School of Communication Studies
Communication Studies Course Descriptions (COMM)
10000 Fundamentals of Speech (3)
Introduction to skill development in spontaneous speaking, short organized presentations, questioning, critical and appreciative listening, and use of rhetorical strategies. Prerequisite: none.
15000 Introduction to Human Communication (3)
An inquiry into the nature and function of human communication in interpersonal, group and public contexts. Prerequisite: none. This course may be used to satisfy the Liberal Education Requirements (ER).
20000 Foundations of Communication (3)
This cornerstone course will introduce pre-communication studies majors to the communication discipline by acquainting students with career information, major requirements, skills needed in major courses and database and Internet search strategies. Prerequisite: pre-communication studies major.
20001 Interpersonal Communication (3)
Introduction to human interpersonal communication. Components and structures, situations and contexts are described; nonvolatile focus with emphasis on informal experience. Prerequisite: none.
25454 Intercollegiate Forensics I (1-2)
(Repeatable for a total of 8 hours) Practicum in intercollegiate forensics for freshmen, sophomores and beginning forensic students. Maximum of 4 credit hours may apply to the communication major. S/U grading. Prerequisite: permission.
25464 Argumentation (3)
Introduction to principles of oral and written argumentation. Prerequisite: COMM 15000 or equivalent.
25851 Communication for Teachers (3)
Principles, skills and responsibilities of oral communication as central to the process of teaching all grades and subjects. Focuses upon speaking and listening with pupils, peers and parents. Prerequisite: education major or permission.
25863 Business and Professional Communication (3)
Fundamentals of public and conference speaking, conducting meetings, electronic presentations, interviewing and interpersonal relations as applied to business and organizational settings. Prerequisite: none.
25902 Communication Theory (3)
Study of the process of human communication. Emphasis on source, message, channel and receiver dimensions of communication. Examination of major theories of communication and social influence. Prerequisite: none.
26000 Criticism of Public Discourse (3)
A critical examination of selected public speeches representing diverse viewpoints on a variety of historic and contemporary issues, emphasizing methods of evaluating public oral communication and the role of speechmaking in free societies. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission. This course may be used to satisfy the Liberal Education Requirements (ER) and diversity requirement.
30000 Communication Research Methods (3)
Introduction to qualitative and quantitative research methods in communication. Students should complete this course early in their program of study. Prerequisite: communication studies major and COMM 25902 or permission.
35252 Theories of Rhetorical Discourse (3)
Exploration of rhetoric as the faculty of influencing human decisions through persuasion and as an instrument for the analysis of attempts at communication. Prerequisite: COMM 15000 or equivalent.
35454 Intercollegiate Forensics II (1-2)
(Repeatable for a total of eight hours) Advanced practicum in intercollegiate forensics for juniors and seniors with forensics experience. Maximum of 4 credit hours may apply to the communication major. S/U grading. Prerequisite: permission.
35550 Small Group Communication (3)
An examination of group communication in social and family contexts throughout the life span. Prerequisite: communication studies major or permission.
35600 Communication in Teams (3)
Examines communication processes and research related to team, decision-making, task groups and leadership within the organizational context. Prerequisite: communication studies major or permission.
35852 Intercultural Communication (3)
Theory and application of communication between people of different cultures and different national systems. Prerequisite: none. This course may be used to satisfy the diversity requirement.
35860 Interviewing (3)
Techniques, principles and practical skills for interviews most likely to occur in business environments; job searches and selection interviews, information-gathering interviews, performance appraisals, counseling interviews and persuasive interviews. Prerequisite: none.
35864 Organizational Communication (3)
Application of communication theory to organizational settings. Exploration of communication structures, processes and methods in organizations. Prerequisite: communication studies major or permission. This course may be used to satisfy the writing-intensive requirement with approval of major department.
35912 Gender and Communication (3)
Examines influence of gender in interpersonal and organizational communication including communication processes in interpersonal violence, STD's and other contemporary social problems. Prerequisite: none. This course may be used to satisfy the diversity requirement.
