Courses - Summer 2025
COMM107
Oral Communication: Principles and Practices
Credit only granted for: COMM107, COMM200, ENES143, INAG110, JOUR130 or THET285.
A study of and practice in oral communication, including principles of interviewing, group discussion, listening, informative briefings, and persuasive speeches.
COMM130
Professional Communication and Writing
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Restriction: Must be in the Communication major.
Designed to enhance the clarity and grace of students' writing. Students will acquire knowledge of writing based on principles of style and grammar as well as argument and organizational structure across a diversity of professional writing contexts. Students will also engage in peer review of one another's writing.
Major restriction is not enforced for the Summer Term.
COMM200
Critical Thinking and Speaking
Credit only granted for: COMM107, COMM200, ENES143, INAG110, JOUR130, OR THET285.
Theory and practice of persuasive discourse analysis and composition. Research techniques, logical and rhetorical conceptions of argument, and technical principles for persuading in public venues.
COMM250
Introduction to Communication Inquiry
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
An introduction to the field of communication. Definitions, models, and contexts of communication; rhetorical theory and rhetorical criticism of discourse.
COMM288
Communication Internship
Credits:
1 - 6
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
COMM301
Rhetorical Theories
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: COMM130, COMM250; and one course from STAT100, BMGT230, EDMS451, CCJS200, PSYC200, or SOCY201; and one course from COMM107, COMM200, or COMM230; and must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in COMM304.
Restriction: Must be in the Communication major.
Credit only granted for: COMM301 or COMM401.
Formerly: COMM401.
Explores the idea of rhetoric, from antiquity to digitality. Rhetoric, as an art of moving bodies, is central to democratic self-governance: only through persuading each other can we develop a shared vision of a just and desirable future. This course tracks the genesis of rhetorical theory in the ancient world, 20th-century struggles against fascist rhetoric, and contemporary extensions of rhetoric in digital media ecologies.
Restriction: Restricted to COMM majors only.
COMM303
Media Theory
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: COMM130 and COMM250; and one of STAT100, BMGT230, EDMS451, CCJS200, PSYC200, or SOCY201; and one of COMM107, COMM200, or COMM230; and must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in COMM304.
Restriction: Must be in the Communication major.
Provides students with an introduction to media theory from multiple perspectives. We will begin by understanding how the history of mediated communication has been connected to ideology and lived experiences. Through readings, discussions, and activities, you will understand how technical, historical, economic social, and political forces have helped shape media content and the media themselves. You should also become familiar with the debate over how much influence the media have over their audiences, and what types of influences are present. The course will introduce issues relevant to consideration of media and historically underrepresented and marginalized groups, as well as individual and societal functions of the media.
Restricted to COMM Majors.
COMM306
Rhetorical Methods in Communication
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: COMM130 and COMM304.
Restriction: Must be in the Communication major.
Equips students with skills for conducting research using rhetorical-critical methods. Such methods are crucial for scholars studying all kinds of public rhetoric: speeches, popular culture, photojournalism, digital media, public monuments, laws, and more. They are also instrumental for citizens engaging with elected officials, other citizens, and democratic institutions, as well as professionals who seek to create and understand persuasive discourse. This course will equip you with critical interpretive skills important to your work as a scholar, citizen, and professional.
COMM320
Strategic Communication
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Credit only granted for: COMM320 or COMM498J.
Formerly: COMM498J.
Presents a system of strategies that underlie communication. It is a practice-based framework with definitions, conditions, risks, and rewards that inform the moves and motives of influence professionals. Using case studies, interactive discussions, industry insights, and practical exercises, students will develop the critical thinking, analytical, and ethical decision-making skills necessary to succeed in today's complex communication landscape.
COMM324
Explores how communication shapes constructions of gender, sex, sexuality and other identity markers. Topics include issues of oppression, identity, and power and social, political, and economic situations and examines how these issues impact our daily lives.
