Communication Courses (COM)


The following courses, numbered 5000-9999, are offered for graduate credit. Courses numbered 5000-6999 which are offered for undergraduate credit only may be found in the undergraduate bulletin, as well as all other undergraduate courses (numbered 0900-4999). Courses in the following list numbered 5000-6999 may be taken for undergraduate credit unless specifically restricted to graduate students as indicated by individual course limitations. For interpretation of numbering system, signs and abbreviations, see University Courses.

5010 (ST) History of Television and Radio. Cr. 4

Prereq: COM 1500 or consent of instructor. Open only to media arts and studies, radio-TV, film, or communication majors. History of electronic media; development of industry; rise of genres and styles; social and political impact. (Y)

5020 Studies in Film History. Cr. 4 (Max. 12)

Prereq: admission to media arts and studies major, or COM 2010 and consent of instructor. Open only to interdisciplinary film studies, media arts and studies, radio-TV, film, or communication majors. Analysis of the development of a specific film genre, a director, or other historical aspect of the motion picture. Topics to be announced in Schedule of Classes. Material Fee as indicated in the Schedule of Classes (Y)

5030 (EI) Communication Ethics. Cr. 3

Capstone course for speech communication majors; must elect in last 21 credits before graduation. Issues of responsible communication in a variety of contexts including mass, organizational, and interpersonal communication. (B)

5050 Special Topics. Cr. 3 (Max. 9).

No more than six credits may be elected in this special topics course in any graduate degree program. Open only to seniors. Selected topics in communication to be announced in the Schedule of Classes.
(B)

5060 Documentary and Non-Fiction Film and Television. Cr. 4

Prereq: COM 2010 or consent of instructor. Open only to interdisciplinary film studies, media arts and studies, radio-TV, film, or communication majors. Study of the non-fiction film made for a social, cultural, or political purpose; screening and analysis of selected films. Material Fee as indicated in the Schedule of Classes (Y)

5080 History and Law of American Journalism. Cr. 4

Prereq: junior or senior standing. History of the press in America; emphasis on development of law relating to communication and development of the media's effect on the law. (T)

5100 Speech Writing. Cr. 3

Prereq: COM 2170 or 2110 or consent of instructor. Preparation and presentation of speech manuscripts. Emphasis on style of writing, use of supporting materials and factors of interest. Special problems of ghost-writing considered. (Y)

5110 Studies of Argument. Cr. 3

Prereq: COM 2110 or graduate standing. Uses of argument in a variety of fields and contexts including public and interpersonal contexts such as law, religion and politics. Different methods of studying argument will be examined. (B)

5120 Public Address Cr. 3

Prereq: COM 2170 or consent of instructor. Landmark moments of public address. What constitutes public address; relevance of public address studies. (B)

5130 Communication and Social Marketing. Cr. 3

The process of social marketing; student-driven group project. (Y)

5210 Newsletters and Corporate Publications. Cr. 4

Prereq: COM 3210. Editing journalism newsletter; field trips to area magazines; editing internal publications. Journalism skills course. Material Fee as indicated in the Schedule of Classes (T)

5220 Interviewing. Cr. 3

Theory and research on interviewing across a range of contexts. Topics include: constructing questions and protocols, listening, role, self-presentation, social understanding. Contexts may include screening, counseling, legal, journalism and research. (Y)

5250 Professional Issues in News Media Management. Cr. 4

Prereq: COM 4100 or consent of instructor. Open only to senior students or above. Capstone course for journalism majors; must elect in last 21 credits before graduation. Ethics and management structure and practices of media organizations. Individual research projects.
(Y)

5260 Professional Writing Workshop. Cr. 3

Prereq: senior standing or above. For students and professionals who want to improve freelance writing skills, and for graduate students who want to publish academic research in popular magazines and journals. (I)

5270 (WI) Screenwriting. Cr. 3 (Max. 6)

