COM - Communication


COM 103Introduction to the TheaterUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Spring Summer
Artistic, technical, historical, and literary areas of theater, including acting, directing, design, stagecraft, lighting, costuming, makeup, and criticism.


COM 110Public SpeakingUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Spring Summer
Research skills, topic selection, speech organization, skills in speech delivery. Listening for analysis and evaluation of in-class speech presentation.


COM 112Interpersonal CommunicationUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Spring Summer
Interpersonal communication competence: self-concept, self-disclosure, active listening, verbal and nonverbal communication, and conflict management.


COM 200Communication Media in a Changing WorldUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Communication in a Changing World traces the evolution of media from prehistory to today. The course examines the place and influence of the major media companies that control to an unrealized extent both access to, and the content of, the contemporary mediascape. The course challenges students to examine their use of media from cellphone, to computer, music and gaming platforms.


COM 201Introduction to Persuasion TheoryUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Spring Summer
Impacts of persuasive communication on attitudes and behavior. Uses humanistic and social scientific theories to explain the persuasive process.


COM 202Small Group CommunicationUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Theory and practice of effective communication in small groups, including: stages of group development, role emergence, leadership functions, decision making strategies, conflict management, and the significance of power.


COM 203Theory and Practice of ActingUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Spring Summer
Basic contemporary theories on acting, with practical application through classroom exercises. Role analysis, adaptation of voice and body to performance demands, and role development through various rehearsal activities.


COM 211Argumentation and AdvocacyUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Theory-based analysis of public argument in specialized settings of law, politics, academic debate, business and organizations, and interpersonal relations.


COM 213Oral Interpretation of LiteratureUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Selection, preparation, and oral performance of literature for specific audiences of adults and children.


COM 215Introduction to Communication DisordersUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Normal speech/language development including the anatomical and physiological bases for reception and expression of oral language. Developmental and acquired speech/language problems and basic treatment principles applied to communication disorders.


COM 223StagecraftUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Fundamentals of scenery design, set construction, and related technical activities. Practical applications with use of design media and shop facilities. Required production participation in University Theater presentations.


COM 226Introduction to Public RelationsUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Spring Summer
Public relations as a communication function of organizations. Public relations process, principles, history, and practice. Analysis of environmental, organizational, communication, and audience influences on public relations practice; career opportunities.


COM 230Introduction to Communication TheoryUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: Communication Majors
Micro- and macro-analytic theories used in the study of human communication: perspectives and assumptions of major theories; utility and application of major theories; contexts, cultures, and media.


COM 233Introduction to Stage LightingUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Only
Fundamentals and uses of stage lighting equipment and stage lighting design. Practical application of design media and shop facilities. Participation in production activity for University Theater presentations.


COM 240Communication InquiryUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: Communication Majors
Qualitative and quantitative methods of inquiry in communication: types of questions; strategies for answering questions; nature of evidence; advantages and disadvantages of different methods; reference tolls in the field; and channels of distribution for research-based information.


COM 250Communication and TechnologyUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: Communication Majors
Examination of past and current intersections of technology, culture, and communication. Implications for future intersections. Impact of technology and communication policy. Methods of message evaluation. Exposure to technology applications in the discipline. Basic technology skills for the competent communicator. Practical experience in interactive communication technology.


COM 257Media History and TheoryUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: COM 230
Historical development and social implications of telecommunications, print, photography, film, broadcasting, and computer-mediated communication. Theoretical and methodological approaches to the field of communication media: media history; media economics and policy; media effects and power; media as producers of meaning; media audiences; media technologies; and roles of the media in social, cultural, and political change.


COM 267Electronic Media Writing: Theory and PracticeUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Spring Summer
Prerequisite: COM 230
Media writing as a social practice. Roles of writing and writers in media production processes. Social, political, economic, and professional conditions that enable or constrain writing and the writer. Specific media writing genres and formats. Research and preparation for media writing. Students write research-based scripts for news, commentary, and fictional genres in radio, television, film, and emerging media.


COM 293Theater PracticumUNITS: 1-6 - No Course Evaluation, Offered in Fall Spring Summer
Practical experience in one or more of the various areas of artistic and technical theater through active participation in Thompson Theater's play production program.