COMM330
Argumentation and Public Policy
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Contemporary theories of argumentation with special emphasis on methods of formulating and critiquing public policy argument.
COMM360
The Rhetoric of Black America
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
An historical-critical survey of the rhetoric of Black Americans from the colonial period to the present.
COMM363
Developing Digital Media: Blogs, Magazines, and their Audiences
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: COMM107 or COMM200, COMM130, and COMM250.
Restriction: Restricted to COMM majors.
Develop journalistic and digital media production skills while examining how communication theory and periodical methodology combine to create information-sharing communities among targeted audiences. Develop skills for positions in magazine publishing, organizational communication, journalism, marketing, public relations, social media, and advertising.
COMM382
Essentials of Intercultural Communication
Credit only granted for: COMM382 or COMM482.
Introduction of major theories and concepts of intercultural communication; examination of processes that make up cultural differences; and use of intercultural communication competence skills.
COMM385
Credit only granted for: COMM385 or COMM498I (Spring 2014).
Formerly: COMM498I (Spring 2014).
Explores contemporary theories of influence and their implications for communication practice. Topics include power and influence, logical theory, rhetorical theory, persuasion theory, framing theory, social influence theory, and propagation of influence in mediated social networks.
COMM386
Experiential Learning
Prerequisite: Permission of ARHU-Communication department.
Restriction: Junior standing or higher; and must be in Communication program.
Supervised internship experience with communication professionals. Relation of academic training to professional experience.
COMM388
Communication Practicum
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
COMM390
Health Communication
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Credit only granted for: COMM390 or COMM398E.
Formerly: COMM398E.
Designed to introduce students to the academic and practical fields of health communication. It blends theoretical concepts and practical concerns that impact upon health communication processes. To be specific, this course extensively covers influential theories and models of behavior change as well as cutting-edge research on health communication interventions or campaigns, exposing students to authoritative work done in both areas. Students in this class will also learn about the process of planning a comprehensive health communication campaign and have the opportunity to work in groups to develop their own campaign plans addressing an urgent health problem.
COMM399
Honors Thesis
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
COMM426
Conflict Management
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Recommended: COMM425 and COMM250.
Role of communication in managing conflict processes.
COMM449B
Special Topics in Digital Communication; Communication and Social Media
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Are you eager to master the art of social media? Do you want to learn how to craft impactful narratives in our digitally connected world? Thiscomprehensive course dives into the dynamic realm of digital communication, with a special emphasis on social media. A dominant forcein modern society, social media has transformed personal, corporate, and global communication. The course explores its evolution, far-reaching impact, and emerging trends. Students will engage with practical applications and ethical considerations, learning how to develop compelling narratives, effectively engage users, and strategically convey messages. Social media s influence spansall sectors, from world leaders to businesses andindividuals. By the end of this course, students will be equipped to create meaningful content and master the ever-evolving social media landscape.
COMM449E
Special Topics in Digital Communication; Communication, Sport, and Media
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
COMM449F
Special Topics in Digital Communication; Media Campaigns and Message Design
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
In this project-based course, students will learn about media campaigns by topics and design campaigns using different media platforms
COMM475
Persuasion
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Bases of persuasion, with emphasis on recent experimental developments in persuasion.
COMM488I
Communication Portfolio Project; Strategic Interviewing for the Career You Want
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg
This course introduces students to advanced techniques in interviewing for job opportunities and career progression. This online course focuses on the dynamics of the interview process, the communication theories and best practices behind influence and persuasion, and the communication aptitudes and skills that distinguish top candidates.
COMM489
Topical Research; Topical Research
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
COMM798
Independent Study
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
COMM799
Master's Thesis Research
Credits:
1 - 6
Grad Meth:
S-F
COMM898
Pre-Candidacy Research
Credits:
1 - 8
Grad Meth:
Reg
COMM899
Doctoral Dissertation Research
Credits:
1 - 8
Grad Meth:
S-F
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