COMM - Communication

COMM 1110. Communication (3-0-3) An introduction to the basic principles of public speaking. Students will deliver a variety of speeches using library research services. Computer laboratory assignments require students to conduct online research, generate word processing documentation and graphic support for their presentations. Satisfies the core curriculum requirement in area B.

COMM 1137. Introduction to Mass Communication (3-0-3) General orientation to the field of mass communication, including a survey of journalism, broadcasting, the Internet, public relations, advertising, photography, film and recording mediums. This course will briefly review the history and basic operation of each major mass medium and introduce critical evaluation of media performance.

COMM 2105. Interpersonal Communication (3-0-3) A study of the fundamental concepts of person-to-person communication including opportunities to practice skills such as supportive behaviors, active listening, and assertiveness.

COMM 2106. Foundations of Human Communication (3-0-3)Prerequisite: Communication major. An introduction to the study of human communication. Emphasis is placed on the development of communication study, historical models, concepts and principles. The communication process is applied to a variety of communication contexts, ethics, career options, professional organizations and resources for continuing the study of human communication.

COMM 2110. Inter-ethnic Cultural Communication. (3-0-3) A study of the theoretical and practical issues related to inter-ethnic and multicultural communication among residents of the United States. The course is designed to improve each student's ability to communicate across and within diverse cultural groups in the United States. A major focus of the course is to examine the multicultural context of the modern world and how to effectively communicate within cultural systems.

COMM 2136. Group Communication (3-0-3) Study of the theories of group dynamics, with experiential training in methods and procedures of group problem solving.

COMM 3116. Business and Professional Speaking (3-0-3)Prerequisite: Junior standing. Theoretical and applied study of communication appropriate to business and with superiors, coworkers, and others; basic principles of interviewing and performance appraisal; principle influences in group dynamics with an organization and development of informative and persuasive skills for public presentation in business and professional settings.

COMM 3120. Listening. (3-0-3) A study of issues related to the communicative act of listening. This course explores listening as an act that extends beyond "humans communicating" to encompass "humans communicating humanely." This course is designed to enhance students' communication skills and competencies, improve the quality of meaningful relationships with others, study the impact listening has on all human activity, and acquaint students with communication research on listening.

COMM 3125. Modern Media and Culture (3-0-3)Prerequisite: COMM 1110. Prerequisite or Corequisite: COMM 2106. This class will address the social respnosibility of the media and its influence upon media consumers by examining media economics, media ethics, media effects of electronic and print media, and critical analysis of media's role in society.

COMM 3135. Persuasion (3-0-3)Prerequisite: COMM 1110 and COMM 2105 or COMM 2136. An introductory study of selected theories of persuasion. Students will examine, analyze, and apply persuasive techniques used in today's culture.

COMM 3139. Interpersonal Conflict Resolution (3-0-3)Prerequisite: Junior Standing. Introduces positive conflict management processes coupled with communication skills and principled negotiation. Discussion of readings, special assignments, basic theoretical foundations of interpersonal conflict, and the practical application of such theories in everyday interaction.

COMM 3141 Public Relations 1 (3-0-3)Prerequisite: Junior Standing. The theory, function and practice of effective explanation and presentation of the nature and activities of the organization, both in terms of its daily operation and in view of its overall objectives.

COMM 3145. Family Communication (3-0-3)Prerequisite: Junior standing. Analysis of the communication processes within the family as well as the extent to which they affect and are affected by larger social systems.

COMM 3146. Political Communication (3-0-3) Prerequisite or Corequisite: POLS 1101. Introduction to theory and practices of political communication, including the conduct of campaigns and providing public services. In addition, the student will participate in a political or voter registration campaign, or work in an elected official's office.

COMM 3147. Intercultural Communication (3-0-3)Prerequisite: COMM 2105. A study of communication barriers between persons from different cultures, and a review of methods used in resolving these communication problems.

COMM 3148. Building Community Through Communication (3-0-3)Prerequisite: COMM 2106. This class explores the markings and dynamics of a rhetorical theory addressing the centrality of communication in creating and sustaining community. Students will study theory as both a subject and process of thought as they inquire into the concept of community as a discursive realm that mediates our public and private relationships. During the course, they will identify and participate in projects, such as study circles, to become a more active voice in our community. The course will emphasize concrete ways communication maintains community as we strive to build a theory conducive to application in the real-world interactions of human beings in a physical, living environment.