COM 296Communication Internship-Non-LocalUNITS: 1 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: Communication Majors
Non-local directed work experience for Communication majors with supervision from the work site and the University. COM 296 may be taken more than once only with the permission of the Internship Director and the Assoc. Dept. Head.


COM 298Special Projects in CommunicationUNITS: 1-3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
A special projects course to be utilized for guided research or experimental classes at the sophomore level, topic determined by instructor.


COM 301Presentational SpeakingUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: COM 110
Design, organization and delivery of oral presentations for policy determination, policy implementation, and sales.


COM 302Managing MeetingsUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Only
Rules and customs of meetings in committees, assemblies and organizations; meeting management and group leadership; parliamentary motions and strategies.


COM 303Stage DirectingUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Basic theory of directing and its application to theatrical production. Play reading, evaluation, casting procedure, staff organization, and rehearsal planning and practices. Laboratory productions of short plays.


COM 307Digital Audio ProductionUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: COM 267
Basic principles of digital audio production, including studio operation, performing, writing and producing.


COM 314Advanced Audio ProductionUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: COM 214
Advanced multichannel techniques for audio production. Studio acoustics, audio signal processing, and advanced microphone techniques, writing, and performing.


COM 315PhoneticsUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Articulatory and acoustic phonetics; application of the International Phonetic Alphabet with vocal and ear training.


COM 316Communication Techniques for Public RelationsUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: COM 226
Communication processes and procedures of public relations programs. Media techniques, preparation of materials, channels of distribution.


COM 317Television ProductionUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: COM 267
Basic techniques of television studio production, including producing, writing, directing and electronic graphics production.


COM 321Survey of Rhetorical TheoryUNITS: 3
Prerequisite: COM 201
Principles of rhetorical theory from its classical origins through the modern period to the present time. Key concepts and theories that provide a critical understanding of the processes of persuasive symbol use.


COM 322Nonverbal CommunicationUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: COM 112
Theory and research in nonverbal communication, including: environment; space; physical appearance, movement; eyes and facial expressions; and vocal cues. Nonverbal communication in personal, workplace and cross-cultural setting.


COM 323Introduction to Scenic DesignUNITS: 3 - Offered Alternate Years, Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: COM 103 or 223
Aesthetics, elements, and principles of scenic design. Theories and applications to the physical stage in relation to the script. Practical applications with the use of design media in University Theater productions.


COM 325Anatomy and Physiology of SpeechUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Only
Anatomy and physiology of the speech mechanism including the muscular, skeletal, and nervous system structures involved in respiration, phonation, and articulation.


COM 327Critical Analysis of Communication MediaUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: COM 240 and COM 257, Corequisite: COM 240
Theoretical frameworks, methods, and aims of various approaches to critical analysis of the media. Critiques of power over media production; social biases of informational, fictional, and hybrid media content; and historical forms of audiences and the public. Critical awareness of the media's effects in politics, public culture, and everyday life.


COM 332Relational CommunicationUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: COM 112
Communication patterns in the development and deterioration of interpersonal relationships. Functional and dysfunctional communication behaviors in family relationships.


COM 333Advanced ActingUNITS: 3 - Offered Alternate Years, Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: COM 203 or demonstrated competence in acting
Advanced methods in role preparation through exercises in concentration, imagination, sensory and emotional recall, and other Stanislavskian techniques. Analyses and critiques of plays and in-class performances.


COM 335Language DevelopmentUNITS: 3 - Offered Alternate Years, Offered in Fall Only
Syntactic, semantic, morphologic, and pragmatic development from birth through adolescence. The influence of cognitive and social development on language development. First language acquisition versus second language learning.


COM (AFS) 340African American TheatreUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
This course examines African American dramaturgy and its impact on American theatre. We will study plays from the early period, 1847-1938, and from the recent period, 1935-present. This course will investigate the thematic structure of each section of plays including family life, social protest, and religion. The course will also help students to better understand the social milieu that shaped the content of each play.


COM 342InterviewingUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: Junior standing
Theory and practice of effective communication skills applied in various types of professional interviews. In-class interviewing.


