Communication (COMM)

COMM 1307. Introduction to Mass Communication. 3 Hours.

This course surveys the basic content and structural themes of mass media and their functions and influences on society.

COMM 1311. Introduction to Communication Studies. 3 Hours.

An introduction to the basic concepts, principles, theories, and techniques of human communication in a variety of contexts including intrapersonal, interpersonal, small groups, and public, with opportunities for communication skills acquisition and practice.

COMM 1318. Interpersonal Communication. 3 Hours.

Application of communication theory to interpersonal relationship development, maintenance, and termination in relationship contexts including friendships, romantic partners, families, and relationships with co-workers and supervisors.

COMM 2335. Argumentation and Advocacy. 3 Hours.

A study of the principles, theories, and practice of argumentation, advocacy, and debate including analysis, reasoning, organization, evidence, and refutation.

COMM 320. Communication in Organizations. 3 Hours.

The study and practice of effective communication in organizations at the interpersonal, group, and systemic level whether face-to-face or electronically mediated.

COMM 325. Persuasive Communication. 3 Hours.

A study of the principles, theories, and practice of persuasive communication.

COMM 380. Professional Communication. 3 Hours.

As students progress in their professional careers, advanced public speaking and presentations may be key to their success. This course will help students prepare and give several presentations of different types typical of governmental, business, educational and civil settings and situations.

COMM 489. Independent Study in Communication. 3 Hours.

Individual instruction. May be repeated when topics vary.

COMM 500. Theories of Communication. 3 Hours.

This course is a detailed exploration of established theoretical traditions in the study of human communication: rhetorical studies, semiotics, systems theory, as well as socio-cultural, socio-psychological, phenomenological, and critical approaches.

COMM 501. Communication Research Methods. 3 Hours.

This is a course designed to investigate many of the methodological designs used by communication scholars including both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Experimental and non-experimental designs, data gathering procedures such as questionnaires, physiological and behavioral measures are studied. Qualitative measures including participant observation, focus groups, life histories, textual methodologies and in-depth interviews are examined. Perspectives for the philosophical and theoretical assumptions underlying each methodology are focal issues.

COMM 512. Interpersonal Communication. 3 Hours.

This course is designed to teach students about interpersonal communication, how to apply current theoretical concepts to the analysis of interpersonal interactions, and to become aware of applying theoretical concepts in interpersonal interactions in professional and personal arenas. Prerequisite: COMM 500 or COMM 501.

COMM 520. Organizational Communication. 3 Hours.

This is an examination of the study and practice of effective communication in organizations at the interpersonal, group, and systemic level whether face-to-face or electronically mediated. The course is designed to teach students how to create a comprehensive graduate-level research proposal or organizational communication intervention proposal. Prerequisite: COMM 500 or COMM 501.

COMM 525. Intercultural Communication. 3 Hours.

Exploring the nature of communication within and between cultures, this course serves as an introduction to foundational and contemporary concepts, practices, and processes of intercultural communication, methods of critical intercultural analysis, and the scholarly field of intercultural communication. The course will challenge students to think about their own cultural assumptions and examine the ways in which these assumptions differ from those held by people in other cultures. The class will engage these topics through multiple and diverse readings, class discussions, reflective writing assignments, and in-and after-class research activities. Prerequisite: COMM 500 or COMM 501.

COMM 530. Instructional Communication. 3 Hours.

Examination of the study and practice of effective instructional communication in classroom and training settings at the interpersonal, group, and systemic level whether face-to-face or electronically mediated. Prerequisite: COMM 500 with a grade of "C" or better, or COMM 501 with a grade of "C" or better.

COMM 535. Strategic Communication. 3 Hours.

This class focuses on public relations management functions in organizations. Students examine public relations contexts and case studies that exemplify how organizations apply strategic communication to solve public relations problems. The course stresses basic steps necessary in resolving a public relations problem or handling a public relations crisis. Prerequisite: COMM 500 or COMM 501.

COMM 540. Conflict Management. 3 Hours.

This course is designed to teach students about conflict management styles in organizations, interpersonal compliance-gaining strategies, and how to apply current theoretical concepts to conflict management situations such as mediation and negotiation. Prerequisite: COMM 500 or COMM 501.

COMM 545. Computer-Mediated Communication. 3 Hours.

This class focuses on the concepts, theories, and practices of interpersonal, group, and public communication mediated by networked electronic devices including social media applications. Prerequisite: COMM 500 with a grade of "C" or better, or COMM 501 with a grade of "C" or better.

COMM 547. Environmental Communication. 3 Hours.

Detailed exploration of established theoretical traditions in the study of public and mediated communication on environmental issues, and its applications to rhetoric, media studies, activism, strategic communication, and popular culture.

COMM 548. Semiotics and Society. 3 Hours.

A detailed exploration of established theoretical traditions in the study of semiotics, especially the American tradition derived from C.S. Peirce and the European tradition derived from F. de Saussure, and their applications to rhetoric, media studies, nonverbal communication, intercultural communication, strategic communication, and popular culture.

COMM 550. Emerging Media Theory. 3 Hours.

This course focuses on contemporary New Media theory. Topics may range from video game theory, videographic criticism, media coverage, and design.

COMM 555. Media and Cultural Criticism. 3 Hours.

This course focuses on the intersection between media and cultural criticism. Topics may include gender, race, ideology, and formalism.

COMM 560. Legal and Ethical Issues in Emerging Media. 3 Hours.

This course is a detailed exploration of communication law and ethics with respect to electronically mediated communication in general and emerging social and digital media in particular. Prerequisite: COMM 500 or COMM 501.

COMM 565. Digital Applications in Emerging Media. 3 Hours.

This class focuses on the intersection between Emerging Media theory and practice and may focus on such digital tools as SPSS and the software within Adobe Creative Suite. Prerequisite: COMM 500.

COMM 570. Emerging Media Production. 3 Hours.

This class focuses on the intersection between Emerging Media theory and production and may focus on such digital tools as the software within Adobe Creative Suite. Prerequisite: COMM 550.

COMM 589. Independent Study. 1-6 Hours.

Individual instruction. May be repeated when topics vary.

COMM 597. Special Topics in Communication. 3 Hours.

This three hour course offered by the Communication program is open to all graduate students. The course is designed to teach students about organizational communication and how to create a comprehensive graduate-level research proposal or organizational communication intervention proposal.

COMM 599. Thesis. 6 Hours.

This course provides supervised independent research time to complete a master’s thesis in Communication. A master’s thesis is the written result of a thorough and systematic study of an important issue. The thesis identifies the issue, tackles significant assumptions in a critical field, explains the contribution to the field, and offers a conclusion. The thesis must investigate an original problem, demonstrate critical thinking, exhibit appropriate organization, and provide thorough documentation. An oral defense of the thesis is required. Prerequisite: 18 hours of COMM courses.