Courses
Communication Studies (COMM)
Core Communication
- COMM-C 104 Voice and Diction (3 cr.) Directed primarily toward the improvement of normal speech patterns, with emphasis on normal production, resonation, and articulation.
- COMM-C 108 Listening (3 cr.) This course will provide a theory-based understanding of the process of listening, introduce the unique characteristics/challenges of listening within a variety of contexts (i.e., organizational listening, listening in health care, relational listening), and increase proficiency as a listener.
- COMM-C 180 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication (3 cr.) Examines basic verbal and nonverbal concepts affecting the communication processes involved in interpersonal contexts. Theoretical models help clarify communication topics and illustrate the process for effective communication in family, personal, and professional situations. Concepts covered may include self-concept, relationship and conversation management, listening, conflict, and cultural/gender differences in interpersonal communication.
- COMM-C 223 Business and Professional Communication (3 cr.) P: R110 or equivalent. Introductory survey of organizational communication processes; preparation and presentation of interviews, speeches, and oral reports appropriate to business and professional organizations; group discussion and decision-making. This is an intermediate skills course with survey characteristics.
- COMM-C 228 Introduction to Group Communication (3 cr.) This class focuses on developing competencies in collaborating and communicating in groups. Emphasis is placed on group formation, building cohesiveness, developing a supportive climate within a group, decision-making and problem-solving, leadership, and conflict management within groups.
- COMM-C 282 Let's Talk: Communicating Across Social Identities (3 cr.) Effective communication among people of different genders, races, religions, sexual orientations, and other social identities is critical. In today's global and highly - connected world, we must be able to understand and interact with those different from ourselves. Using the principles of Intergroup Dialogue, students will learn to build trust, understand differences in their own and others' social identities, engage in meaningful discussion of difficult topics, and build alliances across differences to ultimately affect positive change in our society.
- COMM-C 299 Communicating Queer Identity (3 cr.) Discuss queer sexual identity formation, implications and controversies surrounding the intersectionality of LGBTQ+ and contextual factors such as age, gender, race, and ethnicity. Communicative-behavioral lives of sexual orientation and gender minorities come into focus by employing a critical perspective to explore self-concept, coming out, heteronormativity, socio-cultural norms, privacy disclosure, and identity management.
- COMM-C 316 Human Communication and the Internet (3 cr.) P: R110, C180 or equivalent. Explores the role of digital technology in public and private human communication. The focus is on how human communication is impacted by digital technologies in a variety of contexts, including interpersonal, group, health, intercultural, and organizational communication. Emphasis is placed on effectively integrating technology into human interaction.
- COMM-C 322 Advanced Interpersonal Communication (3 cr.) P: COMM-C 180 or permission of the instructor. This course provides an advanced examination of interpersonal communication theory and research. Communication processes are explored across multiple relational stages including initiation, maintenance, and termination, and within multiple relational contexts (e.g., family, workplace, romantic, friendship, etc.).
- COMM-C 325 Interviewing Principles and Practices (3 cr.) P: COMM-R 110 and if that is not met, specific permission from the instructor is required Emphasizes verbal and nonverbal communication in pre-interview back-ground research preparation, interview schedule design, question construction, and post-interview self-analysis in several interviewing contexts. Course includes significant assignments designed to help the student enhance oral performance competencies.
- COMM-C 328 Advanced Topics in Group Communication (3 cr.) P: COMM-C 228 or permission of instructor. This course provides an advanced examination of group communication theory and research. Emphasis is placed on groups and collaborations as tools for bringing about positive social change.
- COMM-C 345 Restorative Communication (3 cr.) P: COMM C180 The course focuses on healing communication -- healing individuals and relationships. Specific topics include healing communication basics, family, couple, group (e.g. support groups) and community healing (restorative justice; peace building). There is a strong focus on research theory and practice. Some assignments involve community participation.
- COMM-C 375 Nonverbal Communication (3 cr.) This course surveys nonverbal communication theory and research to help students learn how to be effective communicators by understanding the meanings, functions and influences of nonverbal behavior in various contexts.
- COMM-C 380 Organizational Communication (3 cr.) The application of communication theory and research to the study of communication in various types of organizations. Explores reciprocal influence between communication and organizational structures and between communication and managerial styles. Discusses communication designs, superior/ subordinate communication, conflict, information management, networks; communication vis-a-vis employee motivation, satisfaction, and productivity; and communication effectiveness in organizations.
- COMM-C 382 Dialogue Facilitator Training (3 cr.) P: COMM C290 or permission of the instructor; This course is designed to provide students with both a theoretical and practical foundation in the knowledge, understanding, and skills to effectively facilitate intergroup dialogues. Students will be trained to facilitate intergroup dialogues in a number of campus and community settings.
- COMM-C 383 Female Leadership: Yeah, Right! (3 cr.) Women, although still behind in the number of leadership positions held as compared to men, do become leaders. One of the central questions of this course is whether or not the many theories of leadership that were developed based on a patriarchal model offer real insight into the leadership of women. In this advanced seminar, students will examine and apply several seminal and contemporary theories of leadership to current female leaders' communication behavior. Along with an examination of current research about female leadership, students will assess the degree to which leadership theories apply and the potential for developing new, more inclusive and accurate theories of leadership.
- COMM-C 392 Health Communication (3 cr.) P: 3 credit hours of communication or consent of instructor. This course surveys theory and research in health communication. It focuses on how health is communicated and meanings created around health in different contexts (e.g., intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, organizational, and mass communication contexts).
- COMM-C 393 Family Communication (3 cr.) P: COMM-C 180 or permission of instructor. This course provides an overview of family communication theory and research to help students learn about how family members interact, develop, and maintain family relationships.
- COMM-C 394 Communication and Conflict (3 cr.) Analyzes conflict as a form of interaction. Examines approaches/perspectives to the study of conflict, the nature of power, face saving, and contentious behaviors. Specific contexts include relational, marital, group, and organizational. Special attention to bargaining and mediation.
- COMM-C 395 Gender and Communication (3 cr.) This course examines how gender is created, maintained, repaired, and transformed through communication in relational, cultural, social and historical contexts. It explores topics such as gender and verbal/nonverbal communication; gender differences in communication in public and private settings; gender and communication in families, schools, organizations, and the media.
- COMM-C 400 Patient-Provider Communication (3 cr.) This course is designed to provide an in depth focus on the communication skills and practices related to the interpersonal dialogue between health care providers and patients, with a special concern for its impact on health outcomes.
- COMM-C 481 Current Issues in Organizational Communication (3 cr.) P: COMM-C 380 or permission of instructor. In-depth exploration of topics and issues at the forefront of research and theory in organizational communication. Topics may include gender issues in organizational communication, sexual harassment, crisis management, organizational culture. Seminar format with research papers and class discussion/presentations.
- COMM-C 482 Intercultural Communication (3 cr.) P: COMM-C 180 or permission of instructor. Explores the relationships between communication and culture, with special emphasis on cultural differences in communication in a variety of contexts (i.e., health, education, business). Focuses on developing intercultural communication competencies.