Prereq: COM 2210, ENG 3010, junior standing or above. Principles and techniques of writing for motion pictures. Analysis and study of professionally-written scripts. Exercises in writing documentary and dramatic film scripts. Material Fee as indicated in the Schedule of Classes (Y)

5300 Desktop Publishing. Cr. 4

Practical skills course in publishing newsletters, magazines, newspapers and books; emphasis on new computer technology, desktop publishing; business aspects of publishing, including printing, promotion and marketing; skills in use of personal computer for publishing.
(I)

5310 Investigative Reporting. Cr. 4

Prereq: COM 4100. Advanced reporting techniques involving use of Freedom of Information Act and computer-assisted data base searches; accessing public records. (I)

5350 Media Arts Production. Cr. 3

No credit after COM 5380 or COM 5400. Prereq: graduate standing. Key components of production for electronic media (field, audio, and television production). Production techniques, aesthetic understanding, directing skills. Material Fee as indicated in the Schedule of Classes (F)

5380 Video Field Production and Editing. Cr. 3

Open only to radio-tv, interdisciplinary film studies, communication, film, or media arts and studies major. Prereq: admission to media arts and studies major; or COM 1600 or COM 5350 and consent of instructor. Theory and practical application of video location production and post-production techniques. Digital non-linear editing and post-production software as used in creative development of original content. Material Fee as indicated in the Schedule of Classes (W)

5400 Techniques of Film and Video Production. Cr. 4

Open only to interdisciplinary film studies, media arts and studies, radio-TV, film, or communication majors. Prereq: COM 5380; or COM 1600 and 5380 and consent of instructor. Capstone course for seniors in production track sequence. Experience with the preparation, shooting and editing of video projects in film-style production. Material Fee as indicated in the Schedule of Classes (T)

5410 Producer's Workshop. Cr. 4

Prereq: COM 5380 or AIN 5220 or COM 7400 or consent of instructor. Examination of the business, managerial, and creative considerations and process of producing media programming from conception through distribution. Material fee as announced in Schedule of Classes. (Y)

5420 Director's Workshop. Cr. 4 (Max. 8)

Prereq: COM 5400; senior standing or above; production-ready script; consent of instructor. Organization and execution of the film and video director's tasks through production of a major creative project. Material Fee as indicated in the Schedule of Classes (Y)

5440 Film Production. Cr. 4

Prereq: COM 5400, senior standing or above, or consent of instructor. Introductory aspects of 16mm motion picture production, including the art and technology of cinematography, pre-production planning, basic camera operation, film stocks, exposure and color, temperature control, processing, and digital post-production. Material Fee as indicated in the Schedule of Classes (B)

5460 Magazine Writing. Cr. 3

Prereq: COM 4100. Advanced feature writing: preparation of magazine features. Students focus on limited number of in-depth articles. Research, structure and writing techniques to produce publishable magazine-length articles. (Y)

5480 Special Topics in Advanced Production. Cr. 4 (Max. 12)

Prereq: COM 1600, 2210, and consent of instructor. Topics may include: group documentary production, advanced video and film editing, studio performance, and studio drama. Material Fee as indicated in the Schedule of Classes (Y)

5500 Publishing on the Internet. Cr. 3

Technique and goals of publishing on World Wide Web. Preparing graphics, learning HTML, uses of World Wide Web. (Y)

5510 (ST) Mass Communications and Society. Cr. 3

Prereq: COM 1500 or consent of instructor. Open only to media arts and studies, radio-TV, or communication majors. Capstone course for media arts and studies majors in studies track; must elect in last 21 credits prior to graduation. Theoretical and practical research on the social functions and effects of the mass media. (Y)

5700 Political and Governmental Reporting. Cr. 4

Prereq: COM 2230, 4100. Covering politics, governmental and public affairs in the media. (Y)

