Missouri State University

Graduate College

2013-14 Graduate Catalog

Preliminary Edition
published April 2013

School of Communication Studies: Department of Communication

Craig Hall, Room 375, Phone: (417) 836-4423, Fax: (417) 836-4774
Email: Shawnwahl@MissouriState.edu
Website: http://communication.missouristate.edu
Department Head: Shawn T. Wahl

Graduate faculty

Professor:  Charlene A. Berquist, John S. Bourhis, Randy K. Dillon, Gloria J. Galanes, Shawn T. Wahl

Associate Professor:  Isabelle Bauman, Elizabeth Dudash, Samuel C. Dyer, Kelly S. Wood

Assistant Professor:  Nicholas L. Carcioppolo, Eric Morris, Stephanie Norander

Emeritus Professor:  Herbert W. Jackson, Russell M. Keeling, , Janis L. King, John I Sisco, Ralph R. Smith, Holt V. Spicer, Donal J. Stanton, Richard L. Stovall

Programs

Master of Arts, Communication

Randy Dillon, Graduate Director
Craig Hall, Room 375, Phone (417) 836-4423
RandyDillon@missouristate.edu

Entrance Requirements 
  1. The student must have received an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  2. The applicant must hold an undergraduate degree with an academic major in communication (speech or mass communication, journalism, rhetorical studies) or a related discipline (e.g., anthropology, English, history, psychology, or sociology), or have completed a minimum of 15 hours of undergraduate course work in communication to demonstrate an adequate background for graduate work in the field of communication.  Additional undergraduate courses may be required as prerequisites to the student's graduate program.  Prerequisites are determined by the Department of Communication and relayed to the Graduate College as conditions of admission.
  3. The applicant must submit scores for either the General Record Examination (GRE) OR the Millers Analogy Test (MAT) prior to the beginning of their second semester of course work.  For information on these tests, please see the “Admission to Graduate Study” section of the Missouri State University Graduate Catalog.
  4. The student must have attained a GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale for the last 60 credits of academic work or at least a GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale for the last 60 credits of academic work and a score of 153 or above on the verbal section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and a score of 140 or above on the quantitative section of the GRE or a score on the MAT in the 50th percentile or higher.
  5. Students who do not meet the normal admission requirements, but who show an indication of high promise, will be considered for probationary admission.  Probationary conditions will be defined by the Graduate Director.  Probationary students will not be eligible for graduate and/or teaching assistantships.
  6. All other University and Graduate College requirements for admission to a degree program will also apply.  Please refer to the requirements given in this catalog.
Enrollment Requirements 

To enroll in graduate courses in the Department of Communication, a student must satisfy one of the following two conditions:

  1. Be admitted to a graduate program in Communication, or
  2. Have permission to enroll from the Graduate Director in the Department of Communication.
Degree Requirements (Minimum of 32 hrs)
  1. Theory.  Must complete 7 hours in Theory as follows:

    Course CodeCourse TitleCredit Hours
    COM 701 Introduction to Graduate Studies   1 hr
    COM 702 Theory and Research in Communication 3 hrs
    COM 706 Rhetorical Theory 3 hrs
  2. Methodology.  Must select two courses, 6 hours, in the Methodology of Inquiry: 

    Course CodeCourse TitleCredit Hours
    COM 712 Quantitative Analysis in Communication Research   3 hrs
    COM 714 Qualitative Analysis in Communication Research 3 hrs
    COM 716 Rhetorical Analysis in Communication Research 3 hrs
    COM 718 Applied Communication Research Methods 3 hrs
  3. Additional course work.  Students are required to complete a minimum of 19 additional hours selected by advisement and approved by the Graduate Director, consistent with their professional, educational, and/or personal objectives.  No more than 9 hours may be selected from departments other than Communication and Media, Journalism and Film.  It is possible to complete all 19 credits in the Department of Communication.
  4. Teaching Assistants.  In addition to the above listed requirements, all graduate teaching assistants (TAs) must enroll in COM 710 during the first semester of their assistantship.  See course description of COM 710 for additional information.
  5. Research.  Complete one of the following two research options. 

    Option I: Completion of a thesis that is approved by committee, the Graduate Director and the Graduate College.  The department further requires a public presentation of the thesis.  Thesis credit shall be no more than six semester hours of the minimum required for a master's degree. 

