Upper-Division Courses

Overview of directing studio and location performance using single camera, videotape, and/or film formats. Observation and hands-on approach to basic performance techniques in news and entertainment programs.

• 3 Credits

Theory and practice in group discussion processes and decision making. Prer., COMM 1020 or consent of instructor.

• 3 Credits

Students will develop confidence, understanding, and skills related to appropriate and effective public speaking in digital/online environments across life, career, and professional contexts. This course helps students advance and enhance their 21st century public speaking competence in three domains of learning: Motivation (Affect and Feelings), Knowledge (Cognition and Understand), and Skills (Behaviors and Performance).

• 3 credits

Designed to provide majors and non-majors an introduction to the principles and practice of contemporary public relations. Students will increase their understanding and knowledge of the formation and implication of public opinion, and the elements and the practice of public relations in contemporary society.

• 3 Credits

Consists of the study of nonverbal communication through proxemics, kinesics, physical appearance, and paralanguage as well as an application of nonverbal communication theory to work, group, and home settings.

• 3 Credits

Theory and practice in oral and written communication competency for business and the professions. Topics include presentational speaking, business and proposal writing, interpersonal communication in organizations, small group process and the role of the leader-manager, and communication trends in business organizations of the future. Approved for LAS Oral Communication requirement. Prer., ENGL 1310 and ENGL 1410.

• 3 Credits

A seminar in the theory and practice of advertising as an art and science. Students will participate in cases and campaigns providing a dynamic approach to the field.

• 3 Credits

A study advancing the principles and techniques of television production to include extended experiences doing multi-camera studio productions, with an introduction to electronic field production techniques. Topics include production planning and procedures, directing, lighting, and editing. Lecture and lab. Prer., COMM 2250 and COMM 2270.

• 3 Credits

An experiential examination of the philosophy, process, problems, and potentials unique to communication across cultural boundaries. Implications for personal and social innovations. Comparative study in communication in selected cultures. Approved for LAS Cultural Diversity requirement.

• 3 Credits

A course in writing for non-print media. Students will learn key elements of screenwriting, story structures, and exposition. Prer., JOUR/COMM 2900, COMM 2250, and COMM 2270.

• 3 Credits

Explores leadership and its complex relationship with gender roles in terms of leadership style, context, and communication. Students will consider their own leadership potential, explored from historic, contemporary, and personal perspectives. Meets with COMM 5330.

• 3 Credits

An introductory course designed to introduce students to digital tools available to disseminate messages. Students will learn how to use advanced features of presentation software, various Adobe products, and software for creating podcasts. Prer., COMM 1000.

• 3 Credits

An examination of contemporary theory and practice pertaining to leadership communication in organizations, including consideration of the nature of transformational leadership characteristics. Approved for LAS Social Science area requirement.

• 3 Credits

Examines the history of television through its programming. It will study genres such as the sitcom and hour-long drama, as well as principles of programming for broadcast and cable TV.

• 3 Credits

Students will develop an understanding and skills related to digital film editing using Final Cut Studio and other editing software. They will also learn concepts related to story creation through digital film editing theory.

• 3 Credits

This course examines the effects of media messages and technologies on individuals' health attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, and addresses key considerations for constructing effective media-based health communication campaigns.

• 3 Credits

An introductory film course surveying American cinema as art, industry, and system of representation and communication. Students acquire knowledge of film history and genres, technical and critical vocabulary terms, and how popular genres extend to broader social context.

• 3 Credits

This course explores issues related to professional relationships (such as co-workers, supervisors and subordinates, creative pairs), personal relationships (such as friendships, romantics relationships), and relationships that can be both (such as workplace friendships or enemies). Meets with COMM 5550.

• 3 Credits

The interrelationships among mass media, society, and communication are explored. The theoretical foundations of mass communications are delineated. Approved for LAS Social Science area requirement.

• 3 Credits

An examination of the unique ethical leadership communication challenges faced by leaders, with an emphasis on building ethical competency through self-assessment, challenge, and feedback. Topics include virtue ethics, evil, forgiveness, moral theories, transformational leadership, ethical group problem solving, organizational integrity, and managing ethical diversity.

• 3 Credits

This writing-intensive course considers the tactical and strategic elements necessary for any public relations tool to be successfully developed and distributed to a target public. Students will learn techniques for media relations and skills for developing controlled tactics. Prer., COMM 2900 and COMM 3200 or consent of instructor.

• 3 Credits

Examines the life of one of the most influential people in American media history. Course will study the psychological, cultural, economic, and social forces that influenced Walt Disney’s art and his ability to connect to a mass audience.

• 3 Credits

The theory of oral discourse is examined in light of classical thought and practice, historical development, and modern rhetorical processes. Approved for LAS Humanities area requirement.

• 3 Credits

Discussion-based course uncovering the way in which various identity groups (race, gender, class, sexual orientation, ability, and religion) are constructed and portrayed in media texts and the impact of such portrayals on social relations. Students will directly apply theory to an array of media texts, from film and television to music and comic books. Prer., Junior/Senior or Grad only or instructor consent. Meets with COMM 6010.

• 3 Credits

Focus is on social media use in public relations. Students will learn how social media are transforming public relations and mass communications; about the strategic use of certain tools; the importance of authenticity and transparency in practicing public relations online; and how to measure online efforts. Prer., COMM 3200.

• 3 Credits

Advanced exploration of the theory, preparation, delivery and evaluation of public speeches. Approved for LAS Oral Communication requirement. Prer., COMM 2100 or equivalent. Meets with COMM 5100.

• 3 Credits

This course is an overview of a broad range of media theories that have examined media as a social force, that have explored factors affecting individuals’ selection and perceptions of media messages, and that have studied how media affect viewers’ attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Meets with COMM 6140.

