Courses and Syllabi
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.
Communication Spring 2021
Undergraduate
100-Level Courses in COMM
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. Limited to three attempts.
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64 Sections Currently Scheduled »
Intensive work in creative forensics events, including rhetorical criticism and informative, persuasive, extemporaneous, after-dinner, and impromptu speaking. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 5 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Intensive work in recreative forensic events, including dramatic duo, program interpretation, poetry interpretation, dramatic interpretation, and prose interpretation. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 5 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Work in affirmative research, case construction, and oral presentation; directed toward affirmative analysis of intercollegiate debate proposition. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 5 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Work in negative research, case attacks, and oral presentation directed toward negative analysis of intercollegiate debate proposition. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 5 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Practical experience in writing, editing, or business aspects of newspaper production at Broadside or other papers. Coordinated by newspaper faculty advisor. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 3 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Students receive individual guidance while learning to be on-air show hosts at student internet radio station WGMU. New technologies such as computer automation systems and advanced production software are integrated throughout the curriculum to prepare students to engage in the most current applications for commercial and internet radio and podcasting. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 3 credits.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
200-Level Courses in COMM
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. Limited to three attempts.
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4 Sections Currently Scheduled »
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. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Introduces the evolving field of public relations and the role it plays in global business, politics and social interactions. Focuses on creation of integrated digital communication and social media engagement. This is a required course for the Communication Department Public Relations concentration and a prerequisite for several upper-level public relations courses. Limited to three attempts.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
Provides a general introduction to media production with emphasis on the basics of multimedia tools for camera, audio, lighting, and editing, focusing on non-fiction, journalism, or public relations/advocacy presentations. Limited to three attempts.
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4 Sections Currently Scheduled »
Principles of voice production, with practice in effective vocal use of American English. Emphasizes student participation. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
300-Level Courses in COMM
Theories and principles of public communication, emphasizing methods of persuasion, critical analysis, speaker-listener alignments in public setting, and measurements of effective public communication. Limited to three attempts.
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4 Sections Currently Scheduled »
Theories and principles of interpersonal communication emphasizing models of communication, verbal and nonverbal message systems, and analysis of communicative relationships. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Provides a comprehensive review of mass communication and media theory, focusing on media effects and the complex relationships between media producers, messages, technologies, and users/audiences. Examines role of media in news, politics, and popular culture. Limited to three attempts.
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3 Sections Currently Scheduled
Foundation course focusing on writing for the mass media: Internet, public relations, newspapers, broadcast (television and radio) and advertising with a strong emphasis on adherence to Associated Press Style. Notes: Prerequisite for all communication media writing courses. Lab work required. Limited to three attempts.
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4 Sections Currently Scheduled »
Explores health communication research practice: the role of communication in health care delivery, health promotion and disease prevention, risk communication, and personal as well as psychological well-being. Examines interpersonal, organizational, team, family, and intercultural relationships. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. Notes: Communication majors are encouraged to complete COMM 200 prior to enrolling in this course. Limited to three attempts.
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4 Sections Currently Scheduled »
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. Limited to three attempts.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
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. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Develops the conceptual knowledge and practical skills students need to thrive in challenging public relations situations, such as crisis management, research for clients, communication with clients, and campaigns. Students complete the course with a portfolio of research, writing, and visual materials they have created through client work. Limited to three attempts.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
Theory, practice, and methods to analyze communication in organizations. Emphasizes process and structure, interaction formats, mechanisms for modification, and career paths in organizational communication. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Intensive work in various types of creative forensics events, including rhetorical criticism and informative, persuasive, extemporaneous, after-dinner, and impromptu speaking. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 5 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Intensive work in various types of recreative forensics events, including dramatic duo, program interpretation, poetry interpretation, dramatic interpretation, and prose interpretation. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 5 credits.
Read More »
1 Section Currently Scheduled
Work in affirmative research, case construction, and oral presentation directed toward affirmative analysis of intercollegiate debate proposition. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 5 credits.
