Department of Communication Studies
Courses Offered
-
- COMM 1010:
Introduction to Communication Studies. Must also be enrolled in COMM 1010 recitation. 3 hours.
(1;0;2) A survey of the basic principles of human communication,
with opportunities to apply these principles in different
contexts. Required on many degree plans but open to all
students.
- COMM 1440:
Classic Argument. Must also be enrolled in COMM 1440 Recitation. Uses of argument in
rational decision making based on classical theories of reason.
Elements of argument, classical foundations of argument and
contemporary application of argument principles.
Prerequisite(s): Classic Learning Core students only.
- COMM 2020:
Interpersonal Communications. Must also be enrolled in COMM 2020 recitation. An introduction to
interpersonal communication research results and theories with
application in two-person and small group relationships in a
variety of human communication contexts.
- COMM 2040:
Public Speaking. Must also be enrolled in COMM 2040 recitation. Introduction to principles of and practice in preparing public
speeches. Stresses the role of public speaking in democratic
decision making.
- COMM 2060:
Performance of Literature. Must also be enrolled in COMM 2060 recitation. Performance as method
of textual study. An introduction to the theory and practice of
analyzing, rehearsing and performing nondramatic texts.
Fulfills distribution requirement for Arts and Sciences majors.
Recommended for elementary education minors.
- COMM 2900:
Special Problems. 1-3 hours
- COMM 3000:
Communication Perspectives. 3 hours. A survey of
advanced theoretical perspectives from which researchers study
human communication as an academic discipline. Development of
paradigms and methodological concepts.
.
- COMM 3120:
Nonverbal Communication. 3 hours. Applications of
research and theory in understanding the impact of nonverbal
communication in a variety of human contexts.
- COMM 3140:
Advanced Public Speaking. 3 hours. Detailed study and
application of speech communication theories in a variety of
public speaking contexts. Includes standards for evaluation of
public speaking. Prerequisite(s): COMM 1010 or COMM 2040.
- COMM 3220:
Health Communication. 3 hours. Communication in medical
settings; origins, nature and impact of communication practices
and beliefs in the health-care delivery system; role of
interaction on human well-being.
- COMM 3260:
Storytelling. Must also be enrolled in COMM 3260 recitation. 3 hours. Investigation of folk literature,
original sources and literary genres employed in the art of
storytelling. Training in the acquisition of techniques and
skills employed by the storyteller. Prerequisite: COMM 2060
- COMM 3340:
Methods of Rhetorical Criticism. 3 hours. A survey of
significant methodologies available to rhetorical critics.
Emphasis on the critical abilities necessary to describe,
explain, analyze, and evaluate symbolic influence in the public
sphere.
- COMM 3440:
Public Address Studies. 3 hours. Major theories of
public address and the critical assessment of selected
persuasive addresses in the public arena.
- COMM 3520:
Advanced Interpersonal Communication. 3 hours. Advanced
study of interpersonal communication research, focusing on
theory and application in a variety of contexts.
Prerequisite(s): COMM 2020 or consent of the department.
- COMM 3720:
Small Group Communication. 3 hours. (2;0;1) Theory,
research and laboratory experience in small group communication;
problems in group discussion; decision making techniques.
- COMM 3740:
Persuasion. 3 hours. Theories of communication applied to
the study of social influence. Includes study of propaganda,
communication ethics and attitude formation Prerequisite(s):
COMM 1010.
- COMM 3760:
Performance Studies. 3 hours. Advanced topics in
individual performance as a method of textual study as well as
theory and practice in individual performance as an aesthetic
event and as a rhetorical and social act. Prerequisite(s):
COMM 2060.
- COMM 3840
Argument and Debate. Must also be enrolled in COMM 3840 recitation. 3 hours. (2;0;1) Theory,
research and practice in developing and presenting arguments on
public policy issues; reasoning, strategy and oral advocacy.
Prerequisite(s): COMM 1010 or consent of department.
- COMM 3860:
Group Performance. 3 hours. Theory and practice in
analyzing texts, adapting and compiling scripts, and directing
and rehearsing productions. Group performance is studied from
three perspectives: as a method of textual study, as an
aesthetic event, and as a social and rhetorical act.
Prerequisite(s): COMM 2060.
- COMM 3920
Organizational Communication. 3 hours. Principles of
communication applied in the organizational environment. Focus
upon diagnosis, analysis, and resolution methods related to
communication-based problems with organizations.
- COMM 4020:
Communication Theory. 3 hours. Process of theory
construction with particular emphasis on human communication,
elements and types of theories, theoretical logics,
metatheoretical perspectives toward communication, and specific
content theories of communication.
