Beginning skills in American Sign Language (ASL) and skills needed in communication with deaf persons. Offered in Summer Session only. Does not count toward the major.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
• Learn the different forms of sign language and discuss cultural background of the deaf
• Acquire a working foundation of ASL grammar and slang
• Use both expressive and receptive skills

Intermediate skills in American Sign Language (ASL) and skills needed in communication with deaf persons. Offered during Summer Session only. Does not count toward the major.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Develop intermediate skills in American sign language and skills needed in total communication with deaf persons
• Learn psycho-social aspects of deaf culture.

Basic concepts, models, and theories examining the role of communication in human behavior.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Explain the importance of theory as it relates to communication research and communication practice
• Name and recognize key features of at least 15 different theories and theoretical perspectives used by communication scholars
• Describe one’s own worldview of communication based on meta-theoretical considerations
• Effectively summarize, critique, and apply an existing communication theory to social/professional life

Patterns of human interaction, types and stages of relationships, verbal and nonverbal exchanges, strategies and tactics.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Identify the foundations of human communicative behavior
• Understand the different contexts of interpersonal relationships, and how each context impacts the nature and quality of those relationships
• Understand how our own behavior affects our interpersonal relationships
• Understand how different theories can be used to explain relational behavior
• Think constructively about one’s own communicative actions and the consequent effects messages send to others both directly and indirectly
• Identify and apply concepts, definitions, and ideas discussed in class to one’s own individual relationships in hopes of explaining and identifying healthy and unhealthy behavior
• Advance critical thinking of scholarly material and be able to discuss academic concepts with others
• Produce an academically sound research paper highlighting an area of interpersonal communication

This course will explore the nature of persuasive argumentation as applied through the specific lens of parliamentary style debating.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Analyze the degree to which forms of human difference shape a personâ~@~Ys experiences of and perspectives on the world.
• Analyze a contemporary global issue from a multidisciplinary perspective.
• Explain and be able to assess the relationship among assumptions, method, evidence, arguments, and theory in social and historical analysis.
• Understand different theories about human culture, social identity, economic entities, political systems, and other forms of social organization.
• Apply concepts about human and social behavior to particular questions or situations.
• Examine critically philosophical and other theoretical issues concerning the nature of reality, human experience, knowledge, value, and/or cultural production.
• Engage critically in the process of creative expression.

Exploration of the uses of experimental, descriptive, historical-critical, and field-research approaches to the study of communication.

Social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter represent a new class of communication platforms that have become quickly interwoven into the everyday lives of millions of people around the world. In this course we will draw on competing communication perspectives to explore the reasons behind the widespread popularity of these platforms. In doing so we will consider the role of individual choice, social influence, technological influence, and how these three perspectives can be combined. We will further explore the implications of social media for personal relationships, youth culture, organizations, social research, and personal privacy.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Apply multiple communication perspectives to make sense of social media adoption and use, through class discussion, the theory paper and the final projects.
• Understand the various methodological approaches that can be used to study social media by applying class discussion to reading material.
• Discuss social media intelligently using appropriate language and terminology derived from scholarly papers and class discussion.
• Understand the implications of social media for a variety of social issues through the course readings and class discussion.
• Think abstractly about the role of social media in personal and organizational contexts during class discussion and while writing the theory paper and final project.

The mass media and their role in creating and reflecting social and cultural trends in society.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Develop these competencies through the analysis of scholarly and some non?scholarly sources
• Learn to critically analyze popular culture commodities presented through varying media (literature, radio, film, television, and internet)
• Demonstrate principles of presentation and discussion through the performance of informal and formal class speaking assignments that focus on exploring popular culture, communication theory, and analytical cultural criticism
• Demonstrate knowledge of relevant communication and cultural theories fundamental to understanding popular culture, cultural commodities, and consumption through successful completion of course assignments and exams
• Expand the breadth of their cultural consumption through out of class experiential

