Communication
COMM 105 Fundamentals of Communication (3) Designed to provide the student with basic
theory and practice in person-to-person, small group, and public speaking communication
processes. Examines characteristics of communicator behavior, with communication in
relationships as the basic model; message transmission/ reception; effects of communication.
COMM 124 Public Speaking (3) Theory and practice in organizing and presenting informational
and persuasive messages in various public communication contexts. Emphasizes the
communicator's adaptations to audiences and speaking situations.
COMM 220 Introduction to Performance Studies (3) A beginning course in the analysis and
performance of aesthetic texts, grounded in, but not limited to, traditional literary forms (prose,
poetry, drama). Performance texts may derive from a variety of aesthetic communication acts.
Primarily individual performance; may involve some study of group performance.
COMM 225 Nonverbal Communication (3) Study of non-linguistic and para-linguistic
dimensions of human communication. Personal space; eye contact/facial behaviors; body
language and touching; non-vocal aspects of communication; related topics. Survey of relevant
and current research; empirical experiences and observations.
COMM 230 Voice and Articulation (3)
An applied approach
to developing the student's vocal capabilities through analysis and classroom
exercises. Voices will be refined for conversational as well as theatrical
purposes. Dialect and local color will also be analyzed and applied to a variety of
vocal "types." Emphasis will be placed upon improving individual voices in a
classroom practicum. (Cross-listed with THEA 230).
COMM 227 Small Group Communication (3) Examines group processes as they embody
communication in decision making and problem solving groups. Provides opportunity for
students to practice group communication behaviors in semi-structured exercises. Theoretical
and practical approaches to group membership, norms, goals, leadership and related small
group
communication variables.
COMM 270 Communication in Marketplace and Media (3) Enables students to identify and
analyze messages and images to which they are exposed as consumers of goods and services
and
as recipients of information from various advertising sources, printed and electronic.
COMM 275 Introduction to Public Relations
(3) Principles and practice of public relations in modern society, with
emphasis on the history, issues, theoretical perspectives and current
practices of the profession.
COMM 290 Selected Topics in Communication (1-4) Lower division seminar or laboratory.
COMM 315 Persuasion and Attitude Change (3) Examines processes and theories of attitude
change; susceptibilities and resistances to persuasion; audience analysis; message formulation
and source credibility; verbal and non-verbal components of persuasive communication.
Prerequisite: COMM 105 or COMM 124 or permission of instructor.
COMM 325 Business and Professional Communication (3) Principles and skills involved in
communication within a variety of organizational and job-related contexts. Explores
relationships between presentational approaches to communication and a humanistic view of
communication in hierarchical work settings. Prerequisite: COMM 105 or permission of
instructor.
COMM 345 Directing Forensics and Debate (3) An individualized, performance-oriented course
designed to involve students in the study of forensics and to prepare them to direct forensics
activities at the secondary school level. Standard forensics categories will be covered, and
students will become familiar with both the performance activities and the coaching/directing
functions.
COMM 351 Interpersonal Communication (3) Skills and knowledge that contribute to an
understanding of the role of communication in the initiation, maintenance, and dissolution of
human relationships in both dyadic and group situations. Prerequisite: COMM 105 or permission
of instructor. (Cross-listed with SOC 351.)
COMM 352 Organizational Communication (3) Principles and practice in the management of
communication system within formal organizations, with emphasis on information exchange,
information management and conflict resolution. Prerequisite SOC 211 or permission of
instructor. (Cross-listed with SOC 352.)
COMM 365 Language, Thought and Behavior (3) Study of the roles played by language in
communication; interactions among our uses of language, the ways in which we think and
believe, and our construction of human relationships. Symbolic and abstracting characteristics of
language; the perception of meanings; functional and dysfunctional semantic uses of language.
Prerequisite: COMM 105 or 225 or permission of instructor.
COMM 379 Research Methods in Human Communication (3) An introduction to the empirical
study of communication that includes research design, data collection and analysis, and writing
research reports. Examines univariate and bivariate statistical models and their application to
research problems. Prerequisite: MATH 103 and COMM 225 or permission of instructor.
COMM 389 Family Communication (3) Study of intra-family communication patterns and
relationships; examination of communication themes and conflicts in various family settings;
effects of communication in traditional and non-traditional family units. Survey of research in
the field. Prerequisite: COMM 105 or 227 or permission of instructor.
COMM 405 Human Communication Theory (3) Human interaction viewed from an
interdisciplinary perspective. Empirical and theoretical approaches to the study of verbal and
non-verbal communication behavior. Symbolic interaction; defensive/supportive
communication; role and gender contributions to communication; person perception; general
systems theory. Survey of research in the field. Prerequisite: COMM 105 or permission of
instructor.
COMM 415 Communication in Conflict (3) Approaches to the identification and management of
intrapersonal, interpersonal, and intra-group conflict, focusing on the role played by
communication in generating, escalating, and reducing conflict. Prerequisite: COMM 105 or 315
or permission of instructor.
COMM 425 Gender in Communication (3) Study of gender-related issues in human
communication. Perceptions of gender reflected in verbal and non-verbal interpersonal
communication; language behaviors of females and males; gender images suggested by media
messages; gender-specific management of conflict, assertion and self-disclosure; role
stereotyping. Prerequisite: COMM 105 or permission of instructor.
COMM 435 Communication in the Classroom (3) Integrates research from various disciplines.
Concentrates on verbal and nonverbal dynamics operating in the classroom environment.
Focuses on human motivation, relationship development, communication styles, audience
analysis, grading, listening, oral presentation skills, and criticism.
COMM 445 Managerial Communication (3) Focuses on behavioral communication processes
and communication skills primary to managerial roles. Humanistic and social scientific
approaches to such topics as management styles, human motivation, leadership, rumor
management, and interviewing. The course combines theory and application. An oral
performance is required. Prerequisite: COMM 105 or permission of instructor.
COMM 455 Intercultural Communication (3)
Study of the impact of culture on the communication process, with
emphasis on the theory and research of how values, attitudes and beliefs
influence communication among people from different cultural backgrounds.
Prerequisite: COMM 105 or permission of instructor.
COMM 490 Selected Topics in Communication (1-4) Upper division or highly specialized
seminar or laboratory. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
COMM 494 Independent Study in Communication (1-4) Before enrolling, the student must
submit a plan of study for approval. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Last updated: 18-June-97
-Return to Menu