6040 (CD) Cultures and Rhetorics. Cr. 3

Prereq: junior standing or above. Analysis of philosophical, social and cultural foundations of rhetorical theory and practice in different cultures. Cultural rhetorics include: African, Asian, Native American, Latin American, Arab, and Jewish. (B)

6060 Teaching Communication at the Secondary Level.
(S E 6060) Cr. 3

Prereq: fifteen credits in speech. Philosophy, pedagogical issues, and methods for teaching speech in secondary schools. (I)

6070 Directing Forensics. Cr. 3

Prereq: COM 2110 or consent of instructor. Philosophy and methods of directing high school and college forensics programs; techniques of coaching for debate, oratory, extempore speaking and other reading and speaking contests. (Y)

6170 Principles of Interpersonal Communication. Cr. 3

Survey of theory and research on interpersonal interaction, with special emphasis on social perception, self-presentation, and the formation of relationships in interaction. (Y)

6171 Human Communication and Aging. Cr. 3

How time and experience impact human communication, as seen through the media and through narrative stories crafted from oral histories of selected senior citizens. (Y)

6190 Internship. Cr. 1-3 (Max. 6)

Prereq: junior standing or above and at least 12 credits in COM courses; written consent of instructor. On-the-job observations and work experience in business, service, social, governmental, and industrial organizations. Emphasis on journalism, public relations, and organizational communication. (Y)

6200 Theories of Small Group Processes. Cr. 3

Prereq: COM 1010 or graduate standing. Theory and research on communication in the small, task-oriented group. (Y)

6250 Organizational Communication. Cr. 3

Prereq: COM 3250 or graduate standing. Theoretical review of the structure process and function of communication within and between organizations. Analysis of current and emerging issues in the theory and research of organizational communication. (Y)

6270 (ST) Computer-Mediated Communication. Cr. 3

Analysis of computer-mediated interaction in task-oriented and recreational contexts. Emphasis on discourse analysis, and interpersonal and group social processes including decision making and emergence of identity, behavioral norms, and social cues. Research projects. (Y)

6280 Media and Diversity. Cr. 3

Prereq: admission to M.A. program and consent of instructor. Recognition and acceptance of differences in culture, ethnicity, gender, and alternative lifestyles; sensitivities in writing and publishing; for students intending careers in the media. (Y)

6350 Communication, Culture, and Conflict. (D R 6350) Cr. 3

Overview of communication theory and practice as it relates to issues of culture, conflict and dispute resolution. (T)

6530 Audience Measurement and Survey Techniques. Cr. 3

Prereq: junior standing or above. Theory and application of quantitative and qualitative research techniques in surveying audiences for electronic media. (B)

6540 Media Operation and Management. Cr. 3

Prereq: admission to M.A. program and consent of instructor. Financial aspects of media operation and administration. Discussion of case studies dealing with problems and challenges faced by mass media organizations; emphasis on organizational objectives of print and broadcast media. (Y)

6560 Journalism and New Media. Cr. 3

Prereq: admission to M.A. program and consent of instructor. Practicum course using online, interactive techniques to explore challenges of convergence of different media without compromising professional and ethical standards. (Y)

6680 Individual Projects in Media Arts and Studies. Cr. 1-4

Prereq: COM 5400; written consent of instructor and director of media arts and studies program. (T)

7000 Introduction to M.A. Studies in Communication Cr. 3

Required during first term of M.A. study. Fundamentals of scholarly research and writing at the graduate level. (T)

7010 Special Topics. Cr. 3 (Max. 6).

No more than six credits may be elected in special topics courses in any graduate degree program. Selected topics in communication to be announced in the Schedule of Classes. (B)

7040 Language of Oppression. Cr. 3

Ways in which language is used as a device of oppression and liberation. (B)

7110 Theory of Argument. Cr. 3

Advanced studies in argumentation, including the structure of reasoning, the organization of arguments, strategies of argument, and the nature of proof. (B)

