Undergraduate Communication
Undergraduate Communication
2025 Spring Term
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INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC SPEAKING
COMM 110
A basic course designed to help students increase their effectiveness in public speaking through classroom speeches. Emphasis is on research, preparation, organization, delivery, and visual aids, to enhance informative and persuasive speaking. The student will develop skills to communicate orally in clear, coherent language appropriate to purpose, occasion, and audience.
PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
COMM 202
An introduction to the principles, processes and techniques of public relations as they are used in business, government and nonprofit organizations.
PUBLIC RELATIONS TACTICS I
COMM 203
A beginning exploration of public relations communication styles as they apply to various media, including news releases, public service messages, media alerts, newsletters and brochures.
PUBLIC RELATIONS TACTICS II
COMM 204
Instruction and practice in the theory, design, production and utilization of non-print media in the context of various public relations activities
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
COMM 228
Theory and exercises in interpersonal communication situations. Basic theory, self disclosure, listening, conflict, trust and other topics will be examined.
RADIO PRACTICUM
COMM 230
A laboratory course in which the student participates in at least one area of radio broadcasting: Announcing, engineering, interviewing, or publicity. Repeatable.
PRACTICUM IN TELEVISION PRODUCTION
COMM 231
Participation in a variety of areas of television production including camera, lighting, graphics, audio, switching, video engineering and announcing and television performance. Repeatable for a maximum of 4 units in major/degree.
VIDEO PRODUCTION I: FUNDAMENTALS OF VIDEO
COMM 238
This introductory video production course provides students with a basic understanding of the video production process. Students work on studio and field exercises to develop their video production skills.
AUDIO PRODUCTION I: FUNDAMENTALS OF AUDIO
COMM 239
A study of audio theory relevant to the production of programming for radio and related electronic mass media. Substantial attention devoted to the fundamental theoretical principles of digital audio systems. Practical experience in program production is also emphasized, in combination with the development of critical listening skills for audio production work.
COMMUNICATION AND TEAM BUILDING
COMM 242
This course is designed to demonstrate the importance of team building in today's work culture. Students learn how to create, participate in and lead successful working teams. The course will teach relationship building to foster interpersonal relationships and aid in conflict resolution.
GREAT MOMENTS IN CINEMA
COMM 249
This course seeks to familiarize students with the industrial, cultural, and aesthetic history of cinema as an art form and as a social force.
VIDEO PRODUCTION II: MEDIA STORYTELLING
COMM 258
This course will consist of advanced video and field production labor, lectures, outside reading assignments and exams. Each student will write, produce and direct a series of theme-based production assignments over the course of the semester, and strive to improve on video production skills first introduced in Video Production I: Fundamentals of Video.
AUDIO PRODUCTION II: ADVANCED AUDIO TECHNIQUES
COMM 259
An advanced level course that studies the utilization of audio in broadcast, recording, sound reinforcement and multi-media with an emphasis on critical listening and advanced audio production skills. Students critique and analyze existing works and produce related audio materials for various media.
PRACTICUM IN FORENSICS
COMM 263
Participation in public address or interpretation events in intercollegiate contest situations. May be retaken.
ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS RESEARCH LITERACY
COMM 275
Students will learn about information gathering for communication planning. They will learn to assess the quality of research reports. Students will study survey and group research methods. They will examine subscription data sources commonly used for advertising and public relations and learn about media tracking and Web page evaluation.
EVENT PLANNING FOR COMMUNICATION PROFESSIONALS
COMM 276
Special events are essential tactics used by communication professionals to reach key target audiences and engage them with the organization. The Event Planning for Communication Professionals course teaches students how to design and administer special events for communication. Students will learn to plan and implement events. They will learn to develop strategies and budgets and manage event activities.
SOCIAL MEDIA OPTIMIZATION & THE NEW WEB
COMM 285
'Social Media Optimization' will teach students how to engage with online communities to generate publicity and manage the images and issues of organizations. This cutting-edge, timely curriculum will require students to investigate the most compelling topics confronting organizations and individuals striving to extract value from the dynamic, participatory, ever-changing 'new web.'
AUDIO PRACTICUM
COMM 293
Students will develop their skills in audio technology and application through practical experience working in sound reinforcement and studio recording environments.
WEB VIDEO & THE GAME INDUSTRY - GAMEZOMBIE PRACTICUM
COMM 294
The GameZombie practicum will provide students the opportunity to produce a globally distributed game media web series, strengthen multimedia production skills, and develop expertise in cutting edge game industry topics. Students will greatly enhance their portfolios, industry connectedness, and global web presence by participating in this practicum experience.
PUBLIC RELATIONS STRATEGIES
COMM 302
An examination, using case studies, of the theories and research which support the selection of various public relations strategies to solve problems. Issues such as responding to crisis situations, applying ethical principles to public relations problems and assessing the use of emerging technologies in public relations are also addressed.
NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
COMM 321
Nonverbal dimensions of interpersonal communication (physical behavior, facial expression, eye behavior, personal space, personal appearance-clothing, touch, voice and the use of objects) focusing upon their actual interaction with verbal or speech communication. Study of concepts and actual participation in nonverbal exercises/simulations.
LISTENING BEHAVIOR
COMM 322
Study of the current theory and research concerning the process of listening in human communication as a basis for an effective understanding of listening behavior and for an increased ability to improve one's own listening skills. Also included is an overview of approaches to 1) listening in the schools and 2) training in business-industry.
COMMUNICATION AND GENDER
COMM 326
Advanced study of interpersonal communication between and within the sexes. The focus of the course concerns examination of traditional gender ideals and analysis of communication styles that contribute to societal evolution. This course covers sex differences in communication, theories explaining sex differences in communication, research on sex stereotypes, debates about language and sexism, and implications for inter-gender relationships.