    Option II: Complete a seminar paper approved by a seminar paper advisor, a departmental committee on seminar papers, and the Graduate Director.  The department further requires a public presentation of the seminar paper.  A maximum of 3 credit hours of COM 796 may be used for the purpose of completing the seminar paper.
  6. Comprehensive Examination.  A comprehensive examination must be passed by the candidate before a degree will be granted.
  7. Non-class Instruction.  A maximum of eight credit hours of non-class instruction (COM 795 Communication Internship, COM 796 Independent Study and/or COM 799 Master's Thesis hours) may be counted toward the minimum 32 hours necessary for graduation.
Accelerated Master's Degree Option

Eligible undergraduate majors in the School of Communication Studies may apply for early admission to the Master of Arts in Communication during the second semester of their junior year.  Once accepted for early admission, students will be able to take up to 10 credit hours at the 600-700 level that apply to both their undergraduate and graduate degree programs.  Students MUST enroll in COM 701 during the fall semester of their senior year as part of the accelerated program.  Before enrolling in courses to be counted for both undergraduate and graduate credit, an undergraduate student must be accepted into the accelerated master’s program AND receive prior approval from the Director of Graduate Studies, the Department Head, and the Dean of the Graduate College (on a Mixed Credit Form).

Admission Requirements for the Accelerated Master’s Option
  1. Junior standing with a cumulative GPA of 3.25.
  2. Major in the School of Communication Studies or the equivalent, having completed 15 hours in the major department, including at least six hours at the 300-level or above, with a GPA in the major of 3.50 or better.
  3. A letter of recommendation by a faculty member in the School of Communication Studies.
  4. A personal statement of no more than 2 pages addressing the applicant's qualifications for the Accelerated program and the role the program plays in the applicant's personal and professional goals.
  5. Admission by the Graduate Faculty in the Department of Communication. 
  6. Submission of GRE or MAT scores prior to the beginning of the second semester of course work.  For information on these tests, please see the "Admission to Graduate Study" section of the Missouri State University Graduate Catalog.

 Date for first consideration for applications: March 1.

Master of Science, Administrative Studies - Applied Communication Option

The Department of Communication participates in the Master of Science, Administrative Studies (MSAS) degree.  The MSAS is an interdisciplinary program composed of courses from departments and colleges across campus.  The program, which includes a significant online component, is administered by a faculty committee and located in the Graduate College.

Required Courses (Choose any four from list below):
Course Code Course Title Credit Hours
COM 611 Conflict and Communication  3 hrs
COM 617 Communication and Diversity in the Workplace 3 hrs
COM 619 Ethical Issues in Communication 3 hrs
COM 732 Theories and Concepts of Small Group Communication 3 hrs
COM 713 Media Resources for Organizations 3 hrs

Certificate in Conflict and Dispute Resolution

Charlene Berquist, Certificate Advisor
Park Central Office Building, Room 212, Phone (417) 836-5158
CharleneBerquist@MissouriState.edu

Program Description 

The Certificate in Conflict and Dispute Resolution provides a 16 hour graduate-level experience for educators, health care workers, business people, managers, workers, or community members who are interested in dispute resolution and conflict processes.  The program provides for the acquisition of knowledge and skills necessary for understanding conflict and resolving disputes.  The certificate is interdisciplinary in nature and has three required components: a theory/research component, a law/policy/ethics component, and an applied component.  The 6 hours of electives allow the student to pursue study of conflict and its resolution in the context of their specific discipline or profession.

Admission Criteria

To be considered for the program, a student must have a 3.00 grade point average as well as apply and be admitted to the Graduate College.  Students who do not meet the normal admission requirements, but who show an indication of high promise, will be considered for probationary admission.  Probationary conditions will be defined by the Graduate Director.  Admission to the certificate program does not constitute admission to any other Missouri State University graduate program. 

Required Courses - 16 Hours Total 

Theory/Research Core

Course CodeCourse TitleCredit Hours
COM 611 Conflict and Communication 3 hrs
COM 621 Communication, Mediation and Negotiation 3 hrs

Both COM 611 and COM 621 contribute to the mission of the certificate by providing essential background on theory and research on conflict, mediation, and negotiation.