7120 Contemporary Political Campaigns. Cr. 3 (Max. 6)

Study of methods for analyzing political campaigns; a critical evaluation of presidential campaigns from 1960 to the present. (F)

7130 Contemporary Social Movements. Cr. 3

Methods for analyzing social movements; critical evaluation of contemporary social movements such as: civil rights, feminist, gay and lesbian rights, white supremacy, and environmental. (B)

7140 Public Relations Campaigns and Issues Management. Cr. 3

Prereq: graduate standing. Management functions of public relations campaigns: developing objectives, strategic planning, issues management, budgeting. Blends theoretical concepts with their professional and practical applications; emphasis on prominent critical rhetorical approaches to public relations planning and evaluations.
(Y)

7150 Micro-Level Organizational Communication. Cr. 3

Prereq: COM 6250 or graduate standing. Communicative processes and behaviors that affect individuals in organizations; quality and quantity of workplace communication at dyadic and group levels. (W)

7160 Crisis Communication. Cr. 3

Prereq: COM 6250. Theoretical and case-study approach to communicative aspects of organizational crisis management. Topics include post-crisis response, crisis sensing, crisis planning. (B)

7165 Communication and Issue Management. Cr. 3

Prereq: COM 6250. Theoretical and case study approach to management of public policy issues facing organizations. Topics include: public relations, issue monitoring, environmental uncertainty. (T)

7170 Health Communication. Cr. 3

Theory and research in health communication; issues of patient-provider communication and health campaigns. (F)

7171 Theories and Research in Family Communication. Cr. 3

Examination of research; theoretical contribution of communication scholars to the field. (Y)

7190 Classical Rhetorical Theory. Cr. 3

Critical analysis of the Sophists, Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, and others on rhetoric. (B)

7200 Rhetoric of Visual Culture. Cr. 3

Critical analysis of symbolic and performative dimensions of visual culture. Theoretical and material force of photography, architecture, landscape, museums, public memorials, and others. (B)

7220 Professional Issues in Applied Communication. Cr. 3

Prereq: completion of all M.A. degree requirements or enrollment in last six credits. Open only to students in final semester of M.A. course work. Open to organizational communication/public relations majors only with consent of adviser. Terminal seminar in public relations/organizational communication Master of Arts program. (Y)

7240 Communication Consulting and Training. Cr. 3

Prereq: COM 6250 or consent of instructor. Theoretical and pragmatic approaches to the design and implementation of strategic communication changes in organizations. Topics: role of change, change strategies, behavioral and structural change, design of communication audits, communication training methods, and relations with client organizations. (B)

7250 Rhetorical Criticism. Cr. 3

Principles of criticism as applied to public address; analysis of standards and methods of evaluation; readings in modern criticism of public address. Research project. (B)

7260 Behavioral Research Methods in Communication. Cr. 4

Methods of data collection and analysis in communication research, approaches to measurement, research design, and other quantitative methods of communication research. (F)

7270 Advanced Screenwriting. Cr. 4

Prereq: COM 5270 or consent of instructor. Research and writing for creation of full-length dramatic or documentary film and television scripts. Material Fee as indicated in the Schedule of Classes (Y)

7280 The Rhetoric of Kenneth Burke. Cr. 3

Kenneth Burke's theory of rhetoric as it evolved through his literary, social criticism, dramatism, and logology periods. (B)

7290 Contemporary Rhetorical Theory. Cr. 3

Exploratory analysis of a broad spectrum of recent works relevant to the art of discourse. (B)

7300 Feminist Rhetorical Criticism. Cr. 3

Prereq: COM 7250 or consent of instructor. Investigation of philosophical and practical issues inherent in feminist approaches to rhetorical theory and criticism. (B)

7310 Rhetoric and Contemporary Intellectual Developments. Cr. 3

Intersection, nature, and relationship between rhetorical theory and recent intellectual developments in such areas as: cultural studies, social semiotics, postmodernism, neo-Marxism, feminism, critical theory. (B)