- COMM 4021
Communication Research Methods. 3 hours. Experimental
and quantitative techniques usable in research in communication.
- COMM 4040:
Rhetorical Theory. 3 hours. A study of rhetorical
traditions that provide useful insights into how individuals
engage in rhetorical transactions.
- COMM 4060:
Performance Theory. 3 hours. Examination and comparison
of text-centered, performer-centered and audience-centered
theories of performance; functions of performance; and methods
for evaluating performance. Prerequisite(s): COMM 2060.
- COMM 4140:
Rhetoric and Language. 3 hours. Major approaches to
human creation and transmission of meaning through language.
Examines the levels at which and the manner in which spoken
language may be persuasive. May include persuasive discourse,
language as symbolic action and semiotics.
- COMM 4220:
Gender and Communication. 3 hours. Examination of
differences in communication behavior of males and females with
particular reference to biological sex and psychological gender.
Explores male and female communication in a variety of different
contexts. Prerequisite(s): COMM 1010 or 2020, or consent of
department.
- COMM 4240:
Rhetoric and Culture. 3 hours. Consequences of discourse
on culture. May include communication throughout the life
cycle, rhetorical creation and maintenance of social movements,
international and intercultural rhetoric, feminist rhetorical
criticism, ideological criticism, the rhetorical aspects of
popular culture and the grounds for the criticism of culture
from a rhetorical perspective.
- COMM 4260
Performance and Culture. 3 hours. Examination of the
role of performance in cultures. Research and analysis of texts
and performance practices among various ethnic and cultural
groups.
- COMM 4320:
Communication Network Analysis. 3 hours. Techniques of
communication network analysis and patterned flows of
communication among human beings, focusing upon the impact of
network variables on the establishment of human relationships.
Prerequisite(s): COMM 4021 or other coursework in social science
research methods or consent of department.
- COMM 4340:
Rhetoric and Politics. 3 hours. Rhetoric of political
campaigns, presidential rhetoric, legal communication, and the
rhetorical creation, maintenance, use and legitimation of
symbolic power. Prerequisite(s): COMM 3340.
- COMM 4360:
Rhetoric of Performance. 3 hours. Contemporary
performance as a critical and persuasive tool within social
contexts. Research and analysis of performance texts and
contexts designed to criticize social or cultural practices.
Prerequisite(s): COMM 2060.
- COMM 4420
Relational Development. 3 hours. The
role of communication processes in initiating developing,
defining, maintaining and dissolving various forms of human
relationships. Examines the nature of communication in a
variety of relational contexts. Prerequisite: COMM 1010 or 2020 or consent of the department.
- COMM 4440:
Issues in Freedom of Speech. 3 hours. Theories,
doctrines, statutes and cases related to the First Amendment
guarantee of freedom of speech.
- COMM 4800
Communication Internship. 1-4 hours. (0;0;1-4) Supervised
work in a job directly related to the student's major,
professional field of study or career objective. .
Prerequisite(s): 12 semester credit hours in communication
studies; student must meet employer's requirements and have
consent of internship supervisor and department. May be
repeated for credit up to 4 semester hours.
- COMM 4829:
Topics in Communication Processes. 3 hours. Rotating
topics in interpersonal communication, organizational
communication, or communication research methods
Prerequisite(s): 6 hours in communication processes, or consent
of department. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.
- COMM 4849:
Topics in Rhetorical Studies. 3 hours. Rotating topic
may include Greek rhetoric; Roman rhetoric; medieval rhetoric;
values and rhetoric in Weaver, Perelman and Habermas; narrative
criticism; Kenneth Burke. May be repeated for credit as topics
vary.
- COMM 4869:
Topics in Performance Studies. 3 hours. Rotating topics
may include: performance of particular genres, including poetry
narrative, drama or non-literary texts; performance methods,
including thematic approaches to performance or historical
styles of performance; or theoretical issues in performance,
including narrative theory, intertextuality or New Historicism.
Prerequisite(s): COMM 2060 or consent of department. May be
repeated for credit a topics vary.
- COMM 4900-4910:
Special Problems. 1-3 hours each. Prerequisite(s):
problem must be approved by department.
Special Problems. Restricted course. Approval Required. Contact Department.
- COMM 4950:
Senior Honors Thesis. 3 hours. Available to COM majors
having completed at least 90 semester hours with an overall GPA
of 3.50 or better. Prerequisite(s): COMM 4020 and 4021, or 3340
and 4040 or 4060.
Return to:
