An introductory course intended primarily for majors in communication studies, this course explains the many perspectives from which communication may be studied and serves as an introduction to the discipline. (3 crs.)

This course is designed to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for preparing and presenting extemporaneous speeches to accomplish informative and persuasive goals on issues of civil, political or cultural importance. Course topics include audience analysis, research, organization, language use and delivery that facilitate effective communication with audiences. (3 crs.)

An introduction to communication in radio, television and film, this course focuses on the effects of mass media on the audience and the individual and the role of mass media in news, documentaries, commercials and entertainment broadcasting. (3 crs.)

This course covers the fundamentals of radio production, including the theory and use of audio lab equipment, writing and producing various types of basic radio programs, and the study of FCC rules and regulations as they apply to radio broadcasters. (3 crs.)

Fundamentals of television studio production, including the use of equipment, are covered. This course has both a lecture and a laboratory component. Students must register for both the lecture and laboratory components in the same term. (3 crs.)

This course seeks to help the student develop an awareness of the nature and complexity of interpersonal communication, recognize how perception of the self affects the ability to relate to others, and gain an understanding of those elements that shape the interpersonal communication process. (3 crs.)

Instruction, practice and performance of various forms of debate and competitive individual speaking and reading events are covered. Participation in intercollegiate competition, largely on some weekends, is required. Open to students in any major. (3 crs.)

This course examines PR as the communication function that allows organizations to interface with their environments and publics. It describes the public relations process as well as its history, the guiding principles and concepts of organizational advocacy, and explores the various career opportunities in the field. (3 crs.)

This course examines elements and processes in group communication as they are required for making decisions, solving problems, managing conflict, understanding interpersonal influence and interaction, and evaluating leadership roles. Both theoretical and practical guidelines as they apply to group communication are examined. Group projects and experiential learning activities may require participation in service-learning activities outside of class and off campus. (3 crs.)

This course explores how media are used by individual, institutions and cultures. Students will apply their enhanced understanding of the media to construct more effective communication. (3 crs.)

This course aims to cultivate students' critical understanding of forms of reasoning as these are deployed by advocates in various situations. Students learn about argument form, structures and strategies used in supporting or undermining propositions. Students act as advocates for particular positions in a team debate and write critical analyses of advocates in debates, panel discussions and argumentative essays. (3 crs.)

A study of the written texts, audio tapes and videotapes of selected speeches by American presidents, this course explores the use of rhetoric in campaigns, in governance and in crises by the presidents in order to illustrate contemporary political speaking and is an examination of how to understand and evaluate presidential speaking. (3 crs.)

Students will build upon the knowledge and skills learned in Audio Production I, including creating, writing, producing and evaluating various types of more sophisticated production projects. Strong emphasis on theory and practice of field production, creating sound and special effects. Prerequisite: COM 141 or permission of instructor. (3 crs.)

This course is designed to prepare a student to perform in the various areas of single-camera electronic field production, including the fundamentals of scripting, planning and budgeting field shoots; gathering audio and video in the field; field lighting; skills and aesthetics of editing field produced video; and the understanding and reading of test equipment for video signals. Prerequisite: COM 142 or permission of instructor. (3 crs.)

Theories and practice of gathering, evaluating, writing and delivering newscasts, sports, commercials and interviews for radio and television audiences are covered. Prerequisite: COM 141 or COM 142 or permission of instructor. (3 crs.)

Students will develop an awareness of, and an appreciation for, communication in the business world and preparing and presenting oral reports and speeches designed especially for persons who function in organizations, businesses or industries. (3 crs.)

This course provides an introduction to the study of film and covers fundamental concepts in the history, aesthetics, style, technique and critical interpretation of film. The course emphasizes the filmmaker as a creative artist. (3 crs.)

This course seeks to develop the production skills necessary to function in an entry-level public relations position. Many assignments will help students develop: 1) proficiency using the host of vehicles PR practitioners use and 2) a portfolio. Effort will be made to create an atmosphere similar to the first job in PR. The instructor will be the first PR supervisor – the boss – editing the work; criticizing style; asking for research; forcing the student to plan, analyze, write, rewrite, prepare, repair, organize and reorganize. Prerequisite: COM 203. (3 crs.)