7320 Postmodern Rhetorical Criticism. Cr. 3

Prereq: COM 7250 or consent of adviser. Postmodernism, post-colonial, and critical-rhetoric challenges to traditional methods of rhetorical criticism. (Y)

7330 Advanced Desktop Publishing. Cr. 3

Prereq: COM 5300, COM 5500, or consent of instructor. Advanced planning, development and production processes essential to creation of corporate publications; including brochures, newsletters, annual reports, marketing collateral materials, grant and proposal documents. Writing and strategic communication emphasis. (Y)

7350 Rhetoric of Citizenship and National Identity. Cr. 3

Theoretical examination of the structure and force of national identity and citizenship discourse. Analysis of current and emerging issues in citizenship studies. (B)

7370 Advanced Theories of Persuasion and Social Influence. Cr. 3

Theories of persuasion and social influence examined from a social scientific perspective to understand current issues in communication science and message design strategies. (Y)

7380 Advanced Media Editing. Cr. 3

Prereq: consent of instructor. Principles of video and film editing; exercises and assignments covering pace, meaning, special effects; styles of editing related to genres; non-linear editing software programs. Material Fee as indicated in the Schedule of Classes (F,W)

7410 Communication Theory. Cr. 3

Systematic analysis of major twentieth century theories of communication, with a discussion of their historical and philosophical foundations. Discussion and critical review of recent developments in communication theory. (Y)

7420 Seminar in Directing Film and Video. Cr. 4

Prereq: COM 5420, production-ready script, consent of instructor. Research and production of film and videotapes for professional distribution and exhibition. Material Fee as indicated in the Schedule of Classes (F,W)

7500 Seminar in Mass Communications. Cr. 3 (Max. 9)

Topics vary according to instructor. Students should consult with area office. (Y)

7510 Seminar in Mass Media Research. Cr. 3 (Max. 9)

Conceptualization, measurement and analysis approaches and issues in mass communication research. Original research developed in class and carried out singly or collaboratively under instructor's supervision. (Y)

7520 Theories of Media Effects. Cr. 3

Survey of research and theory in mass communication effects on individuals and social systems. Processes of mass media influence; role of mass communications in society. (Y)

7530 Critical Mass Communication Theory. Cr. 3

Foundational readings and concepts; theoretical perspectives of critical theory and cultural studies. (F)

7580 Content Analysis. Cr. 3

Theory and practice in quantitative techniques for analyzing texts. (B)

7590 Criticism of Mass Media. Cr. 3

Theory and practice in the aesthetic analysis of media content and form. (B)

7600 Media and Cultural Historiography. Cr. 3

Methods of historical analysis into media and culture; contemporary research into American cultural industries and styles; social impacts of media and popular culture. (B)

7610 Feminist Media Theory and Criticism. Cr. 3

Prereq: COM 7590 or consent of instructor. History of feminist film and television theory and criticism since the 1970s; methods for textual analysis, the theories that inform these methods, and media scholarship other than textual analysis. (B)

7680 Social Influence and Compliance-Gaining. Cr. 3

Prereq: admission to COM graduate program or consent of instructor. Current theories and research on social influence and techniques for gaining compliance. (B)

7700 Mass Media and Political Communication. Cr. 3

Mass media research methods for political communication studied and applied. (I)

7810 Seminar in Communication Education. Cr. 3

Philosophy and approaches to teaching speech on the college level with particular emphasis on teaching COM 1010, or its equivalent. Special topics include objectives, evaluation, motivation and teaching strategies. (F)

7820 Student Teaching of Oral Communication on the College Level. Cr. 3

Prereq. or coreq: COM 7810. Offered for S and U grades only. (I)

7840 Studies in Communication Education. Cr. 3

Prereq: COM 7810. Research in communication education: issues, trends and controversies as reflected in major journals. (I)

7990 Directed Study. Cr. 1-4 (Max. 4)

Prereq: written consent of chairperson, adviser, and director of graduate studies. (T)