INTRODUCTION TO CORPORATE COMMUNICATION
COMM 327
This course provides a broad overview of the theoretical and empirical literature relevant to organizational communication. The focus is on how communication operates in organizations, the effects of communication on organizational life, and how communication can be made more efficient and effective in meeting personal as well as organizational goals.
COMMUNICATION CONFLICT RESOLUTION
COMM 328
This course provides a communications perspective of the nature and possible methods of resolution of conflict.
PRACTICUM IN TELEVISION PRODUCTION AND DIRECTING
COMM 331
Participation of a program producer and/or director for television programming created for the University Cable Television System. Repeatable for a maximum of 4 credits in major/degree.
AUDIO III: STUDIO PRODUCTION
COMM 339
An applied course using the knowledge and skills necessary for professional audio production with an emphasis on studio recording and aesthetics. Concepts include signal flow, processing, microphone selection and placement, mixing and mastering. Students will produce multi-track recording projects.
PERSUASION
COMM 345
A study of the process of persuasion: Logical, ethical, and emotional appeals as well as organizational patterns and stylistic devices are addressed. Application and analysis of these techniques through term papers and speeches.
SOUND AND IMAGE: AN EXPLORATION OF SOUND FOR/WITH VISUAL MEDIA
COMM 346
This course will explore the ways in which sound and music have been utilized in conjunction with images in diverse media including films, video games, video art, cartoons, music videos, television and live performance.
GAME STUDIES AND DESIGN
COMM 351
This course requires students to engage in and analyze a variety of interactive media: games and other forms of play. The goal is to turn a critical consciousness towards an activity that they have engaged in since birth, and consider how play changes when it is electronically mediated. Interactive media fundamentally changes the process of communication because the audience becomes more active. Users author their own experience and this fundamentally changes the role of author/architect of the medium. This course will examine audience/player experience, game/interaction content, and the effects of playing on the players. Students will analyze play experiences and learn how to develop new games.
INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH COMMUNICATION
COMM 363
This course provides an overview of health communication, with emphasis given to theory and research on social support messages. Factors that influence social support messages are examined in a variety of different contexts (e.g., relational, familial, support group, workplace, on-line).
FAMILY COMMUNICATION
COMM 368
This course is designed to enhance students' understanding of communication in familial relationships. Topics such as parent-child relationships, sibling relationships, family stereotypes, aging family members, and cultural variations in family interactions will be covered.
COMMUNICATING LEADERSHIP
COMM 373
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the study and practice of leadership from a communication perspective. Examination of leadership concepts and theories in organizational, group, and public contexts will illustrate the interactive process wherein leaders and followers are able to achieve collective goals. Students will analyze their personal leadership styles and develop leadership communication skills through case studies, self-assessments, projects and classroom exercises.
PUBLIC RELATIONS PLANNING
COMM 402
Application of public relations principles, tactics and strategies to a client's public relations problem or opportunity, through the development and use of public relations planning skills.
COMMUNICATION THEORIES
COMM 422
Study of theories of communication from various disciplinary viewpoints. An investigation of approaches which attempt to explain the communication process through a "meaning-centered" focus to the communication act (originating communicator, message, channel, responding communicator). Theories are discussed in terms of their assumptions, claims, and strengths-weaknesses.
CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
COMM 424
Study of cross cultural contacts and interactions when individuals are from different cultures. An analysis of verbal and nonverbal communication and related factors within and between various cultures, predictions of patterns and effects, and communication barriers.
COMMUNICATION TRAINING
COMM 427
This is an advanced level course that focuses on identifying, evaluating, and enhancing the communicative competencies behind the functioning of contemporary organizations.
APPLIED COMMUNICATION IN HEALTH AND WELLNESS
COMM 463
This advanced level course integrates health communication theory and practices, analyzing the application of communication theory in a variety of health and wellness contexts, such as smoking cessation, HIV/AIDS prevention and cancer detection. Students will demonstrate understanding of applied principles by critiquing and developing health campaign messages during the semester.
COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODS
COMM 485
An advanced-level undergraduate and graduate survey of methodologies and issues relevant to the practice of communication research.
ELECTRONIC MEDIA CAPSTONE: SENIOR PROJECT
COMM 487
This course allows students the opportunity to complete a capstone research or production project during their senior year. Students work with one or more faculty who advise and evaluate the project. During class meetings students work on the design of their projects and present their projects and findings. Students also develop professional networking and job acquisition skills and work on resume and portfolio preparation.
TRAVEL STUDY
COMM 491
Variable topics. Faculty-led courses abroad. Repeatable
INTERNSHIP IN COMMUNICATION
COMM 493C
Professional experience in which the student who aspires to a career in the corporate and health industry works for an approved employer in his/her area of interest under the supervision of a professional in that field.
INTERNSHIP IN ELECTRONIC MEDIA
COMM 493E
Professional experience in which the student who aspires to a career in the electronic media industry works for an approved employer in his/her area of interest under the supervision of a professional in that field.
PUBLIC RELATIONS INTERNSHIP
COMM 493I
Professional experience in which the student who aspires to a career in public relations works for an approved employer in his/her area of interest under the supervision of a professional in that field.
MAGD INTERNSHIP
COMM 493M
The MAGD internship is a hands-on multimedia work experience that counts toward the Media Arts & Game Development Degree under the supervision of a professional in that field.
INDEPENDENT STUDY
COMM 498
Study of a selected topic or topics under the direction of a faculty member. Repeatable.