COMMUNICATION STUDIES (COM)
COM 100 - DEVELOPMENTAL SPEECH
Prerequisite: None
An elementary course designed for freshmen students whose oral communication skills are in need of reinforcement. Class enrollment will be determined by the recommendation of faculty members or student request. The credit hours may not be applied to communication requirements for graduation. Course will be graded S/U. If a U is earned, course must be repeated. Offered infrequently.
Credit: 3
COM 101 - HUMAN COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: None
This course encompasses communication theory, interpersonal communication, small group communication and public speaking. Emphasis is placed on speaking, critical thinking, listening skills. Attention is also paid to nonverbal communication. Meets Core credit for communication.
Credit: 3
COM 120 - FOUNDATIONS OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: None
This course encompasses communication theory, interpersonal communication, small group and team communication and public speaking specific to the healthcare setting. Emphasis is placed on speaking, critical thinking, listening, and feedback skills. Attention is also paid to nonverbal communication. Meets Core credit for communication.
Credit: 3
COM 163 - FOUNDATIONS OF SPORT COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: None
This introductory course will provide students an opportunity to explore how communication operates within the world of sports in three areas: (1) the relationship between sports and culture, (2) how sports organizations develop messaging strategies with internal and external publics, and (3) the management of key relationships within all levels of the sports industry.
Credit: 3
COM 204 - COMMUNICATION THEORY AND RESEARCH
Prerequisite: COM 101 or COM 120
This course surveys, analyzes and applies the major theories and research methodologies in the field of communication studies to verbal and nonverbal forms of symbolic interaction across a variety of contexts.
Credit: 3
COM 205 - INTRODUCTON TO PUBLIC RELATIONS
Prerequisite: COM 101 or COM 120
This course includes an introduction to an application of public relations theories, philosophies, and principles applicable to a variety of organizations. We will explore historical perspectives, current and future trends, as well as professional associations, and career opportunities in public relations.
Credit: 3
COM 206 - SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: COM 101 or COM 120
Students relate the theories of small group process and problem solving to actual practice, eventuating in the completion of a real problem solving task: Parliamentary procedures, for use in larger and legally formed groups, are practiced at the end of the course.
Credit: 3
COM 208 - ARGUMENTATION AND ADVOCACY
Prerequisite: COM 101 or COM 120
A study of the theory and practice of developing argumentative discourse to gain audience adherence. Practice in analyzing actual situations that call for debate is emphasized, with attention to several debate formats.
Credit: 3
COM 210 - FAMILY COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: COM 101 or COM 120
This course emphasizes theoretical approaches and contemporary communication research in family communication. The emphasis will be on understanding contemporary theory and research of family communication; developing research skills necessary for analyzing family interaction using various methodologies including observation, description and interpretation of family communication data; and understanding the social impact on family communication patterns and relationships.
Credit: 3
COM 211 - PUBLIC RELATIONS WRITING
Prerequisite: COM 205
This course provides instruction and practice to equip students with strategic thinking and hands-on writing skills necessary to create content for multimedia platforms. The aim is to develop writing competencies expected of an entry-level public relations practitioner.
Credit: 3
COM 222 - TOPICS IN COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: COM 101 or COM 120
This course will examine various topics relating to communication needs. Typical topics would include interviewing, persuasion, public address, assertiveness training, public relations, professional communication, rhetorical criticism, history of public address and rhetorical theory. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
Credit: 3
COM 242 - SPORT REPORTING
Prerequisite: None
A survey of the patterns and practices of sport reporting. Emphasis on reporting sports events and sports features. Class assignments will involve gathering and preparing sport-related information as well as writing and analyzing representative forms of sports reporting.
Credit: 3
COM 244 - SPORT COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE
Prerequisite: COM 101 or COM 120
This course critically explores the social interactions of sport and considers the degree to which its participants reinforce or resist cultural norms.
Credit: 3
COM 262 - STRATEGIC MESSAGING
Prerequisite: COM 101 or COM 120
This course provides a review of persuasion and message development fundamentals and equips students with strategic thinking and hands-on writing skills necessary to create multimedia content for diverse audiences. Students produce various forms of messaging and written content that can be utilized within any professional communication context.
