Probable Course Offering 2007-2010 (PDF 13k)

The following have been approved as General Education courses in the area of Basic Skills, Oral Communication: 1545 and 1545H, Communication Theory and Practice.

The following courses have been approved as General Education courses in Area Writing Intensive: 4855 Interpersonal Communication Theory and Practice, 4859 Organizational Communication Theory and Practice, 5852 Group Communication Theory and Practice.

The following courses have been approved as General Education courses in the area of Oral Communication Intensive: 2645 Presentational Speaking, 2670 Persuasion, 3756 Interviewing.

Lower-Division Courses (1000-2000 Level)
Upper-Division Courses (3000-4000 Level)

Lower-Division Courses

1530. Communication Theory.The study of significant theories of communication that reflect the diversity of communication studies and address different communication contexts: interpersonal, group, public, organizational, and mass. 3 s.h.

*1545/1545L. Communication Theory and Practice. The study of the theories, strategies, and skills for competent participation in interpersonal, group,and public communication situations. Application exercises in interpersonal, group, and public communication are included.
Prereq.: Placement in ENGL 1550 based on Composition and Reading Test results, or successful completion of ENGL 1539 or ENGL 1540. Grading is ABC/NC. 3 s.h.+0 s.h.

*1545H Honors Communication Theory and Practice. The study of the theories, strategies, and skills for competent participation in interpersonal, group, and public communication situations. Application exercises in interpersonal, group, and public communication are included. Stylistic experimentation is encouraged so students develop their own distinctive oral communication style. Prereq.: Eligibility for the Honors Program. 3 s.h.

2610. Intercultural Communications. The study of key historical and contemporary theories that affect communication across cultural boundaries. Exercises for improving communication skills in intercultural communication situations are included.

*2645. Presentational Speaking. In-depth examination of the theory and practice of preparing and delivering presentations in today’s work environment. Emphasis on using technology aids during presentations. Prereq.: COMST 1545 or equivalent. 3 s.h.

2653. Group Communication. Small-group interaction and participation from a communication systems perspective. Includes an examination of group processes and leadership in group interaction. 3 s.h.

2656. Interpersonal Communication. An examination of the skills necessary to develop, maintain, and evaluate one-to-one relationships. Through practical experiences from everyday life, the class examines what occurs when one person communicates with another. 3 s.h.

2657. Organizational Communication. A general survey of traditional and interpretive approaches to organizational communication as well as career applications. Explores the relationship between communication and organizational effectiveness. 3 s.h.

Upper-Division Courses

3745. Individual Studies. The student selects a special problem or issue in communication to research in detail. Repeatable to a maximum of 6 s.h. Prereq.: COMST 1530, junior standing, approval of Individual Studies form. 1-3 s.h.

3750. Gender Communication. Principal concepts and issues of gender and communication as they apply to identity, and communication within and between the genders in a variety of contexts. Prereq.: COMST 2656. 3 s.h.

3754. Argumentation. Developing critical thinking through systematic evaluation of theories, principles, and practices of argumentation. Prereq.: COMST 1530. 3 s.h.

3756. Interviewing. Theories of communication applied to interview situations with a special concern for developing student understanding of and skills needed to participate in one-to-one and panel interviews. Prereq.: COMST 1530. 3 s.h.

3760. Persuasion. Theory and application of rhetorical persuasion. Study of major theorists including Aristotle and Kenneth Burke. Presentation required. Prereq.: COMST 1530 and COMST 2645. 3 s.h.

3799. Designing Communication Research. A study of the processes involved in designing both qualitative and quantitative communication research projects. Communication research design and implementation. Prereq.: 15 s.h. of Communication Studies including COMST 1530, ENGL 1551, and MATH 2623. 3 s.h.

4850. Computer Mediated Communication. Social interactions involved in e-mail, newsgroups, chats, muds, and 3D virtual worlds. Design, implementation and use of CMC stressing social implications. Prereq.: COMST 2656 and senior standing. 3 s.h.

4851. New Communication Media. New media histories, technologies, and cultures. Considers promising future forms, and includes issues of authorship, community, identity, interactivity, visuality, the nature and power of technology, intelligent systems, and artificial life. Prereq.: COMST 3799 and senior standing. 3 s.h.

4855. Interpersonal Communication Relationships. Theories of relationship development, maintenance and termination. The impact of face-to-face and mediated communication on interpersonal relationships. Prereq.: COMST 1530 and 2656 and ENGL 1551. 3 s.h.

4859. Organizational Cultures. Analysis of organizational cultures. relationships between organizational culture and communication in modern organizations. Prereq.: COMST 1530 and COMST 2657. 3 s.h.

4896. Internship. An application of communication theories and practice within organizational settings. Weekly meetings with faculty supervisor are required. Weekly field work is 15 hours. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 s.h. Prereq.: COMST 2657, senior standing, major in Communication Studies, and approval of Internship Proposal form. 3 s.h.

4898. Critical Methods in Communication Research. The advanced study and application of rhetorical, historical, and critical methods in communication research. Prereq.: COMST 3756 and COMST 3799. 3 s.h.

4899. Senior Project. A synthesis of research, writing, and presentation skills through the completion of a communication research project. May be repeated up to 4 s.h. Prereq.: Senior standing, majoring in Communication Studies with 24 s.h. of Communication Studies including COMST 3799. Grading is ABCDF/P. 2 s.h.

5852. Conflict Management. Analysis of communication variables influencing communication practice in groups. Includes the study of relevant literature, observation and participation in group situations, and application of theory to practice. May be repeated for credit if topic changes. Prereq.: COMST 1530 and 2653. 3 s.h.

5898. Seminar. A cooperative exploration of topics in communication studies. May be repeated up to 6 s.h. Prereq.: Senior standing or permission of instructor and 24 s.h. of Communication Studies, including COMST 3799. 3 s.h.