Communication (COMM)

Head of Department: Professor Carl Coelho
Department Office: Room 213, Communication Sciences Building.

For major requirements, see the Communications Sciences Department listing in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of this Catalog.

100. The Process of Communication

(Formerly offered as COMS 102). Either semester. Three credits. 

A study of modern communication theories and principles useful in understanding how people affect and are affected by others through communication. CA 2.

105. Principles of Public Speaking

(Formerly offered as COMS 105). Either semester. Three credits.

Theory and performance in public speaking: overcoming apprehension; audience analysis; development of concepts; maximizing message impact; professional presentation skills; group projects; evidence; listening and speech evaluation.

130. Mass Communication Systems

(Formerly offered as COMS 135.) Either semester. Three credits.

The history, organizational structure, economics and functioning of technologically-based communication systems and the relationship of these factors to mass communication issues and effects.

200Q. Research Methods in Communication

(Formerly offered as COMS 231Q) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMM 100 or COMS 102 or instructor consent. Recommended preparation: MATH 101 or equivalent. 

The scientific approach as it specifically applies to communication.

205. Introduction to Research Literature in Communication

(Formerly offered as COMS 230.) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMM 200Q or COMS 231Q, COMM 210 or COMS 210, COMM 220 or COMS 205, and COMM 230 or COMS 235.

A survey of research in major sub-areas of communication.

210. Persuasion

(Formerly offered as COMS 210.) Either semester. Three credits. Three class periods or two class periods with one discussion period. Prerequisite: COMM 100 or COMS 102 or instructor consent. Hamilton

Introduction to theories of attitude formation, change and reinforcement. Research is used to evaluate past and present models of persuasion.

211. Advanced Persuasion and Communication

(Formerly offered as COMS 219.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMM 210 or COMS 210. Recommended preparation: COMM 200Q or COMS 231Q and COMM 230 or COMS 235 or instructor consent.

Advanced consideration and criticism of selected modern persuasion theories and research in communications.

212. Visual Communications

(Formerly offered as COMS 240.) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMM 100 or COMS 102, completion of at least one C course. Recommended preparation: Completion of at least one Q course.

Theory of design and creation of graphics for professional and technical purposes, to complement or supplement written and spoken communications.

215. Communication Campaigns and Applied Research

(Formerly offered as COMS 218.)Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMM 200Q or COMS 231Q, or STAT 100QC  or 110QC. Recommended preparation: COMM 130 or COMS 135, COMM 230 or 235, and COMM 210 or COMS 210. Snyder

Application of media, persuasion, and social change theories to the design of communication campaigns, including focus groups, interviews and other background research. Students will work with community organizations.

220. Interpersonal Communications

(Formerly offered as COMS 205.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMM 100 or COMS 102 or instructor consent. VanLear

An introduction, analysis and critique of recent theories of interpersonal communication. Topics include person perception, theories of communication management, and the structural analysis of face to face communication behavior.

224. Introduction to Semantics

(Formerly offered as COMS 224.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMM 100 or COMS 102 or instructor consent.

The relationship among people, words, and meaning.

225W. Small Group Communication

(Formerly offered as COMS 216W.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMM 220 or COMS 205 or instructor consent; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250.   Recommended preparation: COMM 210 or COMS 210. VanLear

Approaches, methods, and findings of research in small group communication and development of an ability to engage effectively in small group situations.

226. Organizational Communication

(Formerly offered as COMS 217.) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMM 220 or COMS 205 and COMM 200Q or COMS 231Q or instructor consent. 

Communication in formal organizations; horizontal and vertical communication; effectiveness of different organizational structures and channels; feedback; networks; norms and roles.

230. Effects of Mass Media

(Formerly offered as COMS 235.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMM 100 or COMS 102 or instructor consent.

An analysis of the roles of the mass media and of the effects they exert on individuals and society.