Credit: 3
COM 270 - RESEARCH METHODS IN COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: COM 101 or COM 120; MATH 108
This course involves the study of research methods and research design commonly employed in the field of Communication Studies. Research methodologies to be explored include survey research, experimental design, available data research, and field research. Emphasis will be put on the assessment of reliability and validity in a research design. The course will also discuss the ethical issues associated with conducting research on human beings as well as the presentation of research methodology in manuscript format.
Credit: 3
COM 274 - STRATEGIC SOCIAL MEDIA
Prerequisite: COM 101 or COM 120
This course will provide an introduction to the research, design, and evaluation strategies used in successful social media campaigns. Students will also explore the theoretical and technical approaches to digital storytelling, allowing students to cultivate the knowledge and skills needed to tell digital public relations stories across multimedia platforms.
Credit: 3
COM 301 - PUBLIC SPEAKING
Prerequisite: COM 101 or COM 120
Continues the communication concerns of COM 101 while offering practice in developing speeches for a variety of career and personal interest occasions with adaption to particular audiences and time limitations. Theories of rhetoric and persuasion are a part of the content.
Credit: 3
COM 302 - INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: COM 101 or COM 120
Introduces students to methods of learning about other cultures and ways to communicate effectively with and about people of other countries and sub- cultures.
Credit: 3
COM 304 - INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: COM 101 or COM 120
A course emphasizing the theoretical approaches and contemporary research on patterns of interpersonal communication in human relationships. Emphasis will be placed on developing skills for analyzing interactional processes through close description and interpretation.
Credit: 3
COM 305 - ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: COM 101 or COM 120
This course is a study of communication systems and behaviors within organizations and will serve as an introduction to the study of communication channels and networks in organizations. Topics include the relevance of communication to management operations, employee morale, networks, superior-subordinate relationships, production, leadership, organizational climates and cultures, and ethics in organizations.
Credit: 3
COM 315 - INTERNATIONAL STORYTELLING
Prerequisite: COM 101 or COM 120
An introduction to world cultures through the analysis and performance of their stories.
Credit: 3
COM 320 - HEALTH COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: COM 101 or COM 120
This course exposes the student to the emerging field of health communication. This reflects the analysis and understanding of communication during the healing process with healthcare organizations and among all involved personnel and patients. Focused within the healthcare context, emphasis is placed on rhetorical medicine, narrative medicine, intercultural and gender communication, affirming communication, and aggressive communication. Attention is also given to communication during end-of-life care, stigmatization, and informed consent processes.
Credit: 3
COM 333 - LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: COM 101 or COM 120
This course will explain the critical connection of communication to effective leadership. Students will learn about leadership communication as it relates to ethos, ethics, strategies and different organizational structures.
Credit: 3
COM 343 - CONFLICT, MEDIATION, AND NEGOTIATION
Prerequisite: COM 101 or COM 120
This course emphasizes theoretical approaches and contemporary communication research on patterns of conflict in human relationships. The emphasis will be on understanding the causes (e.g., cultural, philosophical) and types of conflict; developing skills for analyzing conflict situations through close observation, detailed description, and interpretation; and understanding the types and strategies of conflict management that include mediation and negotiation.
Credit: 3
COM 410 - RELATIONAL COMMUNICATION IN SPORT
Prerequisite: COM 101 or COM 120; COM 163
This course will investigate the multiple relationships that exist in sports. Interpersonal communication theory will be used to analyze relationships including family relationship in sports, coach-athlete relationships, as well as team and organizational relational dynamics. The course will also investigate how and why these relationships grow or fail based on the communication between the parties.
Credit: 3
COM 415 - COMMUNICATION IN SPORT ORGANIZATIONS
Prerequisite: COM 101 or COM 120; COM 163
This course provides insight into the organizational structure of sports organizations as well as how communication works both internally and externally given the organizational structure. Organizational communication will be covered from a theoretical perspective and will focus on the theory and style of communication that is most appropriate considering the organizational structure. The course will also examine how sports organizations are run in other countries to allow a comparison to those that are currently in place in the United States.
