Course Descriptions
COMM 170
Public Speaking
3 hours
Students may test out or place out of this course. Please contact
Language & Literature Office for further information. This course
develops an understanding of the fundamental principles and
processes of human communication. Students practice and refine their
skills as public speakers through frequent in-class presentations,
critiques, and discussions.
NOTE: This course fulfills the Speech
Essential Skill of the Liberal Studies Program.
COMM 240
Principles of Communication
4 hours
Principles of Communication. This course will survey
a variety of perspectives and traditions within the
communication discipline. Focusing on message construction,
consumption and analysis, students will learn of critical,
humanistic and social scientific frameworks. Students will be
able to: define key terms and perspectives within the
discipline; recognize the traditions within the discipline; and
intelligently discuss the basic issues surrounding human
interaction and communication.
Mass Communication
3 hours
Overview of the crucial roles that media play in modern society, with emphasis on theoretical perspectives and ethical clarification. The course focuses on structure and history of media industries. Students gain a critical, contextual understanding of media structures, history, and theories.
Prerequisite: COMM 170 or equivalent.
COMM 251
Media Writing
4 hours
This
course covers the fundamentals of information gathering and
writing used by newspapers, television, radio, and online
reporters, and public relations practitioners. Course also
focuses on review of grammar skills, critical evaluation of
writing, and deadline writing. Prerequisite: ENG 190, COMM 250.
COMM 252
Interpersonal
Communication
3 hours
This course involves a
critical look at interpersonal communication. The class includes
analysis, synthesis, and testing of theories relevant to various
contexts and issues of interpersonal communication. Students
will be expected to recognize and manage their own patterns of
communication as well as understand major issues involved in
studying communication as an interpersonal dynamic.
COMM 263
Communication and
Democracy
3 hours
Provides students with both
theoretical and applied information concerning the role of
communication in the democratic process. Historical survey
ranges from public address to the Internet. Issues addressed
include “marketplace of ideas,” freedom of speech, freedom of
the press, and ethical use of the mass media.
Prerequisite:
COMM 170 or equivalent.
COMM 270
Advanced Public Speaking
3 hours
The course focuses on the theoretical principles of
public speaking and provides advanced practical experience in
the preparation, delivery, and evaluation of public discourse.
Prerequisite: COMM 170 or equivalent.
COMM 271
Business and
Professional Communication
3 hours
This course focuses on developing oral and
written skills in the business setting. Emphasizes memo writing,
business letters, interviewing, oral reporting, and use of
electronic media in professional presentations.
Prerequisite:
COMM 170 or equivalent.
COMM 272
Speech Communication
Activities
1 hour
Participation in co-curricular
forensics. Emphasizes improving presentation. May be taken eight
times. Dean’s permission required.
COMM 273
Oral Interpretation
3
hours
The study of literary texts through the medium of
performance including various critical and interpretive
perspectives.
Prerequisite: COMM 170 or equivalent.
NOTE:
This course fulfills the Aesthetic - Literature component of the
Liberal Studies Program.
COMM 274
Parliamentary Procedure
1 hour
Study and practice in conducting and participating in
formalized group and committee meetings.
Prerequisite: COMM
170 or equivalent.
COMM 276
Oral Advocacy and Debate
3 hours
Applied argumentation and persuasive skills are developed
through study of the theory and practice of competitive debate
and forensics.
Prerequisite: COMM 170 or equivalent.
COMM 315
Family Communication
3
hours
An introduction to communication within the setting of
the family. Communication is central in the initiation, growth,
and change of families. Theories, models, and research methods
suggest meaningful ways to study processes that characterize
most families, such as decision making and negotiation of roles
and rules. The overall goal of this course is to help students
better understand how people (individually and collectively)
develop, maintain, enhance, or diminish family relationships. A
variety of types of families in a variety of cultures will be
included. Prerequisite: COMM 382.