Theories and techniques for collecting, selecting, packaging, and disseminating information within organizations and between organizations and their constituencies.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Understand the evolution of PR as it relates to the modern era and communications industry
  • Learn history of PR as a discipline, profession and practice
  • Learn legal and ethical aspects of PR
  • Explore the transition from traditional to modern PR
• Understand the role and responsibilities of PR in the corporate, non-profit/government, and agency setting
  • Learn the value of PR in problem solving, creating strategy and making policy
  • Learn to identify and address issues that could be problems/opportunities for an organization
  • Recognize the wide range of stakeholders to whom public relations practitioners and their organizations have responsibilities, and how to communicate with them
• Understand the role of research and strategic planning in PR
• Achieve the ability to research PR issues, explain them intelligently, relate them to organizations and audiences and to provide solutions
• Learn the strategic PR planning process and how to create a strategic PR plan
• Learn various traditional and new PR techniques
• Learn about messaging and themes, image and reputation and how it relates to tactic creation and strategic planning
• Demonstrate the ability to create tactics that are strategic and creative
• Demonstrate the ability to work on individual and group project assignments
• Present PR ideas, analysis of case studies and plans in front of peers
• Understand and create a variety of PR tools and tactics available to PR professionals
• Acquire the ability to work in a simulated PR project environment

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate through research, analysis and accurate references in writing assignments a foundational level of skill in locating, selecting, and systematically organizing a unique set of scholarly and business research.
• Demonstrate through active contribution to team research meetings and accurate citations in team presentations a foundational level of skill in locating, selecting, and systematically organizing a unique set of scholarly and business research.
• Understand foundational communication perspectives, theories, and concepts related to business and professional communication demonstrated by writing through successful completion of assignments and individual projects; and active and effective participation in team meetings and presentations
• Understand diversity, ethics and civic engagement as framed in communication theories and concepts through thoughtful, reflective participation in classroom assignments and discussions, team meetings, online collaborations, and presentations

Sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, language acquisition and development, phonetics, and issues of bilingualism.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Develop an understanding of intercultural communication processes
• Increase understanding of the reciprocal relationship between culture and communication
• Enhance appreciation of the diverse ways of communicating in different cultures
• Develop analytical skills in examining intercultural interactions
• Become more proficient intercultural communicators in as well as outside the classroom

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Understand major issues in ICT usage
• Apply theoretical concepts to understand practical issues in organizational settings and have thought about how to solve/improve problematic situations
• Achieve capability of identifying problems, assessing current situations of mobile industry and culture of a chosen nation
• Develop a blueprint for business, government policy, or non?profit organizations
• Acquire proficiency in gathering and using evidence to study a particular area of communication (i.e., mobile communication), experience benefits and difficulties of collaboration among group members, and develop public presentation skills.

Critical evaluation of the aesthetic and social impact of visual communication.

Examination of theory and research on the nature and effects of mediated communication processes, and the social, cultural, economic, and political impact of communication technology.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Explain and articulate modern communication phenomenon in terms of advanced communication theories.
• Utilize theories of mediated communication to postulate hypotheses regarding the expected effects of new technology on communication processes.
• Have a deeper awareness of the degree to which technology impacts the construction and organization of modern society, both positively and negatively
• Apply what you’ve learned to your lived experiences with various forms of media.
• Develop intellectual agility with “big ideas” and abstract theoretical concepts, particularly extending and applying concepts in contemporary settings

Critical examination of the theory and research concerning the dimensions, dynamics, and functions of interpersonal interaction.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Identify how everyday human interactions construct and manage identities, relationships, and cultures.
• Compare advanced perspectives on key movements, themes, and thinkers in the study of interpersonal communication.
• Analyze “Big Ideas” (abstract theoretical concepts) and how such conceptualizations have been extended and applied in contemporary interpersonal communication research.
• Evaluate various approaches to studying interpersonal communication, including their methodologies and implications.
• Demonstrate improved skills with engaging in academic dialogue, both written (via paper assignments) and spoken (via class discussions).

