For complete curriculum details, click on the REQUIREMENTS button to the right.
The Department of Communication Studies offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and a
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Communication degrees. Additionally, students must select
a concentration in Culture and Social Influence, Health Communication, or Organizational
Communication. The major is 45 student credit hours of coursework and students have
the option of selecting a minor.
Culture and Social Influence (CSI) Concentration
The major in Communication with a concentration in Culture and Social Influence (CSI)equips students to understand communication in various significant social contexts.Through hands-on experiences and critical analysis, students learn the dynamics of
communication that influence family and romantic relationships, intercultural interactions, rhetoric, and public dialogue. Classes in CSI utilize and build on concepts, theories, and methods of study covered
in core communication classes while developing a deeper focus on identities, culture, and power. These experiences prepare students for success in a variety of fields including public relations, community engagement, ministry, politics, diversity consulting, business administration, college admissions, and many others. Students will also
be prepared for the option of graduate studies. CSI graduates apply their analytical and critical thinking strengths along with improved
verbal and written communication skills to make a difference in their workplaces and
communities.
Health Communication Concentration
The major in Communication with a concentration in Health Communication equips students
to understand communication as it applies to various health contexts and to be advocates
for themselves and others in health-related experiences. Health Communication combines
the skills, concepts, theories, and processes we talk about in our core communication
classes and uses them to advance health and well-being. Students will emerge ready
for successful careers in a variety of fields, such as health administration, public
health, crisis and risk management, health education, patient advocacy, care coordination,
and other opportunities both within and outside of the health sector. Students will
also be prepared for the option of graduate studies. Acknowledging the dynamic landscape
of health, students will learn critical communication skills by engaging with communication
research about health theories, organizations, experiences, relationships, and technology.
Organizational Communication Concentration
The major in Communication with a concentration in Organizational Communication directs
student attention toward experiencing and analyzing communication dynamics in the
context of organizational life. Students will become organizational agents of change
as they learn verbal, written, and listening skills, work in teams, understand organizational culture, and engage in organizational leadership and conflict management activities. Through
these experiences, students will be prepared for careers in corporate, nonprofit,
and government sectors. Courses such as Interviewing, Introduction to Organizational
Communication, Communication in the Global Workplace, Instructional Communication
for Human Resource Trainers, Communication in Nonprofit Organizations, Conflict in Communication,
and Consulting and Auditing will equip Org Comm students to transition into a dynamic workforce or to pursue graduate studies. Org Comm graduates are prepared to advise organizations with improvement
to the many facets of human communication.
Communication
COMM 2100 - Introduction to Human Communication
3 credit hours
Introductory course provides a broad overview of communication processes, theories, research, and career options. Includes foundational terminology and principles associated with the field of human communication as applied in various contexts including interpersonal, organizational, rhetorical, and intercultural settings.
COMM 2140 - Introduction to Organizational Communication
3 credit hours
Introduces theories and processes pertaining to organizational communication; topics may include communication networks, teamwork, leadership and power, information technology, crisis communication, and organizational trends.
COMM 2200 - Fundamentals of Communication
3 credit hours
Introduces principles and processes of effective public oral communication including researching, critical thinking, organizing, presenting, listening, and using appropriate language. Counts as part of the General Education Communication requirement. TBR Common Course: COMM 2025
COMM 2300 - Interpersonal Communication
3 credit hours
Introduces fundamental theories and principles for communicating effectively with others in everyday relationships.TBR Common Course: COMM 2090
COMM 2400 - Introduction to Health Communication
3 credit hours
Introduces an overview of health communication processes, theories, research, and career options.
COMM 2560 - Intercultural Communication
3 credit hours
Introduces how communication patterns are influenced by perceptions, values, and norms of behavior that vary among people of different cultural, racial, and national backgrounds. Content focuses on increasing understanding as well as improving abilities to facilitate cross-cultural interactions.
COMM 2800 - Topics in Communication
3 credit hours
Rotating introductory topics in communication. May be repeated for a maximum of six credit hours.
COMM 2830 - Introduction to Online Communication
3 credit hours
Overviews theories and contexts of online human communication, focusing on its uses for managing interactions, developing interpersonal relationships, collaborating in workplaces, impacting publics, and developing social, cultural, and organizational identities and communities.
COMM 3050 - Listening
3 credit hours
Explores the function and impact of listening in the workplace and other relationships. Includes analysis, interpretation, and application of effective listening skills.
COMM 3110 - Relationships in Health Communication
3 credit hours
Explores associations between social relationships and health outcomes with a specific focus on communication behaviors.
COMM 3210 - Argumentation and Debate
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: COMM 2200 with C or better; junior standing. Theory and practice of advocacy with emphasis on organization, refutation, reasoning, and rebuttal. In-class discussions using proper debate and argumentation techniques on various topics.
