COMMUNICATION (COM–Arts and Science)

Note: Courses are offered in speech communication and mass communication. A notation at the end of the course description indicates the area of the course.

441/541 Rhetoric of Religion (3)

Examines the persuasive symbolic functions surrounding religion. American religious practices are the primary focus of study though ramifications in the international sphere are included. The unique interactions of religion within America’s public sphere are the primary area of focus and include religions such as Islam, Judaism, Christianity and Native American Religion. (Speech communication)

615 Historical and Critical Methods of Research in Public Address (3)

Examination of critical methodologies for evaluating rhetorical artifacts. Methods for evaluating textural accuracy, effectiveness, social significance, reasoning, and style. Practice in rhetorical criticism. (Speech communication)

616 Empirical Methods of Research in Communication (3)

Examination of contemporary research designs in communication with emphasis on the social scientific process of hypothesis derivation and testing. (Speech communication)

619 Organizational Communication Theory and Research (3)

Survey of theoretical and empirical literature dealing with human communication behavior in complex organizations. Emphasis placed on development of a conceptual framework for analyzing message systems. Prerequisite: COM 439 or permission of instructor. (Speech communication)

632 Seminar in Advocacy in Contemporary America (3)

Analyzes post- World War II public persuasion, including messages from a broad variety of media contexts. (Speech communication)

633 Persuasion Theory and Research (3)

Analysis of persuasion process through examination of relevant theory and empirical research. Devotes attention to experimental speech communication research in persuasion and culminates in a critical appraisal of current research trends. (Speech communication)

634 Interpersonal Communication Theory and Research (3)

Focuses on concepts, theories, and research regarding the communication behavior of people (primarily in dyads) in various relational contexts. (Speech communication)

635 Seminar in Communication Theory (3)

Theories developed in speech communication, theories from other disciplines that have influenced the development of theory in speech communication, and samples of research generated by these theories are read and discussed. Selected theories generated within the traditional, human action systems, and critical perspectives are examined. (Speech communication)

636 Rhetorical Seminar (3; may be repeated)

Provides advanced, in-depth study of topics within rhetorical theory and criticism. Topics vary. Prior course work in rhetoric recommended. (Speech communication)

637 Contemporary Theories of Rhetoric (3)

Survey of forces and ideas shaping rhetorical theory after 1965. May include scholarship of Burke, Foucault, Habermas, and Grassi. (Speech communication)

638 Small Group Communication Theory and Research (3)

Focuses on theory, research, and methods involved in the study of group communication. (Speech communication)

639 Organizational Communication: Diagnosis and Intervention (3)

Seminar on theoretical and applied approaches to communication consulting in complex organizations. Emphasis placed on developing intervention strategies for making organizational communication systems more effective. Prerequisite: COM 619. (Speech communication)

643 Mass Communication Theory (3)

Introduction to scholars and works shaping contemporary mass communication theory. (Mass communication)

650 Topics in Communication (1-3; maximum 6)

Intensive study of a selected topic in communication. Emphasis on in-depth research, analysis, and application. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

653 Seminar: Issues in Media Management and Economics (3)

Examines newspapers, magazines, film, radio, television, cable, and emerging electronic media as business organizations. Basic principles of economics, leadership, and management reviewed and applied to various media industries and structures. Issues such as media gigantism, corporate downsizing, mergers and acquisitions, labor organization, job satisfaction, and the economic impact of regulation explored, with particular attention to the social impact of media business dynamics. (Mass communication)

655 Seminar in Mass Media Law (3)

Examination of theoretical and applied issues implicit in the First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of the press. Consideration of the legal and ethical aspects of areas including defamation, invasion of privacy, media coverage of the judicial system, national security and the press, and obscenity. (Mass communication)

656 Seminar in International and Comparative Mass Communication (3)

In-depth study of international mass media systems, the international law and regulation that affects them, and major issues that shape the international flow of information (Mass communication)

657 Seminar in Mass Media Criticism (3)

Introduction to critical communication perspectives and approaches for application in the analysis of mass media texts. (Mass communication)

658 Colloquium in Mass Communication (1; maximum 4)

Discussion of current research in mass communication being conducted by faculty, graduate students, and guest presenters.

659 Public Relations: Theory and Research (3)

Survey of theoretical and research-based literature dealing with public relations and central issues in the field. Emphasis placed on exploring how organizations use communication to negotiate their relationship with key publics and their role in society. (Speech communication)

660 Independent Project (1-4; maximum 8)

May be repeated.

681 Seminar: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered Persons & The Media (3)

Examines both the treatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons by the mass media and the voices of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons as producers of media messages and as activists who influence media messages.

682 Feminist Media Theory and Practice (3)

Offers an overview of feminist theories of the media and feminist media practices over the past three decades, but focuses on recent developments including transnational feminist approaches to media and feminist approaches to new information technologies . (Mass Communication)

696 Teaching Practicum: Topics (1 to 2)

Provides training and practical experience in a variety of communication education areas. Specific topics vary by section and can include a range of topics such as forensics coaching, public relations practicums, and other educational topics. Credit does not count toward speech communication graduate degree.

697 Teaching Essentials of Speech Communication (2; may be repeated)

Deals with practical problems and challenges of teaching basic speech communication courses. Required of all graduate teaching assistants teaching the basic course. Credit does not count toward a graduate degree. (Speech communication)

698 Introduction to Communication (2)

Theoretical foundations and practical applications for instruction at college level. Prerequisite for teaching COM 135 with graduate assistantship. Credit does not count toward a graduate degree. (Speech communication) Summer only.

700 Research for Masters Thesis (1 to 12)

Students pursuing the thesis option may register for these hours while working on a thesis; however, these hours are taken typically during the second year of the program.

700M Mass Communication
700S Speech Communication
711 Research (1-12; minimum 6, maximum 12) May be repeated.
711M Mass Communication
711S Speech Communication