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Course Descriptions

Communication Studies

Undergraduate
103 Fundamentals of Speech Communication. 3 hrs.
A course designed to enhance the development of critical thinking skills and their application to verbal and nonverbal interaction in interpersonal and public communication contexts.

104H Honors in Speech Communication. 3 hrs.
An accelerated course for selected freshmen and sophomores in fundamentals of communication, concepts and skills in verbal/nonverbal communication and listening. Not open to juniors and seniors. (Substitute for CMM 103) (PR:ACT score 26)

205 The Rhetorical World. 3 hrs.
An introduction to the study of rhetoric as a force in influencing human behavior and societies. (PR: CMM 103, 104H, 207, 305 or YGS 161).

207 Business and Professional Communication. 3 hrs.
A study of the communication demands and skills relevant to the student’s future role as a business or professional person.

213 Fundamentals of Interpersonal Communication. 3 hrs.
Introduction to principles and practices related to productive interpersonal communication. Emphasizes competence in using verbal and nonverbal message systems to promote effective communication in social and task relationships.

239 Development and Appreciation of Film to 1930. 3 hrs.
The historical development of the motion picture as an art form from its first development to 1930. Analysis of the technical, social, economic and cultural factors which have influenced the medium.

240 Voice and Diction. 3 hrs.
Theory and practice of speech production and improvement. (PR: CMM 103)

255 Introduction to Computer-Mediated Communication. 3 hrs.
Use and implications of telecomputing for messaging, resource finding, and self-directed discovery learning.

270-271 Intercollegiate Debate. 1; 1 hr.
(PR: Permission of instructor)

280-283 Special Topics. 1-4; 1-4; 1-4; 1-4 hrs.
(PR: Permission of department chair)

297-298 Instructional Television Course. 1-4 hrs.
A course based upon Instructional Television Series broadcast by public television. The student is responsible for viewing the series on the air and satisfying all course requirements announced by the department.

302 Professional Presentations. 3 hrs.
Designed for present and future demands on skilled presenters of information. Included in the teaching of advanced oral presentation skills, computer assisted/aided presentations, teleconferencing and other presentational skills. (PR: CMM 103, 104H, 207, 305, or YGS 161)

303 Introduction to Communication Theory. 3 hrs.
Analysis of the process of communication and its constituent elements, with emphasis upon traditional and contemporary theories, their validation, and their use as a tool in diagnosis and remediation of communication problems. (PR: CMM 103, 104H, 207, 213, 305 or YGS 161)

307 Communication in Social Movements. 3 hrs.
Investigation of the functions, ethics, responsibilities and social impact of oral communication in periods of social unrest. (PR: CMM 103, 104H, 207, 213, 305 or YGS 161)

308 Persuasive Communication. 3 hrs.
Introduction to the understanding, practice and analysis of persuasion. Behavioral and rhetorical theories of persuasion will be examined and applied to contemporary persuasive communications. (PR: CMM 103, 104H, 207, 305 or YGS 161)

310 Argumentation and Debate. 3 hrs.
Basic principles of argument; practice in discussion and debate. Recommended but not a prerequisite for intercollegiate debating. (PR: CMM 103, 104H, 207, 305 or YGS 161)

311 Language and Communication. 3 hrs.
This course explores how language works in human discourse by examining the game of languages: its players, strategies, and hidden rules.

315 Group Communication. 3 hrs.
Study of group communication processes, including problem solving, systems of group communication analysis and evaluation, in task oriented groups. (PR: CMM 103, 104H, 207, 305 or YGS 161)

316 Legal Communication. 3 hrs.
The theory and practice of legal communication techniques. The course will examine interviewing skills, negotiation skills, argument preparation skills, presentation skills, and cross examination skills, Recommended for pre-law students. (PR: CMM 103, 104H, 207, 305 or YGS 161)

319 Superior-subordinate Communication. 3 hrs.
Survey of principles underlying communication between superiors and subordinates in organizations. Emphasis placed upon communication strategies regarding role definition, performance feedback, development and maintenance of relationships, conflict management, leadership, decision making. (PR: CMM 103, 104H, 207, 305 or YGS 161)

