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Course Descriptions  > back
COM 099 Freshman Orientation (1). Only one freshman orientation course will count toward graduation. Graded pass/fail.

COM 161 Introduction to Public Speaking (3). Organization and presentation of ideas through participation in frequent speech activities. Students present speeches to inform, solve problems, and persuade. Communication needs of the individual students are considered and guidance is given by the instructor.

COM 181 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication (3). Communication in an interpersonal environment. Topics studied include interpersonal perception, verbal and nonverbal communication, conflict reduction, and language and its use. Will not satisfy requirements for organizational communication major or minor.

COM 201 Communication Foundations & Theory (3). Theoretical constructs of the speech communication discipline. A survey from classical through contemporary perspectives of human discourse. Focus is on the development of the major content areas of the field. Corequisite: COM 161

COM 251 Debate and Advocacy (3). Review and application of debate and advocacy skill including the ability to develop, organize, present, refute, and analyze well-reasoned arguments. Appropriate for individuals seeking preparation for those professions (e.g., law, business, teaching, ministry) where advocacy of ideas is essential.

COM 353 Team Communication and Leadership (3). The study of communication principles and leadership strategies for effective teamwork. Focus is on communication and leadership skills that produce team cohesion, synergy, and productivity. Communication theory is applied to analyze leadership roles in team projects, decision-making, and conflict management.

COM 357 Communication and Critical Thought (3). The course explores the relationship between communication and critical thought. Based on the rhetorical traditions of oral discourse, students will explore argumentation, negotiation, reason, fallacy, language, and evaluation of information as each relates to critical thinking.

COM 361 Career Presentations (3). A study of presentation techniques within business and professional contexts. Presentations made to staff, clients, and constituents, as well as conference and keynote addresses, will be studied and practiced. Students will create and deliver presentations tailored to their individual career objectives. Prerequisite: COM 161.

COM 372 Communication in Educational Environments (3). Special communication needs of teachers of any discipline. Students develop an understanding of communication concepts applicable to the classroom as well as communication skills useful in other aspects of educational environments. Course content is developed through readings, lectures, discussions, structured activities, and classroom visitations; provides the teacher an experiential and a cognitive understanding of the role of communication in the educational environment.

COM 381 Interpersonal Communication (3). In-depth study of communication and interpersonal relations. Prerequisite: COM 181 or COM major or minor.

COM 384 Communication Skills for Professionals(3). A study of applied communication skills for professionals in for-profit and non-profit organizations. Emphasis is given to oral and written communication techniques for providing performance feedback, conducting interviews, managing meetings, delivering training, promoting strategy and change, maintaining organizational identity and image, and responding to organizational crises.

COM 385 Organizational Communication (3). Examination and exploration of applications of communication theories within the framework of an organization. Attention will be given to strategies for diagnosing communication problems and effecting change in communication behaviors.

COM 387 Intercultural Communication (3). Designed to explore communication principles from the viewpoint of different western and non-western cultures.

COM 390 Communication Research (3). An introduction to the quantitative and qualitative research methods used to study communication. Emphasis is placed on familiarity with scholarly publications, understanding various research methodologies, and critique of basic and applied research findings. The connection between theory, research, and decision-making is highlighted.

COM 399 Co-Curricular Activities (1-3). Participation in departmental co-curricular activities as required. A journal of the activity is maintained and the student must devote a specified number of clock hours to the chosen activity. May be repeated for credit. Graded pass/fail.

COM 409 Seminar in Communication (3). The capstone course for majors and minors in organizational communication surveys theoretical and applied content areas within the discipline. Requirements include a major paper, presentation, and a one-hour oral exam. Open only to graduating seniors with consent of instructor. Graded pass/fail.

COM 437 Senior Honors Thesis (3). A faculty-supervised thesis and/or project which allows Honors Program students with a senior standing to undertake advanced research. A thesis paper and/or written review of the exhibit or performance is required. Graded pass/fail.

COM 461 Persuasive Communication (3). Approaches used in changing the attitudes and actions of others. Persuasive speeches in class are given, as well as one public performance.

COM 481 Conflict and Communication(3). Examines conflict process as communication phenomena. Explores theories of conflict communication and develops competencies for a range of professional and interpersonal contexts by applying theory to practice.

COM 488 Cooperative Education (1-3). A meaningful, planned, and evaluated work experience related to the career and educational objectives of the student for which he/she may receive academic credit and possible financial remuneration. May be repeated for a maximum of six hours from any 488/489 courses. Graded pass/fail. Prerequisite: permission from chair.

COM 489 Cooperative Education (1-3). A meaningful, planned, and evaluated work experience related to the career and educational objectives of the student for which he/she may receive academic credit and possible financial remuneration. May be repeated for a maximum of six hours from any 488/489 courses. Graded pass/fail. Prerequisite: permission from chair.

