COMS Communication Studies
COMS 1711 Communication Studies Practicum
1 Credit Hour. 0 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Practical experience in speaking and performance events. A maximum of three credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
COMS 2330 Introduction to Communication Research
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Introduces students to the professional literature in communication and examines the major paradigms used in communication research. The students will gain practical experience using formal research styles.
COMS 2711 Communication Studies Practicum
1 Credit Hour. 0 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Practical experience in speaking and performance events. A maximum of three credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
COMS 3030 Selected Topics in Communication Studies
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Offers varied courses in specialized areas of the field of communication studies. Departmental approval required.
COMS 3330 Health Communication
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Applies various communication theories to the health care community. The impact of health communication in different contextual levels, i.e., interpersonal, group, organizational, mass and cultural will be examined.
COMS 3331 Argumentation
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Examines the function and structure of argumentation by focusing on the critical analysis of argument around important issues in public policy, science, law, religion and politics.
COMS 3332 Small Group Communication
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
This course examines the increasing importance of communication in small group situations. Communication in group roles, relationships, leadership, conflict, group discussion and reflective decision making, will be highlighted.
COMS 3334 Communicating in the Workplace
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Considers the theoretical and practical challenges existing in a variety of workplace communication scenarios ranging from interviews and group interaction and structure through oral presentations supplemented by a variety of modern media.
COMS 3335 Interpersonal Communication
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Considers current interpersonal research emphasizing practical analysis for how we communicate and form interpersonal relationships.
Prerequisite(s): COMM 1100.
COMS 3336 Introduction to Performance Studies
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Examines the performance process in relation to the cultural values communicated in social and artistic forms. An introduction to folklore, storytelling, and solo performance.
COMS 3337 Persuasion
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Considers the ethics, philosophies, theories, and techniques of persuasion from the points of view of both senders and receivers of persuasive messages.
Prerequisite(s): COMM 1110.
COMS 3338 Rhetorical Criticism
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Introduces students to the major perspectives and approaches used in the practice of rhetorical criticism through the analysis of various rhetorical forms, including public speeches, drama and entertainment, tradition and ideology.
COMS 3339 Intercultural Communication
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
This course will focus on the different contexts in which culture influences the communication process. Aspects of communication such as language, nonverbal communication, interpersonal relationships, and organizations will be examined across different cultures. Students will strive to understand the impact of culture on perception, social identity, values, and structures of power. Intercultural, cross-cultural, and multicultural contexts for communication will be discussed.
COMS 3430 Communication and Leadership
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
This course covers the theories and practices associated with leadership in groups and organizations. Focuses on interactive aspects of leading and following, and developing leadership skills from a communication perspective. Topics will include perspectives of a leader's communication interactions with regard to: change, culture, decision making, diversity, ethics, followership, groups and teams, influence, organizations, and styles.
Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of "C" in COMM 1100.
COMS 3711 Communication Studies Practicum
1 Credit Hour. 0 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Practical experience in speaking and performance events. A maximum of three credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
COMS 4330 Rhetoric of International Relations
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Examines the discourse of international relations from a rhetorical perspective. Emphasizes the analysis and criticism of persuasive messages used in international relations from Aristotelian, Neo-Aristotelian, dramatic and narrative rhetorical theoretical bases.
Cross Listing(s): INTS 4330.
COMS 4332 Political Communication
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Emphasizes the role and the function of communication in the political setting. Examines theories of political communication and their application to political campaigns, debates, and speech writing.
COMS 4333 General Semantics: Language Use, Meaning, Culture
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Studies the relationship between symbol use and meaning from traditions of General Semantics (as established by Alfred Korzybski), semiotic, and constructionist thought. Focuses on the use of signs and symbols and implications for nonverbal and oral communication in personal relationships, social settings, and cultural contexts.
COMS 4336 Performance, Culture, Communication
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Presents performance techniques relevant to scripting and staging of presentational ensemble and solo performance. Emphasizes performance as a communicative act in social and cultural contexts. Introduces personal narrative construction and oral history interviewing as primary research methods.
COMS 4337 Rhetoric of Social Movements
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Introduces students to the rhetorical significance of selected social movements including labor reform, civil rights, and environment protection, emphasizing the analysis of persuasive social movement discourse.
Cross Listing(s): AAST 4337.
COMS 4338 Organizational Communication
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Explains the role and effects of communication in everyday organizational life. Includes interpersonal communication in the workplace, leadership, organizational communication and climate, motivation and flow of information in organizations.
COMS 4339 Philosophy of Communication
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Introduces students to the contributions of philosophical debate from logical positivism through hermeneutics to the discipline of human communication studies.
COMS 4711 Communication Studies Practicum
1 Credit Hour. 0 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Practical experience in speaking and performance events. A maximum of three credit hours may be applied toward the degree.