Principles of group communication, types of groups, group structure, leadership, and membership roles; techniques for working with groups.

 Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Acquire skills that contribute to successful small group participation and satisfaction.
• Improve critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills in small groups during class and out of class.
• Develop an understanding of current research, theories, and principles of small group processes to provide the basis of effective application.
• Function as a participant-observer within a small group in order to improve skills and succeed in group work.

Communication in organizations, communication networks, management and communication, decision making, goal setting, and process consultation in varying organizational settings. (Open to minors)

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Identify and understand major concepts and theories related to organizational communication
• Apply theoretical perspectives and concepts to analyze organizational situations and settings and make recommendations for resolving organizational issues
• Persuasively communicate (in both written and oral form) connections between course concepts and organizational communication in the world around them

Principles and techniques in persuasive communication: credibility, audience analysis, assessment of effects, media selection, resistance to persuasion, and attitude change.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Identify the foundations of persuasive communicative behavior
• Understand how different theories can be used to explain persuasive behavior
• Think constructively about one’s own communicative actions and the consequent effects messages send to others both directly and indirectly
• Identify and apply concepts, definitions, and ideas discussed in class to one’s own individual relationships in hopes of explaining and identifying healthy and unhealthy behavior
• Advance critical thinking of scholarly material and be able to discuss academic concepts with others
• Produce an academically sound research paper highlighting an area of interpersonal communication

Introduction to various types of interviewing and other forms of focused conversation Particular emphasis on analyzing and participating in goal-oriented conversation.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Identify and express foundational interpersonal, nonverbal and persuasion communication theories that are evident in interviewing roles and situations
• Identify the advantages and disadvantages of various types of interactional strategies and question approaches utilized in interview situations
• Develop interview proposals, guides, and schedules that reflect an understanding of interview roles, structural options, and situational requirements
• Understand diversity, ethics and civic engagement as framed in communication theories and concepts through thoughtful, reflective participation in assignments and discussions
• Utilize communication theories and concepts and an understanding of diversity, ethics and civic engagement in practice interviews and written assignments

Basic principles and policies of public relations and advertising; includes history, development, ethics, roles, functions, media selection methods, and message strategies of public relations.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Review the theoretical foundations of public relations by studying rhetorical theory, resource dependency theory, stakeholder theory, persuasion theory and agenda setting theory.
• Study cases which help us understand various successful and poor public relations campaigns and tactics.
• Use theoretical concepts to gain insights into PR campaigns and public events
• Develop professional-level writing skills required in the practice of public relations and become familiar with the rhetorical and communication theories and practices governing writing techniques.

Organization represent themselves to various stakeholder groups, both inside the organization and within the environment. In doing so, organizations encounter issues of reputation and identity. Combining theoretical foundations and a case study approach this course will examine these issues critically and analytically.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Comprehend the fundamental concepts of organizational reputation including identity and image.
• Know how to measure and value reputation as an organizational asset.
• Identify on an exam and during class discussion theories of reputation and reputation management.
• Identify on an exam and during class discussion approaches to communication that enables organizations to build, manage and protect reputation. 
• Apply the theoretical and practical aspects of reputation and communication in a real-world context with the Reputation Analysis assignment.

Practical field experience in intercultural, international, interpersonal, group, organizational, mass, or speech communication, or public relations and advertising. Requires application to Internship coordinator. Students may register online provided prerequisites are complete.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Reflect and effectively describe their communication competence and expertise (create content) for use in resumes, cover letters, online job applications and interviews and draw conclusions on what kind and type of work they want to pursue
• Integrate communication theory and their coursework with their experience in the workplace; draw connections between course work and workplace and see theory in action.
• Develop descriptions and explanations of their own workplace experiences; compare and contrast this internship experience with other internships or work experiences; and evaluate the communication culture of the workplace and role of the communication professional
• Compare and contrast their experiences to their classmates as way of helping the intern put his/her own circumstances into context and by doing so, gain understanding into uniqueness of communication practices within his/her workplace
• Describe their work tasks and explain the expectations their supervisors have for them and what they hope to learn in the internship