7991 Directed Study: Ph.D. Cr. 1-4 (Max. 4)

Prereq: written consent of adviser, chairperson and director of graduate studies. Open only to doctoral students. Research in major field for advanced graduate students. (T)

7999 Master's Essay Direction. Cr. 1-3

Prereq: consent of adviser. (T)

8000 Introduction to Ph.D. Studies. Cr. 3

Introduction to perspectives, tools and methods of communication research. Required during first term of Ph.D. study in the Communication Department. (Y)

8010 Doctoral Honors Seminar. Cr. 1

Prereq: doctoral standing, consent of instructor. Short course taught by visiting scholars; designed to examine topics of interest in communication studies. (S)

8120 History of Public Address. Cr. 3

Topics to be announced in Schedule of Classes . (I)

8170 Theories of Interpersonal Communication. Cr. 3

Prereq: COM 6170. Examination of theories used to investigate both relational and strategic dimensions of interpersonal communication.
(Y)

8230 Ethnographic Methods for Communication Research. Cr. 3

Prereq: Ph.D. standing or consent of instructor. Design, implementation and evaluation of ethnographic and participant/observation research studies in communication. (B)

8290 Special Topics in Communication Studies.
Cr. 3 (Max. 9)

Topics to be announced in Schedule of Classes . (I)

8350 Advanced Study in Rhetorical Criticism. Cr. 3

Prereq: COM 7250 or equiv. Study of important decisions in rhetorical criticism; two critical projects refined throughout the term in context of critical process, perspectives and approaches. (B)

8520 Seminar in Film. Cr. 3 (Max. 9)

Topics vary with instructor. Consult the Departmental office. (B)

8570 (I T 7140) Web-Based Courseware Development. Cr. 4

Prereq: I T 6110, Windows and Web literacy; or consent of instructor. Design, development and implementation of web-based courseware. Characteristics, advantages and limitations of the web as an instructional delivery system. Appropriate instructional strategies for the web. Use of contemporary development tools to create engaging, interactive, instructionally-sound web materials; design and development teams create and test a web-based instructional module. (Y)

8999 Master's Thesis Research and Direction. Cr. 1-8 (8 req.)

Prereq: consent of adviser. (T)

9990 Pre-Doctoral Candidacy Research. Cr. 1-8 (Max. 10)

Prereq: consent of department. For Ph.D. program applicants. Offered for S and U grades only. Research in preparation for doctoral dissertation. (Y)

9991 Doctoral Candidate Status I: Dissertation Research and Direction. Cr. 7.5

Prereq: consent of dissertation adviser; Ph.D. candidate in department. Required in academic-year semester following advancement to Ph.D. candidacy. Offered for S and U grades only. (Y)

9992 Doctoral Candidate Status II: Dissertation Research and Direction. Cr. 7.5

Prereq: consent of dissertation adviser; COM 9991. Required in academic-year semester following COM 9991. Offered for S and U grades only. (Y)

9993 Doctoral Candidate Status III: Dissertation Research and Direction. Cr. 7.5

Prereq: consent of dissertation adviser; COM 9992. Required in academic-year semester following COM 9992. Offered for S and U grades only. (Y)

9994 Doctoral Candidate Status IV: Dissertation Research and Direction. Cr. 7.5

Prereq: consent of dissertation adviser; COM 9993. Required in academic-year semester following COM 9993. Offered for S and U grades only. (Y)

9995 Candidate Maintenance Status: Doctoral Dissertation Research and Direction. Cr. 0

Prereq: consent of dissertation adviser; completion of 30 credits in COM 9999, or 9991-9994. Offered for S and U grades only. Material Fee as indicated in the Schedule of Classes (Y)

9999 Doctoral Dissertation Research and Direction. Cr. 1-16

Prereq: consent of doctoral adviser. Offered for S and U grades only.
(T)