Home > Academics > Majors > Communication Studies > Requirements and Curriculum

Requirements and Curriculum

Note: This information reflects the requirements and curriculum printed in the 2007-08 course catalog.

Requirements

Required for a major in communication studies

130, 132, 133, 357, 485; one theory course of 354, 356 or 362; one applied human communication course of 236, 252, 350, 351; one advanced oral communication course of 255 or 353; one media analysis course of 258, 359 or 463; plus two additional courses in the department.

Senior project presentation requirement

All majors who choose to complete their senior project in the communication studies department must present their research in a public forum which will be scheduled by the department each semester. The senior project requirement is not completed until the project has been publicly presented.

Required for a minor in communication studies

130, 132, 133, and three additional courses in the department.

Required for a teaching major in speech and theatre

Communication studies 130, 132, 133, 236, 353; theatre/dance 110 (3 times), 121, 134, 322, one of 125 or 130, and one of 364 or 366. See education department for secondary education minor requirements.

Required for a second teaching area in speech and theatre

Twenty-four hours including communication studies 132, 133, 353; theatre/dance 110 (twice), 120, 122, 125, 134, 222, 364.

Curriculum

130 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication 4 hours
A course dealing with the basic concepts of person to person communication, such as the relationship between verbal and nonverbal language, the intent and result of message sharing, the variables in communicative efforts. (HB)

132 Public Address 4 hours
A study of the principles of speech composition, organization, and delivery; emphasis on the role of public address in a democratic society. Each student gives a series of speeches. (HE, S)

133 Introduction to Mass Media 4 hours
This course studies the evolution of mass media and its relationship with our culture. In addition to gaining an understanding of mass media, students will critique various forms of media, and explore basic writing skills necessary for media production. (HBSSM, W)

139, 239, 339, 439 Special Topics Credit arr.

185 First-year Seminar 4 hours
A variety of seminars for first-year students offered each January term.

233 Rhetoric of Spirituality 4 hours
Engaging a variety of spiritual traditions (e.g., Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, Wicca, New Ageism), this course explores the relationship between communication, U. S. American popular culture, and the constitution of spiritual practice. Throughout the course, students study how popular spiritual texts contribute to the creation and maintenance of self, other, and spiritual ideologies. Offered alternate years. (HE)

234 Rhetoric of Everyday Life 4 hours
This course examines the intersection of rhetoric, identity formation, and cultural contexts. During the course of the semester, students explore the way in which active human agents employ everyday rhetorical texts (e.g. conversation, instant messaging, fashion, home decor, music, art) as a means of constituting, negotiating, and transforming the cultures and communities in which they live. The course provides a variety of theoretical frameworks for understanding everyday human interaction as significant meaning-making event and active site of the rhetorical performance of self, other, power, authority, and place. (HE)

236 Small Group Communication 4 hours
A study of the purposes, types, processes, and behavioral dynamics of small group interaction. Covers theory and research with special attention to the dynamics, leadership, and the task dimension of groups. Each student participates in several groups. Prerequisite: 130 or consent of department head. (HB)

240 Nonverbal Communication 4 hours
This course is taught in the Canary Islands where persons from a variety of European, African, American and Asian cultures can be encountered. Students are challenged to take an intercultural approach to the study of nonverbal communication acts, such as gestures, facial expressions, interpersonal distance and touch. Prerequisite: 130. (HB, Intcl)

252 Business Writing 4 hours
Communication theory and research is applied to the composition of informative and persuasive messages. Students write on selected topics for a variety of audiences. Prerequisite: 132. (W)

255 Advanced Public Address 4 hours
This course delves into the rhetorical tradition of the U.S. through a study of significant historical and contemporary speeches and their respective audiences. An understanding of rhetorical situations and responses culminates in an advanced public speaking experience. Students will write and deliver speeches at the end of the semester. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: 132. (HEPT, Hist, W, S)

258 Concepts of Media Production 4 hours
A project-based course which explores the capabilities and limitations of various electronic media as vehicles for informing, persuading, or inspiring. With emphasis on writing and planning skills appropriate to each medium, the course will utilize actual production experiences to introduce basic camera and lighting techniques, fundamentals of sound recording, principles of screen composition, and essentials of editing. Prerequisites: 132, 133. (W, S)