Credit: 3
COM 420 - HEALTH PUBLIC RELATIONS
Prerequisite: COM 101 or COM 120; junior status
This course is a study of the communication processes that are involved in communicating about health and issues that arise during healthcare processes including patient care, health care campaigns, as well as crisis and risk communication specific to healthcare. Topics include theory in health communication, interpersonal communication in health including patient-doctor care and social support, ethical concerns in healthcare and healthcare campaigns, crisis communication, developing healthcare communication plans, implementing communication strategies, and assessment of the communication campaign.
Credit: 3
COM 425 - RISK AND CRISIS COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: COM 101 or COM 120; junior status
This course is a study of the communication processes that are involved in the communication of information to people and various publics regarding risks, how these risks will impact the publics, and how to best prepare the publics to reduce the risk. Topics include communication risk analysis, crisis communication, developing risk and crisis communication plans, implementing communication strategies, and assessment of the communication campaign.
Credit: 3
COM 436 - INTERNSHIP IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
This course is designed for students seeking an internship experience. Students should apply the knowledge attained through their studies in a workplace similar to what they might seek after graduation. Internships can be started any time after the student's sophomore year and must be approved by the faculty internship advisor for that major. Each credit hour of internship requires 60 hours of work at the internship site. Graded S/U. Repeatable up to 6 hours.
Credit: 2-3
COM 470 - RESEARCH EXPERIENCE IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
This course is designed for students seeking a research experience within the Department of Communication Studies. Students who are interested in research within their major may choose to work with interested faculty on research projects relating to communication studies. The Research Experience can be started any time after the student's sophomore year and must be approved by the faculty member(s) with whom the student will be working. Credit for the research experience may be taken simultaneously with the research experience or the semester immediately after completing the research experience. Students will be responsible for engaging in research as directed by the faculty member in charge. Each credit hour of research experience requires 60 hours of work with the faculty member. Graded S/U. Repeatable up to 4 hours.
Credit: 1-3
COM 474 - PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGNS
Prerequisite: COM 211; junior status
This course is a capstone experience where students apply the knowledge they have gained to develop PR campaigns for real-world clients. This integration involves coordination of the entire PR process, including client communication, research, planning and development, implementation, and evaluation of PR campaigns. Students will strengthen their strategic thinking, writing, and presentation skills.
Credit: 3
COM 510 - INTRODUCTION TO GRADUATE STUDIES IN COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite:
This course will focus on the development of skills necessary for graduate study in communication. Students will be introduced to the discipline of strategic communication from both theoretical and applied standpoints. The philosophy of communication theory building will be explored with an emphasis on theory testing, application, and modification. The course will provide students with an introduction to the culture and expectations of the Master of Arts in Strategic Communication and Leadership (MASCL) graduate program, related theoretical literature, and graduate level APA writing skills.
Credit: 3
COM 520 - DATA INFORMED DECISION MAKING
Prerequisite: COM 510
This course examines quantitative and qualitative research methods commonly used in the field of strategic communication, such as survey research, interviewing, content analysis and focus groups. Emphasis is on collecting, analyzing, and using data to make strategic decisions in organizational settings. The course will also discuss the ethical issues associated with protecting human subjects while conducting research.
Credit: 3
COM 540 - HEALTH COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: COM 510, 520, 530
This course provides instruction and practice of theories used in health communication. A broad range of topics will be discussed including physician-patient communication, health campaigns in public relations, the impact of culture on health communication and health care organizations. Emphasis will be placed on how to effectively integrate health communication theory into practice.
Credit: 3
COM 590 - PUBLIC RELATIONS
Prerequisite: COM 520
Students will be introduced to the field of public relations, a foundational discipline of strategic communication. The course will address the public relations concepts, models, and practices in various organizational settings. Special focus will be on ethical and legal considerations of public relations practice, building relationships with various publics, organizational reputation management, strategic planning of programs, and management of public relations operations.
Credit: 3
COM 620 - STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: COM 520
This course delves into the interdisciplinary nature of the field that integrates such established disciplines as public relations, marketing communications, organizational communication, public diplomacy and more. Students will explore how organizations engage with internal and external stakeholders to achieve their goals. Students will also learn how practitioners plan and implement communication strategies and shape leadership discourses in various organizational settings including corporations, nonprofit organizations, governments, political parties, and social movements.
