Undergraduate
Course Offerings
CS= Communication Studies course; MC= Mass Communication course
COMM 1111 Intro to Interviewing (CS)
This workshop course will provide students with an opportunity to strengthen their interviewing skills, so they will have a strong chance of obtaining a job that fits their education, interests, and strengths. Students will learn how to analyze job listings and prospective employers so that they can adapt their cover letters, resumes, interview answers, and nonverbal communication to each unique opportunity. Students will work in small critique groups to evaluate each other’s work and provide feedback. Further, they will foster an understanding of the overt and hidden consequences of unethical interviewing practices and demonstrate what to do when others involved in the interviewing process are unethical.
COMM 1300 Social Media Communication (MC)
This course introduces students to the nuances and dynamics of Web 2.0 technologies with an emphasis on social media platforms and how these apply to the field of communication. The course fosters the development of practical and theory-driven skills to develop and execute effective and dynamic social media strategies.
COMM 1307 Intro Mass Comm (MC)
Provides an overview of the relationship between the mass media and society from a historical perspective and will examine current trends such as the impact of media technology on society. The theories of mass communication will be examined.
COMM 1311 Intro to Communication (CS)
Introduces basic communication principles in a variety of contexts including interpersonal small group, and public speaking. Students will learn to adapt and deliver verbal and nonverbal messages to communicate effectively with family, friends and coworkers. Students will also learn how to successfully develop and deliver a persuasive presentation.
COMM 1315 Public Speaking (CS)
Instruction and practice in speech preparation and delivery. Includes audience analysis, selecting and developing the topic, drafting the speech outline, arranging and intensifying the speech, use of visual aids and supporting materials, effective delivery techniques, and speech evaluation. Stresses logical thinking as a basis for formulation of the communication message.
COMM 1318 Interpersonal Communication (CS)
Instruction and activities in the principles of human communication and interaction. Includes self-concept, self-disclosure and risk, defensiveness, perception, empathy, semantics and abstraction, emotions and behavior, nonverbal communication, listening and feedback, relational communication, assertiveness, and conflict management.
COMM 1336 Television Production (MC)
This course is an introduction to television studio operations with emphasis on television production. It covers cameras, microphones, lights, setting, and performers.
COMM 2310 Video & Film Editing I (MC)
In this course the student will learn the basics of non-linear editing using a variety of software. Prerequisite or Co-requisite: COMM 1336 TV Production or with permission of instructor. Prerequisites: Credit/registration in COMM 1336 or consent of instructor.
Prerequisites: COMM 1336 Television Production or permission of instructor
COMM 2331 Radio/Television Announcing (CS, MC)
Study of voice, diction, pronunciation, phonetics, and delivery in various types of announcing.
COMM 2333 Small Group Communication (CS)
Instruction and practice in group theory and technique. Includes principles and methods of discussion, interpersonal relations in groups, problem-solving and decision-making processes, conflict management in groups, sources and philosophies of group leadership, quality circles, preparation of agendas, rules of order, and committee procedures and regulations.
COMM 2335 Argumentation & Debate (CS)
Instruction and practice in the principles of argumentation and debate. Includes philosophies and concepts, forms of argument, analysis by issues and logical form, evidence and reasoning, positions of advocacy, refutation and rebuttal, cross-examination, ethics of argument and persuasion, and communication strategies in contemporary society.
COMM 3303 Writing for Mass Media (MC)
This course will focus on the various writing techniques required for different media. Student must pass skill test of grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
COMM 3304 Ad: Theory & Practice (MC)
Principles of advertising as they are applied and used in radio, television, film, print media, and theatre. Practice in writing advertising copy, layout, and design.
COMM 3305 Copy Editing (MC)
This course focuses on copy editing and headline writing using the Associated Press Style Manual as a guide. Prerequisite: COMM 3303 Writing for Mass Media or consent of instructor.
COMM 3307 Specialized Reporting (MC)
The course will be a combination of advanced news reporting and magazine/feature writing, and students will study the historical and theoretical underpinnings of investigative journalism as well as the long form, and practice writing in these styles. Also to be discussed and practiced: Documentaries, broadcast journalism, and web-based writing.
Prerequisite: COMM 3303 Writing for Mass Media or consent of instructor.
COMM 3312 Diff Dialog Valu Diver (CS)
This seminar-type course examines diversity issues affecting marginalized groups including social justice issues and civil rights. Students will put on a public event to hold difficult dialogues to engage the community in valuing diversity. Prerequisites: Completion of 60 hours.
