100 Public Speaking (3:3:0) Presents principles to develop effective presentations for public and professional settings while integrating appropriate technologies. Emphasizes analyzing audience; composing meaningful, coherent messages; conducting responsible research; developing effective arguments; and improving delivery skills to strengthen confidence and credibility.
101 Interpersonal and Group Interaction (3:3:0) Presents principles to develop appropriate and effective communication strategies in one-to-one and small group communication settings. Emphasizes analyzing and assessing communication skills to create and sustain effective communication in personal and professional relationships.
140 Forensics Seminar in Creative Arts (1:0:6) Prerequisite: audition. Intensive work in creative forensics events, including rhetorical criticism and informative, persuasive, extemporaneous, after-dinner, and impromptu speaking. May be taken four times.
141 Forensics Seminar in Recreative Arts (1:0:6) Prerequisite: audition. Intensive work in recreative forensic events, including dramatic duo, program interpretation, poetry interpretation, dramatic interpretation, and prose interpretation. May be taken four times.
142 Forensics Seminar in Debate: Affirmative Strategies (1:0:6) Work in affirmative research, case construction, and oral presentation, directed toward affirmative analysis of intercollegiate debate proposition. May be taken four times.
143 Forensics Seminar in Debate: Negative Strategies (1:0:6) Work in negative research, case attacks, and oral presentation directed toward negative analysis of intercollegiate debate proposition. May be taken four times.
145 Newspaper Workshop I (1:1:2) Practical experience in writing, editing, or business aspects of newspaper production at Broadside or other papers. Coordinated by newspaper faculty advisor. May be repeated for total 3 credits.
148 Radio Workshop I (1:1:3) Prerequisite: 100-level COMM course, or permission of instructor. Practical experience in production, news writing, promotions, advertising, public relations, programming, or newscasting for student radio station WGMU. May be taken three times.
150 Communication Skills for International Students (3:3:0) Prerequisite: international student in first year of study in the United States, non-native speakers of English with some difficulty speaking clearly and accurately, or permission of instructor. Introduction to speaking, listening, and nonverbal skills required to communicate appropriately in university study.
157 Video Workshop (1:1:2) Students who have already completed or are in COMM 355 are not eligible to take this course. Practical experience in learning production basics including camera, video, and lighting. May be taken three times.
200 Introduction to Communication (3:3:0) Introduces the field of communication, including perspectives on theory and research, topical areas within the discipline, basic research methodologies, and a survey of theories in those areas. Covers basic procedures for theory-building, research, and writing about communication. May be repeated only once.
201 Small Group Communication (3:3:0) Prerequisite: COMM 101 or equivalent course. Principles of communicating effectively in small group situations. Emphasizes problem-solving group communication. Practice in working cooperatively with others to complete projects using systematic approach to problem solving.
202 Mass Media and Communication Systems (3:3:0) Study of the development of various telecommunications and media systems in the United States, including print media, motion pictures, recording industry, telegraphy and telephony, broadcasting and cable, and new communications technologies.
203 Introduction to Journalism (3:3:0) American journalism including history and First Amendment components; role of professional journalist; print, broadcast, and computer-assisted news operations; economics of publishing; and effect of new technologies. Serves as starting point for those interested in journalism careers, and as orientation for those interested in learning more about news business operations.
210 Voice and Articulation (3:3:0) Principles of voice production, with practice in effective vocal use of American English. Emphasizes student participation.
230 Case Studies in Persuasion (3:3:0) Examines common persuasive message strategies and approaches. Covers basic principles of persuasive process. Case studies include advertisements, speeches, and persuasive activities from all segments of society.
255 Introduction to Media Literacy (3:3:0) Principles and practices of media literacy. Emphasizes critical viewing, listening, and reading media skills; and media effects on consumer.
260 Basic Debate Theory and Practice (3:1:3) Theory and practice of formal debate, including approaches to analytical reasoning, research, delivery, and conceptual basis for debate. Does not require tournament participation.