Credit: 3
COM 630 - INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: COM 520
This course introduces theory and practice of interpersonal communication. Topics that will be discussed include theory building, small group communication, relational communication, family communication, nonverbal communication and interpersonal communication in organizational contexts. Emphasis will be on how interpersonal communication theory can and should be used in various situations including one-on-one and organizational interactions.
Credit: 3
COM 640 - ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: COM 520
This course focuses on communication systems and behaviors within organizations. Topics include the relevance of communication to management operations, employee motivation and leadership, communication networks, superior-subordinate relationships, organizational climate and culture, as well as ethics within organizations.
Credit: 3
COM 650 - RISK AND CRISIS COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: COM 520
The course provides an explanation of and defines the applied nature of risk and crisis communication. Topics will include research to identify risk and crisis events; theory to predict, explain and address issues; risk and crisis preparation in organizations; and strategic messaging. Students will review risk and crisis management and communication scenarios in various organizational settings.
Credit: 3
COM 660 - PROFESSIONAL SPEAKING
Prerequisite: None
The course will focus on the development of skills necessary for graduate study in the field of Communication Studies. Students will work on their professional speaking skills and learn to present diverse topics for their careers. This course will provide students the ability to strengthen their professional writing skills specific to their career, their presentation skills, and their ability to market themselves in a professional manner.
Credit: 3
COM 670 - LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: COM 520
This course introduces theories and concepts of leadership and discusses the possibilities and constraints of different leadership approaches across a variety of contexts. Additionally, students will develop an understanding of the fundamental role that communication plays in achieving leadership effectiveness, as well as how it is used to accomplish relational and strategic objectives in modern organizations.
Credit: 3
COM 680 - SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIES
Prerequisite: COM 510, COM 520
This course will provide students with an overview of theories, concepts, trends and issues related to the use of social media in strategic communication contexts. It will extend students’ understanding of how social media technologies rooted in artificial intelligence (AI) bring new capabilities and insights into strategic communication practice. It will equip students with knowledge required to formulate data-driven strategies that support decision-making. In addition, the course will offer practical skills necessary to produce ethical organic and paid content that leverages the stakeholder engagement inherent in social media.
Credit: 3
COM 690 - PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGNS
Prerequisite: COM 510, COM 520
In this course, students will master the fundamentals of public relations campaign planning through direct experience. Students will be given the opportunity to utilize the content from the previous public relations course, and/or professional experience, in the development of a complete public relations campaign. Students will utilize research, writing, evaluation tools, as well as messaging to bring a complete campaign to a client by the end of the semester.
Credit: 3
COM 750 - SEMINAR IN HEALTH AND RISK COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: COM 510, COM 520
This course will focus on the advanced study of health and risk communication. Students will conduct analyses of health and risk situations, develop elaborate messaging strategies, execute those message strategies, and assess message effectiveness. Emphasis will be put on the application of theory and research specific to health and risk communication.
Credit: 3
COM 770 - SPECIAL TOPICS IN CORPORATE AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: COM 510, COM 520
The content of this course reflects the specific research project and related activities agreed upon by the instructor and student(s). The number of credits reflects the extent of work involved in the project.
Credit: 3
COM 775 - ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN CORPORATE AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: 21 credits in MASCL program
Course offers students opportunity to work with a faculty member on a complete research manuscript or part of a research manuscript. A 3-credit research experience includes project conceptualization and literature review, data collection and analysis, and data interpretation and summary of implications. Work in only one or two areas may count for 1 or 2 credits. Graded S/U.
Credit: 1-3
COM 780 - CAPSTONE IN COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: 21 credits in MASCL program
The capstone offers course credit for a student project in strategic communication. Students apply communication theory and research to identify and analyze a strategic communication problem affecting an organization and its stakeholders. Students collect and analyze data using appropriate research methods and analysis tools. Students interpret data, develop communication strategies and tactics, and propose recommendations to the organization's leadership that address the problem. The capstone course will be guided/directed by the instructor. Graded S/U.
Credit: 1-3
COM 798 - INTERNSHIP IN COMMUNICATION
Prerequisite: 21 credits in MASCL program
This course is designed for students seeking work experience in strategic communication. Internships must be approved by the graduate program director and internship site supervisor. Graded S/U. Each credit hour of internship requires 60 hours, up to 3 credit hours.
Credit: 1-3