• 3 Credits

This course is intended to be both theoretical and practical in nature and will provide teachers and prospective teachers with strategies for using appropriate communication in the classroom. It will include methods for analysis, development, and facilitation of teachers’ and their students’ communication behaviors. Meets with COMM 5150.

• 3 Credits

Examines the field of training and development from both theoretical and pragmatic perspectives. Although the primary emphasis will be on corporate training and development, the course will also address broad principles relating to adult education in a variety of training contexts. Meets with COMM 6160.

• 3 Credits

Students will research, write and produce non-fiction films or videos. Students will develop their abilities to write and speak critically about historical and contemporary documentaries. Prer., COMM 2250, COMM 2270, COMM/JOUR 2900.

• 3 Credits

The theory of motivation and change as it operates in individuals and groups, consideration of attitudes, beliefs, values, credibility, message variables, ethic ethics, and effects. Analysis of persuasive campaigns. Approved for LAS Social Science area requirement.

• 3 Credits

Systematic and systemic study of the art of persuasion via analysis and application of rhetoric, ethics, motivation, classic and contemporary theory, campaign, and modern media. Emphasis is placed on group and collaborative practicum via oral presentations. Meets Compass Curriculum Summit requirements. Prer., Online only students; Junior or Senior status required.

Exploration of the relationship between creativity and communication. Topics include: theories and models of creativity and language, the creative process in groups and organizations, and creative influence. Approved for LAS Social Science area requirement. Meets with COMM 5220.

• 3 Credits

Major perspectives for the study of organizational communication, communication auditing procedures, and communication training and development practices. Prer., COMM 1020, COMM 2240, COMM 2500, and COMM 3240. Meets with COMM 5240.

• 3 Credits

A lecture-discussion approach to the study of contemporary theories and research in conflict. Course will involve reading and discussion of both original research reports and secondary sources in such areas as perception, destructive communication, manipulative communication, and communication in developing and terminating relationships. Approved for LAS Social Science area requirement. Prer., COMM 1020.

• 3 Credits

Theory-based examination of virtual and changing organizational forms, international/intercultural communication, telemediated organizational communication, and legal issues in communication in the workplace. Course additionally prepares students for both technical and human proficiencies necessary for the workplace of the future. Prer., COMM 2240.

• 3 Credits

Studio and advisory support for video programs initiated, designed, organized, and produced by advanced students. Students work in production groups to arrange and gain approval for program plans prior to execution. May be repeated up to a maximum of 6 hours. Prer., COMM 2250, COMM 2270.

• 3 Credits

Examines the process and theory of communication and its application to a multicultural society. Explores cases of successes and failures in interpersonal, group, and mass communication and examines the process of verbal and nonverbal communication expressed in a variety of channels, systems, and codes. Meets with COMM 5990.

• 3 Credits

Examines the communication challenges and opportunities organizations face dealing with sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Course combines theoretical and applied perspectives, focusing on issues of: corporate governance, ethics, global corporate citizenship, stakeholder management and social auditing/reporting. Meets with COMM 5290.

• 3 Credits

An examination of ethical issues in communication contexts ranging from the personal to the professional, societal to mass media. Students will explore the complexity of ethical issues through readings, discussion, case studies, and observation.

• 3 Credits

An introduction to a wide range of theoretical, analytical and methodological tools for interrogating media texts. Students will critically analyze an array of media texts from film and television, to music and comic books, through a variety of prisms: rhetorical, feminist, semiotic, ideological, historical, textual, cultural, and more. Grad only or instructor consent. Meets with COMM 6350.

• 3 Credits

Students will develop an understanding and skills related to film/video editing using Final Cut Studio, as well as learn concepts related to story creation and film/video editing theory.

• 3 Credits

Analysis of managerial problems in industrial, governmental, and nonprofit media organizations. Case studies, local managers, and outside readings will examine public relations/marketing, inventory, personnel, and legal aspects of managing a media facility. Prer., COMM 1000 and COMM 2270.

• 3 Credits

Supervised opportunities for obtaining knowledge and experience concerning the role of communication in the world of work. Prer., for Organizational Communication, Recording Arts and Media Management students only.

• 3 Credits (Minimum) 6 Credits (Maximum)

Advanced exploration of contemporary leadership research and theory with an emphasis on global leadership communication issues. Strategic communication methods are investigated through case analysis with emphasis on the relationship between leadership and culture, leadership style, transformational leadership, charisma, corporate culture, leadership challenges in dealing with diverse populations, ethical leadership and followership, and the global leadership challenges of the future.

• 3 Credits

This is the capstone course for the Strategic Communication track. This course is intended as the pinnacle of the strategic communication coursework, drawing on all of the practices and theories learned. Through analyses of campaign case studies and a final, comprehensive communication campaign assignment, students will gain advanced and in-depth knowledge of strategic communications. The case studies will highlight best practices in strategic communication, and the campaign will give students an opportunity to create a tangible product for a client of their choice. Prer., COMM 1050, COMM 2900, COMM 3200, COMM 3250, COMM 3800.

• 3 Credits

This course provides an overview of information, research, and issues related to interpersonal communication in health care settings. Specifically, we will analyze provider-patient-caregiver interactions and the organizations, systems, and cultures within which they occur. Meets with COMM 6840.

• 3 Credits

Advanced exploration of timely topics and issues related to communication in various contexts. Topics vary from semester to semester. May be taken up to two times for credit with permission of department chair. Prer., Vary from topic to topic.

• 1 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

A dynamic and practical project-based course focusing on contemporary leadership approaches and the demands the current environment of change and innovation place on organizational leadership. Prer., COMM 1110 and LEAD 2110. Meets with COMM 5950.

• 3 Credits