Communication Studies
COMM 1311 (SPCH 1311) Introduction to Communication Studies (3 semester credit hours) Survey of theories, concepts, and skills as they relate to human interaction. Study of intrapersonal, interpersonal, small group, public, and mediated and technology-based communication. Practice in the preparation and delivery of oral presentations. (3-0) S
COMM 1315 (SPCH 1315) Public Speaking (3 semester credit hours) Designed to introduce students to the principles of public speaking. Emphasizes preparation (including audience analysis, research, outlining, and practice) and performance. Students will prepare and present various types of speeches, including those that relate to informative, persuasive,and special occasion speaking. (3-0) S
COMM 1320 (SPCH 1318) Interpersonal Communication (3 semester credit hours) Surveys theories, concepts, and skills related to communication in personal and professional relationships and introduces students to research about interpersonal communication and relationships. (3-0) Y
COMM 2310 Introduction to Professional Communication (3 semester credit hours) Students will be introduced to patterns of writing used in reports and other written documents for business, industry, and technology. Prerequisite: Completion of a 010 core course. (3-0) Y
COMM 2314 (SPCH 2341) Oral Interpretation (3 semester credit hours) This course focuses on the analyses of texts and subtexts and the oral interpretation of literature (e.g., dramatic interpretation, prose interpretation, poetry interpretation). (3-0) Y
COMM 2317 Topics in Communication (3 semester credit hours) An introduction to specialized topics in communication. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (6 semester credit hours maximum). (3-0) R
COMM 2320 Scientific Communication (3 semester credit hours) Prepares students to engage in the genres of scientific writing and communication including research reports, oral presentations, and poster presentations. (3-0) Y
COMM 2335 Communication and Popular Culture (3 semester credit hours) Survey of popular culture from a communication perspective (3-0) R
COMM 2351 History and Theory of Communication (3 semester credit hours) Course introduces students to major concepts and theories associated with interpersonal, intercultural, group/organizational, rhetorical as well as mass communication and media. (3-0) Y
COMM 2V71 Independent Study in Communications (1-3 semester credit hours) Independent study under a faculty member's direction. Signature of instructor and Associate Dean on proposed project outline required. May be repeated for credit (9 semester credit hours maximum). Instructor consent required. ([1-3]-0) R
COMM 3302 Graphics and Images in Professional Communication (3 semester credit hours) This course prepares students to analyze the communication situation and use a variety of visual options (e.g., video, photography, art, graphs, and tables) to successfully relay information and meet the audience's needs. Prerequisite: COMM 2310 or instructor consent required. (3-0) R
COMM 3303 Professional Communication in the Career Fields (3 semester credit hours) This course explores writing in the workplace and surveys documents used in occupations such as law, business, social service occupations, medicine, engineering, arts-related occupations, and publishing. Prerequisite: COMM 2310 or instructor consent required. (3-0) R
COMM 3310 Research Methods in Communication Studies (3 semester credit hours) This course surveys the qualitative and quantitative research methods used in communication studies research. Prerequisite: COMM 2351 or instructor consent required. (3-0) Y
COMM 3320 Readers' Theater (3 semester credit hours) Students will read from a script or adaptation to create characters through vocal expression and articulation. Performances are live with minimal props and costuming. Students will improve performance and vocal skills, and will become fluent while reading from scripts. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (6 semester credit hours maximum). (Same as THEA 3320) (3-0) Y
COMM 3321 Professional and Technical Presentations (3 semester credit hours) Focuses on oral communication and presentation skills for technical and non-technical professions. Prerequisite: COMM 1311 or COMM 1315 or instructor consent required. (3-0) R
COMM 3322 Relational Communication (3 semester credit hours) Students will investigate the interdependence between relationships and communication while developing perspectives and insights into, and critiques of, the process of relational communication in both public and private contexts. Prerequisite: Completion of a 010 core course. (3-0) R
