Courses in Communication (COMM)
1101/SPCH 1144 Speech Activities (0-3). Opportunities are offered to those students who wish to participate extensively in forensic activities such as intercollegiate speech tournaments. May be repeated for a maximum of four semester credit hours but may not be used to meet communication major or minor requirements.
1351/SPCH 1311 Fundamentals of Human Communication (3-0). Introductory and survey course exploring theory and practice of interpersonal communication across various contexts.
1361 Introduction to Radio/Television/Film (3-0). A survey of the radio/TV cable industry in America including programming, regulations, technology and history. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Mass Media 1361.)
2301/SPCH 1315 Public Speaking (3-0). Planning, organizing, and delivering of general platform speeches and speeches for special occasions.
2311/SPCH 2335 Argument and Debate (3-0). Principles of argument and debate. Practice in preparing written and spoken arguments, with emphasis on principles of critical thinking.
2331/SPCH 2341 Performance Studies (3-0). Introduction to oral interpretation of literature; preparation and presentation of poetry, prose, story telling, and drama; analysis of literature; practice in phrasing, vocal quality, time, force, pitch, and bodily responses.
2344 Communication, Media Design and Technology (3-0). Creative and fundamental aspects of graphics typography, layout, design, and production of printed communication. Emphasis on both the theoretical and practical principles of design. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Mass Media 2344.) Prerequisite: Communication or Mass Media 2345.
2345 Multimedia Development and Design (3-0). The use of computers to incorporate elements of design and layout into a variety of documents including brochures, newsletters, programs, magazines, and books. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Mass Media 2345.)
2362/2303 Beginning Television Production (2-2). Operation and use of television production equipment; fundamentals of television production and direction using single camera and multi-camera formats. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Mass Media 2362.)
3311 Small Group Communication (3-0). A course to develop skill in leading and participating in small group interaction. Special emphasis on the nature of small groups, factors influencing communication in groups, and small group decision making.
3321 Principles of Persuasion (3-0). An analysis and evaluation of various forms of attitudinal and behavioral control from propaganda to brainwashing. Emphasis on theories of attitude change as applied to modern institutions.
3331 Advanced Performance Studies (3-0). Advanced work in the oral interpretation of literature. Prerequisite: Communication 2331.
3335 Public Relations (3-0). Fundamentals of public relations with emphasis on the preparation of PR campaigns including news releases for various media, newsletters, and speeches. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Mass Media 3335.)
3342 Advertising Principles (3-0). Fundamentals of advertising with an emphasis on the preparation of ads for print and broadcast media. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Mass Media 3342.)
3351 Nonverbal Communication (3-0). A lecture-discussion-activity course focusing on non-verbal processes in human interaction.
3352 Communication in Professional Life (3-0). A course designed to investigate the role of human communication in professional life. Attention to interviewing, workplace culture, interpersonal and team communication, technology professional presentations, leadership, and work life balance. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Mass Media 3352.)
3355 Intercultural Communication (3-0). Examines the influence of culture on communication from a national and international perspective. The course emphasizes increased awareness of one’s own culture and a sensitivity to foreign cultures.
3356 Negotiation and Conflict Management (3-0). Examines the role that negotiation plays in the conflict management process with a focus on principled negotiation. The course will examine the differences between competitive and cooperative negotiation focusing on foundations of effective negotiation.
3361 Electronic Media Programming (3-0). Theories and strategies of program selection, scheduling and evaluation for electronic media. Theory and practice of producing and scheduling prime time television programs. (Credit may not be earned for this course and MM 3361.)
3363 Electronic News Gathering and Production (2-2). A practical approach to the news story, specifically for radio and television. Lab experience is directed toward producing news stories for broadcast media. Prerequisite: Advanced standing. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Mass Media 3363.)
3366 Film as Message (3-0). Students will examine selected contemporary films. Interpersonal communication theories, nonverbal communication theories, and rhetorical theories will be used to see how the film creates its message through camera angles, color, gender and cultural assumptions, language choices, and proxemics.
3367 Media and Cultural Studies (3-0) This class focuses on the ways citizens and consumers use media and other cultural objects in order to communicate. The class explores various elements of subcultures and popular culture such as rock music, television programming, sports, and shopping, with an emphasis on how different audiences encode and decode various cultural artifacts, how these practices reinforce or challenge dominant worldviews, and how they affect the exercise of power.