COMM 3220 - Small Group Communication
3 credit hours
Exploration and application of pertinent concepts and theories of group dynamics, decision-making procedures, problem solving, and leadership.
COMM 3225 - Gender Communication
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Critical discussion of values, issues, and traditions in the field of gender communication. Focuses on the analysis of gender and communication as they relate to language, culture, media, relationships, and organizations.
COMM 3245 - Women, Leadership, and Communication
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. Explores communication behaviors and issues unique to women in leadership positions in gendered organizations. Activities and discussions designed to develop critical-thinking skills, broaden perspectives, adapt decision-making skills to professional environments, and develop professional relationships.
COMM 3250 - Communication in Nonprofit Organizations
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: COMM 2140. Explores theories and techniques involving communication between organizations and their constituencies. Identification and analysis of communication involving corporate philanthropy and fundraising, fundraising events, volunteers, image, and grant writing. Possible topics include health organizations, art organizations, and nonprofits.
COMM 3260 - Communication in Healthcare Organizations
3 credit hours
Explores communication in healthcare organizations. Topics may include organizational processes, difference in healthcare organizations, and evaluation of healthcare organizational communication.
COMM 3300 - Communication Theory
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: COMM 2100. Overviews traditional and contemporary approaches to human communication. Topics may include interpersonal, intercultural, organizational, and rhetorical theories. Students increase their critical analysis skills by applying the theories to their lives.
COMM 3340 - Interviewing
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Overviews professional interviewing techniques for employment, recruiting, counseling, persuasion, and appraisal.
COMM 3350 - Diversity in Communication
3 credit hours
Explores communication and intergroup relationships among people of different ethnic/racial backgrounds in the United States. Students will expand their perspectives of issues, values, and communication styles that vary among groups in the U.S. in order to facilitate the development of positive interethnic relationships.
COMM 3400 - Romantic Relationship Communication
3 credit hours
Overviews contemporary research on relationship communication with a particular emphasis on romantic relationship development. Includes theories about the role of communication in initiating, maintaining, and disengaging from romantic relationships.
COMM 3410 - Patient Provider Communication
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: COMM 2400. Overviews communication practices and implications involved in the patient-health provider relationship. Topics may include health literacy, interpersonal interactions between patient and provider, communicating to populations with health disparities, and methods/interventions concerning the improvement of the patient-provider experience.
COMM 3470 - Health Risk Communication
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: COMM 2400. Explores how communication professionals can create and implement communication plans and best practices related to ordinary health risk and health hazards.
COMM 3500 - Communication for Organizational Effectiveness
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: COMM 2100 and COMM 2140. Organizational communication and its relationship to employees, leadership, corporate culture, diversity, change, and innovation. Possible topics include work-life balance and organizational identity.
COMM 3580 - Political Communication
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: COMM 2200. Examines the nature and functions of communication with political institutions and groups, including campaign communication, decision-making strategies, deliberative discourse, lobbying, and interest groups.
COMM 3590 - Organizational Crisis Communication
3 credit hours
Focuses on communication theory, practice, and innovative approaches for handling organizational crisis. Highlights successes and failures for dealing with crisis leadership, managing uncertainty, communicating effectively, understanding risk, promoting communication ethics, and enabling organizational learning across a variety of organizations and crisis.
COMM 3650 - Conflict in Communication
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: COMM 2300; sophomore standing. Explores the role of communication in conflict management/resolution between or among individuals and groups. Also examines third party interventions (such as mediation and negotiation) and workplace policies (such as theft and employee assistance programs).
COMM 3680 - Dark Side of Interpersonal Communication
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: COMM 2300 or COMM 3300. Applies interpersonal theories to analyze, examine, and understand destructive communication strategies that may occur in interpersonal relationships. Topics may include lying, gossip, bullying, abuse, and narcissism.
COMM 3730 - Qualitative Communication Research and Inquiry
3 credit hours
Knowledge and application of qualitative methods to understand, critique and analyze the value of communication research; topics may include interviewing, focus groups, ethnography, exploring ethical issues in research, and writing qualitative research reports.
COMM 3740 - Critical Methods in Communication
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: COMM 2100 and COMM 3300. Overviews multiple methods and approaches for analyzing rhetoric, public communication, and public culture. Students will expand their critical thinking skills and improve their ability to develop effective written arguments.
COMM 3750 - Quantitative Research Methods in Communication
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: COMM 2300 and COMM 3300. Explores quantitative methodologies used to study human communication, focusing on basic principles and design concepts of communication research while developing a broad understanding of the role of statistics and other analytical techniques in the research process.