COM 344Film ProductionUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: COM 267
Principles of cinematography, production, and editing technologies for film. Script, shoot, and edit short 16mm films. Post-production on digital non-linear editing systems. Critical analysis of production of classic and contemporary feature films.


COM 345Child Language DisordersUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: COM 335
Basic principles, methods and procedures for assessment and intervention of child language disorders. Dialectical differences. Research methodology. Computer applications.


COM 357Digital Video ProductionUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: COM 267
Principles of producing, directing, and editing techniques for digital video. Students script, storyboard, shoot, and edit short video projects.


COM (WGS) 362Communication and GenderUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: Junior standing, COM 112
Effects of gender on the interpersonal communication process. Construction of gendered identities via communication practices. Examination of theories of gender and the role of gender in organizational, institutional, and media communication practices.


COM 364History of Film to 1940UNITS: 3
Prerequisite: Junior standing
Technological developments and aesthetic movements that shaped cinema production and direction from the beginning of the industry to 1940. Evolution in camera movement, editing, sound storyline, and the documentary. Rise to prominence of the Hollywood studio systems and the contributions of foreign filmmakers.


COM 367Multimedia Production and Digital CultureUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: COM 267
Production lab and seminar combined. Digital production of visual images, audio, and video for the web. Readings in theories of visual communication and electronic culture. Critical analysis of assumptions underlying development and deployment ofelectronic media, and their social, economic and political impact. Development of practical skills and critical thinking.


COM 374History of Film From 1940UNITS: 3
Prerequisite: Junior standing
Technological developments and aesthetic movements that have shaped cinema production and direction from 1940 to the present. Evolution in camera movement, editing, sound, storyline, and the documentary. Post-war decline and re-emergence of the Hollywood film industry and the contributions of foreign filmmakers.


COM 375Articulation and Phonological Development and DisordersUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: COM 215
Normal acquisition of articulation and phonology. Basic principles and methods of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of articulation and phonological disorders. Dialectal differences. Phonological transcription. Computer applications.


COM 377Television Writing SeminarUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: COM 204
Development of advanced skills in writing for television in such formats as news, documentary, commercials and public service announcements, drama and non-broadcast video. Discussions with working professionals.


COM 385Speech ScienceUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: COM 215 and COM 325
Acoustic properties of speech sounds and the dynamics of speech sound production. Initial experience with basic clinical instrumentation used to measure respiratory, phonatory, and atriculatory movements and the acoustic events that result from these movements. Lab assignments using basic instrumentation and computer software are completed outside of class.


COM 387Advanced Television ProductionUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: COM 224
Television program production utilizing advanced production techniques. Emphasis on refinement of writing, producing, and directing skills through work in TV studio on production of sophisticated program formats.


COM 392International and Crosscultural CommunicationUNITS: 3
Patterns and problems of verbal and non-verbal forms of crosscultural communication. Avoidance and management of cultural conflict arising from awareness of characteristics and crosscultural communication. Impact on communication of differing cultural perspectives.


COM 402Advanced Group CommunicationUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: COM 202
Communication processes and outcomes in groups with complex, strategic, and critical public or corporate functions. Focus on participating in, intervening in, leading, and constructing group processes. Advanced theory with application.


COM 403Touring TheatreUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: Audition required
A touring performance experience consisting of text analysis, characterization, role development, and performance of scripts.


COM 411Rhetorical CriticismUNITS: 3
Rhetorical analysis of public speeches, social movements, political campaigns, popular music, advertising, and religious communication. Neo-Aristotelian criticism, movement studies, genre criticism, dramatistic analysis, content analysis, fantasy theme analysis.


COM 415Diagnostic Procedures in Speech PathologyUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: COM 215 plus six (6) additional credits in communication disorders courses
Principles and practices of assessment. Models and procedures used in diagnosing a wide variety of communication disorders in children and adults. Critical analysis and diagnosis of voice, fluency, hearing, articulation and phonological language, and neuropathic disorders. Diagnostic report writing.


COM 417Advanced Topics in Communication and RaceUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: COM 257, Corequisite: COM 250
Advanced topics seminar examining construction of racial and ethnic identities through communication practices. Exploration of theories of race and identity and the ways communication works to construct, undermine, and reinforce understanding across social groups.