COMM 3242. Public Relations 2 (2-2-3)Prerequisite: COMM 3141. Practical application of effective public relations techniques based on a comprehensive P.R. campaign. May include, but is not limited to, letters to the editor, personality profile, news releases, broadcast version and speech writing.

COMM 4000. Communication Exit Assessment (0-0-0)Prerequisite: Communication major with senior standing. The student will prepare a portfolio representing his/her work from at least eight communication or related courses. The portfolio may contain audio and visual materials as well as text. After the portfolio is satisfactorily organized, the student will have an interview with a faculty panel. Satisfactory completion of this course is required for graduation. (S/U grading.)

COMM 4105 Networked Communication (3-0-3)Prerequisite: COMM 2105 or COMM 2136. This course examines how communication networks function. Social, civic, organizational, and mediated networks, including the internet, will be considered.

COMM 4107. Communication, Gender, and Sexuality (3-0-3) Prerequisites: COMM 1110, COMM 2105, and Junior Standing. Examines multiple relationships between communication, gender, and sexuality. Emphasizes how communication creates gender and power roles and how communicative patterns create, sustain, reflect, and alter social conceptions of gender and sexuality.

COMM 4125. Freedom of Speech and the First Amendment. (3-0-3) Prerequisites: Junior standing. Examines basic arguments and theories related to freedom and control of speech and expression in the United States, including landmark Supreme Court decisions interpreting the First Amendment. Critically explores major free speech issues in contemporary American soicety, such as campus free speech, hate speech, obscenity, privacy concerns, defamatory speech, destruction of American symbols, corporate silencing of speech, campaign finance reform, and government efforts to expand control over speech.

COMM 4139. Dispute Resolution (3-0-3)Prerequisite or Co-requisite: Undergraduates-COMM 3139; Graduates-Admission to the MPA program and permission of graduate advisor and instructor. This is a macro conflict resolution course, which uses interpersonal conflict resolution skills within organizational contexts. Students will examine the phenomenology of the conflict spectrum from war to peace, understanding the appropriate means of conflict resolution (negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation), and be able to develop appropriate dispute resolution strategy and tactics.

COMM 4141. Public Relations Management. (3-0-3)Prerequisite: COMM 3141. This course is designed to identify, analyze, and explain typical public relations situations and problems in industry, labor, education, government, social welfare, and trade associations using the case study method.

COMM 4142. Public Relations Campaigns. (3-0-3)Prerequisite: COMM 3141. This course requires students to use original research to develop a comprehensive public relations campaign plan to meet the goals and objectives of a client's project, including the development of strategies, tactics and evaluation measures.

COMM 4145. Organizational Communication (3-0-3)Prerequisite: Junior Standing. Emphasizes communication concepts and principles as they pertain to the workplace. Topics include corporate culture interview and selection, performance feedback, team building, conflict management and diversity management.

COMM 4146. Communication Training and Development (3-0-3)Prerequisite: Junior Standing. Assessment of needs, program design and delivery and evaluation of communication training will be covered.

COMM 4155. Communication Research (3-0-3) Prerequisite: COMM 2106. A study and application of research methods used in speech communication

COMM 4156. Communication Theories (3-0-3)Prerequisite: COMM 2106. A study of the major theoretical perspectives that inform communication scholarship.

COMM 4157. Qualitative Communication Research (3-0-3)Prerequisite: Junior standing. Qualitative Research Methods in the study of human communication covers conceptual issues of qualitative inquiry, research design, gathering, analyzing and interpreting qualitative data, writing up qualitative research and combining qualitarie and qualitative research.

COMM 4555. Selected Topics in Communication (1-9 hours)Prerequisite: Junior Standing. The purpose of this course is to address communication issues not addressed elsewhere in the curriculum. 

COMM 4698. Internship (1-3 hours)Prerequisite: Senior standing. Application of communication skills in the work place. (S/U grading.)

COMM 4899. Independent Study (1-3 hours)Prerequisite: Senior standing. Work in special projects designed to meet specific needs of individual students.