Read More »
1 Section Currently Scheduled
Work in negative research, case attacks, and oral presentation directed toward negative analysis of intercollegiate debate proposition. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 5 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Practical experience in writing and editing for student newspaper or other papers. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 3 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Intensive practical application of previously acquired on-air show hosting skills at student internet radio station WGMU. Skill development in commercial production and writing included. New technologies such as social media, computer automation systems and advanced production software are integrated throughout the curriculum to prepare students to engage in the most current applications for commercial and internet radio and podcasting. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 3 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Offers instruction on delivering high-quality image and video products for digital media. Students will be introduced to an array of video-audio editing and digital image software for integrating video, audio, photo and graphic postproduction. Student projects focus on journalism, public relations, and advocacy contexts. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Focuses on online journalism, research, reporting, web page and weblog creation, and writing for Internet. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Provides an overview of the relationships between children and mass media. Focus of the course is on the effects of media consumption on children's social and psychological well-being. Students will learn major child development theories, review history, economics and regulation of children's programming, and explore children's use of and responses to various media. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Examines the role of mass media in constructing images of athletes, sport, and sports culture. Critical attention is given to broadcast, print, and film of sport media. Assesses sociological and cultural issues that shape sport media and culture. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. Limited to three attempts.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
Explores the role of social media in contemporary public relations. Students engage in social media research and analysis, examine best practices for successful campaigns, seek to understand conditions for viral media, implement a personal branding strategy, create strategic engagement plans, and design campaigns. Limited to three attempts.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
Topics vary. Counts toward Political Communication concentration in the Communication Department. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the degree.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Topics vary. Counts toward Journalism concentration in the Communication Department. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the degree.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Topics vary. Counts toward Public Relations concentration in the Communication Department. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the degree.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Focuses on public relations writing including news releases, client memos, broadcasting, speeches, brochures, journals, and advertisements. Includes writing styles, formats, organization, and writing research. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Provides hands-on media production experience. Topics vary. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
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3 Sections Currently Scheduled
Topics vary; some require laboratories. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
400-Level Courses in COMM
Explores applications for primary research methodologies used in communication. Research project with focus on survey, critical ethnographic, or experimental methodologies. Notes: Students may not receive credit for both COMM 400 and COMM 490. Equivalent to COMM 490.
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3 Sections Currently Scheduled
Theories of persuasive communication including traditional and contemporary attitudinal change; relationship among speaker, message, and audience; and relationship between attitudinal and behavioral change. Limited to three attempts.
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3 Sections Currently Scheduled
Rhetoric and persuasion about environmental issues in contemporary society. Investigation of case studies in corporate, institutional, and movement attempts to mobilize and cope with ecological concerns. Critical assessment of public communication is emphasized. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Provides students with the opportunities to develop speaking skills for a variety of contexts from eulogies to commencement speeches. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. Notes: See department for the application process. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Theory and practice in facilitating learning of communication principles and skills. Students work as instructional aides in lower-division classes under direct supervision of faculty member. Activities may include online learning support, social media updates, media production, facilitating small-group activities and individually critiquing oral performances. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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 a sponsoring faculty member. Notes: Only 3 credits may be applied to the communication major. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. Limited to three attempts.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
Completion of independent honors research project under the guidance of the student's faculty sponsor. May be repeated within the term.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Topics in COMM
Topics vary; some require laboratories. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Graduate
600-Level Courses in COMM
Explores theories that have guided development of mass media. Emphasizes major scientific and humanistic approaches to mass media effects. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Examines interpersonal communicative processes associated with health in consumer-provider, family, and health communication campaign contexts. Focus on understanding cultural differences in perceptions of/communication about health and disease. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Introduces students to the processes and effects of persuasive communication. Covers key theories of persuasion, behavior change, information processing, message effects, as well as important frameworks that guide the practice of persuasion in applied settings. Particular attention is paid to message features that generate predictable effects and how such effects may vary across different communicative situations. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Examines the relationship between science and society, with a particular emphasis on the role of communication in shaping public opinion on issues related to science and technology. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
700-Level Courses in COMM
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. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. MA students must take 798 in the semester of graduation or w/ permission of the MA Director. No more than 3 credits can be applied to the degree. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
