Courses in Communication Studies
Communication and Culture
CMCL-C 122 Interpersonal Communication (3 cr)
Practical consideration of spontaneous human interaction in face-to-face situations. Special attention to perception, language, and attitudes.
Offered fall semesters.
CMCL-C 130 Public Speaking, Honors (3 cr)
Theory and practice of public speaking: training in thought processes necessary to organize speech content, analysis of components of effective delivery and language. Substitute for S121. Honors students or instructor permission required.
Offered fall semesters.
CMCL-C 205 Intro. to Communication & Culture (3 cr)
An overview of the theories and principles of effective communication in interpersonal, group, organizational, and public settings.
Offered spring semester of alternate years, occasionally in summer.
CMCL-C 225 Discussion & Decision Making (3 cr)
Leadership, participation, and decision making in group settings, including committee, conference, public discussion, and social dimensions of group process.
CMCL-C 304 Communication & Social Conflict (3 cr)
Examination of sources and functions of symbolic influence in contemporary society. Emphasis upon developing rhetorical skills for critiquing social conflict.
CMCL-C 315 Advertising and Consumer Culture (3 cr)
Critical examination of advertising’s role in modern societies. Focuses on marketing and consumption as central activities in shaping personal identity and social relations.
CMCL-C 334 Current Topics in Communication (3 cr)
Extensive analysis of selected problems in contemporary speech communication. Topics may vary and may be listed in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated once for credit.
Offered fall, spring, and summer semesters.
CMCL-C337 New Media (3 cr)
With major interest in online interactions, examines human communication in the context of new media and information technologies.
Offered spring and/or fall.
CMCL-C 380 Nonverbal Communication (3 cr)
Provides a conceptual and theoretical foundation for understanding how nonverbal communication influences perceptions of others and the ways in which nonverbal communication reflects emotions, status, sex roles, etc. The course explores how nonverbal communication facilitates retention, comprehension, and persuasiveness of verbal information, including the ability to detect deceptive communication.
CMCL-C 405 Communication Theories (3 cr)
Survey of contemporary theories of human communication with emphasis on the nature of theory construction; contributions of allied disciplines to communication theory.
This course also listed as SPCH-S 405
Only offered Fall semesters
- Prerequisite: C205
CMCL-C 424 Communication Research Methods (3 cr)
Focuses on the objective appraisal of behavioral data in the study of speech communication. Introduces the theoretical foundation of empirical social science and offers guidelines for conducting descriptive and experimental studies.
Only offered spring semesters
- Prerequisite: C205, C405
CMCL-C 427 Cross-Cultural Communication (3 cr)
A survey study of national, cultural, and cross-cultural persuasion in theory and practice.
Offered spring semester, odd years.
CMCL-C 440 Organizational Communication (3 cr)
Examination of internal and external communication in business and other professional organizations, with emphasis on theory, techniques, practices, goals, and the social environment in which such communication exists.
Offered spring semester, even years.
CMCL-C 450 Gender and Communication (3 cr)
Examines the extent to which biological sex and gender role orientation and stereotypes influence the process of communication. Focuses on gender differences in decoding and encoding verbal and nonverbal behavior, development of sex roles, cultural assumptions, and stereotypes regarding gender differences in communication. Analyzes how the media present, influence, and reinforce gender stereotypes.
Offered fall and spring semesters
CMCL-C 490 Capstone in Communication and Culture (3-6 cr)
Original research project, culmination in honors thesis to be written under direction of faculty member. Can substitute for S490.
Offered as needed.
- Prerequisite: Senior standing
Speech & Public Speaking
SPCH-S 121 Public Speaking (3 cr)
Theory and practice of public speaking: training in thought processes necessary to organize speech content, analysis of components of effective delivery and language.
Offered fall, spring and summer semesters. Offered on campus and online. See this document for more information about the online format and related requirements: Requirements for SPCH S121 online.
SPCH-S 303 Propaganda and Persuasion (3 cr)
A study of the theory and use of propaganda in contemporary society. The course will examine the difference between propaganda and more ethical forms of persuasion. You will analyze a current propaganda campaign.
Offered periodically.
SPCH-S 323 Speech Composition (3 cr)
Advanced speech writing; theories of style in written and spoken language; logical proofs; and emotional and ethical appeals. Practice in composition and delivery.
Offered periodically.
- Prerequisites: S121 or C130
SPCH-S 333 Public Relations Writing (3 cr)
Practice and profession of writing for public relations within the context of campaigns or ongoing desemination. Persuasion theory and psychology of persuasion. A heavy writing emphasis
Offered periodically.
Journalism
JOUR-J 110 Foundations of Journalism and Mass Comm (3 cr)
Survey of the institutions of journalism and mass communication, their philosophical foundations, history, processes, economic realities, and effects.
Offered occasionally.
JOUR-J210 Visual Communication (3 cr.)
Theories of visual communications including human perception, psychology of color, and principles of design. Application of those theories to photography, video, and computer graphic design in news communication.
Offered spring semester, even years.
JOUR-J 219 Introduction to Public Relations (3 cr)
Provides an overview of public relations and introduces theory and practice of the field. Topics include the relationship between public relations and marketing, the history and development of public relations, measurement and assessment methods, ethics, and law.
Offered fall semester, even years.
JOUR-J 290 Internship in Journalism (3 cr)
You will produce campus student newspaper. May be repeated once for credit.
Offered as needed.
Telecommunications
TEL-T 206 Introduction to Television and Culture (3 cr)
Study the form, structure, and meaning of television programs. Historical development of genres and conventions examined in relation to issues of American culture.
Offered fall semesters.
TEL-T 283 Introduction to Production Techniques and Practices (3 cr)
Introductory hands-on production course which concentrates on the planning and production of video and related media. Specific units include TV studio, field shooting/linear tape editing and digital video non-linear video editing. Content consists of applied activities within a conceptual framework. Class partnership with WCTV.
Offered every semester.
- Prerequisite: TEL-T 206
TEL-T 336 Digital Video Production
Courses focuses on non-linear video editing. Class partnership with WCTV.
TEL-T 498 Projects in Telecommunications (3-6 cr)
This course is an upper-division independent study. Students must receive approval from advisor and a project director.
- Prerequisite: TEL-T 283