COM 421Communication LawUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: Junior standing
Explores the historical, philosophical, and legal foundations of communication rights and responsibilities. Philosophies and regulations affecting sources, messages, channels, receivers, and situations provide the central focus of the course.


COM 427Game StudiesUNITS: 3
Exploration of inter-relations among mobile technologies (cell phones, PDAs), location-based activities, and playful/social spaces. Investigates three main areas: (1) the definition of basic gaming concepts (community, narrative, play, and space); (2) the history of games as social events, with particular emphasis on multi-user domains (MUDs); and (3) the definition of games, which use the physical space as the game environment, such as pervasive games, location-based games, and hybrid realitygames. Discussion of inter-connections among games, education, and art. Jr/Sr Standing.


COM 431Communication in Political CampaignsUNITS: 3 - Offered Alternate Years, Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: COM 110 or COM 201
Roles of analysis and criticism of oral communication in political campaigns; analysis of special political communication situations; ghostwriting, news conferences, negative advertising.


COM 435AudiologyUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: Communication Disorders Concentration (16COMDIS) students only
Basic terminology in audiology; anantomy and physiology of the ear; types of hearing loss; evaluation of hearing using air and bone conduction, speech audiometry, tympanometry, and acoustic reflexes; interpretation of audiograms. Performance of hearing screening and air condustion threshold testing.


COM 436Environmental CommunicationUNITS: 3 - Offered Alternate Odd Years, Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: COM 230 or STS 214
Critical analysis of environmental discourse in organizational, mass media, political, cultural, and international contexts. Investigates public participation in environmental advocacy and deliberation; environmental conflict management; rhetoricalconstructions of nature and human relationships with nature; environmental justice; environmental risk communication; and competing ecological paradigms. Must hold Junior/Senior standing.


COM 437Advanced Digital VideoUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: COM 357
Hands-on experience in digital video production. Production of instructional videotapes. Practical experience in all phases of production process, including pre-production organization and critical analysis of final product.


COM 441Ethical Issues in CommunicationUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: COM 110, 112
Critical analysis of ethical problems in interpersonal and public communication practices.


COM 442Communication and Conflict ManagementUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: COM 112
Examination of conflict styles and theories; conflict management strategies such as negotiation and third party intervention; and relevant contexts for conflict such as workplace, families, and interpersonal relationships. Practical, theoretical and critical analyses of conflict and negotiation in variety of contexts.


COM 445Neurolinguistic Development and DisordersUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: COM 335
Neuroanatomy and physiology basic to the diagnosis and treatment of children and adults with neurolinguistic disorders related to traumatic brain injury, aphasia and neurological disease. Survey of etiology and symptomatology. Training in the nature, characteristics, associated problems, and clinical management of patients with brain damage.


COM 446Problems in Public RelationsUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Spring Summer
Prerequisite: COM 226 and COM 230
Application of theory, principles, and problem-solving techniques used in public relations to organizational case studies.


COM 447Communication and GlobalizationUNITS: 3 - Offered Alternate Odd Years, Offered in Fall Only
Corequisite: COM 327
History and current trends in globalization of media, information, and telecommunications technologies, organizations, policies, and contents. Political cultural implications of globalization, including debates over corporate vs. public control of global communication, U.S. dominance vs. international cooperation, and the global influence of American culture. Internet-based group research projects on globalization in collaboration with students in other countries.


COM 451Visual RhetoricUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: COM 201 or COM 321
Examine the rhetorical strategies employed in various primarily visual forms of communication including advertising, photography, digital images, visual art, and public commemorative artifacts and sites. Explore the concepts and methods used to rhetorically analyze and interpret visual images and artifacts. Includes one or more required field trips to which students will provide own transportation.


COM 455Clinical Observation in Speech-Language PathologyUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: COM 215
Observation of a variety of therapy techniques and clinical procedures used in the treatment of speech-language-hearing-impaired individuals in the NC State Speech Clinic and other local sites.


COM 456Organizational CommunicationUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Spring Summer
Prerequisite: COM 230
Role of human communication in organizations, the assumptions inherent in management philosophies about effective communication, and an investigation of the relationships among communication, job satisfaction, productivity, development, and employeemotivation.


COM 457Media and the FamilyUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Only
Corequisite: COM 327
Impact of mediated messages upon children and the family unit. Origins of the empirical literature and continuing research. Assessment of the qualitative literature. Implications of commercial structure of the media industries on the structure and distribution of media messages designed for children and families. Consideration of both pro- and anti-social impacts.


COM 462Cross-Cultural CommunicationUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: COM 112; 3 additional COM credits
Communication across cultural boundaries with emphasis on comparative analysis of communication strategies and tactics as well as overall communication systems of various cultures: problems, barriers, patterns of communication.


COM 465Advanced Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language PathologyUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: COM 455
Initial experience for students to assess and treat individuals with speech, language, and hearing problems and to write clinical reports.


COM 466Nonprofit Leadership & DevelopmentUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Nonprofit Leadership and Development is a service-learning course in which students will be expected to make a 20-hour commitment to service in a local nonprofit organization. Students will critically examine theories of communication and leadershipwith concentration on issues pertaining to nonprofits such as working with executive boards, volunteer management, and resource development. Students are responsible for transportation and purchase of internship insurance.


COM 467Advanced Topics in Gender and CommunicationUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: COM 327 or COM 362
Advanced Topics seminar examining construction of gender identities through communication practices. History and analysis of gender representations. Theoretical and critical approaches to social, political, and economic impact of gender constructions.


COM 474Video in Business and IndustryUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: COM 224 or COM 354
Planning and controlling the use of video for training, employee communication, public relations, and other purposes in organizations. Applications, organizational variables, and technologies.


COM 476Public Relations ApplicationsUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: COM 446, COM 486
Management of the public relations function in organizations and public relations counseling; communication theory and nature of materials emanating from public relations departments and counseling firms, practical analysis and development of public relations publicity and campaigns.


COM 477Mobile Tech CultrUNITS: 3
Mobile communication technologies and their influence on communication patterns and social behavior. conceptualization of cell phones beyond mobile telephones, as internet access points and gaming devices. History, current uses and future perspectives for the social use of mobile interfaces. The creation of new mobile communities. The influence of mobile images on communication and the creation of mobile networks. Use of mobile phones across cultures and places, such as Asia, Scandinavia, Africa, and Latin America.


COM 486Communication Research MethodsUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: COM 240
Design and implementation of communication research methods, including experimental and survey research procedures. Use of computer software for statistical analysis.


COM 487Internet and SocietyUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: COM 230 and COM 257
Exploration of major issues involved in the growth of computer-mediated communication and information technologies. Construction of self and body; relation of information technology to social, civic, and political life; gender, race, and class as continuing critical points; knowledge and intellectual property; the implications of software and design on the nature of communication, knowledge, and information.


COM 493Audition and Interpretation TechniquesUNITS: 3 - No Course Evaluation, Offered in Fall and Spring
Cold-reading scenes broken down to meet challenges of theatrical auditions. Personal technique developed to interpret texts through exercises, monologues, and scenes. Promotion of self-awareness, confidence, and understanding of dramatic literature as reflector of contemporary and historic lives.


COM 496Communication InternshipUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: Junior standing, Communication Majors
Directed work experience for Communication majors with supervision from the work site and the University.


COM 498Advanced Topic in CommunicationUNITS: 1-3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: Nine hours of communication courses, Junior standing
Advanced study of contemporary theories, methods, practices, processes, or issues related to the field of communication. Topic varies.


COM 499Advanced Independent Study in CommunicationUNITS: 1-3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: Nine credits in Communication courses. Junior standing or Senior standing in Communication
Special projects in communication developed under the direction of a faculty member on a tutorial basis. Must have permission of department to enroll. May enroll only twice.


COM (ENG) 514History Of RhetoricUNITS: 3 - Offered Alternate Even Years, Offered in Fall Only
Historical development of rhetorical theory with attention to contemporaneous rhetorical practice and philosophical trends. Major focus on the classical period with briefer coverage of medieval, Renaissance, 18th-century, and 19th-century developments. Implications for contemporary theory and practice, including pedagogical practice.


