Communication

COMM 1003 – Principles of Communication – 3 credit hours

Designed to introduce core concepts in the discipline of communication and to demonstrate applications in professional and relational contexts.

COMM 1203 – Presentation Design & Delivery – 3 credit hours

This course equips students with the necessary skills to effectively design and deliver compelling presentations tailored for diverse audiences.  Emphasizing both visual design and public speaking techniques, students will learn to create memorable, impactful presentations and confidently convey their ideas.

COMM 1503 – Mass Media & Society – 3 credit hours

Examines the role and impact of the media on individuals and society. Topics include the historical development of the mass media, along with media effects, ethics, legal considerations, and the role of journalism in society. Students develop a deeper awareness of the media in their lives and a critical perspective to become more responsible consumers of information. Also listed as JRNL 1503.

COMM 2003 – Critical Thinking & Communication – 3 credit hours

This survey course introduces critical thinking, establishes its historical nexus with the discipline of communication, and explores contemporary applications vis-à-vis information literacy, media literacy, new media literacy, quantitative literacy (i.e. numeracy), and visual literacy. Emphasis will be placed on developing critical thinking skills through intensive practice in in-class debate and deliberative exercises, and analysis of communication artifacts.

COMM 2503 – Interpersonal Communication – 3 credit hours

An analysis of interpersonal effectiveness, verbal and nonverbal techniques, encoding and decoding communication messages, and interaction within relationships.

COMM 2603 – Communication & Identity – 3 credit hours

This course explores the intricate relationship between communication and identity, delving into the ways in which communication shapes, reflects, and challenges our individual and collective identities.  Students will examine various aspects of communication to gain a deeper understanding of how communication influences our perceptions of self and others.  This course is designed to enhance both self-awareness and communication competence, enabling students to engage with a dynamic and ever-changing global community.

COMM 3003 – Communication Theory – 3 credit hours

In this course, students will engage a broad spectrum of communication theories and frameworks with the goal of understanding the principles and practices of communication.  Students will develop critical thinking skills as they better understand communication research and observe its applicability in their lives.  

COMM 3103 – Public Advocacy – 3 credit hours

An in-depth understanding of the theories, strategies, and techniques essential for public advocacy in the modern era.  Drawing from historical and contemporary examples, this course examines the role of advocacy in shaping public opinion, influencing policy and legislative decisions, and driving social change.   Prerequisite: COMM 1203.

COMM 3113 – Public Relations Principles & Practices – 3 credit hours

Students will learn how information moves inside and outside organizations and how this information can be used to contribute to organizational goals. For students considering careers in public relations, this course will provide initial communication planning and writing skills. For students interested in communication applications as part of careers in other fields, this course will contribute to understanding communication applications in modern organizations.

COMM 3203 – Nonverbal Communication – 3 credit hours

An integral study relating to body language, facial expressions, vocal variations, proxemics, personal appearance, and artifacts.

COMM 3213 – Intermediate Public Relations – 3 credit hours

Helps students develop expanded skills in applying public relations principles and practices to case studies that reflect the realities of the profession today. As student skills expand, there will be some work with real companies as clients.

COMM 3303 – Group Communication & Decision Making – 3 credit hours

Study of time interaction and communication in small-group and team situations. Emphasis is placed on role identity, listening, conflict, problem-solving and decision-making.

COMM 3403 – Family Communication – 3 credit hours

An introduction to communication phenomena in the family setting. Designed to help students understand how, through communication, family relationships are developed, maintained, enhanced, or disturbed. Students will learn verbal and nonverbal skills that help promote healthy family communication.

COMM 3503 – Organizational Communication – 3 credit hours

A management approach to communication within business environments. Includes team approaches, problem-solving, and development of professionalism.

COMM 3603 – Intercultural Communication – 3 credit hours

Provides an overview of the study of communication and culture with an emphasis on the theory and practice of cross-cultural and intercultural communication. It includes comparative studies of communication practices in different cultures and subcultures (cross-cultural) and descriptive normative studies of communication between different cultures and subcultures (intercultural).

COMM 3703 – Communication & Aging – 3 credit hours

A study of communication as it pertains to human social development, with an emphasis on the effects of aging, generational differences and social stereotypes on interpersonal communication effectiveness.