261 Theories of Argumentation (3:3:0) Analyzes argument within communicative settings. Emphasizes deductive and inductive forms of reasoning, fallacies in reasoning, tests of evidence, and models for such analyses.
299 Research Practicum in Communication (1–3:0:0) Introduces research methods in communication in the context of assisting with faculty research. Individualized sections taught by arrangement with full-time faculty. Methods taught vary, but generally include data collection, data analysis, and report construction.
300 Foundations of Public Communication (3:3:0) Prerequisites: 3 credits of 100- or 200-level COMM courses, or 60 credits; grade of C or better in COMM 250. Theories and principles of public communication, emphasizing methods of persuasion, critical analysis, speaker-listener alignments in public setting, and measurements of effective public communication.
301 Foundations of Interpersonal Communication (3:3:0) Prerequisite: 3 credits of 100- or 200-level COMM courses, or 60 credits; grade of C or better in COMM 250. Theories and principles of interpersonal communication emphasizing models of communication, verbal and nonverbal message systems, and analysis of communicative relationships.
302 Foundations of Mass Communication (3:3:0) Prerequisite: 3 credits of 100- or 200-level COMM courses or 60 credits; grade of C or better in COMM 250. Theories and principles of mass communication emphasizing effects, the media as institution, and role of society.
303 Writing across the Media (3:3:0) Prerequisites: 30 credits and ENGL 302. Prerequisite for all communication media writing courses. Introductory course focusing on writing for newspapers, press releases, broadcast and advertising; and computer-assisted reporting. Lab work required.
305 Foundations of Intercultural Communication (3:3:0) Prerequisite: 3 credits of 100 or 200-level COMM courses or 60 credits; grade of C or better in COMM 250. Analyzes communication variables as they relate to intercultural encounters. Emphasizes culture’s influence on communication process, particularly influence of verbal and nonverbal communication on how message is interpreted.
306 Issues in Intercultural Communication (3:3:0) Prerequisite: COMM 305, or permission of instructor. Continuation of COMM 305. Applies basic principles of intercultural communication to analyze specific situations involving communication and cultural differences.
307 Field Study in Communication (3:3:0) Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Structured communication learning experience: one to three weeks of travel in a foreign environment involving another country or relevant U.S. cocultures. Students must complete appropriate readings, laboratory assignments, and personal learning paper to process communication concepts and experiences. May be repeated once with a different field of study.
310 Oral Interpretation (3:3:0) Principles and theories of oral interpretation. Practice in oral communication of prose, poetry, and drama.
320 Business and Professional Communication (3:3:0) Study of basic theories and skills of communication in professional contexts, including interviewing, relationship maintenance, small group teams, and public presentations. Emphasizes developing practical and critical thinking skills.
326 Rhetoric of Social Movements and Political Controversy (3:3:0) Prerequisite: COMM 300. Social and political forces of contemporary era from communication perspective, emphasizing political leadership, pressures for social and political change, and transformations in communicative environment.
330 Principles of Public Relations (3:3:0) Prerequisites: 3 COMM credits and 60 credits, or permission of instructor. Surveys nature, history, scope, and practice of public relations in business, trade associations, nonprofit organizations, and educational and government institutions. Covers principles, practice of public relations, including media relations, issues management, and public service announcements; marketing and research; planning and publicity for special events; house publications; and institutional advertising.
332 Nonverbal Communication (3:3:0) Prerequisite: 3 COMM credits. Theory, principles, and methods to analyze nonverbal communication. Emphasizes physical behavior, facial expression, personal space and territoriality, physical appearance, vocal cues, and environment.
335 Organizational Communication (3:3:0) Prerequisite: COMM 100, 101, or 301; or permission of instructor. Theory, practice, and methods to analyze communication in organizations. Emphasizes process and structure, interaction formats, mechanisms for modification, and career paths in organizational communication.