COM (ENG) 516Rhetorical Criticism: Theory and PracticeUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: COM 321 or 411 or ENG 514 or ENG 515
Development, achievements, limitation of major critical methods in the 20th century, including neo-Aristotelian, generic, metaphoric, dramatistic, feminist, social-movement, fantasy-theme and postmodern approaches. Criticism of political discourse,institutional discourse, discourses of law, medicine, religion, education, science, the media. Relations between rhetorical and literary criticism and other forms of cultural analysis.


COM 521Communication and GlobalizationUNITS: 3 - Offered Alternate Odd Years, Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Economic, political, cultural dimensions of globalization. Role of information and communication technologies, networks, institutions, and practices in human social organization.


COM 522Critical Approaches to Organizational CommunicationUNITS: 3 - Offered Alternate Even Years, Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Overview of critical and interpretive organizational communication research studies. Application of insights to enriching and transforming working lives.


COM 523International and Intercultural CommunicationUNITS: 3 - Offered Alternate Even Years, Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Survey of intercultural, cross-cultural, and international communication theories and issues.


COM 524Political Communication in OrganizationsUNITS: 3 - Offered Alternate Even Years, Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Explore effects of modern communication techniques on political life in organizations. Examine formulation and articulation of political messages for private organizations and governmental institutions.


COM 525Communication and Decision-MakingUNITS: 3 - Offered Alternate Odd Years, Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Communication in decision-making process from individual, group, organizational perspectives. classical and contemporary decision theories, communication and decision problems, applied field consideration.


COM 526Media OwnershipUNITS: 3 - Offered Alternate Even Years, Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Identify major media companies worldwide areas of dominance. Examine commercial, cultural, social, political implications of contemporary media ownership patterns.


COM 527Seminar in Organizational Conflict ManagementUNITS: 3 - Offered Alternate Odd Years, Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Examination of conflict antecedents, interventions, outcomes through multiple texts, journal articles. Emphasis on workplace conflict, organizational outcomes, dispute system design. Evaluation through participation in class discussion, independent papers, research project, presentation.


COM 528communication Culture and TechnologyUNITS: 3 - Offered Alternate Odd Years, Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Examine communication technology via historical examples. Inquiry into the development of early sound and screen technologies. Analysis of computer-mediated communication genres.


COM 529Communication CampaignsUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Prepares students to design, implement, monitor, and evaluate a successful communication campaign for a health, public relations, or political organization that is grounded in sound theoretical approaches. The students conduct focus groups for audience research and professionally present a campaign plan to a real client for any of the mentioned types of organizations. The course emphasizes theoretical and hands on practical skills to developing successful communication campaigns.


COM 532Communication ConsultingUNITS: 3 - Offered Alternate Even Years, Offered in Fall Only
This course provides an introduction to the art and methods of consulting particularly as applied to communication problems in organizational settings. It also provides students the opportunity to develop and/or refine training and facilitation skills and to link communication theory and research to organizational practice. Graduate standing required.


COM 537Gaming and Social NetworksUNITS: 3
Exploration of inter-relations among mobile technologies (cell phones, PDAs), location-based activities, and playful/social spaces. Investigates: (1) the definition of basic gaming concepts (community, narrative, play, and space); (2) the history of games as social environments, with particular emphasis on multi-user domains (MUDs); and (3) the definition of games, which use the physical space as the game environment, such as pervasive games, location-based games, and hybrid reality games. Discussion of inter-connections among games, education, and art. By permission of department.


COM (PA) 539Fund DevelopmentUNITS: 3
Identifies and assesses techniques and best practices of fund development, annual giving, capital campaigns, endowments. Topics include setting achievable goals, organizing and staffing a fund development campaing, and identifying donors. Discusses links between fund development and organization mission and governance, ethical issues, and government regulations. PBS status or Graduate standing.


COM 541Quantitative Research Methods in Applied CommunicationUNITS: 3 - Offered Alternate Odd Years, Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Introduction to research methods in applied communication. Knowledge of design, implementation, and analysis of various quantitiative research methods.


COM 542Qualitative Research Methods in Applied CommunicationUNITS: 3 - Offered Alternate Even Years, Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Theoretical and practical dimensions of conducting qualitative research. Issues include asking good questions, field observation, ethics, focus groups, interviews, representation of data, analyzing texts and discourse, writing qualitative reports.


