GRADUATE COURSES

Department Courses

COMM 5080-Introduction to Graduate Study and Research in Communication Studies. 3 hours. Broad perspective on communication studies content areas.

COMM 5081-Research Methodologies in Communication. 3 hours. Qualitative and quantitative methodologies for communication studies research.

COMM 5280-Communication and Information in the Classroom. 3 hours. The study of the major variables in the communication process and their impact on student learning and satisfaction. Designed primarily for teachers of all levels and content specialties.

COMM 5380-Theory and Research in Persuasion. 3 hours. Recent theory and research on the persuasive process. Includes effects of variables in public, interpersonal, organizational, and mass communication contexts.

COMM 5480-Practicum. 3 hours. Training in the teaching of some aspect of communication. Under the supervision of a faculty member, the student prepares and presents instructional units, conducts class discussions and handles administrative matters peculiar to the type of course involved. No more than 3 hours may apply toward master’s degree. Duties performed under teaching fellowships or graduate assistantships do not earn credit in this course.

COMM 5481-Graduate Internship. 3 hours. Supervised work in a job related to the student’s major, professional field of study or career objective. Prerequisite(s): 9 graduate hours in communication; two letters of recommendation from professors in department; and consent of internship director.

COMM 5880-Seminar in Communication Studies and Research. 3 hours. Rotating topics. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.

COMM 5900-5910-Special Problems. 1-3 hours each. For students capable of developing a problem independently through conferences and activities directed by the instructor. Problem chosen by the student with the consent of the department director.

COMM 5930-Research Problems in Lieu of a Thesis. 3 hours.

COMM 5950-Master’s Thesis. 3 or 6 hours. To be scheduled only with consent of department. 6 hours credit required. No credit assigned until thesis has been completed and filed with the graduate dean. Continuous enrollment required once work on thesis has begun. May be repeated for credit.

Courses in Interpersonal/Organizational Studies

COMM 5220-Organizational Communication. 3 hours. Study of the transmission of information and ideas within an organization with emphasis on the problems encountered in the business world.

COMM 5225-Interpersonal Communication. 3 hours. Contemporary research and theory in the study of communication patterns found at various stages of normal interpersonal interactions.

COMM 5320-Quantitative Research Methods in Communication. 3 hours. Experimental and quantitative techniques usable in research in communication.

COMM 5325-Communication Theory. 3 hours. A survey of scientific and humanistic perspectives on the communication process and social contexts in which it occurs.

COMM 5425-Gender and Communication. 3 hours. Examination of research and theory in gender and communication, investigating how communication structures gender and how gender affects communication.

COMM 5520-Communication and Conflict. 3 hours. Examines the role of communication used in managing conflict in its most common contexts: intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, organizational, professional, social and international. Theory and research are examined to develop more effective communication in conflict situations.

COMM 5525-Communication and Change. 3 hours. A study of the impact of human communication on the process of change in formal and informal organizations with emphasis on understanding and planning change.

COMM 5625-Communication Consulting. 3 hours. Examination of organization communication consulting and of communication theorists and practitioners. Opportunities to develop and/or refine training and facilitating skills and unique models of communication consulting.

COMM 5720-Communication Style and Competence. 3 hours. Examination of the major theoretical and empirical approaches to style and competence in communication. Issues of conceptualization, assessment, instruction, and training in communication style and competence are covered.

COMM 5820-Seminar in Communication Processes. 3 hours. Contemporary research and theory in communication processes. Rotating topics. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.

Courses in Rhetorical Studies

COMM 5240-Rhetorical Study of Movements. 3 hours. Investigation of the rhetorical and communicative processes that create, sustain, and transform social movements.

COMM 5340-Rhetorical Methods. 3 hours. The use of critical and rhetorical theories in the investigation and evaluation of rhetorical acts and artifacts.

COMM 5345-Rhetorical Theory. 3 hours. An examination of significant rhetorical theories and theorists.

COMM 5440-Public Address Studies. 3 hours. Research and Theory in the critical interpretation and assessment of public discourse.

COMM 5540-Freedom of Expression. 3 hours. Theories, statutes, and cases involving the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of speech.

COMM 5840-Seminar in Rhetorical Studies. 3 hours. Contemporary research and theory in oral rhetorical studies. Rotating topics. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.

Courses in Performance Studies

COMM 5260-Group Performance. 3 hours. Historical and contemporary theoretical approaches to group performance in performance studies and related disciplines; practical experience in scripting and directing group performance.

COMM 5360-Performance Criticism. 3 hours. Theories of value and evaluation in performance studies and their influence on the practice of criticism, in general, and performance criticism, in particular. Contexts range from everyday acts of evaluation to formal, public instances of criticism.

COMM 5365-Performance Theory. 3 hours. Historical and contemporary theoretical approaches to performance studies, including theories from related disciplines and their impact on theory and practice in performance studies.

COMM 5460-Narrative Theory. 3 hours. Examination of theories of narrative and narrative structure and their significance. The study of narrative and non-narrative phenomena, including fiction, drama, film and politics.

COMM 5560-History of Performance Studies. 3 hours. Philosophies, conventions, and techniques that have contributed to the formation of contemporary performance theory. Examines performance approaches from classical to contemporary eras.

COMM 5860-Seminar in Performance Studies. 3 hours. Contemporary research and theory in performance studies. Rotating topics. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.