Catalog Course Descriptions
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Communication Courses
Undergraduate
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. Limited to three attempts.
This is a comprehensive communication skills course that will equip you with the communication skills that you will need to be successful in your future courses, careers, and communities. In this course, you will learn how to conduct research for, organize, and deliver effective presentations that allow you to explain complex ideas, persuade, and advocate for change. You will learn how to build and sustain meaningful relationships as well as manage conflict in those relationships. You will also develop the small group and leadership skills that will help you work successfully in teams. All of these skills will be embedded within a diversity and equity context so that you can understand, analyze, adapt messages for, and demonstrate respect and consideration for the multitude of audiences with whom you will communicate in a range of intercultural, personal, and professional contexts. Limited to three attempts.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 degree for a maximum 3 credits.
Students receive individual guidance in podcast production 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.
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.
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.
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.
This is a gateway course to the field of journalism. It covers the history and practices of the industry, and it explores how technology, economics and culture contribute to how people produce and consume the news. Students gain an understanding of the profession by practicing the foundational skills reporters use to produce accurate, ethical and impactful journalism. Limited to three attempts.
This is a gateway course to the field of Public Relations (PR). Students learn the history, ethics, and practices of the PR industry, and discuss how technology, politics, culture, and globalization contribute to how practitioners plan client campaigns. Students also practice foundational skills to produce professional, ethical, and message-driven PR campaigns. This course is appropriate to all who are interested in exploring the fast-evolving PR field. Limited to three attempts.
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.
Principles of voice production, with practice in effective vocal use of American English. Emphasizes student participation. Limited to three attempts.
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. Limited to three attempts.
Field training and experience related to one of the five communication department concentrations through faculty-approved activity support. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 4 credits.
Theory and practice of formal debate, including approaches to analytical reasoning, research, delivery, and conceptual basis for debate. Does not require tournament participation. Limited to three attempts.
Analyzes argument within communicative settings. Emphasizes deductive and inductive forms of reasoning, fallacies in reasoning, tests of evidence, and models for such analyses. Limited to three attempts.
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.
Theories and principles of interpersonal communication emphasizing models of communication, verbal and nonverbal message systems, and analysis of communicative relationships. Limited to three attempts.
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.
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.
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.
Applies basic principles of intercultural communication to analyze specific situations involving communication and cultural differences. Notes: Continuation of COMM 305. Limited to three attempts.
Structured communication learning experience: one to three weeks of travel in a foreign environment involving another country or relevant U.S. co-cultures. Students must complete appropriate readings, laboratory assignments, and personal learning paper to process communication concepts and experiences. Notes: May be repeated for credit when field study is substantially different with permission of the undergraduate director. May be repeated within the degree.
This course emphasizes practicing impactful and newsworthy PR writing and editing for materials such as news releases and media pitches. These strategic and targeted messages are designed to be shared across traditional and digital communication platforms to various publics and stakeholders. Students learn how to craft persuasive messages to achieve organizational objectives and optimize media attention. Limited to three attempts.
This course covers journalistic writing techniques for media platforms in wide use today. Students examine basic story structures and practice writing informative stories using those structures. The course emphasizes journalistic writing, yet it is appropriate for non-journalism students who seek to sharpen their writing skills in nonfiction sectors of the media industry. Equivalent to COMM 303.
Principles and theories of performance for communication arts. Practice in spoken performance of prose, poetry, and drama. Limited to three attempts.
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.
Social and political forces of contemporary era from communication perspective, emphasizing political leadership, pressures for social and political change, and transformations in communicative environment. Limited to three attempts.
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.
Building upon earlier coursework, this course helps students develop the practical skills and competencies they need to succeed as a public relations professional, such as strategic and crisis communication, community relations, and advocacy campaigns. Students work on creating a strategic set of materials intended to enhance a client’s reputation. Students will produce a portfolio of research, writing, and multimedia materials in collaboration with a client. Limited to three attempts.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Practical experience in writing and editing for student newspaper or other papers. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 3 credits.
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.
Intensive practical application of previously acquired on-air show hosting skills at student internet radio station WGMU. Skill development in podcast production and interviewing is 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 degree for a maximum 3 credits.
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. Limited to three attempts.
Students gain practical experience in real news gathering by reporting and writing hard news and feature stories. The course content advances what students learned in COMM 303/309. Topics include interviewing, fact-checking, sourcing, developing news judgement and applying reporting ethics for the purpose of crafting accurate, ethical and impactful journalism. Limited to three attempts.
Students gain experience editing and evaluating copy while exploring the role and responsibilities of an editor within a news media organization. Topics include news judgment, story judgement, ethical issues that confront editors, basic principles of editing and design, and writing headlines, decks and captions. Limited to three attempts.
Students gain practical experience capturing, writing and editing video news packages for broadcast. The course emphasizes the unique writing style of video broadcast journalists – concise and conversational reports balanced with visuals and sounds. Students also examine the technical and ethical challenges that broadcast reporters and producers face when gathering and distributing the news. Limited to three attempts.
Students will learn and critically analyze the components of radio and podcast production including: interviewing, story development, script writing, interview techniques, remote and digital audio recording, editing of sound, mixing, and final production for broadcast. The course includes a lecture component and lab time where the instructor will consult with students on their practice and production assignments including short (30 seconds) and longer formats (around 4 minutes). Podcasts will be posted to a website and/or SoundCloud. Limited to three attempts.
Writing for video, performance skills for on-air work, interviewing. Limited to three attempts.
Provides an in-depth exploration of the creative, technical, logistical, and aesthetic requirements of production in a multiple camera environment. The fundamental skills learned in this class will serve as a foundation for narrative, event, live sports, talk show, broadcast journalism, and magazine-styled television and webcast programming. Limited to three attempts.
Principles, practices of media management from general techniques to operation of individual departments within a media organization. Limited to three attempts.
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.
Focuses on online journalism, research, reporting, web page and weblog creation, and writing for Internet. Limited to three attempts.
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.
Practicum for students with production experience; students produce a final resume in area of expertise. Limited to three attempts.
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.
Introduces concepts of power, influence of mass media. Allows students to see themselves as products, producers of media influence, and gives sense of the roles in the media or lack thereof, of groups based on their gender, race and/or class. Limited to three attempts.
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.
Students examine and practice methods for reporting nonfiction stories using a combination of text, images, sound, video and graphics. The course highlights a multimedia approach to journalism, yet the content is appropriate for non-journalism students who wish to expand their multimedia storytelling knowledge. Students use simple portable equipment essential to reporters and other communicators working in a converged media landscape. Limited to three attempts.
This course introduces aspiring journalists to critical research, reporting and writing skills needed to produce feature articles for magazines, newspapers and nonfiction digital media platforms. Topics include the style and structure of features, identifying sources, interviewing techniques, scene-setting, using quotes, and incorporating diverse sources to accurately reflect a community. Limited to three attempts.
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. Limited to three attempts.
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.
This course explores how the media reports on politics, and it introduces methods for covering political issues, the government, elections, and campaigns. Students practice the style and substance of covering political news through in-class and out-of-class writing assignments, and they examine the role the press plays in shaping the public’s perception of current social and political issues. Limited to three attempts.
Students explore the history of advertising, advertising regulations, and how processes of technological change have reshaped the advertising field. Students also discuss topics related to media buying, audience targeting and segmentation, advertising campaign development and evaluation, and more. Limited to three attempts.
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.
Students engage in social media research and analysis, examine best practices for designing effective campaigns, understand the conditions that create viral media, implement a personal branding strategy, and gain experience in strategic content creation by writing and executing a team-based social media campaign. Limited to three attempts.
Topics vary. Counts toward Organizational and Interpersonal Communication concentration in the Communication Department. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the degree.
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.
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.
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.
Students learn communication strategy, fundraising, social responsibility, advocacy, activism, diversity and ethical issues associated with nonprofit and not-for-profit PR. Students examine present-day scenarios to learn how to develop and implement contemporary online cause-marketing campaigns. Limited to three attempts.
This case-study based course focuses on current public relations issues in corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors. Students discuss ethics, reputation management, corporate social responsibility (CSR), misinformation correction, and advocacy/activism, among other possible topics. Limited to three attempts.
This study abroad course focuses on issues in international public relations and public diplomacy. Students visit PR agencies, experience cultural events, and network with their international peers in designated countries. Limited to three attempts.
Topics vary. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the degree.
Topics vary. Counts toward Media Production and Criticism Concentration in the Communication Department. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the degree.
Provides hands-on media production experience. Topics vary. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
Work individually with a faculty member on a faculty research project. Requires readings in research methods and topic area and a final project. Notes: Students must submit an application for COMM 398 at least one week prior to the beginning of the semester. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
Topics vary; some require laboratories. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
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.
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. Limited to three attempts.
This advanced PR course focuses on research, writing/editing, message development, media placement, and evaluation. Students use various PR strategies and tactics to produce a PRSSA Bateman Case Study Competition-inspired campaign. Limited to three attempts.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Theory, principles, and practical skills essential to interview process. Emphasizes information gathering, journalistic, persuasive, employment, and performance-appraisal interviews. Limited to three attempts.
Offers practical application, skill development, and theoretical and critical assessment of mediated communication, including digital networking and social media. Discusses and engages with digital communication in terms of culture and language, functional and dysfunctional communication, social interaction, critical perspectives and ideology, copyright, freedom, ethics and responsibility, and images of the future. Limited to three attempts.