COM 546Nonprofit Marketing and Public RelationsUNITS: 3
Survey of the marketing and public relations principles and practices applicable to nonprofit organizations.


COM 547Mobile Technologies and Social PracticesUNITS: 3
Mobile communication technologies and their influence on communication patterns and social behavior. Conceptualization of cell phones beyond mobile telephones, as Internet access points and gaming devices. History, current uses and future perspectives for the social use of mobile interfaces. The creation of new mobile communities. The influence of mobile images on communication and the creation of mobile networks. Use of mobile phones across cultures and places, such as Asia, Scandinavia, Africa, and Latin America. Permission of department.


COM (ENG) 554Contemporary Rhetorical TheoryUNITS: 3 - Offered Alternate Odd Years, Offered in Spring Only
Contemporary rhetorical theory covering the 20th and 21st centuries. Conceptual connections with and disruptions of the classical tradition and its, successors; relationship between rhetorical theory and philosophical trends, institutional histories, socioeconomic circumstances, and pedagogical needs. Attention to current issues such as the revival of invention, rhetorical agency, and ethics.


COM 556Seminar In Organizational CommunicationUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: Advanced Undergraduate standing or Graduate standing
Theoretic and applied approaches for studying communication perspectives of organizational behavior. Topics relate communication with organizational theories, research methods, leadership, power, attraction, conflict and theory development.


COM 561Human Communication TheoryUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or PBS status
The role of theory in study of human communication. General social scientific theories as well as context-based theories including interpersonal, public, group, organizational and mass communication contexts.


COM 562Communication and Social ChangeUNITS: 3 - Offered Alternate Even Years, Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Examine persuasive theories and methods including compliance gaining techniques. Evaluate effectiveness of public communication campaigns directed at social change.


COM 566Seminar In Crisis CommunicationUNITS: 3 - Offered Alternate Years, Offered in Spring Only
Working within theoretical perspectives of communication, conflict management and organizational designs, a theoretical understanding for crisis communication, including thorough guidelines for strategic communication planning for, managing and evaluating crises.


COM 585Teaching College CommunicationUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Introduction to communication education theory and research. Course divided into primary parts: 1)education theory and philosphy and 2)instructional design theory and practice.


COM 598Special Topics In CommunicationUNITS: 1-3 - Offered in Fall Spring Summer
Detailed investigation of a special topic in communication. No more than 6 hrs. may be used as credit toward graduation with master's degree.


COM 630Independent Study in CommunicationUNITS: 1-3 - No Course Evaluation, Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Special projects course to be utilized for guided research at graduate level. Topic determined by instructor. No more than 6 hrs. may be used as credit toward graduation with master's degree.


COM 685Master's Supervised TeachingUNITS: 1-3 - No Course Evaluation, Offered in Fall Spring Summer
Prerequisite: Master's student
Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment, and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment.


COM 688Non-Thesis Masters Continuous Registration - Half Time RegistrationUNITS: 1 - Offered in Fall Spring Summer
Prerequisite: Master's student
For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all credit hour requirements for their degree but need to maintain half-time continuous registration to complete incomplete grades, projects, final master's exam, etc.


COM 689Non-Thesis Master Continuous Registration - Full Time RegistrationUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Spring Summer
Prerequisite: Master's student
For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all credit hour requirements for their degree but need to maintain full-time continuous registration to complete incomplete grades, projects, final master's exam, etc. Students may register for this course a maximum of one semester.


COM 696Summer Thesis ResUNITS: 1


COM 798Special Topics in CommunicationUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Intensive exploration of specialized or emerging topics in an area of communication theory, rhetoric, media, or other aspect of Communication studies. Emphasis on student research and writing. May be used to test and develop new courses. May be repeated for credit. Doctoral students only.


COM 810Directed Readings in CommunicationUNITS: 1-6 - No Course Evaluation, Offered in Fall and Spring
Intensive study of a specific topic from various specializations of the Communication faculty. Negotiation between the student and the director for variable credit and approved by Director of Graduate Studies. May be repeated for credit. Doctoralstudents only.


COM 896Summer Dissert ResUNITS: 1