SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Communication Curriculum
A minimum of 120 credits is needed to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication. Students must earn a grade of C or better in each 300- and 400-level course in the major field.
A minor in Communication requires 18 credits. Students should select these credits in consultation with their academic adviser and the program chair so the courses complement their major. The minor is a popular addition to the English and Political Science majors, and to School of Business degrees such as Marketing and Management. Many Business, Liberal Arts, and Science majors select the Communication minor as one of their three modules.
In their first year of study, students primarily take courses that help fulfill General Education requirements such as composition and rhetoric, math and general science, the First Year Seminar, a foreign language, and health or physical education. Major-specific courses that can be taken during the first year include Mass Media and Society, Introduction to Rhetorical Theory, and Film and Cinema.
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CAS 101: Introduction to Human Communication. Introduction to major theoretical, critical, research and pedagogical issues in human communication. CAS 175: Persuasion and Propaganda. An introductory examination of how symbols have been used to create belief and action in revolutionary, totalitarian, and democratic settings. CAS 201: Introduction to Rhetorical Theory. History and theory of public advocacy and civic discourse. CAS 202: Introduction to Communication Theory. Introduction to the study of human communication in interpersonal, organizational, and mass communication systems. CAS 204: Communication Research Methods. Overview of the skills necessary to evaluate commonly reported communication research. CAS 212: Professional Public Speaking. Organizing, adapting and presenting ideas in public informative, persuasive, technical and ceremonial speeches. CAS 250: Small Group Communication. Skill development in the areas of group discussion, leadership, and teamwork. CAS 252: Business and Professional Communication. Interviewing, briefing, conferring, and decision making; analyzing and evaluating formal and informal patterns of communication in organizations. CAS 340: Communication and Civility. Communication behaviors contributing to civil and uncivil discourse; their implications in business, public life, across cultures and in interpersonal relationships. CAS 352: Organizational Communication. This course examines the function and structure of communication in both formal and informal situations. CAS 360: Communication for Teachers. Analysis of dynamics of instructor-student communication implemented through structured exercises in instructor listening, verbal and nonverbal message- making. CAS 411: Rhetorical Criticism. Principles of rhetorical criticism examined through analysis of selected texts and critics. CAS 426W: Communication Ethics. Ethical issues in public and private communication; role of communication in expressing and realizing individual and social values. CAS 450W: Group Communication Theory and Research. Selected theories of problem solving through group discussion emphasizing participation and leadership. CAS 452: Organizational Communication Theory and Research. Explores the nature and functions of communication in organizations; emphasis on concepts, tools, and skills for effective management of communication. CAS 455GI: Gender Roles in Communication. The study of gender-related communication in intimate, casual, and occupational situations. CAS 478: Contemporary American Political Rhetoric. An analysis of contemporary political rhetoric concerning social issues. COMM 100: Mass Communications in the United States. Organization, role, content, and effects of newspapers, magazines, television, radio, books, and films. COMM 118: Introduction to Media Effects. Examination of individuals' selection, uses and perceptions of media and the effects of media on individuals' attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. COMM 150: The Art of the Cinema. The development of cinema to its present state; principles of evaluation and appreciation; examples from the past and present. COMM 180: Survey of Broadcasting and Cable. Introductory study of American broadcasting system. History and technological development; societal compulsions and constraints on programming and practices. COMM 205: Women Minorities and the Media. An analysis of the historical, economic, legal, political, and social implications of the relationship between women, minorities, and the mass media. COMM 242: Basic Video/Filmmaking. Introduction to basic motion picture techniques, emphasizing practical experience in filmmaking. COMM 250: Film History and Theory. Exploration of film theory and criticism in the context of aesthetic, technological, and economic evolution of film history. COMM 260W: News Writing and Reporting. News and news values; legal and ethical problems of reporting; writing and reporting news for the mass media. COMM 315: Applications for Media Writing. Tutorial and practice in various kinds or journalistic and commercial writing, emphasizing basic skills. COMM 320: Introduction to Advertising. Advertising management in business, including communication theory; common industry practices; basics of copy, media, and budget decision; and environmental influences. COMM 346: Writing for the Screen I. A beginning course in narrative Screenwriting emphasizing analysis, creativity, and critiquing skills necessary for the development of storytelling. COMM 360: Broadcast Journalism I. Reporting, writing, producing, and presenting radio news programs, focusing on the development of news judgment and writing skills. COMM 370: Public Relations. Public understanding of organizations and institutions; identification and analysis of public; media relations; public relations practice. COMM 410: International Mass Communications. The role of international media in communication among and between nations and people. Complement to COMM 419. COMM 412: Sports, Media and Society. Sport and media relationship in American culture. COMM 421W: Advertising Creative Strategies. Planning, designing, writing advertisements; introduction to graphics and production techniques and processes; layout and copywriting practice and critiques. COMM 422: Advertising Media Planning. Analysis, selection, and scheduling of advertising media; examination of algorithms, technologies, and software used in media planning. COMM 424: Advertising Campaigns. Advertising campaign problems from the viewpoint of the national advertiser and advertising agency; production of a complete advertising campaign. COMM 442: Advanced Audio Video Production. Advanced techniques in video production applied to narrative, non-narrative and short documentary formats. COMM 451: Topics in American Film. Critical and historical studies of American films. Analysis of directing, cinematography, editing, screenwriting, and acting. COMM 460W: Reporting Methods. Techniques in reporting news and trends at the local, regional, and county levels. Emphasis on both deadline and interpretive reporting. COMM 462: Feature Writing. Reporting and writing the human interest article for newspapers and magazines. COMM 472: Public Relations Event Planning. Effective planning, organization, implementation and evaluation of events planning. |