COMS 4791 Communication Studies Internship
3-6 Credit Hours. 0 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Provides practical experience in a professional setting appropriate for a student trained in communication studies. Will be under the supervision of a skilled practitioner in the particular area of communication. May be taken only by Communication Studies majors who have completed a minimum of 24 hours of upper division COMS coursework. A maximum of three hours may be applied to the major. To intern, students must have a minimum 2.5 overall GPA.
Prerequisite(s): COMM 1110, junior or senior standing, and departmental approval.
COMS 4831 Directed Study in Communication Studies
3 Credit Hours. 0 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Offers students opportunities to design and conduct directed research and/or projects in specialized communication studies areas. Must be approved in advance by instructor and department chair. This course may not be used to replace an existing course in the catalog.
Prerequisite(s): Departmental approval required.
COMS 5030 Selected Topics in Communication
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Subject announced when course offered. Topics vary, such as environmental impacts on communication, transactional analysis theory, non-verbal communication.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.
Cross Listing(s): COMS 5030G.
COMS 5330 Communication Theory
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Introduces students to major approaches in the development of communication theory with emphasis on various communication contexts, e.g.; interpersonal, group, organization, mass media, intercultural.
Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of "C" in COMS 2330 or PRCA 4330.
Cross Listing(s): COMS 5330G.
COMS 5331 Communication and Conflict
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Introduces students to the theory and practice of conflict management in personal and professional relationships.
COMS 5332 Nonverbal Communication
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
An introduction to the theories, processes and effects of communication in nonverbal codes. Topics may include kinesics, proxemics and paralanguage. Critical analysis and contemporary research emphasized.
Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of "C" in COMM 1100 or COMM 1110.
Cross Listing(s): COMS 5332G.
COMS 5333 Communication and Gender
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Introduces students to the literature of gender and communication. Considers how men's and women's self-perceptions and resulting communication patterns evolve as a function of cultural influences.
Cross Listing(s): COMS 5333G.
COMS 5334 Interpersonal Communication in the Workplace
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Communication theory, research, and applications of various forms of interpersonal communication in the workplace. Topics may include superior-subordinate communication, interviewing, and presentations.
Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of "C" in COMM 1100 or COMM 1110.
Cross Listing(s): COMS 5334G.
COMS 5335 Family Communication
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Examination of various communication theories within the unique contexts of family dynamics.
Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of "C" in COMM 1100.
Cross Listing(s): COMS 5335G.
COMS 5030G Selected Topics in Communication
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Subject announced when course offered. Topics vary, such as environmental impacts on communication, transactional analysis theory, non-verbal communication. Graduate students will have additional readings and research expectations, including, when appropriate, a research presentation.
Cross Listing(s): COMS 5030.
COMS 5330G Communication Theory
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Introduces students to major approaches in the development of communication theory with emphasis on various communication contexts, e.g.; interpersonal, group, organization, mass media, intercultural. Graduate students will have additional readings and research expectations, including, when appropriate, a research presentation.
Cross Listing(s): COMS 5330.
COMS 5331G Communication and Conflict
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Introduces students to the theory and practice of conflict management in personal and professional relationships. Graduate students will have additional readings and research expectations, including, when appropriate, a research presentation.
COMS 5332G Nonverbal Communication
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
An introduction to the theories, processes and effects of communication in nonverbal codes. Topics may include kinesics, proxemics and paralanguage. Critical analysis and contemporary research emphasized. Graduate students will have additional readings and research expectations, including, when appropriate, a research presentation.
Cross Listing(s): COMS 5332.
COMS 5333G Communication and Gender
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Introduces students to the literature of gender and communication. Considers how men's and women's self-perceptions and resulting communication patterns evolve as a function of cultural influences. Graduate students will be given an extra assignment determined by the instructor that undergraduates will not be required to do.
Cross Listing(s): COMS 5333.
COMS 5334G Interpersonal Communication in the Workplace
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Communication theory, research, and applications of various forms of interpersonal communication in the workplace. Topics may include superior-subordinate communication, interviewing, and presentations. Graduate students will have additional readings and research expectations, including, when appropriate, a research presentation.
Cross Listing(s): COMS 5334.
COMS 5335G Family Communication
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Examination of various communication theories within the unique contexts of family dynamics. Graduate students will have additional readings and research expectations, including, when appropriate, a research presentation.
Cross Listing(s): COMS 5335.
COMS 5530G Rhetoric
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Rhetoric from Aristotle to the present, with emphasis on rhetorical analysis of texts and other forms of discourse. Graduate students will have additional readings and research expectations, including, when appropriate, a research presentation.
Cross Listing(s): WRIT 5530G.
COMS 7200 Organizational Communication in Diverse Contexts
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Theories and principles of professional discourse applied toward working effectively in ethnically diverse organizations and in international contexts.
COMS 7300 Professional Communication Presentation Skills
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Development and enhancement of public presentation skills using communication theory as a foundation. Emphasis on speech writing, speech preparation, skill development, audience engagement, critical analysis of public address, and differences between face-to-face and electronically-mediated communication environments.
COMS 7400 Communication Training and Development
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hours.
Prepares students for managing communication training programs in a variety of settings. Public speaking training and development will be a central focus.