3368 Digital Media and Convergence (3-0). Message transmission and analysis through multiple channels. Students will examine the impact of channel changes upon public discourse, small group discussions, and interpersonal messages. Students will examine new media channels and gain practice in using emerging communication technologies.
4101 Senior Seminar (1-0). This capstone course for all areas of drama, emphasizing portfolio development and other preparation for entry into the drama profession. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Communication 4101 or Mass Media 4101.)
4311 Interpersonal Communication (3-0). Study of communication in dyadic and small-group settings with particular emphasis placed on self-concept theory, interpersonal perception, and communication barriers.
4312 Gender and Communication (3-0). This course will investigate the role of gender in human communication. Attention to oral histories, alternative, narratives, and gender theory including: systematic, cultural, cognitive, and behavioral approaches to studying gender and communication will be investigated. Special attention to gender in the workplace will be addressed.
4325 Digital Imaging (3-0). Introduction to the digital imaging process using the industry standard software. Course will include image capture, file formats, calibration, manipulation, composing, storage and output of both black and white and color prints. Prerequisite: Communication or Mass Media 2344 or Mass Media 4322 (Credit may not be earned for this course and Mass Media 4325.)
4335 Advertising/Public Relations Campaigns and Cases (3-0). Case-method and campaign planning as they pertain to advertising and public relations administration. Emphasis on development of creative strategy and media selection. Prerequisites: Communication 3335 or 3342. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Mass Media 4335.)
4336 Integrated Marketing Communication (3-0) Study of the design and execution of communication and advertising campaigns. Topic varies. This course can be repeated for additional credit with department approval.
4338 Communication Technology (3-0). Surveys a wide variety of communication media including books, magazines, newspapers, radio, television, cinema, the telephone, recorded music, and the Internet. The class covers the history of these communication technologies, the structure of their industries, and the social implications of their spread and use for communication and culture. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Mass Media 4338.)
4351 Communication Theory (3-0). A critical examination of theories and research in communication. The course will focus on rhetorical, interpersonal, group, mass, and organizational communication theories.
4352 Communication Analysis (3-0). Analysis of different types of messages using several rhetorical strategies. Students will analyze the communicator’s intended audience, message channel, types of appeals, and persuasive techniques.
4355 Mass Media Effects and Ethics (3-0). An in-depth study of the impacts of mass media on a changing America including a study of the effects of mass media on government, demographic groups, and the military. The study of moral reasoning and ethical decision making as they relate to the mass media. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Mass Media 4355.)
4361 Directing Speech Activities (3-0). Planning, organizing, and evaluating speech activities, including public speaking, oral interpretation, debate, readers theatre, and discussion groups. This course is intended for students pursuing a communication major with teacher certification, although it may be used as an advanced elective for any communication specialization area. Prerequisite: Communication 2301, 2311 and 2331.
4364 Media Management (3-0). Management functions, advertising, sales, and internal organizational structure of media. Prerequisite: Advanced standing. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Mass Media 4364.)
4365 Advanced Video Production (2-2). Theories and techniques of producing, directing, and editing single and multi-camera productions; to include script writing, shooting, and post producing for television, field and studio work. Prerequisites: Communication 2362 or Mass Media 362. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Mass Media 4365.)
4367 Alternative Electronic Discourse (3-0). This course will investigate the current rhetorical strategies to maintain identity and privacy in the age of mass communication and growing electronic communication. Challenges presented by the growth of immediate news, electronic connections, and increased sensationalism will be addressed. Strategies for maintaining individual voice will be addressed. Current digital trends such as blogging, YouTube and Facebook will be addressed with special attention to the communities created through such activities. Credit may not be earned for this course and Communication 4367. (pending approval)
4371 Organizational Communication (3-0). The theoretical investigation and practical application of organizational communication principles. Studies will focus on information processing and problem solving within organizations.
4379 Communication Internship. Students gain on-the-job experience by working in industry. Limited to advanced students majoring in Communication. Participants are selected on the basis of written applications submitted to the department head one semester in advance. Prerequisite: Advanced standing.
4381 Special Topics (3-0). Selected topics in communication. May be repeated once for credit when topic varies. Prerequisite: Senior standing and department head approval.
4391 Research. A specialized course that may be directed reading or research for superior students majoring in communication. Prerequisite: Senior standing and department head approval.
