COMM

1001 - Parliamentary Procedure - 1 credit hour
Examines basic communication skills utilized in parliamentary procedure relative to conducting effective club, organization, and church business meetings. Students will be expected to learn the importance of planning business meetings, evaluating the importance of utilizing committees, and conducting meetings in an orderly and respectable manner. Students will employ basic principles of parliamentary procedure; recognize the unique purpose of various motions and types of votes, and learn to maintain an acceptable attitude and/or conduct during meetings. Note: This class is a general elective, but it may be used in the Communication major under the area of Program Electives. Course rotation: Fall.

1003 - Introduction to Communication - 3 credit hours
Designed to introduce core concepts in the discipline of Communication and to demonstrate applications in professional and relational contexts. Course rotation: Fall and Spring.

1503 - Mass Media & Society - 3 credit hours
Examines the role and impact of the media on individuals and society. Topics include the historical development of the mass media, along with media effects, ethics, legal considerations, and the role of Journalism in society. Students develop a deeper awareness of the media in their lives and a critical perspective to become more responsible consumers of information. Also listed as JRNL 1503. Course rotation: Fall.

2003 - Critical Thinking & Communication - 3 credit hours
This survey course introduces critical thinking, establishes its historical nexus with the discipline of communication, and explores contemporary applications vis-à-vis information literacy, media literacy, new media literacy, quantitative literacy (i.e. numeracy), and visual literacy. Emphasis will be placed on developing critical thinking skills through intensive practice in in-class debate and deliberative exercises, and analysis of communication artifacts.  Course rotation: Spring. 

2103 - Public Speaking - 3 credit hours
Focused primarily on the construction of speeches. Includes introductions to audience analysis, persuasion, and delivery techniques. An additional focus is on developing appropriate listening behaviors. Strong emphasis on attendance. Recommended: ENGL 1013. Course rotation: Fall and Spring.

2201 - Communication Presentations - 1 credit hour
Meshes the world of PowerPoint and public speaking. Strategies for creating basic PowerPoint presentations will be introduced. Students will convey ideas using technologically enhanced communication. Note:   This class is a general elective, but it may be used in the Communication major under the area of Program Electives. Course rotation: Fall and Spring.

2503 - Interpersonal Communication - 3 credit hours
An analysis of interpersonal effectiveness, verbal and nonverbal techniques, encoding and decoding communication messages, and interaction within relationships. Recommended: COMM 1003. Course rotation: Fall and Spring.

2901 - Communication Skills for Employment Interviewing - 1 credit hour
This seminar prepares students for the transition from "student to employee" through: self-assessment measures, completion of job applications, resume and cover-letter writing, and practicing employment skills and how to present and market those skills to prospective employers in a professional manner. Students experience learning through lecture, evaluation of films, development of a personal resume and cover letter, and participation in mock employment interviews. Note: This class is a general elective, but it may be used in the Communication major under the area of Program Electives. Course rotation: Fall.

2903 - Communicating Effectively - 3 credit hours
Applies fundamental communication concepts in personal and professional situations, utilizing Lawrence Appley's Communicating for Productivity to implement and test ideas in simulation environments. Emphasis will be placed on enhancing listening, questioning, and paraphrasing skills. Students will develop a written, measurable plan for setting attainable academic, personal, and professional goals; determine when and at what standards those goals will be met; evaluate progress toward acquiring those goals; and develop plans for additional improvement which will occur after completion of the course. Course rotation: Spring.

2911 - Communication Practicum I - 1 credit hour
Provides practical opportunity for skills-application, experience, and experiential learning of communication concepts. Corequisites:  COMM 2901 and junior/senior standing. Course rotation: As needed.

3103 - Advanced Public Speaking - 3 credit hours
An intensive application of the basic skills of public speaking. Delivery is stressed as a critical component of speech-making. Emphasis is given to critical thinking skills, analysis of research findings, the impact of language on messages, and critiquing and examining the delivery and speaking skills of current political and entertainment figures. Prerequisites: Minimum grade of C in COMM 2103. Recommended: COMM 1003. Course rotation:  Spring.

3113 - Public Relations Principles & Practices - 3 credit hours
Students will learn how information moves inside and outside organizations and how this information can be used to contribute to organizational goals.  For students considering careers in public relations, this course will provide initial communication planning and writing skills.  For students interested in communication applications part of careers in other fields, this course will contribute to understanding communication applications in modern organizations. Course rotation:  Spring.

3203 - Nonverbal Communication - 3 credit hours
An integral study relating to body language, facial expressions, vocal variations, proxemics, personal appearance, and artifacts. Recommended: COMM 1003. Course rotation: Fall.

3213 - Intermediate Public Relations - 3 credit hours
Helps students develop expanded skills in applying public relations principles and practices to case studies that reflect the realities of the profession today. As student skills expand, there will be some work with real companies as clients. Course rotation: Fall.

3303 - Group Communication & Decision Making - 3 credit hours
Study of time interaction and communication in small-group and team situations. Emphasis is placed on role identity, listening, conflict, problem-solving and decision-making. Recommended: COMM 1003. Course rotation: Spring.

3333 - Internal Communication - 3 credit hours
Focuses on the effect internal dialogue has on reasoning choice and intention. The course explores the role that conscious and unconscious discourse plays in our effort to understand both ourselves and our environment; and thus become more effective communicators. Course rotation: Fall and Spring.

