Communication

Communication Courses

COM   1301   NEWS MEDIA PRACTICUM I
One hour.   A team-taught course across multiple media platforms that provides students practical experience in newspaper writing and production, broadcast studio production and broadcast performance, depending on student preference.  

COM   1302   NEWS MEDIA PRACTICUM II
One hour.   Prerequisite: COM 1302. A team-taught course across multiple media platforms that provides students practical experience in newspaper writing and production, broadcast studio production and broadcast performance, depending on student preference.  

COM   2100   MASS MEDIA AND SOCIETY
Four hours.   An in-depth look at the influences of the mass media on American culture. Emphasis will be placed on the historic, social and political impact of the media, both print and electronic.   Gen Ed: SW (Aw, An)

COM   2110   MEDIA WRITING
Four hours.   Effective writing for the various media. Includes style and format and differences between the media. Mastery of spelling, punctuation, and grammar through in-class writing assignments.  

COM   2301   NEWS MEDIA PRACTICUM III
One hour.   Prerequisite: COM 1302. A team-taught course across multiple media platforms that provides students practical experience in newspaper writing and production, broadcast studio production and broadcast performance, depending on student preference.  

COM   2302   NEWS MEDIA PRACTICUM IV
One hour.   Prerequisite: COM 2301. A team-taught course across multiple media platforms that provides students practical experience in newspaper writing and production, broadcast studio production and broadcast performance, depending on student preference.  

COM   2500   DESKTOP PUBLISHING
Four hours.   Using a simulated office environment, acquaint students with the basics of news media, public relations, and advertising electronic document layout for newspapers, brochures, magazines and on-line publications. Students learn basic management skills via peer centered critiques, coaching and mentoring.  

COM   3300   NEWS REPORTING
Four hours.   Prerequisite: Successful completion of Effective Communication SLO A. Writing and researching news for delivery through print, broadcast and online outlets.  

COM   3310   BROADCAST WRITING
Four hours.   Prerequisite: Successful completion of Effective Communication SLO A. Introduces and develops writing for broadcast readers, voice-overs, and news packages. Emphasizes writing for video and wrapping around audio in a real-world deadline environment. Includes broadcast producing.  

COM   3320   INTRODUCTION TO BROADCAST JOURNALISM
Four hours.   Prerequisite: COM 3300. An introduction to the process of electronic newsgathering, video editing, and production of news packages. Live-to-tape studio production is also introduced.  

COM   3330   FEATURE AND OPINION WRITING
Four hours.   Prerequisite: COM 3300 or SPC 3450. The process and style of writing profiles, narrative non-fiction, travel features and opinion articles.  

COM   3340   ADVANCED BROADCAST PRODUCTION
Four hours.   Prerequisite: COM 3320. Continues the process of electronic newsgathering and producing newscasts with anchor stories and reporter packages. In-depth, hands-on instruction of digital editing and multimedia graphics software.  

COM   3350   EDITING AND LAYOUT
Four hours.   Prerequisites: COM 2500 and COM 3300. Principles and practices of selecting and editing materials for print and online media and designing various publications.  

COM   3360   ONLINE MEDIA
Four hours.   Prerequisite: COM 3320 or COM 3330. The study of how to prepare and display news information online. How to critically evaluate content for and on the web. Produce multimedia stories.  

COM   3370   PHOTOJOURNALISM
Four hours.   Prerequisite: COM 2500 or permission of the instructor. Acquaint students with the techniques of digital photography and the skills needed for all areas of news photography. Class discussions center around the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to be successful in life and a career in photojournalism. They include critiquing, coaching, training and mentoring others; best practices in photographing specific genres of news items; how to avoid legal entanglements; ethical issues of publishing; personal safety; and relevant topical issues of the day. A goal of the class is to have a photograph published during the semester.  

COM   3400   PRINCIPLES OF ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Four hours.   Prerequisites: SPC 1500 and COM 2500 and completion of Effective Communication SLO A for majors; all non-majors require completion of Effective Communication SLOs A & B. Survey of advertising and public relations methods. Emphasis on preparation of advertisements, professional communication strategies and tactics, use of relevant research methodologies, and communication campaigns.  