COMM 3325 Advanced Oral Interpretation (3 semester credit hours) Students will prepare and deliver dramatic interpretation, duo interpretation, prose interpretation, poetry interpretation, and/or programmed oral interpretation in a workshop setting. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (6 semester credit hours maximum). Prerequisite: Completion of a 010 core course. (3-0) R
COMM 3330 Public Address and the American Presidency (3 semester credit hours) Study of public address associated with the American presidency. Students analyze the delivery, style, and content of messages in various forms of public address (e.g., speeches, social media). Prerequisite: Completion of a 010 core course. (3-0) R
COMM 3340 Team Dynamics (3 semester credit hours) This course provides a practical and theoretical foundation for effective teamwork for students in any major. Through interactive team exercises and projects, students capitalize on personal strengths and learn how to drive collective team success. Topics include self-assessment, psychological safety, collaboration, project management, and conflict resolution. Prerequisite: COMM 2351 or instructor consent required. (3-0) Y
COMM 3342 Advanced Topics in Communication (3 semester credit hours) Focuses on advanced topics in communication, such as political communication, sports communication, public relations, and digital journalism. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (9 semester credit hours maximum). Prerequisite: Completion of a 010 core course. (3-0) R
COMM 3350 Intercultural Communication (3 semester credit hours) Examines how culture is studied and how culture affects self-concept, reasoning and patterns of thought, verbal and nonverbal communication, and communication style. Additional topics include intercultural conflict, ethnocentrism and prejudice, intercultural accommodation and adjustment, and intercultural business protocol. Prerequisite: COMM 2351 or instructor consent required. (3-0) Y
COMM 3352 Media and Culture (3 semester credit hours) Exploration of images and words in mass media and how media shapes culture. Prerequisite: COMM 2351 or instructor consent. (3-0) Y
COMM 3353 Nonverbal Communication (3 semester credit hours) This course reviews scientific research on nonverbal variables such as facial expressions, vocal characteristics, body positions, gestures, the environment, intercultural influences, and deception. Complementing this review is an examination of the use of nonverbal communication by practitioners in education, business, health care, and law enforcement. You will investigate nonverbal variables in real-life settings and assess the effect of your own nonverbal behavior upon others. Prerequisite: COMM 2351 or instructor consent required. (3-0) Y
COMM 3360 TV and Radio Announcing (3 semester credit hours) Prepares students to become proficient in delivering broadcast messages for TV, radio, or in front of a live audience. Prerequisite: COMM 2351 or instructor consent required. (3-0) R
COMM 4303 Advanced Editing (3 semester credit hours) Course focuses on developing editing skills at the sentence level as well as for improving the organization and layout of documents. Prerequisite: Completion of a 010 core course (Same as RHET 4303) (3-0) R
COMM 4305 Communication and Media Law (3 semester credit hours) Explores the First Amendment principle of free expression and its impacts on communication, digital media, privacy, and intellectual property. Prerequisites: COMM 2351 or instructor consent required. (3-0) R
COMM 4314 Persuasion and Interpersonal Influence (3 semester credit hours) Examines persuasive strategies as a means for influencing attitudes, beliefs, and actions in a variety of contexts, including business, politics, and interpersonal interactions. Prerequisite: COMM 2351 or instructor consent required. (3-0) S
COMM 4320 Communicating for the World Wide Web (3 semester credit hours) Focuses on communication strategies and approaches for constructing messages for the World Wide Web. Prerequisite: COMM 2351 or instructor consent. (3-0) R
COMM 4330 Digital Media and the 21st Century (3 semester credit hours) Study of digital/social media and its social and cultural impacts. Prerequisite: COMM 2351 or instructor consent. (3-0) R
COMM 4341 Information Design and Usability (3 semester credit hours) Course focuses on concepts and the application of principles of information design with particular emphasis on usability. Prerequisite: COMM 2351 or instructor consent required. (3-0) R
COMM 4352 Digital Advocacy: Strategies for Influence (3 semester credit hours) Course will explore digital advocacy and how users harness the power of online platforms to drive social change. Prerequisite: COMM 2351 or instructor consent. (3-0) R