COMM 3313 Business & Tech Comm (CS)
An introduction to communication in the workplace. Topics include listening skills, interpersonal communication, organizational culture, and diversity, interviewing skills, communication in groups, teams and meetings, and developing and delivering effective business presentations. This course is designed for students who are in business, computer science, engineering, and other fields. Communication majors may take the course only with the consent of the instructor.
COMM 3315 New Topics Comm Studies (CS)
Application of the communication perspective as a dynamic process of human interaction. Significant issues and topics in interpersonal relationships, such as social conflict and crisis communication, and supervisory communication among others. May be repeated twice for credit.
COMM 3316 Intercultural Communication (CS)
Study of the symbolic and relativistic nature of culture and the resultant problems in attempting to communicate meaning across cultural lines.
COMM 3317 Comm for Classroom Teacher (CS)
This course emphasizes methods for establishing a positive communication climate in the classroom and for enhancing instruction through effective communication. Topics will include active listening, critical listening, storytelling, and assessment of oral communication competencies.
COMM 3321 PR: Theory & Practice (MC)
Planning and preparation of publicity materials for media, application for public relations techniques, and clinical study of current public relations campaigns. Some laboratory work in the Department of Communication.
COMM 3326 Photojournalism (MC)
Principles and practices of photojournalism. Topics include news photography and interrelationship with text. Participation in campus publications is encouraged. Student must an appropriate digital camera.
COMM 3327 Reporting I (MC)
An introduction to reporting focusing on writing articles in journalism style for print media, the course examines information gathering, interviewing techniques, and reporting skills. Classes are conducted in computer lab rooms when available. Prerequisite: COMM 3303 Writing for Mass Media or consent of instructor.
COMM 3330 Mass Comm in Society (MC)
A study of current topics and how the mediated messages for the masses exert a powerful effect on those attending to current and established issues. Prerequisites: COMM 1307 Intro to Mass Comm or COMM 1311 Intro to Communication or consent of Instructor.
COMM 3331 Interview: Theory & Practice (CS)
Theory, application and selected practice of the interview process in a variety of situations. Students have the opportunity to develop basic skills in selection, appraisal, counseling, discipline, exit, persuasive and focus interviews; interviews in mass media contexts, in data analysis and in other important techniques. Ethical guidelines stressed throughout.
COMM 3332 Organizational Communication (CS)
The study of the role of communication in organizational contexts.
COMM 3333 Theories of Communication (MC, CS)
Comprehensive overview and analysis of the various significant theories of communication with an historical grounding, but emphasizing modern themes and perspectives.
COMM 3334 Great American Oratory (CS)
This course covers the most significant speeches in American history. The course examines three genres: political oratory, legal oratory, and religious oratory. The course identifies rhetorical commonalities in great speeches.
COMM 3335 Adv Public Speaking (CS)
Theory and intensive application of various public speaking situations - informative, persuasive, and special occasion speeches. Critical thinking, analysis, reasoning, support for assertions, humor, and clear organization are stressed. Ethical communication and an audience-centered approach are central issues. Prerequisites: COMM 1315 Public Speaking or COMM 1311 Intro to Communication.
COMM 3336 Media, Race, & Ethnicity (MC)
Explores the historical and philosophical roots of the concepts of race and ethnicity, and their relation both to migration/immigration and personal/collective identity construction. It also examines the impact of mass media on racial and ethnic identity, using mass communication theory to understand the political and social dimensions on the concepts in question. Particular attention is given to racial and ethnic identity on the U.S.-Mexican border and the media's influence on conceptions and perceptions.
COMM 3337 Global Communication (MC)
This course looks at important issues in global communication through mass communication and media products (movies, books, advertising, music, and more). Students will learn how the mass media functions in other societies, the changing relationships between developing and developed countries, and examine how cultural identity, nationalism, and globalization are communicated through the mass media. They will also learn the skills they need to work in/with global mass communications
COMM 3338 University Radio/TV (MC)
A production course that incorporates a student production team who produce radio and television programming for a semester. Students, in real time, plan, write, and produce both radio and television shows that are presented over the station's website and local specials on the local cable system. Basic broadcast writing principles in audio, video, and online formats will be used.
COMM 3339 Broadcast Audio Production (MC)
This is an introductory course in audio production for broadcast, field production, and non-broadcast applications. This course provides an overview of digital non-linear editing and radio station operations. The theories, tools, techniques, and regulatory controls of audio production are studied. Students are required to complete laboratory exercises for this course.
COMM 3340 Lying & Deception
Deception occurs in communication behavior across species, and lying (i.e., intentional deception) is a pervasive phenomenon in human communication. This course explores the varieties of deceptive communication and their causes and consequences in a wide range of contexts (advertising, art, family and romantic relationships, journalism, mass media, politics, etc.), and the strategies used to detect their occurrence (behavioral cues, polygraphs, etc.).