340 Forensics Seminar in Creative Arts (1:0:6) Prerequisites: 4 credits of COMM 140, or 60 credits and audition. Intensive work in various types of creative forensics events, including rhetorical criticism and informative, persuasive, extemporaneous, after-dinner, and impromptu speaking. May be taken four times.
341 Forensics Seminar in Recreative Arts (1:0:6) Prerequisites: 4 credits of COMM 141, or 60 credits and audition. Intensive work in various types of recreative forensics events, including dramatic duo, program interpretation, poetry interpretation, dramatic interpretation, and prose interpretation. May be taken four times.
342 Forensics Seminar in Debate: Affirmative Strategies (1:0:6) Prerequisites: 4 credits of COMM 142, or 60 credits and audition. Work in affirmative research, case construction, and oral presentation directed toward affirmative analysis of intercollegiate debate proposition. May be taken four times.
343 Forensics Seminar in Debate: Negative Strategies (1:0:6) Prerequisites: 4 credits of COMM 143, or 60 credits and audition. Work in negative research, case attacks, and oral presentation directed toward negative analysis of intercollegiate debate proposition. May be taken four times.
344 Parliamentary Procedure (1:1:0) Prerequisite: 60 credits, or permission of instructor. Procedures of parliamentary law as practiced in voluntary organizations. Practice in leading groups that conduct business according to Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised. Brief review of other parliamentary manuals.
345 Newspaper Workshop II (1:1:2) Prerequisite or corequisite: 3 credits of COMM 145, COMM 351, or permission of instructor. Practical experience in writing and editing for student newspaper or other papers. May be taken three times.
346 Yearbook Workshop (1:1:2) Practical experience in promotion, marketing, and sales of video yearbook, or practical experience working on Senior Expressions, a print supplement to the video yearbook. May be taken three times.
348 Radio Workshop II (1:1:3) Prerequisite: COMM 148, or permission of instructor. Intense practical application of previously acquired skills in production, promotions, advertising, public relations, programming, or news writing for student radio station WGMU. May be taken three times.
349 Student Leadership Seminar (1:3:0) Prerequisite: 60 credits, or permission of instructor. Introduction to leadership concepts. Experiential seminar focusing on practical application of leadership concepts in student organization.
350 Mass Communication and Public Policy (3:3:0) Prerequisite: COMM 102, 202, or 302; or permission of instructor. Investigates how matters of public importance are communicated via various mass communication channels. Emphasizes regulations to minimize influence of mass media on public decision-making, and media manipulation by pressure groups, politicians, and media gatekeepers.
351 News Writing and Reporting (3:3:0) Prerequisite: COMM 303. Experience in actual news gathering. Students write and report for print and online outlets. Numerous in-class and out-of-class writing assignments train students in unique styles of print and online journalism.
352 News Editing: Print and Beyond (3:3:0) Prerequisite: COMM 303. Copy preparation, headline writing, news judging, and layout for various forms of print and electronic formats. Introduces working on news copy desks.
353 Broadcast Journalism (3:3:0) Prerequisites: COMM 303. Investigates unique writing style of electronic media journalists. Emphasizes concise, conversational, and timely news writing. Techniques of mixing words of report with sights, sounds of news story.
354 Radio Production (3:1:4) Prerequisite: COMM 302, or permission of instructor. Theory and practice of operational radio broadcasting. Topics include programming, production, and promotion aspects of commercial and noncommercial radio.
355 Video I: Principles and Practices (3:3:2) Prerequisite for all Video II level courses. Basic video production techniques. Emphasizes camera, audio, lighting, and editing. Lab work required.
356 Video: Performance and Writing ( 3:3:0) Writing for video, performance skills for on-air work, interviewing.
358 Video II: Producing and Directing (3:2:4) Prerequisite: COMM 355, or portfolio assessment. Introduces techniques, theory, and practices in producing, directing, and distributing video productions.
359 Media Management (3:3:0) Principles, practices of media management from general techniques to operation of individual departments within a media organization.