320 Oral Interpretation of Literature. 3 hrs.
The fundamentals of reading, analyzing, and interpreting literature.

322 Intercultural Communication. 3 hrs.
A study of the barriers to communication across cultures and of strategies for addressing these problems. (PR: CMM 103, 104H, 207, 305 or YGS 161)

345 Listening and Feedback. 3 hrs.
A study of listening/feedback behavior as an integral part of the communication process, development of listening/feedback skills, and an awareness of barriers to effective listening and feedback. (PR: CMM 103, 104H, 207, 305 or YGS 161)

370-371 Intercollegiate Forensics 1; 1hr.
Continuation of CMM 270-271. (PR: Permission of instructor)

401 Organizational Communication. 3 hrs.
Investigation of information flow in organizations with emphasis on identifying communication problems. (PR: CMM 303)

402 Rhetorical Theory. 3 hrs.
An exploration of theories of rhetoric from the Greek philosophers to the present. This course will examine the strategic use of symbols in persuasive discourse.

406 Interviewing. 3 hrs.
Skill development in the question-answer-response process as it applies to a variety of interviewing situations.

408 Leadership and Group Communication. 3 hrs.
A study of the variables affecting, and affected by, communication process in small groups, with particular emphasis upon leadership variables. (PR: CMM 315)

409 Theories of Persuasion and Change. 3 hrs.
Study of the relationship between persuasion and social change, including theories of attitude and behavioral change and contemporary theories of persuasion.

411 Communication Study and Research. 3 hrs.
Introduction to the advanced study of theory and research areas with emphasis on communication research methods and reporting. (PR: Senior majors in Communication Studies; CMM 303)

413 Theories of Interpersonal Communication. 3 hrs.
A survey and analysis of theories related to interpersonal communication in relationships. Emphasis is on the communication processes and contingencies underlying relationship development, maintenance, and disengagement in various interpersonal contexts. (PR: CMM 213)

420 Communication and Conflict. 3 hrs.
An exploration of the theory, research, and practice of communication in understanding and negotiating interpersonal conflict.

421 Gender and Communication. 3 hrs.
An exploration of gender as an organizing principle for communication.

441 Development and Appreciation of Film Since 1930. 3 hrs.
Study of important directions in modern film, including style, genre, and the relationship to contemporary society. A variety of films will be viewed for analysis.

450 Direction of Speech Activities. 3 hrs.
Direction of extracurricular speech activities: assemblies, forensic events, etc.

456 Computer-Mediated Communication. 3 hrs.
This course explores the impact of computer-mediated communication on human organization.

474 Health Communication. 3 hrs.
Explores communication demands of healthcare and health promotion, examines communication controversies in the modern health care system, and examines communication strategies to resolve health care problems. (PR: Junior status or permission)

476 Communication for Classroom Teachers. 3 hrs.
Knowledge and utilization of interpersonal communication skills in all teaching-learning environments.

478 Senior Seminar. 3 hrs.
Capstone experience. The development, organization, revision and presentation of major projects that serve to demonstrate the student’s competence in the discipline. (PR: CMM 411)

480-483 Special Topics in Communication Studies. 1-4; 1-4; 1-4; 1-4 hrs.

485-488 Independent Study. 1-4; 1-4; 1-4; 1-4 hrs.
(PR: Permission of department chair)

490 Internship. 1-4 hrs.
(PR: Permission of department chair)

495H-496H Readings for Honors in Communication Studies. 4; 4 hrs.
Open only to speech majors of outstanding ability. See Honors Courses. (PR: Permission of department chair)

497-498 Instructional Television Course. 1-4 hrs.
A course based upon Instructional Television Series broadcast by public television. The student is responsible for viewing the series on the air and satisfying all course requirements announced by the department.

 

GRADUATE

501 Organizational Communication. 3 hrs.
Investigation of information flow in organizations with emphasis on identifying communication problems.

502 Rhetorical Theory. 3 hrs.
An exploration of theories of rhetoric from the Greek philosophers to the present. This course will examine the strategic use of symbols in persuasive discourse.