COMM 4353 Political Discourse in a Digital Era (3 semester credit hours) Study of the relationship between the rhetoric of modern political campaigns and digital media. Prerequisite: COMM 2351 or instructor consent required. (3-0) R
COMM 4355 Organizational Communication (3 semester credit hours) Course overviews contemporary philosophies, methods and designs for studying th communication systems within organizations of varying sizes. Prerequisite: COMM 2351 or instructor consent. (3-0) R
COMM 4360 Communication Ethics (3 semester credit hours) This course examines the conceptual perspectives and approaches for understanding and evaluating communication ethics in a variety of contexts. Contexts may include interpersonal relationships, small groups, organizations, intercultural encounters, public communication and technology-based communication. The course is designed to reveal values and ethical issues inherent in communication and provide resources for making and defending choices on ethical grounds. Prerequisite: COMM 2351 or instructor consent required. (3-0) Y
COMM 4362 Communicating in the World of AI (3 semester credit hours) Course explores both the theories and application of artificial intelligence and its relevance to human communication. Prerequisite: COMM 2351 or instructor consent. (3-0) R
COMM 4365 Storytelling in Professional Contexts (3 semester credit hours) Course focuses on the role of narrative in organizational contexts. Prerequisite COMM 2351 or instructor consent. (3-0) R
COMM 4370 Communication and Leadership (3 semester credit hours) This course explores the relationship between communication and leadership. Topics covered include, but are not limited to, historical perspectives on leadership, case studies of communication and leadership, the relationship between leadership communication and organizational dynamics, and presidential rhetoric. Prerequisite: COMM 2351 or instructor consent required. (3-0) Y
COMM 4371 Communication and Professionalism (3 semester credit hours) This course will improve students' professional persona in terms of oral, nonverbal, written, and mediated communication. Individually and in teams, students will practice advanced communication skills in various contexts and for a variety of purposes, such as Skype interviewing, online team presentations, and written performance plans and evaluations. Additional topics may include business etiquette (both oral and written), online presence, stress interviews, negotiating contracts and salaries, and professional networking. Prerequisite: COMM 2351 or instructor consent required. (3-0) Y
COMM 4375 Professional Communication in Medicine (3 semester credit hours) Explores different modes of communication in the health professions including interpersonal communication, poster presentations, research proposals and publications, and crisis communication. Students will work to build collaboration, writing, speaking, and communication skills as required in the medical field. Prerequisite: Completion of a 010 core course. (3-0) R
COMM 4380 Communication in Japan (3 semester credit hours) Required for those enrolled in a faculty-led international program in Japan. Topics include communicating identity, business communication, interpersonal communication, and nonverbal communication, all within a Japanese cultural lens. May be repeated for credit (6 semester credit hours maximum). Instructor consent required. (3-0) Y
COMM 4395 Communication in International Contexts (3 semester credit hours) Studies of communication in international settings. May be repeated as topics vary (9 semester credit hours maximum). (3-0) R
COMM 4398 Capstone (3 semester credit hours) Independent study under a faculty member's direction in fulfillment of the senior capstone requirement. Students will complete a thesis or capstone project following School requirements. Prerequisite: COMM 2351 and instructor consent required. (3-0) Y
COMM 4399 Communication Internship (3 semester credit hours) Applying communication skills in a professional setting. Students undertake a new learning experience at a supervised work situation closely related to their academic interests. An internship provides exposure to a professional working environment, application of theory to working realities, and an opportunity to further test skills and clarify goals. Course requirements include formal and reflective writing. Department consent required. (3-0) Y
COMM 4V71 Advanced Independent Study in Communication (1-3 semester credit hours) Advanced independent study under a faculty member's direction. Signature of instructor and Associate Dean on proposed project outline required. May be repeated for credit (9 semester credit hours maximum). Instructor consent required. ([1-3]-0) R