360 Video II: Video Editing (3:2:3) Prerequisite: COMM 355 or portfolio assessment. Focus on advanced techniques in editing analog and digital, and visual communication theories of video editing.
361 Online Journalism (3:3:0) Prerequisite: COMM 303, or permission of instructor. Focuses on online journalism, research, reporting, webpage and weblog creation, and writing for Internet.
362 Argument and Public Policy (3:3:0) Develops argumentative skills while examining contemporary public policy. Applies methods of argumentative analysis to design, implementation of public policy. Students learn by constructing, examining, and using public argument.
363 Advanced Media Production (1:1:3) Prerequisite: two courses completed in area of media production focus. Practicum for students with production experience; students produce a final resume in area of expertise.
365 Women and Media (3:3:0) Prerequisite: COMM 302, or permission of instructor. Introduces concepts of power, influence of mass media. Allows students to see themselves as products, producers of media influence, and gives sense of women’s roles as media professionals and consumers.
366 Visual Communication (3:3:0) Prerequisites: IT 103 and COMM 355. Teaches visual communication theories and applies them to creation of videos, web pages, multimedia production, Computer Based Training (CBT) and other technologies. Covers limits of visual communication in terms of perception, economics, and technology. Partial distance course includes viewing video modules, and using electronically mediated discussion.
369 Telecommunications Systems (3:3:0) Prerequisite: 60 credits, or permission of instructor. Studies evolution and operation of telecommunications systems from wireline telegraphy to wireless voice, video, and data services. Topics include communication coding systems, analog and digital modulation schemes, twisted pair telephony, broadband coaxial cable, and high-power direct-to-home digital satellite.
370 Feature Writing (3:3:0) Prerequisite: COMM 303. Introduces aspiring journalists to research techniques and critical writing skills needed to produce publishable magazine or newspaper feature stories.
371 Sports Writing and Reporting (3:3:0) Prerequisite: COMM 303 or permission of instructor. Experience in actual sports-related news gathering and reporting. Covers writing and reporting on sports-related subjects for print and online media. Numerous in-class and out-of-class writing assignments train students in the unique style of covering sports events, reporting breaking news, and writing feature stories.
373 Business and Economic Journalism (3:3:0) Prerequisite: COMM 303 or permission of instructor. Writing and reporting about business and the economy with focus on understanding financial news, and reporting about companies, trade, and markets for print, broadcast, and online media. Students practice through in-class and out-of-class writing assignments.
374 Political Journalism (3:3:0) Prerequisite: COMM 303 or permission of instructor. Writing and reporting about politics, elections and campaigns, and the legislative and executive branches of government for print, broadcast, and online media. Students practice the style and substance of covering political news through in-class and out-of-class writing assignments. A unique collaboration with C-SPAN including video conference opportunities with political and media personalities.
375 Mass Communication Advertising and Promotions (3:3:0) Prerequisite: COMM 302, or permission of instructor. History, regulation, and ratings of advertising, as well as media buying, advertising campaigns, and strengths and weaknesses of media vehicles used in advertising.
380 Media Criticism (3:3:0) Examines practical criticism of a wide variety of media texts including television programs, newspapers, articles, films, photographs, and advertisements. Introduces principles of major contemporary modes of analysis for systematically interpreting visual and verbal forms of communication.
389 Association Communication (3:3:0) Prerequisite: 60 credits, or 3 credits of lower-division COMM courses. Principles of editing and journalism applied to publications, public relations, and advertising needs within corporate environment. Job requirements of editorial positions in public relations, publications, and information as defined by trade associations, nonprofit organizations, and large corporations.
390 Case Studies in Public Relations (3:3:0) Prerequisite: COMM 330. Focuses on current issues in corporate, government, and nonprofit public relations.
391 Writing for Public Relations (3:3:0) Prerequisite: COMM 303. Focuses on public relations writing including news releases, client memos, broadcasting, speeches, brochures, journals, and advertisements. Includes writing styles, formats, organization, and writing research.
399 Special Topics in Communication (1–3:3:0) Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Topics vary; some require laboratories. May be repeated.