To continue 369 Internship. Requires application to Internship coordinator. Does not count toward major. Students mat register online, beginning Spring of 2008, provided prerequisites are complete.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Reflect and effectively describe their communication competence and expertise (create content) for use in resumes, cover letters, online job applications and interviews, and draw conclusions on what kind and type of work they want to pursue
• Integrate communication theory and their coursework with their experience in the workplace; draw connections between course work and workplace and see theory in action.
• Develop descriptions and explanations of their own workplace experiences; compare and contrast this internship experience with other internships or work experiences; and  evaluate the communication culture of the workplace and role of the communication professional
• Interpret the design of messages received (primarily digital ) and apply this knowledge to their own response or to the construction of their own digital messages
• Develop descriptions and explanations of their own workplace experiences and then compare and contrast their workplace experiences to their classmates as way of helping the intern put his/her own circumstances into context and by doing so, gain understanding into uniqueness of communication practices within his/her workplace

Principles of public speaking; practice in composition, delivery, and criticism of informative, persuasive, and entertaining speeches.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Learn, practice, and demonstrate abilities of integrating information and research through readings, discussions, speech analysis, and formal speaking assignments utilizing emerging technologies
• Become familiar with the applicable communication theories in the subject of public speaking
• Develop a professional level presentation in an informative, persuasive and mediated context
• Improve their oral and written communication skills

Principles and techniques of persuasion through argument, evidence, and logical inference. Practice in debate.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Learn how reasoned argumentation can help you make your own decisions, and how people use arguments to influence others’ decisions through communication
• Survey dialectical, rhetorical, and logical approaches to argumentation, and practice reconstructing real-life argumentation in order to evaluate its reasonableness and identify fallacious reasoning
• Apply these insights to build an argumentative case about an issue of your choice. You will evaluate each other’s arguments, engage each other in debate, and finally write an argumentative essay in which you argue your side of the issue
• Appreciate the risks of improper or sloppy argumentation in applied contexts in life, and the ways critical thinking about argumentation can generate fresh understanding of conflicts in interpersonal, public, and institutional settings.

An interdisciplinary approach to leadership theory and practice. The course utilizes lecture, discussion, case study and experience-based instructional methods.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Understand what leadership is and is not
• Explore leadership theories, models, and characteristics
• Examine successful and unsuccessful examples of leadership and leaders
• Practice and demonstrate leadership skills and competencies throughout the semester
• Increase knowledge of leadership processes in groups and organizations
• Broaden knowledge of disciplinary perspectives and approaches to leadership

The effects of gender roles in interpersonal communication; examination of literature and research on differences between male and female patterns of interaction.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Develop an understanding of the conceptual foundations of gendered communication including how to think critically about contemporary global issues from a multidisciplinary perspective
• Understand the process of communication and how it affects the social construction of gender as well as gain a better understanding of the terminology related to communication, gender, and culture in terms of how it is put into practice
• Analyze and synthesize information and ideas from multiple sources in order to generate new ideas and insights
• Appreciate diverse cultures and intergenerational traditions particularly as they relate to self-identity, education, close relationships, organizations, media, and issues of power/violence
• Demonstrate an ability to work with a team in planning and presenting scholarly materials as well as facilitating group discussions around issues related to our gendered lives

Exploration of communication demands of health care and the development of effective communication strategies and skills for use in health care practice.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Define health communication and diverse types of health literacy
• Explain the connection between health communication and health literacy
• Determine context specific outcomes (i.e., obesity) related to health literacy
• Identify theories, models, concepts and strategies to address health literacy issues/challenges
• Recognize the importance of health literacy to health promotion.
• Apply new knowledge in health communication/literacy to solve contemporary, practical problems (i.e., obesity prevention/intervention)