342 Feminist Rhetorical Theories 4 hours
This course is a study of feminist rhetorical theories and expression. The class reads texts by feminist rhetorical theorists and rhetors. Special emphasis is placed on the intersection between social, cultural, and economic contexts, political influences, and rhetorical strategies of women rhetors challenging Western patriarchy. Prerequisites: 132 or women’s studies 130 or consent of instructor. (Same as women’s and gender studies 342.) Offered alternate years. (HBSSM, HE, Hist, W, S)

350 Intercultural Communication 4 hours
Communication theory and research are used to examine the processes involved in communicating with those who are not members of one’s particular cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, gender, ability, and socioeconomic group. Discussion, group activities, and papers will focus on the issues of awareness and competence in increasing one’s communicative effectiveness. Prerequisite: 130 or consent of department head. (HBSSM, Intcl)

351 Organizational Communication 4 hours
Applied and theoretical approaches will be used to investigate the formal and informal communications processes found in organizations. The applied aspects of the course will focus on interviewing and working in groups. Prerequisite: 130 or consent of department head. (HBSSM)

353 Argumentation 4 hours
The course takes a rhetorical perspective on argument. Basic principles of argumentation are explored: problem solving through evidence, reasoning, and persuasion. Analysis and criticism of various types of contemporary speech making based on principles, models, and theories of argumentation. Prerequisite: 132. (HE, E, S)

354 Persuasion Theory 4 hours
The course examines contemporary persuasion theory and its applicability to the media of news, advertising, and political communication. Prerequisite: 132, 133. (HB, S)

356 Rhetorical Theories 4 hours
This course examines key concepts in the area of rhetorical theory. Grounded in classical and contemporary texts, students explore the function of rhetoric in relation to knowledge, community, governance, identity, power, and resistance. Throughout the course, particular attention is given to the relationship between rhetoric and social transformation. Prerequisites: 130, 132, 133. (HB)

357 Research Methods 4 hours
Students are introduced to communication and rhetorical methods including design of experimental, survey, textual, rhetorical, and ethnographic research. Prerequisites: 130, 132, 133. (HBSSM, W, R)

359 Media and Popular Culture 4 hours
An in-depth exploration of the relationship between mass media and culture with particular emphasis on the relationship between the media of mass communication and particular fundamental institutions, such as family, government, religious institutions, and the commercial sphere. The course will also offer opportunities for student research concerning how media influence language, values, and social norms. Prerequisite: 133. (HB)

362 Communication Theories 4 hours
This course will examine human communication in interpersonal, small group, and organizational structures at a higher theoretical level. Students will analyze and synthesize various conceptual, descriptive and explanatory theoretical orientations that have been introduced in previous communication courses. Prerequisite: 130, 132, 133. (HB)

375 Directed Readings 1 or 2 hours

380 Internship 1, 2, or 4 hours
Supervised on-campus or off-campus work experience in some area of public communication. No more than three hours may be counted toward the minimum requirement in a communication major.

389 Directed Research 1, 2, or 4 hours
Directed research involves students in research projects conducted under the supervision of departmental faculty. With the approval of the department, students may register for more than one semester (but the cumulative total may not exceed four credit hours). Prerequisite: approval of the department head.

395 Independent Study 1, 2, or 4 hours

463 Communication and Public Relations 4 hours
This course examines concepts of public relations in organizational systems with emphasis on communication theory and development of a problem-solving perspective. Students apply theory directly to practical public relations problems. Prerequisites: junior or senior status. (HB)

464 Advanced Research Methods 4 hours
Students build on research methods learned in communication studies 357. Research focus is dependent upon instructor and ranges from rhetorical to qualitative, quantitative and media research. Students will produce a research project suitable for professional presentation. Prerequisites: 130, 132, 133, 134, 357. (HBSSM, R)

485 Senior Seminar 1 hour
Seminar is held once a month during the academic year for presentations and discussion led by faculty, students, and visiting scholars. Students participate two semesters for one credit hour. All majors must register for seminar at least two semesters.

490 Senior Project 1, 2, or 4 hours

493 Senior Honors Project 4 hours
A year-long independent research project. Applications are completed on the “Honors Program” form available at the registrar’s office, requiring the signatures of a faculty supervisor, the department head, the honors program director, and the registrar. Interdisciplinary projects require the signatures of two faculty supervisors. The project must be completed by the due date for senior projects. The completed project is evaluated by a review committee consisting of the faculty supervisor, another faculty member from the major department, and a faculty member from outside the major department. All projects must be presented publicly. Only projects awarded an “A-” or “A” qualify for “department honors” designation. The honors project fulfills the all-college senior project requirement.