400 Research Methods in Communication (3:3:0) Prerequisites: COMM 250; and at least two of COMM 300, 301, 302 or 305. Explores applications for primary research methodologies used in communication. Research project, with focus on survey, critical ethnographic, or experimental methodologies.
401 Interpersonal Communication in the Workplace (3:3:0) Prerequisite: COMM 301, or permission of instructor. Comprehensive study of theories and research associated with dynamics of interpersonal relationships in the workplace. Emphasizes individual motivation, interpersonal needs, communication styles, leadership, problem solving, decision making, diversity, interpersonal conflict, individual adaptation to organizational change, and influence of technology on workplace relationships.
412/GOVT 412 Politics and the Mass Media (3:3:0) Prerequisite: GOVT 103, or permission of instructor. Covers responsibilities, freedoms of mass media in a democracy; and media influence on citizens’ opinions, elections, and decisions of public officials.
420 Senior Seminar in Theories of Communicative Interaction (3:3:0) Prerequisite: minimum satisfactory grade in COMM 250, 300, 301, and 302. Explores primary theories explaining human communicative behavior, including traditional rhetorical, contemporary social science, critical, and mass communication.
425 Honors Seminar in Communication (3:3:0) Prerequisite: 80 credits, cumulative GPA of 3.50. Examines foundations, connectedness, and applications of numerous communication theories across the discipline. Honors project required.
430 Persuasion (3:3:0) Prerequisite: COMM 230 or permission of instructor. Theories of persuasive communication including traditional and contemporary attitudinal change; relationship among speaker, message, and audience; and relationship between attitudinal and behavioral change.
431 Information Technology and the Political Process (3:3:0) Prerequisite: 60 credits or permission of instructor. Studies impact of information network of wire and wireless communications and computers on political process in advanced industrial countries.
432 Political Communication (3:3:0) Studies how political communication shapes development of “political reality.” Examines interactions between media and politics with respect to the ways communication functions in political settings.
434 Interviewing (3:3:0) Prerequisite: 60 credits or permission of instructor. Theory, principles, and practical skills essential to interview process. Emphasizes information gathering, journalistic, persuasive, employment, and performance-appraisal interviews.
435 Computers and Communication (3:3:0) Prerequisite: 60 credits. Offers practical application, skill development, and theoretical and critical assessment of computer-mediated communication. Discusses culture and language, functional and dysfunctional communication, social interaction, critical perspectives and ideology, freedom and responsibility, and images of future. Students contract for course assignments within course categories.
450 Internship in Communication (3:1:0) Prerequisite: 75 credits, major or minor in telecommunications or electronic journalism, 15 credits in COMM for majors, 12 credits for non-COMM majors, and permission of department. See department for procedures. On-the-job training in communication through approved field work study programs. Internships arranged and supervised by Department of Communication through internship coordinator. Related class work in resume preparation and job interviewing. May be repeated up maximum 6 credits.
451 Facilitating Communication Education (3:1:5) Theory and practice in facilitating learning of communication principles and skills. Students work as instructor aides in lower-division classes under supervision of faculty member. Activities include facilitating small-group activities, and individually critiquing oral performances.
452 Media Production Practicum (3:1:0) Prerequisite: COMM 303, 348, or 355. Theory and practice in creation, distribution, and response to media productions. Students complete minimum 150 hours of work as assistants to engineers, producers, directors, and organizers of media production facilities on campus, under supervision of faculty members. Activities include working on telecourses, public relations videos, and multimedia projects; aiding in creating in-house productions for departments; and working as cable caster for master control campus operations.
454 Free Speech and Ethics (3:3:0) Prerequisites: COMM 300, 302; or permission of instructor. Major issues surrounding roles of speech, press, and electronic media in society. Includes history of free speech and press issues in society, government role in regulating marketplace of ideas, and responsibility of individual in free society.