COM 499 Contemporary Issues in Communication (1-3). Studies of interest to faculty and students (e.g., effective mentoring skills, communication and the family, health communication, gender issues). A different subject is examined each time the course is offered, with the topic being announced one semester in advance. Variable credit is assigned on the basis of the instruction hours (15-20 hours per unit of credit). Enrollment is open to juniors and seniors and may be repeated once for a total of six hours.

COM 551 Supervision of Forensic Activities (3). A survey of current problems in administering a speech and theatre activity program. Includes tournament management and judging. Practicum in supervision of festival and tournament activities facing the instructor, such as preparing the contestant for duet acting, the contest play, interpretative and forensic events.

COM 553 Advanced Team Communication and Leadership (3). Survey of theory, research, and current practices relevant to the study of team communication and leadership. Students will examine communicative behavior of productive teams and effective leaders, and participate in team building exercises.

COM 581 Seminar in Interpersonal Communication (3). A study of the contemporary approaches to interpersonal communication with opportunities for practical application of those approaches in diverse interpersonal situations.

COM 585 Advanced Organizational Communication (3). Survey of theory and research relevant to the study of organizational communication. Students will examine how communication processes shape and reshape the activities of organizing within and between organizations. Prerequisites: senior standing and COM 385 or graduate status.

COM 589 Directed Individual Study in Communication Theory (3). A course designed to meet the needs of individuals and groups who wish to explore topics not covered in other speech and theatre courses or to do in-depth study of an issue introduced in another course. A proposal of study must be approved by the instructor during the first week of classes. General areas of study from which specific topics can be drawn include interpersonal communication, small group communication, and communication within organizations. May be repeated for a maximum of six hours. Graded pass/fail.

COM 599 Internship (3-6). A course designed for students to get experience in the application of theory to practical situations. Businesses and organizations selected to participate draw from qualified students with skills in organizational communication, forensics, technical theatre, or acting. May be repeated for a total of six hours. Graded pass/fail. Prerequisite: senior standing or consent of instructor.

COM 600 Seminar in International and Intercultural Communication (3). Analysis of theories and research in international communication and intercultural communication. Focus on such variables as interaction among racial, ethnic, and cultural groups; transnational information flow; and the role of media in facilitating international and intercultural knowledge and understanding (Same as JMC 600).

COM 644 Graduate Cooperative Education (3). May be repeated for a maximum of six credits. Graded pass/fail. Prerequisite: permission of chair.

COM 645 Foundations of Organizational Communication (3). A survey of the development of organizational communication from early communication thinkers to contemporary individuals who have contributed theory and influenced the discipline.

COM 661 Theories of Persuasion and Argumentation (3). Classical and modern theories of persuasion and argumentation. Behavioral theory and research are examined and the effects of various forms of argument and attitude change are studied. Ethical standards of persuasion and argumentation are explored.

COM 672 Communication in Instructional Environments (3). Communication in a variety of instructional contexts with focus on introductory courses at the college level. Emphasis is placed on the literature, philosophies, and theories concerning communication instruction.

COM 673 Organizational Training and Development (3). Specific problem areas in communication structures within particular organizations are identified. A concentrated examination is made of areas of assessment, diagnosis, prescription, intervention and evaluation of communication problems within the organization.

COM 681 Seminar in Conflict Resolution (3). Designed to illustrate the central role of communication in resolving conflict within various organizational entities. The course will focus on conflict resolution skills required in such environments as management and labor, public administration, families and education. A particular area of concentration will be selected each semester.

COM 683 Seminar in Communication Variables (3). Variables affecting communication including perception, language, attitudes, and cognitive processes. Research related to each variable will be examined.

COM 685 Seminar in Organizational Communication (3). Detailed studies in organizational communication of interest to faculty and students. A contemporary topic, to be announced one semester in advance, is examined each time the course is offered. Past topics include consulting, mentoring and intercultural communication. The course may be repeated once for a total of six hours. Prerequisite: COM 585 or consent of instructor.

COM 690 Research Methods in Organizational Communication (2). Review of research methodologies used in the study of communication variables.

COM 692 Research Practice (2). Application of research methods used to study communication variables. Miniature thesis required. Prerequisite: COM 690.

COM 693 Readings in Communication Research (3). Students read 4,000 - 5,000 pages of research in a particular area of interest. Usually the product is a research paper written in a publishable format. Permission of the graduate advisor is required prior to enrollment. Graded pass/fail.

COM 694 Directed Individual Study in Organizational Communication (3). The student has the opportunity to pursue specific areas of research under the supervision of the participating faculty member. Particular expectations are negotiated between the student, department, and faculty member. May be repeated once for a maximum of six hours. Graded pass/fail.

COM 698 Thesis (3).

COM 699 Thesis (3).
 

 

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