506 Interviewing. 3 hrs.
Skill development in the question-answer-response process as it applies to a variety of interviewing situations.

508 Leadership and Group Communication. 3 hrs.
A study of the variables affecting, and affected by, the communication process in small groups, with particular emphasis upon leadership variables.

509 Theories of Persuasion and Change. 3 hrs.
Study of the relationship between persuasion and social change, including theories of attitude and behavioral change and contemporary theories of persuasion.

511 Communication Study and Research. 3 hrs.
Introduction to the advanced study of theory and research areas with emphasis on communication research methods and reporting.

513 Theories of Interpersonal Communication. 3 hrs.
A survey and analysis of theories related to interpersonal communication in relationships. Emphasis is on the communication processes and contingencies underlying relationship development, maintenance, and disengagement in various interpersonal contexts.

520 Communication and Conflict. 3 hrs.
An exploration of the theory, research, and practice of communication in understanding and negotiating interpersonal conflict.

521 Gender and Communication. 3 hrs.
An exploration of gender as an organizing principle for communication.

541 Development and Appreciation of Film Since 1930. 3 hrs.
A study of important directions in modern film, including style, genre, and the relationship to contemporary society. A variety of films will be viewed for analysis.

550 Direction of Speech Activities. 3 hrs.
Direction of extracurricular speech activities/assemblies, forensic events, etc. (PR: Fifteen hours of speech or permission of departmental chairman)

556 Computer-Mediated Communication. 3 hrs.
This course explores the impact of computer-mediated communication on human organization. (PR: Email capability; web search capability)

574 Health Communication. 3 hrs.
Explores communication demands of human health care and health care promotion; examines communication controversies in the modern health care system, and examines communication strategies to resolve health care problems.

576 Communication for Classroom Teachers. 3 hrs.
Knowledge and utilization of interpersonal communication skills in all teaching-learning environments.

580-583 Special Topics. 1-4; 1-4; 1-4; 1-4 hrs.
(PR: Permission of chair)

585-588 Independent Study. 1-4 hrs.
(PR: Permission of chair)

597-598 Instructional Television Course. 1-4 hrs.
A course based upon Instructional Television Series broadcast by public television. The student is responsible for viewing the series on the air and satisfying all course requirements announced by the department.

601 Problems and Methods in Communication Research. 3 hrs.

602 Communication Consultation Strategies. 3 hrs.
An in-depth analysis of diagnostic and intervention strategies employed by communication consultants. Strategies include communication network analysis, communication process observation and consultation, communication role and norm negotiation, and team building.

603 Nonverbal Communication. 3 hrs.
Examines the major dimensions and functions of nonverbal communication with a focus on what constitutes nonverbal competence in a variety of contexts.

606 Studies in Communication Theory. 3 hrs.
An extensive investigation into the major concepts of contemporary communication theory.

650 Leaders and Movements in Communication Education. 3 hrs.
The study of speech-communication education from the time of the Greeks to the present, with emphasis upon the evolution of communication education to meet the needs of contemporary society.

656 Seminar in Public Communication. 3 hrs.

673 Seminar in Interpersonal Communication. 3 hrs.
Intensive treatment of principles and processes underlying dyadic communication. Designed to enable the student to diagnose and intervene to resolve communication problems.

674 Seminar in Communication Pedagogy. 3 hrs.
Primarily for graduate teaching assistants to develop instructional skills of preparation, presentation and evaluation; to understand instructor duties and requirements, and to exemplify interpersonal skills in dealing with students.

675-676 Seminar. 1-3; 1-3 hrs.
Program of study not normally covered in other courses. Topics vary from semester to semester.

677-678 Special Topics. 1-3; 1-3 hrs.
Program of study not normally covered in other courses. Topics vary from semester to semester.

681 Thesis. 1-6 hrs.

685-688 Independent Study. 1-4; 1-4; 1-4; 1-4 hrs.
(PR: Permission of chair)

689 Internship. 1-3 hrs.
Supervised work experience in communication.
 

Revised December 1, 2006