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 Fall 2020
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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83 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
Offers students a hands-on introduction to digital tools of creative expression, involving the use of specific software and hardware, including operating systems, media editing programs, authoring applications, and software utilities. Notes: Students who have already completed or are in COMM 208 are not eligible to take this course. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 3 credits.
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1 Section 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 »
Examines the relationship between media and society through the study of the development of various media systems in the United States, including print media, radio, television, film, the recording industry, and new communication technologies. Introduces media effects and basic theories. 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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5 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 »
Principles and theories of performance for communication arts. Practice in spoken performance of prose, poetry, and drama. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section 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
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, principles, and methods to analyze nonverbal communication. Emphasizes physical behavior, facial expression, personal space and territoriality, physical appearance, vocal cues, and environment. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Examines how family communication contributes to physical, psychological, and social wellness. Explores how family communication affects our experience with health transitions (e.g., coping with cancer; becoming a caregiver; losing a loved one), contributes to health outcomes (e.g., stress and anxiety; disordered eating behavior; schizophrenia; drug abuse), and is central to health promotion behavior (e.g., understanding health history and genetics). Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section 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
Practical experience in television programming, promotion, and marketing of a campus television cable network operation. May be repeated within the degree 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
Copy preparation, headline writing, news judging, and layout for various forms of print and electronic formats. Introduces working on news copy desks. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. 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 a comprehensive overview of the principles and practices of visual storytelling, encompassing short documentaries, campaigns, commercial work, news and other non-fiction narratives. Mobile, DSLR and fixed-lens cameras will be used to explore all facets of visual production that tell human stories, with emphasis on character, conflict, drama, and surprise. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
History, regulation, and ratings of advertising, as well as media buying, advertising campaigns, and strengths and weaknesses of media vehicles used in advertising. 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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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Focuses on current issues in corporate, government, and nonprofit public relations. Limited to three attempts.
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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
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
Covers responsibilities; freedoms of mass media in a democracy; and media influence on citizens' opinions, elections, and decisions of public officials. Equivalent to GOVT 412.
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1 Section 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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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
Examines how an evolving media environment, including new information sources and new opportunities to produce content, changes how people understand their place in American society. Engages with questions of where and how people learn about, discuss, and engage with issues of public importance, such as political policy concerning science, health, technology, and society. 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
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. Limited to three attempts.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Honors version of COMM 400. Notes: Students may not receive credit for both COMM 400 and 490. Equivalent to COMM 400.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Graduate
600-Level Courses in COMM
Offers a broad introduction to the field of communication in terms of communication-based theories and research. May not be repeated for credit.
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2 Sections Currently Scheduled
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. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Reviews research on best practices in science communication for scientists and communication professionals. Explores theory on conceptualizing science communication as disseminating knowledge, promoting informed decision making, involving citizens in scientific research (i.e., citizen science), promoting legislative and individual actions, or creating entertainment. Students practice communicating complex science and designing contexts for public engagement with scientific research. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Examines the communication implications related to selected current topics of scientific controversy. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Introduces various research methods used by communication professionals. Focus on achieving understanding and knowledge of social scientific research, qualitative and quantitative, and critical analysis through use and application. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Investigates theoretical and practical implications of instructional communication. Exposes graduate students to communication principles and practices of teaching college courses at upper and lower divisions. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Offers conceptual overview of social marketing: marketing methods designed to influence people to behave in ways that benefit society. Develops skills necessary to conduct a social marketing initiative and provides an opportunity for practical application of those skills. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
700-Level Courses in COMM
Explores the process of developing and testing social science theories. Emphasizes the components and mechanisms of theory - such as variables and causality - in a manner intended to inform rigorous social science inquiry using quantitative or qualitative methods. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
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. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
Explores relational health communication research and practice. Examines the role of interpersonal communication in health care delivery, health promotion, disease prevention, risk communication, and promoting personal and psychosocial well-being. 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
800-Level Courses in COMM
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. May not be repeated for credit.
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1 Section Currently Scheduled