COMM 3713 – Communication in Social & Critical Contexts – 3 credit hours

An exploration of communication interaction related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in social and critical contexts.

COMM 3733 – Popular Culture & Media – 3 credit hours

Explores communication in American society and culture through the lens of various media, including television, music, movies, and the Internet.  

COMM 4103 – Conflict Resolution – 3 credit hours

An intensive study of the nature of conflict, its causes and consequences, and communication strategies for managing and resolving conflict.  Prerequisite:  Junior standing.

COMM 4113 – Advanced Public Relations – 3 credit hours

Assigned work groups will plan and execute public relations/communication strategies for area business organizations. These plans will be expected to provide measurable gains against client objectives. Students will be expected to demonstrate exceptional professionalism, as established in the course structure and content.  Prerequisite:  Junior standing.

COMM 4203 – Crisis Communication – 3 credit hours

Communication strategies for dealing with crisis situations through prevention, readiness, and resolution of crisis situations will be developed.  Prerequisite:  Junior standing.

COMM 4403 – Communication Law & Ethics – 3 credit hours

Study focuses on media law and ethical considerations in the contemporary communication environment. Topics include the First Amendment, libel, invasion of privacy, information access, free press and fair trial considerations, obscenity, copyright, advertising, and telecommunication regulations. Also listed as JRNL 4403.

COMM 4503 – Interviewing – 3 credit hours

A comprehensive study of interviewing techniques as applied in diverse settings, including employment, performance appraisal, health care, and human services. Students will demonstrate understanding of relevant principles and techniques through observation of and participation in a series of interviews in and out of class.  Prerequisite:  Junior standing.

COMM 4713 – Leadership – 3 credit hours

Study of communication relative to values, leadership, and power in organizational contexts such as business, professional, social, educational, and political groups.  Prerequisite:  Junior standing.

COMM 4723 – Persuasion – 3 credit hours

An advanced study of theories of human influence and motivation and their applications with emphasis on commercial and political advertising in mass communication and computer-mediated communication.  Prerequisite:  Junior standing.

COMM 4733 – Political Communication & Public Affairs – 3 credit hours

Study of communication issues related to interest group politics, including how interest groups use mass media to advance their public policy agendas. Citizen disengagement and the theory and practice of deliberative democracy are also emphasized.  Prerequisite:  Junior standing.

COMM 4743 – Social Media Communication – 3 credit hours

A social scientific study of the influence of communication on the history, theory, ethics, technology, and uses of social media. Specific focus will be given to the analysis of messages and emergent social structures through social media platforms, i.e., X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn. Course topics include but are not limited to the impact of social media and technology on interpersonal relationships, the workplace, journalism, and politics.  Prerequisite:  Junior standing.

COMM 4803 – Special Topics in Communication – 3 credit hours

This course is designed to explore diverse and evolving subjects within the field of communication.  It will allow students to delve into specific areas of interest that will vary each time it is offered.  This course is designed to provide a unique and enriching learning experience that can be repeated once for continued exploration.  Prerequisite:  Junior standing.

COMM 4901-4903 – Professional Internship in Communication – 3 credit hours

Provides experiential learning at an on-campus or off-campus site.  Internships give students the opportunity to actively participate in a communication or communication-related field aligned with their targeted career goals.  Internships integrate classroom knowledge and theory with practical application and skills, and provide the opportunity to make connections in the industry while developing hard and soft skills.  The internship must involve a minimum of 40 clock hours per one hour of credit, with at least 80 percent of the time involving activities that meaningfully contribute to the student’s professional development.  The internship must be pre-approved and supervised by a communication program faculty member and comply with the program’s guidelines for professional internships.  Students may repeat this course once with program approval.  Course rotation: Fall, spring, and summer.  Grading: Credit/non-credit.

COMM 4993 – Communication Capstone – 3 credit hours

The capstone course gives all undergraduates in communication the opportunity for a culminating university experience that focuses on their discipline and areas of interest and requires them to integrate concepts from a related communication course. A written report and oral presentation of that report as well as a culminating reflection paper serve as the exit assessment for the major. Communication majors only, must be taken within the last two semesters prior to graduation or with the program’s permission.