231W. Media Literacy and Criticism

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMM 100; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. Open to sophomores or higher. Recommended preparation: COMM 130, 241, 262. Atkin

History, analysis and evaluation of technique, content and aesthetic effect of media messages. Cultural, political, economic, and institutional factors that help define the grammar of popular mass media content; social scientific perspectives addressing how audiences learn to comprehend media content including efforts to promote media literacy.

232. Media and Special Audiences

(Formerly offered as COMS 260.) (Also offered as PRLS 260.) Either semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: COMM 100 or COMS 102. Rios

Media content and audience responses. Ethnic, racial, and gender issues in mainstream and ethnic media. Special audiences include Latina/os, African Americans, Asian Americans, Women, Gays, Lesbians.

233. Latinas and Media

(Also offered as PRLS 264 and WS 260.) Second semester. Three credits. Rios

The role of ethnicity and race in women's lives. Special attention to communication research on ethnic and racial minority women. CA 4.

234. Children and Mass Media

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMM 100 or COMS 102.

Child development and the effects of mass media on young children. Educational television, frightening media, violent television, computer games, the Internet and media policy. 

241. Mass Media and Political Process

(Formerly offered as COMS 238.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMM 130 or COMS 135, COMM 210 or COMS 210, and COMM 230 or COMS 235.

An introduction to the role of the mass media in the American political process. Topics include the relationships among the media, major political institutions, and citizenry; the interplay of the media, interest groups, and policymaking process; and the role of the media in elections and international crises.

242W. Government Communication

(Formerly offered as COMS 222W.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMM 100 or COMS 102; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250.

Communication in government processes. Communication theory and practical applications. Issue management, lobbying, interest-group strategies, government relations, grassroots action, and coalition building. Students may not pass this course without passing the written work.

243. Protest and Communication

(Formerly offered as COMS 236.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite or corequisite: COMM 230 or COMS 235.  With a change in content, this course may be repeated once for credit.

Protest movement - past and current - in light of principles, models, and theories of communication.

244W. Communication Law and Policy

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMM 100; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. Open to sophomores or higher. Recommended preparation: COMM 130, 241, 262. Atkin

The development of American communication laws and policies, from their constitutional base through federal law, regulatory agencies and the judicial system. Exploration of rights and responsibilities of communication organizations and the public.

245. Gender and Communication

(Formerly offered as COMS 226.) (Also offered as WS 268). Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMM 100 or instructor consent. Not open for credit to students who have passed COMS 226 OR WS 278. 

Differences in male/female communication, and an examination of cultural assumptions regarding gender in the communication process. Critically analyze the theory, politics and practice of communication and gender.

250. Nonverbal Communication

(Formerly offered as COMS 207.) First semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: COMM 200Q or COMS 231Q. Buck

Facial expression, body movement, spatial behavior and para-language, with a consideration of applications for information theory.

251W. Advanced Nonverbal Communication

(Formerly offered as COMS 214W.) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMM 250 or COMS 207 or instructor consent; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. Recommended preparation: COMM 220 or COMS 205. Buck

Selected issues and research techniques current in the literature. Research projects of kinesic, proxomic, and/or paralinguistic behaviors involved in communication.

255. Motivation and Emotion

(Formerly offered as COMS 255.) (Also offered as PSYC 255.)  Either semester.  Three credits.  Prerequisite: PSYC 132 and PSYC 135 or 133. Buck

Cognition, brain mechanisms, biofeedback, aggression, sex, competence, social influence, and conformity.

260. Information and Communication

(Formerly offered as COMS 234.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMM 200Q or COMS 231Q or instructor consent.

Approaches to studying communication including cybernetics, general systems theory, information theory, and human information processing.

262. New Communication Technologies

(Formerly offered as COMS 239.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMM 130 or COMS 135. Recommended preparation:  COMM 230 or COMS 235. 

An overview of new communication technologies. Topics include the uses, evolution, diffusion, operation, and effects of new communication technologies. 