COM   3410   ADVERTISING CREATIVE
Four hours.   Prerequisites: COM 2500 or ART 1020. A non-art course emphasizing the deadline-driven elements of advertising design in the professional world with an emphasis on agency needs.  

COM   3420   COPYWRITING
Four hours.   Prerequisite: COM 2500 and COM/SPC 3400. Emphasis on developing skills leading to understanding approaches to, and organization of material necessary to writing advertising copy. The course requires completion of an advertising campaign including writing for national, retail, broadcast (radio and television) trade, and outdoor advertising.  

COM   3500   ADVANCED DESKTOP PUBLISHING
Four hours.   Prerequisite: COM 2500. Prepares aspiring communication professionals for real-world desktop publishing environments requiring professional software applications. Emphasis is placed on project asset management and integration of applications as they are used in a professional environment. Students practice basic management skills via peer centered critiques, coaching and mentoring. Creation of a portfolio is required.  

COM/SPC   3550   COMMUNICATION RESEARCH
Four hours.   Prerequisites: Either COM/SPC 3400 or COM 3300 and successful completion of four hours of the Systematic and Creative Thinking: Quantitative SLO. Students are introduced to quantitative and qualitative research methodologies used by communication professionals and researchers. The course focuses on proper application of methodologies and interpretation of data.   Gen Ed: Ql

COM   3900   SPECIAL TOPICS IN MASS COMMUNICATION
Four hours.   Prerequisites: Successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B . Concentrated study of a special topic in mass communication, including political communication, sports journalism, journalism history, etc.  

COM   4300   NEWS MEDIA PROJECTS
Four hours.   Prerequisite: COM 3330 or COM 3340. Special project topics that refine and apply skills learned in previous journalism classes. The production of broadcast feature segments for television and online. Real-world media convergence is emphasized in group projects.  

COM/SPC   4400   ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGNS
Four hours.   Prerequisites: Either COM 3410 or SPC 4400 for majors. Either ART 3410 or ART 3510 or BUS 4148 for interdisciplinary minors. The orchestration of research, planning and communication skills for a client or employer seeking to achieve measurable outcomes that influence target publics.  

COM   4500   COMMUNICATION LAW AND ETHICS
Four hours.   Prerequisites: COM 3300 or COM/SPC 3400 or permission of the instructor, and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. An examination of major legal issues facing participants in the mass media, including First Amendment rights, libel and defamation, privacy and open access to government information. In addition, the course will explore ethical principles as they relate to media ethics.   Gen Ed: EC-C

COM/SPC   4960   COMMUNICATION INTERNSHIP (FALL SEMESTER)
Four hours.   Prerequisite: Majors only. All 3000-level concentration courses completed, minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA, permission of internship coordinator. On-the-job experience in specific concentration. Supervision by cooperating practitioners and department faculty. Oral report and written reports on field experience required. 40 hours of on-the-job experience are required for each one semester hour of credit.  

COM/SPC   4961   COMMUNICATION INTERNSHIP (SPRING SEMESTER)
Four hours.   Prerequisite: Majors only. All 3000-level concentration courses completed, minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA, permission of internship coordinator. On-the-job experience in specific concentration. Supervision by cooperating practitioners and department faculty. Oral report and written reports on field experience required. 40 hours of on-the-job experience are required for each one semester hour of credit.  

COM/SPC   4999   SPEECH AND MASS COMMUNICATION THEORY
Four hours.   Prerequisites: Either COM/SPC 4400 or COM 4300 or SPC 3250, and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. Seminar in speech and mass communication theory and its role in the study of mediated and human communication. This course will explore foundations of communication research, memes in the literature, and current trends. Students will be responsible for writing a research paper focused on a topic of significance within the field of communication.   Gen Ed: EC-C

Speech Courses

SPC   1500   FUNDAMENTALS OF SPEECH
Four hours.   Theory and practice of public address; preparation and delivery of short speeches; development of critical thinking and listening.   Gen Ed: EC-B

SPC   1600   FORENSIC PRACTICUM I
Two hours.   Prerequisite: SPC 1500 or permission of the instructor. Directed participation in forensic activities including dramatic interpretation, public address, extemporaneous speaking, and debate. Participation in forensic tournaments off-campus constitutes a major element of the course. Two contact hours per week with instructor or coaching staff for research / rehearsal.   Gen Ed: EC-B

