communication, journalism, public relations, and advertising. (WR) | | 305 |
| 510 | | Special Topics in Speech | |
Advanced study in specific areas in speech and forensics. Note: May be repeated under different subtitles. | | Consent |
| 513 | | History of Mass Media | |
Examination of the history of communication both as a set of practices and as a subject of academic inquiry. | | |
| 516 | | Qualitative Communication Research | |
Instruction in the practical issues and conceptual debates in qualitative research in the field of communication. Methods include interviewing, participant observation, unobstructive observation, historical/archival methods, narrative and ethnography. | | Graduate Standing |
| 517 | | Quantitative Methods in Communication | |
Instruction in procedures used to systematically and mathematically measure difference between groups and relationships between variables among various communication populations. | | Graduate Standing |
| 520 | | Computer Mediated Communication | |
Conceptual analysis and practical use of computer networks with an emphasis on the social and cultural dimensions of this type of human communication. | | 250 or consent |
| 530 | | Science Communication | |
This course examines the conceptual foundations and practices of science communication. It examines the institutional and intellectual contexts of science communication as well as the scientific constraints on science communication. | | |
| 540 | | Public Communication Campaigns | |
Drawing upon emerging new theories and empirical studies on influencing audiences, this course examines mediated public communication campaigns. | | |
| 555 | | Persuasive Movements | |
Seminar focuses upon the role of persuasion and rhetoric in the formation and lifespan of social movements. | | 311 |
| 580 | | Interpersonal Communication | |
Study of communication in everyday life, including casual conversation and interaction among acquaintances. | | Graduate Standing |
| 590 | | Health Communication | |
Studies the nature, function, and importance of communication in the delivery of health care and/or medical knowledge. | | Consent |
| 600 | | Practicum | |
Practical work in speech. Pass/Fail grading. | | Consent |
| 601 | | Professional Seminar in Communication | |
Overview of the communication discipline and introduction to the academic study of communication. | | Graduate Standing |
| 605 | | Communication Theory & Practice | |
Seminar studies theories and empirical research in persuasion, social interaction, and group decision-making and offers applied problems that require public presentations by seminar participants. | | Graduate Standing |
| 610 | | Problems of Public Discourse | |
Surveys the chief theories and disputes about public discourse, public knowledge, and decision-making. | | Consent |
| 620 | | Organizational Communication | |
Theoretical and applied studies of communication within organizations and between organizations and their publics. | | Consent |
| 625 | | Personality and Communication | |
Exploration of individual differences in communication processes, such as argumentativeness, shyness, persuasiveness, and leadership. | | Graduate Standing |
| 630 | | Communication and Multiculturalism | |
Explores the influence of race, nationality, and/or gender on the communication practices of individuals and their institutions. | | Consent |
| 640 | | Communication in Social Service | |
Studies public communication campaigns, e.g., health information and policy campaigns. | | Consent |
| 650 | | Corporate Communication | |
Study of the nature, strengths, and weaknesses of empirical research in organizational communication and application of these findings to analysis, diagnosis, and remedy or communication problems in specific organizations. Focus is primarily on case studies and in-community "practicum" consulting project. | | |
| 651 | | Conflict Management | |
Uses role playing and case studies in community organizations to assist students in developing the skills needed for managing conflict. | | |
| 652 | | CMC in Organizations | |
Hands-on study and use of developing technologies and examination of the integration and consequences of innovations in computer communication in organizations. | | |
| 653 | | Integrated Marketing Communication Campaigns | |
Study of integrated advertising, public relations, and sales promotions. Course culminates with students preparing integrated marketing plans for local clients. | | |
| 654 | | Public Relations and Crisis Management | |
Examines problems of planning and implementing public relations strategies for crisis management. The organizations studied include corporations, agencies, educational and government institutions, and non-profits. | | |
| 660 | | Selected Topics in Mass Media | |
Examination of topics specific to the study of mass media not covered in other courses. | | Graduate Standing |
| 675 | | Risk Communication | |
Examines the study of risk communication across various contexts (e.g., health, environmental). Focuses on the role of messages in shaping risk perception, evaluation, and behavior. | | Graduate Standing |
| 690 | | Special Topics | |
Examination of topics not covered in regularly-scheduled courses. | | |
| 698 | | Thesis | |
| | Graduate Standing |