264. Design of Human Communication Systems

(Formerly offered as COMS 237.) Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: COMM 130 or COMS 135.  Recommended preparation: 270W. Global Communication

(Formerly offered as COMS 206W.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. Recommended preparation: COMM 130 or COMS 135. 

International communication patterns; globalization of media industries; new technologies; communication in war and peace; political, economic, social and cultural effects.

271. Communication and Change

(Formerly offered as COMS 208.) First semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: COMM 230 or COMS 235 and COMM 210 or COMS 210. Snyder

The role of communication and communication technologies in social change, diffusion of new ideas, and education. Special application to third world development

272. Cross-Cultural Communication

(Formerly offered as COMS 209.) Either semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: COMM 220 or COMS 205.

Communication behavior within and across cultures and subcultures.

273W. Media, State, and Society

(Formerly offered as COMS 213W.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMM 130 or COMS 135 and COMM 230 or COMS 235, which may be taken concurrently; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. 

Forms of, rationales for, and effects of state involvement in mass media. The development of alternative media. Cultural implications of transnational media influences.

280. Communication Processes in Advertising

(Formerly offered as COMS 220.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMM 130 or COMS 135, COMM 230 or COMS 235 and COMM 210 or COMS 210. 

Covers communications theory relevant to advertising, with specific application to the creative elements of art and copy. Students create actual print advertisements and radio commercials.

282. Public Relations

(Formerly offered as COMS 215.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMM 130 or COMS 135, COMM 200Q or COMS 231Q, and COMM 230 or COMS 235 .

Practical applications of major theories of communication and mass media to public relations practiced by organizations. Based on readings, student research, and case histories.

283W. Public Relations Writing

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMM 282; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250.

Philosophy and practice of good, ethical and effective public relations for advanced students. Writing projects such as press releases, media advisories, briefing packets, speech introductions, brochures, newsletters, and op-eds.

288. Television Production

(Formerly offered as COMS 233.) Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMM 100 or COMS 102 and COMM 130 or COMS 135 and instructor consent.

Provides hands-on broadcast and industrial video production. Students will rotate through all studio positions for a televised production and complete field shoots and editing for an electronic field production project. Preproduction skills such as proposal and script writing, storyboarding and budgeting will be included in each class project.

290. Research Practicum in Communication

(Formerly offered as COMS 211.) Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement, with a maximum of three credits per semester. Prerequisite: At least 12 credits of 200-level Communication courses which must include COMM 200Q or COMS 231Q and consent of instructor. Should be taken during the senior year. May be repeated once for credit.

Provides students with an opportunity to participate in a variety of supervised research activities in communication.

291. Internship in Communication

(Formerly offered as COMS 212.) Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement, with a maximum of three credits per semester. Prerequisite: At least 12 credits of 200-level Communication courses and consent of instructor. Should be taken during the senior year. May be repeated once for credit. Students taking this course will be assigned a final grade of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory).

Provides students with an opportunity for supervised field work in a professional communication organization. Student's performance will be evaluated both by the field supervisor and course instructor.

293. Foreign Study

(Formerly offered as COMS 293.) Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. May be repeated for credit. Consent of Department Head required, normally granted prior to the student's departure. May count toward the major with consent of the advisor.

Special topics taken in foreign study program.

296W. Senior Thesis

(Formerly offered as COMS 296W.) Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. Open only with consent of instructor.

Preparation of a thesis and its presentation to the department.

297. Variable Topics

(Formerly offered as COMS 297.) Either semester. Three credits. With a change in topic, may be repeated for credit. Prerequisites and recommended preparation vary.

298. Special Topics

(Formerly offered as COMS 298.) Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. With a change in content, may be repeated for credit. Prerequisites and recommended preparation vary.

299. Independent Study

(Formerly offered as COMS 299.) Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of instructor. With a change of content, may be repeated for credit.

The course, for superior students, includes independent reading, periodic conferences, and such other work as desired by the instructor.