Communication Core Courses

130. Communication and Society (3 credit hrs.) Introduces the functions, processes, and effects of individual and mass communication in American society. Explores economic, social, and governmental impacts of such communication. Includes a survey of the media and communication industry.

301. Writing for the Mass Audience (3 credit hrs.) Introduces the technique of writing for the mass audience, emphasizing approach necessitated by technology in dealing with print, broadcast, advertising, and public relations. Prerequisites: ENGL 101, ENGL 102, and COMM 130, with a grade of C or better in each, pass departmental Grammar, Spelling & Punctuation Test, and departmental consent.

305. Visual Technologies (3 credit hrs.) Examines the importance and meaning of visual symbols in modern society. Explores the methods by which visual images inform, educate, and persuade readers.

325. Speaking in Business and the Professions (3 credit hrs.) A study of the basic concepts of public speaking and discussions as they apply to the business and professional person. Emphasizes public presentations, group leadership, and interpersonal communication as appropriate to business and professional oral communications. Prerequisite: COMM 111 with a grade of C or better.

430. Communication Research and Inquiry (3 credit hrs.) General education further studies course. Introduces the process of research and inquiry across the discipline of communication. Helps students in communication become more intelligent consumers of research and investigative inquiry, and to become more adept at designing their own research projects. Includes information gathering, structuring inquiry with qualitative and quantitative research designs, and processing and reporting information. Prerequisites: junior standing and COMM 130 or instructor's consent.

472. Senior Portfolio Seminar (1 credit hr.) Students prepare a resume and portfolio of their best work to be evaluated by faculty members and communication professionals in their area of emphasis. Ideally completed in a student's final semester before graduation. Graded Cr/NCr. Prerequisites: senior standing, completion of 18 hours of communication coursework and departmental consent.

535. Communication Analysis and Criticism (3 credit hrs.) General education further studies course. Introduces the methods used for the analysis and critique of various linguistic, pictorial, and aural elements of communication for the purpose of becoming more discerning consumers of the various forms of public and mass-mediated messages. Analysis includes print advertisements, radio and television messages, newspaper features, and public speeches. Prerequisites: junior standing and COMM 301 with a C or better or instructor's consent.

630. Communication Law and Responsibility (3 credit hrs.) General education issues and perspectives course. Emphasizes both oral and written aspects of communication law and responsibility. Addresses general functions of the law including the right to communicate, broadcast law and law of the press. Includes discussion of the first amendment rights, libel, privacy, copyright, advertising, obscenity, pornography, and corporate communication concerns.

631. Historical and Theoretical Issues in Communication (3 credit hrs.) General education further studies course. Examines the development of various issues in communication in historical context. Emphasizes different humanistic and scientific theories of communication and the historical development of mediated communication. Uses selected theories to generate critiques of specific communication events. Prerequisites: junior standing and COMM 130Q or instructor's consent.