3403 - Family Communication - 3 credit hours
An introduction to communication phenomena in the family setting. Designed to help students understand how, through communication, family relationships are developed, maintained, enhanced, or disturbed. Students will learn verbal and nonverbal skills that help promote healthy family communication. Course rotation: Fall.

3503 - Organizational Communication - 3 credit hours
A management approach to communication within business environments. Includes team approaches, problem-solving, and development of professionalism. Recommended:  COMM 1003. Course rotation: Fall.

3603 - Intercultural Communication - 3 credit hours
Provides an overview of the study of communication and culture with an emphasis on the theory and practice of cross-cultural and intercultural communication. It includes comparative studies of communication practices in different cultures and subcultures (cross-cultural) and descriptive normative studies of communication between different cultures and subcultures (intercultural). Recommended: COMM 1003. Course rotation: Fall.

3701 - Great Speeches - 1 credit hour
A study of historically significant speeches. Speech selections and organizing themes vary from semester to semester. The course consists of three one-credit hour modules that can be taken singly (1 credit) or in any combination (2 or 3 credits). Individual modules cannot be repeated for additional credit. No more than 3 credits can be used to fulfill requirements in the Communication major. Note: This class is a general elective, but it may be used in the Communication major under the area of Program Electives. Course rotation: Fall.

3703 - Communication & Aging - 3 credit hours
A study of communication as it pertains to human social development, with an emphasis on the effects of aging, generational differences and social stereotypes on interpersonal communication effectiveness. Recommended: COMM 1003. Course rotation: Fall.

3713 - Gender & Communication - 3 credit hours
An assessment of communication interaction as influenced by gender differences and similarities. Intensive study of gender in social and professional situations. Recommended: COMM 1003. Course rotation: Spring.

3911 - Communication Practicum II - 1 credit hour
Provides practical opportunities for skills-application, experience, and experiential learning of communication concepts. Corequisites:  COMM 2901 and junior/senior standing. Course rotation: As needed.

4103 - Conflict Resolution - 3 credit hours
An intensive study of the nature of conflict, its causes and consequences, and communication strategies for managing and resolving conflict. Recommended: COMM 1003. Course rotation: Spring.

4113 - Advanced Public Relations - 3 credit hours
Assigned work groups will plan and execute public relations/communication strategies for area business organizations. These plans will be expected to provide measurable gains against client objectives. Students will be expected to demonstrated exceptional professionalism, as established in the course structure and content.  Course rotation: Spring.

4203 - Crisis Communication - 3 credit hours
Communication strategies for dealing with crisis situations through prevention, readiness, and resolution of crisis situations will be developed. Recommended:  COMM 1003. Course rotation: Fall of odd years.

4403 - Communication Law & Ethics - 3 credit hours
Study focuses on media law and ethical considerations in the contemporary communication environment. Topics include the First Amendment, libel, invasion of privacy, information access, free press and fair trial considerations, obscenity, copyright, advertising, and telecommunication regulations. Also listed as JRNL 4403. Course rotation: Spring.

4503 - Interviewing - 3 credit hours
A comprehensive study of interviewing techniques as applied in diverse settings, including employment, performance appraisal, health care, and human services. Students will demonstrate understanding of relevant principles and techniques through observation of and participation in a series of interviews in and out of class. Recommended: COMM 1003. Course rotation: Spring.

4613 - Creative Ministries - 3 credit hours
Exploration of the contemporary and traditional Christian message through reading, interpreting, and performing sacred texts and spiritual literature. Areas addressed include puppetry, religious drama, mime, production, and presentation. Also listed as RELI 4613. Course rotation: Fall and Spring.

4713 - Leadership - 3 credit hours
Study of communication relative to values, leadership, and power in organizational contexts such as business, professional, social, educational, and political groups. Recommended:  COMM 1003. Course rotation: Fall.

4723 - Persuasion - 3 credit hours
An advanced study of theories of human influence and motivation and their applications with emphasis on commercial and political advertising in mass communication and computer-mediated communication. Course rotation: Spring.

4733 - Political Communication & Public Affairs - 3 credit hours
Study of communication issues related to interest group politics, including how interest groups use mass media to advance their public policy agendas. Citizen disengagement and the theory and practice of deliberative democracy are also emphasized. Course rotation: Spring.

4903 - Professional Internship in Communication - 3 credit hours
A student may elect to participate in a professional internship in a communication or communication-related field. The internship must involve a minimum of 120 clock hours per semester, for which at least 80 percent of the time at work involves activities that meaningfully contribute to the student's professional development for a targeted career. The internship must be pre-approved and supervised by a Communication Program faculty member and comply with the program's guidelines for professional internships. Grading: Credit/No Credit. Course rotation: Fall and Spring.

4911 - Communication Practicum III - 1 credit hour
Provides practical opportunity for skills-application, experience, and experiential learning of communication concepts. Corequisites:  COMM 2901 and junior/senior standing. Course rotation: As needed.

4993 - Communication Capstone - 3 credit hours
The capstone course gives all undergraduates in Communication the opportunity for a culminating college experience that focuses on their discipline and areas of interest and requires them to integrate concepts from related communication courses.  Students may choose from a variety of application options.  An oral presentation serves as the existing examination for the department.  Communication majors only, must be taken within the last two semesters prior to graduation. Course rotation: Fall and Spring.