455/HIST 455 History of Print Journalism (3:3:0) Prerequisite: 3 credits in COMM or HIST courses. Development of print journalism, emphasizing interaction of technology, audience, and government intervention. Topics include birth of press, development of modern new spaper, and American development including Revolutionary and Civil wars, rise of independent press, and yellow journalism.
456 Comparative Mass Media (3:3:0) Prerequisite: COMM 302 or permission of instructor. Survey of major foreign mass media systems as they compare with American system. Focuses on broad dimensions of international mass media, and describes issues facing global journalism and media systems. Provides substantive framework to critically evaluate various national media systems.
465 Topics in Communication and Gender (3:3:0) Topics may include gender and culture, women as rhetors, male and female communication, and communication and gender roles. Examines specific interests, ideally in seminar setting. Course may be repeated with department approval.
469 Structure of the Telecommunications Industry (3:3:0) Prerequisite: 90 credits or permission of instructor. Explores complex interrelationships that affect modern telecommunications and how major mergers, acquisitions, regulatory decisions, congressional initiatives, or engineering breakthroughs can profoundly affect telecommunications industry at any given time. Serves as capstone seminar in telecommunications minor.
475 Journalism Law (3:3:0) Prerequisite: 60 credits or permission of instructor. Examines law as it relates to working journalist. Topics include libel, invasion of privacy, free press and fair trial, First Amendment, broadcast regulation, access to media, advertising, and effect of new technologies on these issues. Uses case approach to study leading court decisions in mass media law.
499 Independent Study in Communication (3:0:0) Prerequisites: 75 credits and permission of department. Study of a selected area in communication. Independent study application must be processed before start of semester in which work is to take place. May be repeated. Communication courses at the 500 level open to postbaccalaureate students or advanced undergraduates with permission of department.
504 Communication and Interpersonal Conflict (3:3:0) Focuses on interpersonal interactions, including dyadic and small-group levels in various settings such as friendships, marriage, family, and workplace. Examines factors that generate conflicts, and communication strategies and skills that help shape conflict interaction toward productive ends.
506 Communication in International Organizations (3:3:0) Analyzes communication variables as they relate to organizational and managerial functions in international organizations. Topics include developing understanding of how cultural differences influence managerial activities, and learning to deal effectively with differences.
510 Studies in Oral Interpretation (3:3:0) Examines role of oral communicator in selection, adaptation, and performance of literature. Topics vary depending on genre being considered. May be repeated three times for credit if each course devoted to a different genre.
530 Theories of Small Group Communication (3:3:0) Advanced-level theory and practice of small group interaction. Examines current research, focusing on learning applications of theories to relevant settings.
542 Directing Debate Activities (3:3:0) Theory and practice of competitive debate. Emphasizes traditional and contemporary theories; administrative activities related to direction of a debate program; and methods of instruction, including analysis of current debate topic. Designed for novice and experienced debate coaches.
551 Developing Students’ Speaking and Listening Skills (3:3:0) Emphasizes development of assignments that develop communication competence in children and adolescents. Covers five communication functions and their development to integrate basic skills at elementary level and direct teaching at secondary level, and philosophies of communication education and curriculum development as well as competency assessment.
554 Telecommunications Policy and Regulation (3:3:0) Reviews history and principles of telecommunications regulation. Studies relevant policy-making and regulatory institutions and their roles in charting U.S. telecommunications course. Examines role of citizens and lobby groups in regulatory process.
590 Seminar in Communication (3:3:0) Intensive study of specific topics; content varies. May be repeated for credit.
600 Introduction to Graduate Studies (3:3:0) This course offers a broad introduction to the field of communication in terms of communication-based theories and research.
601 Communication in Professional Relationships (3:3:0) Explores theoretical perspectives and relevant research to communication strategies and skills for various professional roles and situations. Relates theoretical foundations to practice, assessing theories and applications in individual professional fields.
602 Theories and Research of Mass Communication (3:3:0) Explores theories that have guided development of mass media. Emphasizes major scientific and humanistic approaches to mass media effects.