COMM 330
Argumentation
3 hours
This course concerns the analysis of practical reasoning,
fallacies, and limitations, from Aristotle’s concept of logos to
modern concepts of argument. It examines theories and models,
both normative and prescriptive, of argumentation. The emphasis
is on the criticism of argument rather than the invention and
delivery of arguments.
Prerequisite: COMM 357.
COMM 340
Critical
Perspectives on Performance
3 hours
Surveys the development of fundamental
relationships among various critical perspectives and the
possibilities for performance of literary and social texts,
including such topics as mimesis, phenomenology, and reception
theory. Prerequisite: COMM 357.
COMM 350
Media Criticism
3 hours
Inquiry into how many media messages (broadcasts, cinema,
magazines, advertising, or news programs) shape cultural
practices and legacies. Focus is on critiquing media messages in
ways that reveal the distinctions between mediated and
non-mediated messages. Various critical frameworks (e.g.,
semiotic, feminist, Marxist) will be examined and applied to
media messages.
Prerequisite: COMM 250 and junior or senior
status.
COMM 351
Communication Practicum
2 hours
Supervised participation in communication-related
professional activities either on or off campus. See Practicum
Application for further information and application procedures.
A special application procedure is required and must be
completed the semester prior to starting the practicum. May be
repeated for a total of four hours. Pass/ Fail grade only.
Consent of instructor and Practicum Board required.
COMM 352
History of American
Journalism
3 hours
This course presents the
history and development of American journalism and mass media
from Colonial times to the present and also examines the
relationship of journalism to technical, economic, political,
and other aspects of American society.
Prerequisite: COMM
250.
COMM 353
Critical
Perspectives on Public Relations
3 hours
Applications of communications principles and critical
examination of methods used by individuals and institutions to
relate to their respective publics. Prerequisites: COMM 170 or
equivalent, COMM 250. Strongly recommended: COMM 251.
COMM 355
Broadcast Production
4
hours
A lecture/laboratory course that includes discussion of
issues of programming and production in radio and television
broadcasting and cable. Experiential learning activities focus
on the principles, disciplines, techniques, and technology of
production with experience in news production for television and
radio, including news writing, reporting, shooting/recording,
and editing.
Prerequisite: COMM 367.
COMM 357
Survey of Rhetoric
3
hours
Survey of Western thought about rhetoric from its
classical origins to its post-modern permutations. Emphasis is
on the interactions between rhetorical theories and practices in
historical contexts and through time.
Prerequisite: COMM 170
or equivalent.
COMM 358
Advanced Radio
Broadcasting
3 hours
A lecture/laboratory course
that includes basic issues in radio broadcasting rules and
regulations, as well as experience in the preparation, writing,
and production of radio programming, such as news and public
affairs, continuity, public service, and specialty music
programs. Learning activities include practical experience
through participation and extensive laboratory work in the
operation of KTRM.
Prerequisite: COMM 355.
COMM 360
Rhetorical Criticism
3
hours
This course offers instruction in the analysis and
evaluation of persuasive discourse. Emphasis is on contemporary
public discourse intended to arouse, activate, or enlighten.
Students learn to question assumptions underlying rhetoric and
to test claims it makes.
Prerequisite: COMM 357.
COMM 367
News Reporting and Writing
4 hours
This course covers the advanced techniques of
reporting and writing used in preparing newspaper and magazine
articles, in addition to developing critical skills of writing.
Students will contribute to the campus newspaper. Prerequisite:
COMM 251.
COMM 370
Group Process
3 hours
Theory and application of the concepts related to the
dynamics of human communication in small group settings. Group
interaction is studied as a means of learning, understanding
others, and decision-making.
Prerequisite: COMM 382.
COMM 375
Rhetoric and Medicine
3 hours
A study of communication within the health care
professions as it relates to concepts of health, disease, and
illness.
Prerequisite: COMM 357.
COMM 382
Communication Theory
3
hours
Students in this course survey the major developments
and status of modern theories in communication. This course
focuses primarily on social/behavioral theories that inform our
understanding of communication between and among individuals and
the media.
Prerequisite: COMM 170 or equivalent.