*Credit cannot be earned for COMM 3340 and COMM 3315 taken prior to Fall 2022.
COMM 3345 Gender & Communication (CS)
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of and an appreciation for the communicative and cultural differences between the sexes. Students will develop an understanding of the characteristics related to gender communication, become familiar with crucial issues and problems facing individuals of differing gender, and gain practice in applying this acquired knowledge and appreciation to improve trans-gender communication.
COMM 3346 Health Communication (CS)
This course offers a broad overview of both theoretical and applied approaches to health communication. Students will be exposed to a variety of health communication topics including issues in provider-recipient communication, decision making, social identity, family dynamics, the role of culture in health and disease, health care delivery, and health information campaigns. Specific attention will be paid to the process of creating and organizing health interventions tailored to a particular health threat and target audience.
COMM 3347 Family Communication (CS)
This course explores a variety of theoretical and applied family communication topics. Specifically, students will be exposed to multiple family interaction patterns between parents and children, romantic partners, marital partners, siblings, and extended family members. Students will also focus on several family communication constructs including secrets, narratives, traditions, and cultural expectations.
COMM 3348 Copywriting & Art Direction (MC)
Focusing on the use of words and images, this course covers methods for developing creative advertising concepts, strategies and executions applied to a wide variety of advertising media. Students will understand the basics of the creative process as it applies to both copywriting and art direction and the building of an advertising creative portfolio.
Prerequisite: COMM 3304 Ad: Theory & Practice, COMM Visual Communication recommended
COMM 3349 Multi-Media Storytelling (MC)
Gives students hands-on experiences in reporting, producing, and presenting stories for the twenty-first century media environment. Focus is on creative and technical challenges involved in multi-media storytelling. Instruction in audio, video, reporting/interviewing, software, editing, and photography skills necessary to produce compelling multi-media projects.
Prerequisites: COMM 3303 Writing for Mass Media and COMM 1336 Television Production.
COMM 3350 Research in Communication (MC, CS)
Major methods of research used in the concentration areas of communication: speech communication and journalism/mass media. Each student is responsible for the successful completion of a research project. Required of all communication majors.
COMM 3351 Broadcast News Writing (MC)
Development of skills and practice in the art of writing news for radio and television. Scripts will be written and evaluated as related to audience, medium, and structure. Prerequisite(s): COMM 1336 Television Production and COMM 2310 Video & Film Editing I or with permission of instructor.
COMM 3352 TV News Production & Reporting (MC)
Methods of gathering facts, words and images, then developing them into professional video newscasts, including audio and video recording, editing, production, delivery, and transmission, within the scope of standard electronic journalistic ethics and practices. Prerequisite(s): COMM 1336 Television Production and COMM 2310 Video & Film Editing I or with permission of instructor.
COMM 3353 Broadcast Ad Production (MC)
Application of principles of advertising to production of all types of broadcasting commercials. Prerequisites: COMM 1336 Television Production, COMM 2310 Video & Film Editing I
COMM 3354 Healthcare Provider Comm (CS)
This course will offer a theoretical and practical overview of communicating as a healthcare provider. Topics will include the patient-centered approach, managing the healthcare interview, interdisciplinary team-based communication, and the difficult side of medical communication (engaging in difficult conversations with families and patients, stigmatized conditions, and health disparities). A specific focus will be placed on conveying respect, compassion and empathy during medical communication.
COMM 4103 Practicum Communication (CS)
Participation in the service learning in Communication. One hour of credit requires a minimum of 60 hours of satisfactory participation, plus any additional requirements set by the instructor. May be repeated for credit a maximum of times.
COMM 4303 Special Topics (MC or CS depending on instructor and topic)
The class is designed to give students an opportunity to study a special advanced topic not required in the undergraduate curriculum. For the advanced undergraduate, this course may be taken more than once if the topic changes.
COMM 4305 Special Topics in Mass Communication Course description:
The class is designed to give students an opportunity to study a special advanced topic not required in the undergraduate curriculum. May be repeated for additional credit as topic varies. A total of 15 credits can be earned.
COMM 4306 Adv Interpersonal Comm (CS)
Examines various theoretical approaches for understanding human interaction in person-to-person settings. In addition, the following topics are covered: strategies, interaction, influence and language in conflict management approaches, and stages in the development of interpersonal communication.
COMM 4309 Nonverbal Communication (CS)
This course offers an examination of the effects of human nonverbal behavior on human communication. Emphasis on specific nonverbal behaviors including touch, time, environmental contexts, physical appearance cues, and social communication cues.