This course focuses on developing language habits that improve sensory and symbolic perception, inference-making, evaluation and conflict management/resolution. Prerequisite: COM 165 or permission of instructor. (3 crs.)

Students will gain insight into the cultural communication problems of individuals and groups in face-to-face communication and in technologically mediated communication. The course provides description and analysis of cultural factors in communication, such as perception, value systems, language codes and nonverbal communication. (3 crs.)

This course focuses on the writing of commercial messages in varying lengths for both radio and television, including preparation of storyboards. Prerequisite: COM 141 or COM 142 or permission of instructor. (3 crs.)

A study in the writing of news, commentary and documentary scripts for radio and television, this course also focuses on the press conference. Prerequisites: COM 141 or COM 142 or permission of instructor. (3 crs.)

This course focuses on writing and analyzing teleplays, film and/or radio plays for understanding of dramatic composition and unique needs of specific writing genres and audiences. (3 crs.)

A further exploration of the principles of reporting for the electronic media, students will apply reporting techniques, ethical principles and legal principles in actual field experiences. (3 crs.)

This course is designed as a discussion of various aesthetic principles in audio followed by application of these principles in student productions. Students must have mastered the mechanics of studio and field audio mixing, recording and editing prior to enrollment. Prerequisites: COM 141 and COM 241 or permission of instructor. (3 crs.)

This course is designed as a discussion of various aesthetic principles in video followed by application of these principles in student-produced programming. Students must have mastered the mechanics of shooting and editing videotape prior to enrollment in this course. Prerequisites: COM 142 and COM 242. (3 crs.)

Methods of changing attitudes and behaviors through communication are studied, as well as analysis of individuals, audiences, occasions and subjects for persuasive appeals. Logical and psychological arrangements and the ethics of persuading and being persuaded are also covered. Preparation of persuasive speeches is emphasized. Prerequisite: COM 101 or COM 250 or permission of instructor. (3 crs.)

Students will development a working knowledge of the managerial structures of broadcast organization. Prerequisite: COM 141 or COM 142. (3 crs.)

This course provides sport management training in sports public relations, publicity and marketing. It includes writing for the media, managing media relationships and using media to obtain marketing objectives. Prerequisite: COM 303 or permission of instructor. (3 crs.)

This course examines the meaning of the speech and press clauses of the First Amendment and the application of those clauses to the formulation of public communication policy. It considers electronic media policy formulation in the areas of commercial speech, contemporary speech controversies, privacy, public interest and evolving communication technologies from the perspectives of statute limitations, court constitutional interpretations, common law, regulatory mandates and international treaties. (3 crs.)

This course seeks to increase understanding of the management of public relations campaigns by integrating communications theory with professional practice. Special attention is given to techniques for designing, implementing and evaluating effective campaign strategies for clients. Prerequisites: COM 203, COM 303. (3 crs.)

This course is a study of the rights and obligations of the mass media producer, purveyor and audience. Prerequisite: COM 105 or permission of the instructor. (3 crs.)

Opportunities for practical, professional communication work and field experiences in various off-campus settings are offered. Internships are to be jointly administered by an on-site supervisor and the departmental internship supervisor. (Variable crs.)

The study and application of the methods and critical perspectives used in communication criticism are emphasized. Students will critique a wide range of communication artifacts, which may include speeches, advertisements, films and the messages of public relations. (3 crs.)

A study of critical approaches to audio, video and cinematic texts, this course emphasizes discussion and application of approaches that examine the meaning of media texts, the author's role in producing media texts, the impact of media texts on audiences, and the impact of the social and cultural milieu on the creative and critical process. Prerequisites: COM 105. (3 crs.)

This course is intended to provide an introduction to and practice in the construction of research that is appropriate to the student's area of interest in communication studies. It seeks to provide basic research skills to those anticipating graduate studies and to those anticipating employment in areas of communication studies. Prerequisites: Major, junior standing or permission of instructor. (3 crs.)

This is the capstone course for students in the public relations concentration. It seeks to develop analytical skills so that graduates may function in the four primary roles of the public relations practitioner: 1) monitor of public opinion and change; 2) voice of the corporate conscience; 3) advocate for organizations; and 4) monitor of organizational policies and programs. Prerequisite: COM 438 or permission of instructor. (3 crs.)

In this seminar, the theories of human communication are analyzed, debated and evaluated. (3 crs.)