Design, implementation, and evaluation of public communication campaigns designed to change health behavior of individuals, groups, and entire populations.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Explain and be able to assess the relationship among assumptions, method, evidence, arguments, and theory in social and historical analysis
• Identify and critically assess ethical issues in social science and history
• Apply concepts about human and social behavior to particular questions or situations.
• Communicate effectively in modes appropriate to a discipline or area of inquiry
• Evaluate and critically assess sources and use the conventions of attribution and citation correctly
• Analyze and synthesize information and ideas from multiple sources to generate new insights

Analysis and preparation of case studies in industry, labor, education, government, and trade organizations, and the application of public relations techniques.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Employ a range of advanced searching and identification techniques, analysis and problem solving, and synthesizing tools to achieve specific goals
  • Be able to analyze business and organizational objectives and translate them into strategic public relations plans
  • Have a clear understanding and be able to articulate the role of public relations in supporting the fulfillment of an organization’s vision, mission and strategy
  • Have an accurate view of how public relations campaigns are approached from both an agency and an in-house departmental perspective
• Analyze and synthesize information and ideas from multiple sources to generate new insights
  • Be conversant with the organizational, ethical and operational factors that affect the practice of public relations
  • Be able to confidently and convincingly define the distinct boundaries between the roles of the public relations and marketing functions
• Employ current technologies and techniques to access information, conduct research and to communicate with key publics
  • Have a comfort level with digital technology and how it is an essential tool in the modern practice of public relations
  • Have a clear sense of how and why alignment of campaign elements is critical to effective communication campaigns
• Perform a critical self-assessment comparing skills and interests to further study or pursuit of a professional career
  • Have a broad and sufficient knowledge about public relations to decide on further study in the field and/or the pursuing of public relations as a career along with a firm commitment to ethical behavior in any professional or academic pursuit

Theory and pragmatics of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and small-group process analysis, intervention, and facilitation.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Process knowledge of the role of communication training and development as an area of human resource development
• Define communication competence and conduct a needs assessment to determine whether a workshop is warranted
• Understand principles of the design and delivery of effective training programs, and skill in developing a program evaluation to document the success of the training effort

Analysis of proliferating mediated communication technologies, their societal and interpersonal consequences as well as the social forces that affect their form and function. Attention also given to national and industrial policy issues related to mediated communication processes.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Learn about the concept of technologically mediated communication and its social, economic, and political implications
• Understand and be critically aware of the influence of new communication media on themselves, other individuals, social institutions and societies
• Develop problem-solving and analytical skills in observing the social uses of new communication media
• Understand the essentials of new communication and information technologies and industries
• Understand the process and effects of media convergence and be a critical consumer of new media
• Anticipate how communication media will affect their career in communication or in other fields

Nonverbal aspects of human communication, including proxemics, kinesics, haptics, vocalics, eye behavior, human artifacts, and environments; the functions served by nonverbal behavior in interaction.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of fundamental principles on nonverbal communication; use theories and concepts to analyze human behavior; and apply the acquired concepts to social and professional life
• Identify and appraise various approaches to nonverbal communication, their methodologies and implications
• Analyze features of nonverbal communication (including gaze, gesture, body orientations, and communication environment) and how they are used in everyday interaction
• Analyze how we use nonverbal communication to construct identities and relationships by carefully examining actual communication processes
• Demonstrate proficiency in using evidence to study and understand everyday communication processes
  • analyze nonverbal communicative processes through close observation of naturally occurring interaction
  • analyze recordings and transcripts of face-to-face interaction in order to describe how a variety of common conversational activities are accomplished