COMM 385
American Rhetorical
Traditions
3 hours
Surveys “Great Speeches” in the
American rhetorical tradition and critically analyzes major
rhetorical movements in American history. The course examines
the relationship among rhetoric, ideology, and the development
of American culture.
Prerequisite: COMM 357 or a Classics
Major or a Classical Studies Minor with permission of the Dean
of Language and Literature.
COMM 390
Classical Rhetoric
3
hours
Introduction to the historical and theoretical
antecedents of speech communication. This course will examine
rhetorical theory, speech writing, and practice during the
classical period, ranging from the Sophists through Augustine.
Prerequisite: COMM 357.
NOTE: General Honors Course.
COMM 392
Experimental
Methods and Survey Research
3 hours
This course surveys experimental methods and survey research
used in communication studies and the assumptions, practices,
and limitations of these methods.
Prerequisites: STAT 190 and
COMM 382.
COMM 401
Rhetoric of Women’s
Rights
3 hours
Students will examine discourse, written, spoken and
mediated, that is related to attempts by women to achieve
economic, political, and social rights equal to men’s.
Prerequisite: COMM 357 or a Women’s and Gender Studies Minor
with permission of the Dean of Language and Literature.
COMM 410
Media and Social Theory
3 hours
This course surveys the philosophical roots and
intellectual history of social theory in mass communication,
journalism and media studies. Students engage primary texts from
pragmatism, sociology, mass culture, critical theory, and
British cultural studies. It cultivates a critical, grounded
understanding of social theory and its relevance to contemporary
research and concerns about media and society.
Prerequisite:
COMM 250.
COMM 420
Intercultural
Communication
3 hours
This course is a survey of
the nature, processes, and consequences of communication between
individuals and groups from different cultures and/or
subcultures. Students will learn to recognize and evaluate the
behavioral, communicative, political, and ethical consequences
in such interactions.
Prerequisite: COMM 382.
NOTE: This
course meets the Intercultural Interconnecting Perspective
requirement of the Liberal Studies Program.
COMM 429
Political Communication
3 hours
Inquiry into the development and presentation of
political messages for public consumption, as well as message
function in social and political contexts, including campaign
discourse, political debates, and presidential rhetoric. Focus
is on identifying the dominant theories and methodologies
employed in the study of political communication and exploring
the application of these to scholarly study and professional
campaign work. Prerequisite: COMM 357.
COMM 442
Publication Design and
Layout
3 hours
Provides basic theories of design
and layout for a variety of publications, including newspapers,
magazines, the Web, and newsletters. The course introduces
students to the use of desktop software essential to complete
class projects.
Prerequisites: COMM 250 and Communication
major or minor.
COMM 450
Editing
4 hours
This course
teaches students how to critically edit news copy and graphics
and make editorial decisions, as well as develop a better
understanding of legal and ethical issues of communication. The
course also includes a grammar review. Laboratory work on the
campus newspaper is required.
Prerequisite: COMM 367.
COMM 453
Magazine and Feature
Writing
3 hours
Provides extensive practice
writing newspaper features and magazine articles. Students learn
how to analyze markets, target ideas, write query letters,
research and write articles of various formats, in addition to
developing critical skills of writing.
Prerequisite: COMM
251.
COMM 454
Advertising
3 hours
Considers advertising as a communication phenomenon and a
business. Information about and limited practice in the
production of print and broadcast advertising and the planning
and execution of advertising campaigns. Serious consideration
given to such topics as advertising’s role in a capitalistic
free society, potential advertising effects, and ethical
advertising practices.
Prerequisite: COMM 250.
COMM 455
Media Law
3 hours
This course
covers the American legal system, First Amendment principles
relating to freedom of expression, laws that directly restrict
or enhance information gathering and message dissemination in
mass media, and the differences between law and ethics.
Prerequisite: COMM 250.