Provides students with the opportunities to develop speaking skills for a variety of contexts from eulogies to commencement speeches. Limited to three attempts.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different with permission of department. May be repeated within the term.
This course introduces how American law affects journalists. Students examine the legal principles journalists weigh when news-gathering and explore landmark court cases that have tested the right to a free press. Topics include the First Amendment, libel, privacy, free press and fair trial, and broadcast regulation. Students also consider how journalistic values of fairness, objectivity, humanity and credibility intersect with the law. Limited to three attempts.
Student team-based experience grounded in the work of the preceding courses in the digital media and web design minor. Each individual student will produce a portfolio of digital media and web-design related products and features that demonstrate core competencies in coding, design, content, and accessibility. Students will work in cross-disciplinary teams to carry out a client-based web design project, the process and outcomes of which will also be represented in the individual portfolio. Equivalent to AVT 479, ENGH 479, IT 479.
Special topics offered through the Washington Media Institute. Students must be enrolled in the communication department's professional experience in communication minor. Notes: May not be applied to the communication major or minor. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 15 credits.
Honors version of COMM 400. Notes: Students may not receive credit for both COMM 400 and 490. Equivalent to COMM 400.
Completion of independent honors research project under the guidance of the student's faculty sponsor. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
Students plan, execute, and present an empirical research project exploring communication issues of their own choosing. Limited to three attempts.
Study of a selected area in communication. Independent study application must be processed before start of semester in which work is to take place. Notes: May be repeated for credit with permission of director of undergraduate program. Communication courses at the 500 level open to post-baccalaureate students or advanced undergraduates with permission of department. May be repeated within the term.
Topics vary. Counts toward Media Production and Criticism Concentration in the Communication Department. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the degree.
Topics vary; some require laboratories. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
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. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different with permission of department. May be repeated within the term.
Graduate
Intensive study of specific topics; content varies. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
Offers a broad introduction to the field of communication in terms of communication-based theories and research. May not be repeated for credit.
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.
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.
Analyzes how political communication messages and strategies shape the development of perceptions and behavior in US presidential elections. Examines the interactions between media content and political action in election campaigns. May not be repeated for credit.
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.
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.
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.
Analyzes contemporary theories, concepts, and approaches to improving interpersonal communication. Examines interpersonal communication research. May not be repeated for credit.
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.
Investigates theories providing foundation for communication consulting. Provides theoretical information and mechanisms for application necessary to modify communicative behavior within organizations. May not be repeated for credit.
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.
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.
Examines the communication implications related to selected current topics of scientific controversy. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
Examines the specific oral, written, and mediated communication competencies needed by STEM professionals in modern society. May not be repeated for credit.
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.
Examines media coverage of technically complex topics in science, social science, environment, health and medicine, and technology. Explores the influence of institutional media practices on news about science and technology. May not be repeated for credit.
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.
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.
Offers practical application, skill development, and theoretical basis of communication campaigns developed in response to global warming and other threats to sustainability. Focuses on purposive campaigns to promote changes in individual behavior and public policy. May not be repeated for credit.
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.
Explores contemporary issues in communication theory, research, and practice. Notes: Topics vary. May be repeated when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 15 credits.
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. May not be repeated for credit.
Reading and research on specific topic under direction of faculty member. Written report required; oral or written exam may be required. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits.
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.
Coordinates students into a research team to propose, test and report the findings of a two or three variable hypothesis. Conduct a research project that will make a publishable contribution to the communication science literature. May not be repeated for credit. May not be repeated for credit.
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. May not be repeated for credit.
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.
Provides a survey of global public relations strategies and practices with an emphasis
in emerging issues such as globalization, lobbying, global policies, and a role of PR in the global,
cross-cultural marketplace. May not be repeated for credit.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. May not be repeated for credit.
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.
Original research endeavor related to student's concentration in communication under supervision of faculty committee. May be repeated within the degree.
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.
Selected topics reflecting specialized areas in communication. Notes: Topics vary. May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the degree.
Independent reading on a topic agreed on by student and faculty member. Notes: Content varies. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 9 credits.
This course is for COMM PhD students who are in the comprehensive exams phase and within two courses of completing their total coursework. May not be repeated for credit.
Development of a research proposal that constitutes the basis for a doctoral dissertation. May be repeated within the degree.
Research on an approved dissertation topic under the direction of dissertation committee. Notes: A minimum of 18 credits of COMM 998 and 999 combined must be applied to doctoral degree requirements. May be repeated within the degree.
Selected topics reflecting specialized areas in communication. Notes: Topics vary. May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the degree.