604 Communication Research Practicum (3:3:0) Prerequisites: COMM 634 or permission of instructor. Helps communication master’s students determine focus for program of study, thesis, and projects. Includes readings in applied communication research, and exercises in topic selection, analysis.
605 Intercultural Communication (3:3:0) Analyzes communication variables related to communication across cultures. Topics include nonverbal communication, time conceptualizations, perceptions and attitudes, values, social organization patterns, cultural norms, language, ethics, conflict across cultures, and research in intercultural communication.
620 Health Communication (3:3:0) Examines interpersonal communicative processes associated with health in consumer-provider, family, and health communication campaign contexts. Particular attention to understanding cultural differences in perceptions of and communication about health and disease.
621 Media Advocacy for Nonprofit Organizations (3:3:0) Drawing from scholarship in media studies, critical theory, and public health campaign literature, provides graduate-level introduction to media advocacy strategies for nonprofit organizations with limited financial resources.
630 Theories of Public Relations (3:3:0) Provides a survey of public relations theories and major ethical issues. Examines ways theories relate to organizations, mass and international communication research, rhetoric, persuasion, and social movements.
631 Approaches to Group Facilitation (3:3:0) Introduces various theoretical and practical approaches to group facilitation with in-depth focus and practice in one approach. Students participate in group sessions, analyze videotapes of decision-making groups, and practice methodologies for facilitating group interaction.
634 Theories of Interpersonal Communication (3:3:0) Prerequisite: COMM 301 or permission of instructor. Analyzes contemporary theories, concepts, and approaches to improving interpersonal communication. Examines interpersonal communication research.
635 Organizational Communication (3:3:0) Analyzes communication systems, processes in public and private organizations. Topics include conflict management, group decision making, interviewing, technical presentations, and using various channels for improving internal and external communication.
636 Communication Consulting (3:3:0) Investigates theories providing foundation for communication consulting. Provides theoretical information and mechanisms for application necessary to modify communicative behavior within organizations.
637 Risk Communication (3:3:0) Research on sharing information about physical hazards such as toxic waste, radiation, disease, injury, biohazards. Topics include communication concerning workplace safety, environmental problems, risk assessments, and scientific uncertainties.
650 Research Methodologies in Communication (3:3:0) Prerequisite: graduate standing. Introduces various research methods used by communication professionals. Focus is to achieve understanding and knowledge of social scientific research, qualitative and quantitative, and critical analysis through use and application.
651 Communication in the Classroom (3:3:0) Communication theories and skills to manage communicative environment in classroom. Considers nonverbal aspects of space, time, action, and form as they affect teaching choices. Covers verbal patterns for skills of classroom management, including questioning skills, enhancement of students’ self-concept, systematic feedback, parental communication, and student development.
653 Graduate Communication: Research and Teaching (3:3:0) Investigates theoretical and philosophical implications of communication instruction. Exposes graduate students to principles and practices of teaching college communication courses at upper and lower divisions.
655 Theories of Visual Communication in Telecommunications (3:3:0) Theories of visual communications and how they are used in creating images for web sites, video productions, corporate presentations, virtual reality, computer graphics. Explores problems of fitting messages to various telecommunications media, how target audience perceives the visual image, and aesthetic demands of products imposed by new technologies.
656 Global Communication (3:3:0) Study of global telecommunication channels and artifacts of international mass communication, with focus on discussion of problems of free flow of information, roles of nations and international organizations in fostering global communication, and other technologies. Develops perspectives on worldwide social, political, educational, and economic development.
675 Content Analysis (3:3:0) Introduces content analysis, a research technique for making replicable and valid inferences about text in sources such as news articles, advertisements, and television programs. Students design and conduct research using content analysis techniques.
694 Communication Internship (3–6:1–2:0) Prerequisites: 18 graduate credits and permission of department. Students work in approved, professional-level communication position, meeting regularly with internship supervisor from department. Requires paper, journal, minimum 60 hours work for each credit of enrollment. Students usually enroll in internships at end of program of study.
