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2024-25 Academic Catalog

COMM Course Descriptions

Table of Contents

COMM 111 Communication in Society

3 credit hours

This course introduces students to the professional, personal, and spiritual dimensions of communication. By identifying how to live out one’s faith in interpersonal relationships, through public presentations, and by engaging in mediated communication, students will be encouraged to pursue clarity in communication motivated by the question: how do we better understand others and help them to understand us?

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COMM 200 Persuasive Communication

3 credit hours

A presentation of key principles of persuasion as they are reflected in typical organizational communication contexts. Focus on developing a planning sequence that will function as a practical guide for designing, executing, and evaluating communication events. Students will be expected to develop a "real world" communication event, e.g., publicity campaign, speech, newsletter. Prerequisite: COMM 111 Communication in Society or equivalent.

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COMM 210 Interpersonal Communication

3 credit hours

Theoretical and reflective study and guided experience in dyadic and small-group communication, with attention given to interpersonal communication, listening behavior, nonverbal communication, and conflict resolution. Additional course fee is required.

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COMM 230 Mass Media and Popular Culture

3 credit hours

Survey of the historical development of newspapers, magazines, broadcast media, and cinema. Analysis of the role(s) of mass media in shaping and altering opinion and values in contemporary culture.

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COMM 240 Introduction to Public Relations

3 credit hours

A course designed to introduce and develop a clear concept of public relations as a communication profession. Topics to be covered include the function of public relations in both public and private enterprises; the process of planning and implementing a public relations communication campaign; techniques for communicating with various publics; and the laws and ethics governing the practice of public relations.

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COMM 250 Business Communication

3 credit hours

This course will teach you the art of effective interpersonal communication in business. You will learn to deliver clear, concise, and convincing messaging to advance ideas, build consensus, resolve conflict, and negotiate. You will learn to translate metrics for decision making and to communicate to a lay audience. You will learn how to craft crisp emails, carry out business documentation and reports, and polish your business presentation skills. (BUSN 250 and COMM 250 are identical courses.) Prerequisites: BUSN 110 Introduction to Business and COMM 111 Communication in Society.

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COMM 260 Introduction to Communication Research Methods

3 credit hours

This course is an introduction to quantitative and qualitative research methods commonly used in the field of communication and in social science in general.

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COMM 270 Introduction to Organizational Communication

3 credit hours

An examination of organizations from a communication vantage point. Combines study of theoretical perspectives with skill development. Students will build organizational communication competencies through understanding the nature of communication in the organizational context and by practicing effective communication skills. Possible topics include communication networks and climates, superior-subordinate relationships, computer-mediated communication, organizational identification, communication audits, group and team communication, interviewing, meetings, and presentations.

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COMM 275 Field Experience

1-10 credit hou

Experience in supervised field situations, either on or off campus, involving extensive and exploratory communication activity. Admission to course and amount of credit determined by the faculty supervisor. This course is offered each term. Up to 6 hours may count toward major requirements. Pass/No Pass.

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COMM 285 Selected Topics

3 credit hours

A variety of topics may be offered that reflect the interests of faculty, visiting professors, and students.

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COMM 290 Small Group Communication

3 credit hours

A course that examines and applies theories of small-group structures, climate, roles, leadership, motivation, and conflict management. Prerequisite: COMM 111 Communication in Society or equivelent course.

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COMM 295 Individualized Study

1-3 credit hour

Individualized study or supervised research in an area of special interest to the student which is outside the regular offerings of the major. Additional course fee (per credit) is required.

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COMM 300 Communication Theory and Research

3 credit hours

A study of the major sources of communication theory (e.g., meaning theory, humanistic psychology, symbolic interactionism, relational theory, information processing) together with specific contemporary exemplifications of each approach. Special focus is on the nature and progress of scientific inquiry in communication theory. Prerequisite: 6 hours of communication or cinematic arts ourses, including COMM 111 Communication in Society.

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COMM 305 Professional Communication or Scholarly Activities

1-3 credit hour

This course is structured to give students experience in real-world communication events, either on or off campus. Extensive research projects may also qualify for this course. This course is offered each term. It may be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours total. Pass/No Pass. Prerequisite: Communication Arts or Organizational Communication major, junior standing, completed 9 credits of COMM coursework.

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COMM 311 Social Media

3 credit hours

This course examines how social media intersects with existing psychological, communication, and marketing theories. In addition to providing a foundation in current terminology and trends, the course will also require students to develop critical thinking techniques in order to improve their media literacy. Students will analyze, evaluate, and prescribe communicative approaches in a variety of contemporary case studies, such as: crisis communication, public relations and branding, campaigns, citizen journalism, “big data,” micromarketing, and social protest. Prerequisites: COMM 111 Communication in Society and sophomore class standing.