COMM 4310 Media Planning (MC)
This course covers the strategic selection of media use and placement of advertising messages in the media. Includes the study of media characteristics, market research, media strategies, media analysis, media-market measurements, and the development of media plans. Emphasis is on the analysis of major mass media strategies, tactics, and planning.
Prerequisite: COMM 3304 Ad: Theory and Practice.
COMM 4312 Video & Film Editing II (MC)
From news stories to feature films, the video film editing step is the last rewrite of the material before it is shown or broadcast. The student will learn professional software and acquire both the arts and crafts of assembling sound and visual into a finished viewable product including sound effects, music, dialogue replacement, and titles as well as exporting in a variety of mediums. Prerequisite: COMM 2310 Video & Film Editing I or permission of instructor.
COMM 4313 Communication Law & Ethics (MC)
This course will cover freedom of the press, libel, invasion of privacy, and the conflict between free press and fair trial. Media cases will also be examined as they relate to questions of ethics.
COMM 4314 Adv TV/Film Production (MC)
Advanced-level course stressing the application of basic arts and media developed in COMM 1336 and making use of advanced students in directing, technical crafts, performance, and scriptwriting. May be repeated for credit once with a new production.
Prerequisites: COMM 1336 Television Production and COMM 2310 Video &Film Editing I.
COMM 4315 Persuasive Communication (CS)
Persuasive techniques and rhetorical principles as they apply to verbal and nonverbal communication where the goal is social influence. In-class speeches and projects stress practical application of persuasive strategies. Persuasive characteristics of contemporary culture, structure, and content of persuasive messages, source credibility, propaganda, ethics, and role of attitudes, belief systems, and values in persuasive communication.
COMM 4322 Public Relations Writing (MC)
This is an intensive writing course. Student will be given the opportunity to research and write for a variety of formats such as news releases, backgrounds, and pitch letters.
Prerequisites: COMM 3303 Writing for Mass Media and COMM 3321 PR: Theory & Practice.
COMM 4330 Communication Training (CS)
Methods, techniques, and practice in communication training programs and human resource development workshops will be addressed.
COMM 4332 Visual Communication (MC)
Computer production of a variety of print media publishing, including layout, design, and writing.
COMM 4334 Communication Campaigns (MC)
This course will cover the development of communication campaigns from the initiation of a situation analysis, research to final execution. Students will also be given the opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of campaigns. Prerequisites: COMM 3304 Ad: Theory & Practice or COMM 3321 PR: Theory & Practice, COMM 3350 Research Communication, COMM 4335 Creative Media Strategies, or consent of instructor.
COMM 4335 Creative & Media Strategies (MC)
This course will focus on the development of effective creative strategies based on solid research and clear objectives. Media planning, buying, and placing will also be covered.
Prerequisites: COMM 3350 Research Communication and either COMM 3304 Ad: Theory & Practice, COMM 3321 PR: Theory & Practice, or consent of instructor.
COMM 4336 Applied Leader Comm (CS)
In this course theoretical models used to identify different leadership styles employed in organizations are studied. The various leadership styles and their associated communicative behaviors are closely examined.
COMM 4337 Comm Internship (3 credits) (MC, CS)
A planned program of work (10 hours per week), for a minimum of one semester or two continuous summer sessions, related to the field. Enrollment must be completed prior to the work period. Students should be classified as seniors. Credit will be determined on the basis of satisfactory employer's evaluation and the student's written report. Advisor approval required to enroll. May be repeated for credit up to three times when the program varies. Prerequisites: Senior standing or consent of instructor.
COMM 4345 Conflict Management (CS)
An examination of the communication theories and processes involved with interpersonal conflict. Students develop critical thinking skills that help them frame and analyze conflict situations enhancing their ability to apply the concepts and techniques learned in class to conflict situations that occur in personal and professional contexts.
COMM 4360 Senior Capstone in Comm (CS)
Designed to examine the role appropriate communication skills play in improving student's ability to address management and leadership duties. Emphasis is placed on organizational processes, leadership styles, and interpersonal, presentational, and group communication skills that are useful in business, governmental, and professional settings. Relationships between cultural diversity, leadership, and communication are explored. Prerequisites: Senior standing or consent of instructor.
COMM 4624 Comm Internship (6 credits) (MC, CS)
A planned program of half-time (20 hours per week) work, for a minimum of one semester or two continuous summer sessions, related to the field. Enrollment must be completed prior to the work period. Students should be classified as seniors. Credit will be determined on the basis of satisfactory employer's evaluation and the student's written report. Advisor approval required to enroll. Course may be repeated for credit once when the program varies. Prerequisites: Senior standing or consent of instructor.
All course need to be completed with a “C” or better.