696 Directed Readings and Research (1–3:0:0) Prerequisite: permission of department. Reading and research on specific topic under direction of faculty member. Written report required; oral or written exam may be required. May be repeated for maximum 6 credits.
697 Independent Production (1–3:0:0) Prerequisite: permission of department. Media or creative production activities under direction of faculty member. Requires completed production; written report, oral exam may be required. May be repeated for maximum 6 credits.
705 Intercultural Health and Risk Communication (3:3:0) Examines intercultural health and risk communication interventions, including health communication campaigns, public relations and advertising for health organizations, and how the media and Internet present health information.
706 Strategic Communication (3:3:0) Prerequisite: COMM 630 or permission of the instructor. Examines commonalities of strategic communication campaigns across fields (e.g., military, diplomacy, health, politics, marketing, public relations) in order to understand strategic communication, compare fields, and emphasize strategic and evaluative research across fields.
720 Consumer-Provider Health Communication (3:3:0) Explores relational health communication research and practice. Examines the role of interpersonal communication in health care delivery, health promotion, disease prevention, risk communication, as well as in promoting personal and psychosocial well being.
721 E-Health Communication (3:3:0) Explores the use of computer-mediated communication technologies in health care and health promotion, including examination of technology in health information dissemination, health education, health communication interventions, and the management of health care delivery.
725 Qualitative Methods (3:3:0) Examines qualitative research in communication. Emphasis is placed on techniques of naturalistic inquiry such as observation, interviewing, focus group methods, and ethnography, as well as tools for analyzing and reporting qualitative data.
735 Crisis Communication (3:3:0) Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Examines crisis communication contexts with a particular emphasis on the role of communication in a variety of crises and how the media and Internet present crisis information to the public.
750 Research Methods II (3:3:0) Prerequisite: COMM 650. Extends basic research knowledge and skills learned in COMM 650 Research Methods I. Students will be taught to analyze and synthesize literature, develop theoretical linkages, and construct measurement scales.
798 Communication Studies Project (3:3:0) Final research seminar for all MA in communication students. Students discuss practical and theoretical issues related to project or thesis. Includes readings related to underlying theoretical, methodological, and ethical issues facing contemporary communication researchers and practitioners.
799 Master’s Thesis (1–6:0:0) Prerequisite: 24 graduate credits and approval of thesis proposal by faculty committee. Original research endeavor related to student’s concentration in communication under supervision of faculty committee. Graded S/NC.
800 Studies for the Doctor of Philosophy in Education (variable credit) Prerequisite: admission to doctoral program in communication. Program of studies designed by student’s discipline director and approved by doctoral committee. Students participate in research activity of discipline director, and write paper reporting original contributions. May be repeated.
806 International Public Relations (3:3:0) Prerequisite: COMM 706 or permission of instructor. Provides a survey of international public relations with an emphasis in three areas: applied knowledge for actual international practice, relevant theory, and ethical issues.
820 Health Communication Campaigns (3:3:0) Explores use of communication campaigns to promote health and reduce health risks, examines how health communication campaigns are designed, implemented, and evaluated, and describes the role of communication research throughout the campaign process.
890 Special Topics in Communication (3:3:0) Prerequisite: PhD rank or permission of instructor. Selected topics reflecting specialized areas in communication. Content varies. May be repeated.
896 Independent Study (3:3:0) Prerequisite: PhD rank or permission of instructor. Independent reading on a topic agreed on by student and faculty member. Content varies. May be repeated.
998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal (3:3:0) Prerequisite: Advancement to candidacy. Development of a research proposal that constitutes the basis for a doctoral dissertation. Graded S/NS.
999 Doctoral Dissertation Research (3:3:0) Prerequisite: Completion of COMM 998. Research on an approved dissertation topic under the direction of dissertation committee. May be repeated. No more than 18 credits of COMM 998 and 999 may be applied to doctoral degree requirements. Graded S/NS.