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COMM 315 Forensics

0-3 credit hour

This course prepares students to create competitive speeches and debates in regional intercollegiate tournaments. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours total. Additional course fee required.

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COMM 321 Public Relations Case Studies and Campaigns

3 credit hours

This course gives students an opportunity to apply their existing coursework to variety of historical and hypothetical situations. Students will learn to work in teams to research, craft, and present an effective and ethical message in a short amount of time; to recognize and evaluate the various PR techniques used in historical cases; to demonstrate knowledge of how PR strategies interact with the changing face of modern journalism, marketing, and advertising; and how to construct a strategic campaign that would roll out across a variety of platforms over a set schedule. Prerequisites: COMM/JOUR 240 Introduction to Public Relations and Junior standing or instructor permission.

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COMM 324 Argumentation and Critical Thinking

3 credit hours

A course in practical reason. Includes a survey of theories of argumentation, analysis of public arguments, and several speeches, including a debate. Prerequisite: COMM 111 Communication in Society or instructor's permission.

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COMM 380 Advanced Organizational Communication

3 credit hours

This is an advanced study of organizational communication. Topics include, but are not limited to, organizational storytelling, communication technologies, career theory, power and resistance in organizations, and impression management. Students will be encouraged to recognize ways organizational communication can be improved through their everyday interactions. Prerequisite: COMM 270 Introduction to Organizational Communication or consent of instructor.

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COMM 400 Critical Approaches to Communication

3 credit hours

Methods of rhetorical criticism as applied to public communication of the past and present, including but not limited to speeches, broadcasts, films, and campaigns. Analysis of current trends in rhetorical criticism. Prerequisite: junior standing or above.

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COMM 410 Gender Comm Across Cultures

3 credit hours

A course designed to introduce students to the nature and function of gender differences in communication on a cross-cultural basis. Examines biological, cultural, linguistic, and power theories that attempt to explain these differences. Focus given to verbal (spoken and written) language as well as nonverbal communication codes. Counts toward globalization requirement.

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COMM 420 Intercultural Communication

3 credit hours

This covers communication as it affects and is affected by language and culture. Topics include contextualized use of communication within speech communities, intercultural effectiveness, cultural communication theory, competent intercultural experiences in co-cultures (ethnic, gender, intergenerational, deaf, etc.) and global cultural groups. A student may not earn credit for both the lower-division and upper-division versions of this course.

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COMM 430 Advanced Research Methods & Data Visualization

3 credit hours

This course is an advanced study of research methods, data management, and data visualization. Topics covered in this course include, but are not limited to, advanced research methods, data cleaning and management, data visualization theory (e.g. perception, visual cognition), design, and data narratives and storytelling. Students will have opportunities to critique, replicate, and redesign current data visualizations, as well create original data visualizations that tell important stories to lay audiences. Prerequisites: COMM 260 Introduction to Communication Research Methods, equivalent course, or instructor permission; Junior standing.

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COMM 440 Crisis Communication

3 credit hours

This course prepares students for strategic communication and reputation management with internal and external stakeholders in a crisis. Students will understand the difference between an issue and a crisis, and plan resolutions through ethical, Christian perspectives. Prerequisite: COMM 240 Introduction to Public Relations, or instructor approval.

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COMM 475 Field Experience

1-10 credit hou

This course is an experience in supervised field situations, the internship can be either on or off campus, involving extensive communication activity usually overseen by a professional or expert in their field. Admission to course and amount of credit are determined by the faculty supervisor. This course is offered each term. Up to 6 hours may count toward major requirements. Pass/No Pass. Prerequisites: Communication major, junior standing and completion of 9 credits in COMM coursework.

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COMM 480 Senior Capstone: Ethical and Spiritual Dimensions of Communication

3 credit hours

Designed to integrate skills and concepts from communication course work with ethical and spiritual principles through readings, written assignments, and assessment instruments. Students will complete portfolios that will include work samples and department exit exams along with a statement of what it means to be a Christian communicator. A service component may be included as part of the course.

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COMM 485 Selected Topics

3 credit hours

A variety of topics may be offered that reflect the interests of faculty, visiting professors, and students.

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COMM 495 Individualized Study

1-3 credit hour

Individualized study or supervised research in an area of special interest to the student which is outside the regular offerings of the major. Additional course fee (per credit) is required.

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