COMM 457
Advanced Television
Production
3 hours
A lecture/laboratory course
that focuses on theory and principles of planning,
preproduction, production and post-production of television
public affairs programming with emphasis on the roles of the
producer and director. Experiential learning includes refining
and applying advanced broadcast techniques in practical field
and studio production settings, as well as additional experience
in operating post-production editing technology. Strong emphasis
on public affairs, documentary, and news production, including
research and writing, editing and presentation skills through
individual and class projects.
Prerequisite: COMM 355.
COMM 458
Special Topics Seminar
3 hours
An advanced topical seminar. Specific topic areas
will be listed in class schedule as Special Topics Seminar
Communication Arts, Communication Science, or Journalism. May be
repeated.
COMM 471
Persuasion Theory
3 hours
This course is a study of social and psychological variables
that influence values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. It is
designed to promote students’ understanding of the fundamental
principles and theories of persuasive communication, as well as
considerations for application and enhancement of students’
competence in the production and consumption of persuasive
discourse. Prerequisite: COMM 382.
COMM 478
Readers’
Theatre/Chamber Theatre
3 hours
Theoretical
foundations and principles of reader’s theatre and chamber
theatre productions, including script adaptation and
development, directing, and performance of scripts.
Prerequisite: COMM 273.
COMM 480
Organizational
Communication
3 hours
This course provides an
overview of the crucial roles that communication plays in modern
organizations. A grounding of organizational theory occurs in
the opening weeks. One assignment requires student teams to
apply a theoretical perspective to a real organization in a
truncated communication audit. Other topics include the impact
of electronic media on the modern organization, the role and
function of work teams, and perspectives on the development and
operation of organizational leadership.
Prerequisites: COMM
382 and STAT 190.
Recommended: COMM 300.
COMM 481
Undergraduate
Readings in Communication
1-4 hours
An opportunity
for the undergraduate student to earn credit through readings
not covered in his/her previous courses. May be repeated for a
total of 6 hours credit. Prerequisites: COMM 250, COMM 357, COMM
382, and dean’s consent.
COMM 487
Internship
1-6 hours
On-the-job specialized training in fields generally accepted as
needing communication field experience to complement the
student’s academic training. See Internship Application for
further information and application procedures. Pass/Fail only.
A special application procedure is required and must be
completed the semester prior to starting the internship.
Application packets are available in the Division office.
Permission of academic advisor, Internship Board, and Dean
required. May be repeated for a total of eight hours.
COMM 488
Internship Evaluation
1-3 hours
Research, evaluation, and analysis of internship
experiences. Must be concurrently enrolled in COMM 451. For each
4 hours of internship credit, the student must take 1 hour of
Evaluation and Analysis. See Internship Application for
further information and application procedures. A special
application procedure is required and must be completed the
semester prior to starting the internship. Application packets
are available in the Division office. Permission of academic
advisor, instructor, and Dean required.
COMM 490
Contemporary Rhetoric
3 hours
An examination of current trends and issues in
rhetorical theory, based upon the study of Twentieth Century
rhetorical concepts. Issues regarding the relationship of
rhetoric to other disciplines, including science, ethics,
philosophy, and literature will be investigated.
Prerequisite: COMM 357.
COMM 495
Communication Ethics
3
hours
This course will provide an understanding of the ethical and
philosophical framework of decision-making needed for a communication
professional. Students will examine contemporary and classic case studies in all
areas of the communication discipline and complete a research project.
Prerequisites: COMM 250, COMM 357, COMM 382, and senior status.
JINS 329
Language and Meaning
3 hours
This course is an interdiciplinary approach to
studying lnaguage as a common medium of communication. It
includes both a survey of various theories of meaning and a
study of symbol systems in the creation, maintenance, and change
of a culture or social group (scuh as an academic discipline.)
JINS 356
Art and Science of Humor
3 hours
This course is designed to allow students
the opportunity to look at the human phenomenon of humor through
the lenses of research in the hard and soft sciences. Students
will come to understand what makes something humorous as well as
the impact of humor on the mind and body. This course draws on
the fields of sociology, pyschology, physiology, medicine,
communication, political science, business, education,
linguistics and literature