SPC   1601   FORENSIC PRACTICUM II
Two hours.   Prerequisite: SPC 1600. Directed participation in forensic activities including dramatic interpretation, public address, extemporaneous speaking, and debate. Participation in forensic tournaments off-campus constitutes a major element of the course. Two contact hours per week with instructor or coaching staff for research / rehearsal.   Gen Ed: EC-B

SPC   2200   ADVANCED PUBLIC SPEAKING
Four hours.   Prerequisite: SPC 1500. An in-depth study of public address through examination of popular speeches, preparing and presenting manuscript, memorized, impromptu, and extemporaneous speeches.  

SPC   2250   INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
Four hours.   A study of the dynamics of human communication in various settings. Course focus is on verbal and nonverbal messages, listening, conflict, and relationships. Group and partner discussions, oral presentations, and performances are important elements of class.   Gen Ed: SW (Aw, Ap), EC-B

SPC   2260   SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION
Four hours.   The study of small group communication theory and practice in various situations. Course focus is on how small groups are used to solve problems, reach decisions, and make recommendations. Groups will work with campus and community groups to identify solutions and make recommendations to solve presented issues.   Gen Ed: SW (Aw, Ap)

SPC   2270   INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Four hours.   This course explores the unique relationship between communication and culture. Students examine their own cultural view as they are exposed to a variety of cultural dynamics and mores in this increasingly global society. This course balances concepts and theories of intercultural communication with practical application. The goal of this course is to enhance the student’s effectiveness as a communicator.   Gen Ed: SW (Glb, Aw, An), EC-B

SPC   3200   PERSUASION
Four hours.   Prerequisite: Successful completion of Effective Communication SLO A. An examination of the major theoretical perspectives and concepts related to persuasion. The course will familiarize students with major theories, areas of research, and ethical issues in the social scientific study and application of persuasion.   Gen Ed: SW (Aw, An), EC-B

SPC   3210   ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION
Four hours.   Successful completion of Effective Communication SLO A. This course focuses on the principles of communication within a variety of organizational structures. Students will explore and discuss research on communication networks, how information is processed within systems, and the relationship between communication and organizational culture and climate.   Gen Ed: SW (Aw, Ap), EC-B

SPC   3250   PROFESSIONAL AND RESEARCH WRITING
Four hours.   Prerequisites: SPC 1500 and SPC 2250 and successful completion of the Systematic and Creative Thinking: Quantitative SLO and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. Focus on the technical elements of professional writing and research writing. Students will develop a research proposal, utilizing in-depth qualitative research methods.   Gen Ed: EC-C

SPC   3450   PUBLIC RELATIONS WRITING
Four hours.   Prerequisites: SPC 1500 and COM 2500. Students develop industry-appropriate writing skills and techniques including creation of press releases, backgrounders, pitch letters, and other relevant media products. This course focuses on using audience analysis, demographics, and pyschographics to tailor messages to specific audiences. Creation of a portfolio is required.  

SPC   3900   SPECIAL TOPICS IN SPEECH COMMUNICATION
Four hours.   Prerequisite: Successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. Concentrated study of a special topic in speech communication such as health communication, rhetoric of the 1960s, rhetoric of the women’s movement, narrative inquiry, communication as performance, communicating addiction, or ethnography.  

SPC   4350   PUBLIC RELATIONS STRATEGIES
Four hours.   Prerequisites: COM/SPC 3400 and SPC 3450. The Public Relations Strategy course is a special topics course focusing on discussion of strategies and tactics within a variety of public relations fields such as crisis management, political communication, international communication, grass-roots / advocacy public relations, and/or non-profit public relations. Students will conduct original campaign research, analyze the results, and devise a research-driven public relations campaign appropriate to the class focus.  

SPC   4900   SENIOR THESIS
Four hours.   Prerequisites: SPC 3250 and COM/SPC 3550. Must be Senior standing and meet GPA requirements, which include a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 overall cumulative and a GPA requirement of 3.5 within the Communication Major. In this course students will develop, execute, create, and present an original research project.