Communication Studies CoursesCOMS 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) COMS 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) COMS 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) COMS 139, 239, 339, 439 Special Topics Credit arr. COMS 185 First-year Seminar 4 hours A variety of seminars for first-year students offered each January term. COMS 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) COMS 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) COMS 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. (HB) COMS 246 The Internet and American Life 4 hours This course explores the history and development of the internet and the various communication media that have emerged from it, such as e-mail, websites, blogs, IM, listservs, mobile networks, podcasts, multi-player online games, virtual environments, etc. Through reading and discussion, students will consider how these technologies have impacted daily life, interpersonal relationships, and American culture. (HBSSM) COMS 252 Business Communication 4 hours This course introduces the fundamentals of communication in a business environment. Topics include audience analysis, organization, drafting, revising, presentation, and visual aids. Students will analyze and write essential types of business documents such as memoranda, letters, and emails. Students also report research findings in oral presentations. Offered alternate years. (W) COMS 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. Prerequisite: COMS 132. Offered alternate years. (HEPT, W, S) COMS 258 Concepts of Media Production 4 hours A project-based course that 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: COMS 132 and 133, or consent of the instructor. (W, S) COMS 285/295 Directed Study 2, 4 hours An opportunity to pursue individualized or experiential learning with a faculty member, at the sophomore level or above, either within or outside the major. COMS 285 can be taken only during January Term, COMS 295 can be taken during the fall, spring, or summer terms. COMS 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: COMS 132 or WGST 130 or consent of instructor. (Same as WGST 342.) Offered alternate years. (HBSSM, HE, Hist, W, S) COMS 348 Radio Journalism 4 hours The course addresses the history, theory, and practice of American radio journalism. Topics of study include interviewing, news writing and reporting, hosting, documentary making, sound collecting, and studio and field production techniques. The course follows primarily the model of noncommercial American radio journalism, especially National Public Radio and Public Radio International. Students learn both to critically evaluate the work of others and to produce their own examples of these forms of radio journalism. It is strongly recommended that students who enroll in this course have at least one semester of on-air experience with Luther College radio station KWLC. Offered alternate years. (S) COMS 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: COMS 130 or consent of department head. (HBSSM, Intcl) COMS 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: COMS 130 or consent of department head. (HBSSM) COMS 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. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: COMS 132. (HE, E, S) COMS 354 Persuasion Theory 4 hours The course examines contemporary persuasion theory and its applicability to the media of news, advertising, and political communication. Prerequisites: COMS 130, 132, 133. (HB, S) COMS 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: COMS 130, 132, 133. (HB, Hist) COMS 357 Research Methods 4 hours Students are introduced to communication and rhetorical methods including design of experimental, survey, textual, rhetorical, and ethnographic research. Prerequisites: COMS 130, 132, 133. (HBSSM, W, R) COMS 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: COMS 133. (HB) COMS 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: COMS 130, 132, 133. (HB) COMS 375 Directed Readings 1 or 2 hours COMS 380 Internship 1, 2, or 4 hours Supervised on-campus or off-campus work experience in some area of public communication. No more than four hours may be counted toward the communication major. COMS 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. COMS 395 Independent Study 1, 2, or 4 hours COMS 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. Prerequisite: junior or senior status. (HB) COMS 464 Advanced Research Methods 4 hours Students build on research methods learned in COMS 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: COMS 130, 132, 133, 357. (HBSSM, R) COMS 490 Senior Project 2 hours COMS 493 Senior Honors Project 4 hours A yearlong 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. |