Sociolinguistic, psycholinguistic, and general semantic analysis of language as a component of human communication systems.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of fundamental perspectives on language in communication; use theories and concepts to analyze human behavior 
• Identify and appraise various approaches to language, their methodologies, and implications
• Analyze features of conversational organization, such as turns and action sequences
• Analyze how we accomplish basic everyday activities in conversation (e.g., story-telling, complaining, and blaming) and their implications for interpersonal relationships
• Analyze how nonverbal behaviors contribute to communication
• Demonstrate proficiency in using evidence to study and understand everyday communication processes 
• Create detailed transcriptions from tapes of ordinary talk
• Analyze recordings and transcripts of ordinary talk in order to describe how conversational activities are accomplished

The role of communication in social change, diffusion of innovations, and national development.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Apply an ecological approach to communication
  • Demonstrate how ecological levels are interrelated
  • Explain how ecological factors impact community engagement and practices through case studies
  • Determine appropriate communication strategies to enhance context-placed practices
  • Demonstrate an understanding of community-based principles and ethics
  • Identify how an ecological approach is relevant to certain careers working with communities

Applications and policy implications of innovative communication and information-processing technology in business, government, and education; emphasis on political, economic, and legal aspects.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• List the key events in the history of the U.S. telecommunications sector.
• Identify stakeholders and organizations involved in the telecom policy process
• Examine the growing body of cases that have addressed aspects of telecom mediation in speech, convergence, governance, regulation, intellectual property, electronic commerce, etc.
• Identify the complexities of information policy making in the U.S.
• Assess the means of addressing telecom-related problems and processes through legislative, administrative, judicial and/or other government actions.
• Articulate the need for Universal Service support in a competitive telecom market

Application of principles and theories of organizational communication in a simulated organization.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Introduce the student to the art of communicating successfully in a team and business environment
• Integrate the theories of organizational communication into the workplace in a practical manner
• Provide the student with "hands-on" experience composing clear, concise, and meaningful business emails, memos, letters, written reports, oral presentations and other forms of business-related communications
• Familiarize the student with software programs such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint that can be used in presentations

Examines leadership from a communicative perspective, integrating theory and practice. Combines traditional information components of university courses, with experimental learning activities such as interactive simulations, exercises, case studies, and an organizational simulation.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Apply communication theories, concepts and skills to the study and practice of leadership
• Understand fundamental perspectives, theories and concepts of leadership as they apply in relationships, groups, organizational and civic settings
• Demonstrate an analytic/critical perspective relative to leadership perspectives, theories and concepts
• Systematically assess individual, group and organization leadership practices and situations
• Acquire enhanced experience and competency in, and commitment to, personal leadership in relationship, group, organizational, and civic settings

Principles and methods of identifying, categorizing, and segmenting mass audiences.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Analyze a product or service offering and then formulate, evaluate, and communicate conclusions and inferences to determine an ideal target audience from industry acceptable media/marketing tools and sources of quantitative information
• Develop and present a Communications plan designed to reach a desired target audience using a variety of media choices, and begin to understand the complexities of budgeting and execution

Development of research techniques for the systematic analysis of the content of written and oral messages; methods of sampling, development of content categories, reliability assessment, and presentation of findings.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Discuss the application of content analysis
• Understand how content analysis can be applied to various qualitative data
• Broaden understanding of how images and text can convey different meanings
• Apply the principles of the content analysis methodology and apply it to an area of interest to develop a theory toward understanding phenomena

Family communication theory, research, and practice. Includes assessment and measurement of interaction patterns, pathologies, and intervention strategies.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Understand and articulate the fundamental concepts and theories related to family communication
• Demonstrate mastery of these concepts by applying them to current social issues and questions related to family life
• Demonstrate your ability to gather evidence to explore, understand, and debate possible outcomes of these issues with your classmates
• Conduct independent research on family communication topics, and to demonstrate this ability through reviews of the literature and by successfully conducting an interview on family communication processes

Research trends in current literature in interpersonal, group, organizational, mass, and intercultural communication, and in public relations and advertising.

Ranges from 1 to 3 credits.

Ranges from 1 to 3 credits.