COMM 3760 - Health Communication Theory
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: COMM 2400. Overviews theoretical development and implementation of health communication theories from traditions and perspectives that may include bio-medical, social construction, social-processing, interpersonal communication, organizational communication, health knowledge development, privacy management, and health persuasion.
COMM 3810 - Topics in Culture and Social Influence
3 credit hours
Rotating topics in communication, culture, and social influence. May be repeated for a maximum of six credit hours.
COMM 3820 - Topics in Organizational Communication
3 credit hours
Rotating topics in organizational communication. May be repeated for a maximum of six credit hours.
COMM 3830 - Topics in Health Communication
3 credit hours
Rotating topics in health communication. May be repeated for a maximum of six credit hours.
COMM 3920 - Lying and Deception
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: COMM 3750. Explores the study of lying and deception in social science. Topics may include truth and ethics, applications may include interpersonal relationships, business and organizational communication, family communication, and digital media.
COMM 3990 - Instructional Communication for Human Resource Trainers
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: COMM 2200; junior standing. Examines communication training as a tool for human resource development in organizations, enabling preparation and implementation of training workshops and programs for professional development.
COMM 4100 - Rhetoric, Identity, and Difference
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Examines identity and difference as they relate to rhetoric and communication processes. Focuses on symbols, relationships, and dynamics that impact how racial, gender, sexual, and other identities are communicatively constructed, negotiated, and performed.
COMM 4200 - Communication in the Global Workplace
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: COMM 2140. Critical examination of multinational organizations and the expatriate experience, including analysis of organizational preparation and employee training.
COMM 4260 - Independent Study
1 to 3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing and permission of department. Intensive study of a specific area of communication; topic is chosen in instructor-student conference. May include a major research project, applied communication project, or applied debate practicum. Maybe repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.
COMM 4320 - Persuasion
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Junior standing. Examines social scientific and humanistic theories and concepts that explain key variables in the persuasion process. Emphasis is placed on becoming more aware as consumers as well as users of persuasive techniques.
COMM 4340 - The Dark Side of Health Communication
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: COMM 3750 and junior standing. Overviews research on aversive interpersonal behaviors in health contexts. Application of communication strategies to address topics such as addiction, abuse, and sex.
COMM 4350 - Nonverbal Communication
3 credit hours
Corequisite or prerequisite: COMM 3300. Examines individual and social factors affecting the production and interpretation of nonverbal communication behaviors.
COMM 4360 - Health Communication Technology and Social Media
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: COMM 2400. Examines research on the history, impacts, and use of communication technology on human health experiences and healthcare delivery.
COMM 4400 - Sexual Communication
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: COMM 2300; junior standing. Examines contemporary research on sexual communication with an emphasis on how people communicate about sex in varying relationships and throughout varying stages of life. Topics may include the role of communication in parent/child communication about sex, in dating and married relationships, and in media contexts.
COMM 4420 - Stigma, Disability, and Communication
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Examines communicative processes that surround and constitute disability and stigma. Topics may include different types of disabilities, cultural discourses and stigma, historical framing of disabilities, organizational disparity and the Americans with Disabilities Act, and critical perspectives on disability and difference.
COMM 4440 - Social Support Communication
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: COMM 2400. Explores benefits and challenges associated with communicating social support. Topics may include the various types of support, sources of support, helpful and unhelpful messages, coping strategies, and perspectives related to the study of social support.
COMM 4500 - Organizational Communication Consulting and Auditing
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Applies the tools and theories prevalent in the field of organizational communication involving an audit of organizational communication and culture and a consulting project.
COMM 4650 - History and Theory of Rhetoric
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Explores the foundations and development of rhetorical theories from classical to the contemporary era.
COMM 4700 - Senior Seminar in Communication
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: COMM 2100, COMM 2300, COMM 3300, COMM 3740, and COMM 3750; senior standing. Summary of the Communication major, including the preparation and submission of an eportfolio of course-related products, reflective essays, completion of an exit exam, and exit survey reflecting the Student Learning Outcomes of the Communication major. Also explores graduate topics including career options, graduate school, and civic living.
COMM 4750 - Narrative Health and Medicine
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: COMM 2400; junior standing. Examines approaches to health communication that center storytelling in human experience. Includes topics such as narrative medicine, personal illness experiences, family health narratives, cultural narratives in organizations, and health narratives in media.
COMM 4800 - Topics in Communication
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Rotating topics in communication. May be repeated for a maximum of six credit hours.
COMM 4900 - Internship in Communication Studies
1 to 3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Permission of department, at least junior status, minimum overall grade point average of 2.5, written consent from a supervising agency within which the internship will take place; departmental approval of a contract between the intern and the supervising agency. Practical experience in applying coursework to actual situations and projects in organizations, both on and off campus, in a supervised internship program. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits. Pass/Fail.