36001 Public Communication in Society (3)
Examines communication in public settings. Content includes communication campaigns, corporate crisis communication, public opinion and communication issues in executive, legislative and judicial settings. Students will be expected to conduct library research and write research papers pertaining to topics relevant to the course. Prerequisites: communication studies major and COMM 25902 or permission. This course may be used to satisfy the writing-intensive requirement with approval of major department.
40001 Advanced Interpersonal Communication (3)
Advanced treatment of interpersonal communication theory and research. Interpersonal principles are applied to group and organizational contexts. Prerequisites: communication studies major and COMM 20001 or permission. This course may be used to satisfy the writing-intensive requirement with approval of major department.
45006 Media Use and Effects (3)
Examination of the ways in which communication scholars have conceptualized and analyzed media processes, uses and effects. Issues explored include media portrayals, news coverage, political campaigns, sex and violence in the media, media entertainment, children and television and newer communication technologies. Prerequisite: none.
45007 Freedom of Speech (3)
Examines historic and contemporary instances relating to freedom of speech; study of limits, rights, responsibilities and social-legal-rhetorical issues. Prerequisite: none.
45092 Internship in Communication Studies (3-6)
A formal, cooperative field experience with a designated organization or agency, as designed by the students and the internship coordinator. S/U grading; I grade permissible. Prerequisite: controlled.
45093 Variable Title Workshop in Communication (1-5)
No more than 3 credits may be counted as part of the upper-division credits required in the communication studies major. S/U grading. Prerequisite: none.
45095 Special Topics in Communication Studies (1-6)
Offered when unusual resources permit a topic different from existing courses. Topic is announced when scheduled. Prerequisite: none.
45154 Rhetorical Criticism (3)
Standards of criticism in public discourse and methods for their application in persuasive speaking. Prerequisite: communication studies major or permission. This course may be used to satisfy the writing-intensive requirement with approval of major department.
45196 Independent Study: Communication Studies (1-6)
(Repeatable for a total of 6 credits) Readings and/or research on problems approved by undergraduate coordinator in consultation with students’ advisor and faculty project director. S/U grading; I grade permissible. Prerequisites: communication studies major and permission.
45459 Communication and Conflict (3)
Examination of issues related to managing conflict in communication. Critique and synthesis of conceptual approaches and research pertaining to conflict in interpersonal, organizational and public communication settings. Prerequisite: communication studies major or permission.
45780 Co-Curricular Speech Programs (3)
Consideration of educational principles and methods of coaching and directing co-curricular speech activities. Aims and typical problems in forensics, theatre and other speech programs. Prerequisite: COMM 25851 or permission.
45807 High Impact Professional Speaking (3)
Principles and practices of effective communication in a variety of professional contexts. Emphasis on professional presentation skills development. Prerequisites: COMM 15000 or equivalent and junior standing or permission.
45865 Organizational Communication Training and Development (3)
Theory and application of diagnosing communication problems in an organization and the intervention process. Prerequisite: communication studies major and COMM 35864 or permission.
45902 Communication and Influence (3)
Explores theories and strategies of social influence in contemporary society. Students critique influential public communication practices in multiple communication contexts such as mediated, interpersonal and public. Course addresses global perspectives on persuasion. Prerequisites: communication studies major and COMM 25902 or permission. This course may be used to satisfy the writing-intensive requirement with approval of major department.
45957 Language and Meaning (3)
Examines the influence of verbal codes in human communication. Theories of meaning are explored through readings, field study and class exercises. Prerequisite: COMM 25902 or permission. This course may be used to satisfy the writing-intensive requirement with approval of major department.
45959 Nonverbal Communication (3)
Survey of theory and research in nonverbal codes of communication through readings, field study and classroom interaction. Pre/co-requisite: COMM 30000 or permission.
45960 Health Communication (3)
Examines communication processes and research related to health and health care from the perspectives of public, professional and primary discourses. Prerequisite: none.
46091 Senior Seminar (3)
This capstone course helps students synthesize major coursework. Students complete a senior thesis or project, examine ethics and issues in communication and also do a portfolio of their achievements. I grade permissible. Prerequisites: controlled, communication studies major with 90 credits and 75 percent of major completed.
