UG Course Descriptions

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15000  Intro. to Human Communication (LER)

Inquires into the nature and function of human communication in interpersonal, group and public contexts. 

20000 Foundations of Communication

Introduces the communication studies major, faculty, research and concentrations. Highlights possible careers and ways students can supplement curriculum efforts through involvement. Prerequisite: cumulative 2.0 GPA or better.

20001  Interpersonal Communication

Introduces components and structures and describes situations and contexts of interpersonal communication.

21000  Grammar Review

Covers English language grammar, punctuation, word usage and style in the context of communication fields. Must pass this course with a 'C' or better.

21008  Social Media Strategies

Helps students harness the power and potential of the social web, including strategies used to position and market organizations as well as individuals by exposing them to the latest social media applications and to critical views of social media's impact on business, society and culture.

25863  Business and Professional Communication

Explores the fundamentals of public and conference speaking, conducting meetings, electronic presentations, interviewing and interpersonal relations as applied to organizational settings.

25902  Communication Theory

Studies major theories of communication and social influence with emphasis on source, message, channel and receiver dimensions.

26000  Criticism of Public Discourse

Examines selected public speeches representing diverse viewpoints on a variety of historic and contemporary issues by emphasizing methods of evaluating public oral communication and the role of speechmaking in free societies. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.

26001  Public Communication in Society

Examines communication in public, executive, legislative and judicial settings: issues in mass media, political communication, political advertising, news, crisis communication and public opinion.

26501 Intro. to Health Communication

Introduces the roles of communication in health care and health promotion as well as health and risk behavior, including interpersonal, organizational and media contexts.

30000  Communication Research Methods

Introduces qualitative and quantitative research methods. Students should complete this course early in their program of study. Prerequisite: COMM 25902; cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.

35600  Comm. in Small Groups & Teams

Focuses on the application and practice of group communication skills and techniques applied to goal-oriented small group situations that include relating, managing conflict, leadership and problem solving.

35852  Intercultural Communication (D)

Teaches theories and applications of communication between people of different cultures and national systems. 

35860 Interviewing

Explores techniques, principles and practical skills for business-environment interviews: job searches and selection, performance appraisals, counseling, persuasive information-gathering interviews.

35864 Organizational Communication

Explores communication theories, structures, processes and methods in organizations as well as organizational writing, including business letters, memos and brochures.

36501  Communication in Health Care

Examines the dynamics of communication theory, research and health advocacy skills across a variety of health care contexts, including provider-patient interaction, health team and family communication.

36505  Communication, Aging, & Culture

Examines the roles of aging and culture on human communication: cultural orientations, linguistics, stereotypes and aging, intergenerational relationships and across cultures.

40001  Advanced Interpersonal Communication

Applies advanced treatment of interpersonal communication theory and research to group and organizational contexts.

41000 Sports Communication

Examines the inter-relationship between sports and communication in today's society through communication lenses (groups, interpersonal, media/mediated and organizational).

42000 Media, War, and Propaganda

Examines the influence of TV, movies and media images of war and the war effort: portrayals of enemies, protesters and anti-war groups.

43000  Communication Technologies and Human Interaction

Develops a critical understanding of theoretical frameworks explaining diverse newer media and their use and effect on human interaction.

45006  Media Use and Effects

Examines ways communication scholars have conceptualized and analyzed media processes: uses and effects including media portrayals, news coverage, political campaigns, sex and violence in the media, media entertainment and children, television and newer media.

45007  Freedom of Speech

Examines historic and contemporary instances relating to freedom of speech: limits, rights, responsibilities and socio-legal-rhetorical issues.

45459  Communication and Conflict

Examines issues related to managing conflict in communication along with critique and synthesis of conceptual approaches and research pertaining to conflict in interpersonal, organizational and public communication settings. Prerequisite: cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.

45865  Organizational Communication Training and Development

Explores theory and application of diagnosing communication problems in an organization and the intervention process. Students will conduct a one-hour training session in an organization.

45902  Communication and Influence

Explores theories and strategies of social influence in contemporary society: global perspectives on persuasion, product and services advertisements, social movements and political messages.

45957  Language, Meaning, & Cognition

Provides an overview of differences in language use in social contexts: basic components of language production, semantics, pragmatics, the production and comprehension of sentences, message production, message comprehension, language and society.

45959  Nonverbal Communication

Examines theory and research in nonverbal codes of communication through readings, field study and classroom interaction.

46503  Health Communication and Media

Investigates strategic messages developed using both traditional and new media as part of health communication programs and campaigns, including incidental health messages found in advertising, news media and popular culture.

46507  Everyday Interpersonal Comm. and Health

Examines roles of everyday interpersonal communication in physical health, psychosocial well-being and health and risk behavior: social support, stigma and the role of illness, disease and disability in identity, peer pressure and uncertainty management.

46601  Relational Communication

Explores theory and research regarding interactions among individuals in relationships: development, maintenance and dissolution of personal relationships; individual differences in relationships and relational processes; qualities and outcomes.

46605  Comm. Across the Life Span

Explores common life stages and the transition of communication within and between these development stages: life-span communication; family, friendships, social and gender role development; interpersonal conflict management and the use of varied communication technologies.

46608  Family Communication

Examines interactions among individuals in families: communication, storytelling, identity, roles, rules, conflict, intimacy, stress, external influences and the media.

46091  Senior Seminar

Capstone course helps students synthesize major coursework. Students complete a career exploration project, examine ethics and issues in communication and make a portfolio of their achievements. Prerequisites: Minimum grade of C (2.0) in COMM 20000; and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better; and senior standing.

46092  Practicum in Applied Communication

A formal cooperative field experience with a designated organization or agency, as designed by the student and the practicum director. Pre/corequisites: cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better, COMM 20000 with a minimum grade of C (2.0) or better, COMM 35864, JMC 20005, VCD 37000, senior standing and special approval.

Updated: March 2013