Application Core

Course CodeCourse TitleCredit Hours
COM 600 Service Learning in Communication Graduate Study 1 hr

Contributes to the mission of the certificate by providing hands-on experience in conflict and/or mediation.           

Law/Policy/Ethics Core

One of the following courses:                                           

Course CodeCourse TitleCredit Hours
LAW 600 Legal Environment for Business Managers 3 hrs
EAD 785 Legal and Ethical Contexts of Schooling 3 hrs
PHI 613 Bioethics 3 hrs
PSY 761 Ethical and Professional Issues 3 hrs

Each class in the Law/Policy/Ethics Core contributes to the mission by helping students examine necessary professional standards for mediation/conflict professionals in their specific field.

Electives - 6 hrs

Select 6 hours of electives from the following courses:

Course codeCourse Title Credit Hours
COM 607 Family Communication 3 hrs
COM 617 Communication and Diversity in the Workplace 3 hrs
COM 722 Argumentation as Communication 3 hrs
COM 724 Theories of Interpersonal Communication 3 hrs
COM 732 Theories and Concepts of Small Group Communication OR PSY 778 Group Processes 3 hrs
EAD 784 Human Relations and Collaborative Processes 3 hrs
EAD 861 Human Relations 3 hrs
PSY 718 Organizational Psychology OR COM 736 Concepts and Analysis of Communication in Organizations 3 hrs
PSY 780 Social Psychology 3 hrs
LAW 631 Labor Law and Employment Discrimination 3 hrs
SWK 741 Family Health and Family Violence 3 hrs

The electives contribute to the mission of the certificate by allowing students to focus on conflict processes that are specific to their professional area.  These courses allow a more discipline specific focus than is found in the theory/research core classes.

Completion Requirements 

Courses must be completed with a 3.00 GPA for successful completion of certificate.

Communication Courses

COM 600 Service Learning in Communication Graduate Study

Prerequisite: permission of instructor and concurrent enrollment in a communication, media, or journalism course designated as a service learning offering. This service component for an existing course incorporates community service with classroom instruction in communications to provide an integrative learning experience that addresses the practice of citizenship and promotes an awareness of and participation in public affairs. Includes 40 hours of service that benefits an external community organization, agency, or public service provider. Approved service placements and assignments will vary depending on the course topic and learning objectives; a list of approved placements and assignments is available from the instructor and the Citizenship and Service Learning Office. May be repeated. May be taught concurrently with COM 500. Cannot receive credit for both COM 600 and COM 500.

COM 604 Health Communication and Culture

The examination of intercultural communication concepts in the health care context. Emphasis will be on understanding the health needs of diverse populations, Western health practices, non-Western health practices, and the conflicts that can emerge when cultures collide. May be taught concurrently with COM 507. Cannot receive credit for both COM 604 and COM 507.

COM 607 Family Communication

This course is intended to provide students with an in-depth examination of communication as it functions in family systems. May be taught concurrently with COM 506. Cannot receive credit for both COM 506 and COM 607.

COM 608 Patient-Provider Communication

This course explores the nature of patient-provider interactions in health care contexts. Emphasis is placed on traditional and non-traditional health care providers, their patients, and interpersonal communication theories specific to health care interactions. May be taught concurrently with COM 508. Cannot receive credit for both COM 608 and COM 508.

COM 609 Proseminar in Public Relations

Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Readings and applications in chosen areas of professional communication practice. May be repeated once for credit. Variable content course. May be taught concurrently with COM 509. Cannot receive credit for both COM 509 and COM 609.

COM 611 Conflict and Communication

Equips students to understand the dynamics of interpersonal conflict and its resolution in a variety of community settings. Students will learn to analyze their own conflict styles and to develop self-regulation strategies for collaborative outcomes. The course covers conflict theory and research and applies these ideas to current community and organizational settings and diverse populations. Lectures/discussions by scholars, community leaders, and/or agency personnel who deal with conflict as well as simulations of conflict situations will be provided. May be taught concurrently with COM 511. Cannot receive credit for both COM 511 and COM 611.

COM 617 Communication and Diversity in the Workplace

Exploration of current theory and research regarding communication and diversity in the workplace. Study of practical applications for the assessment and training of communication skills relative to culture, race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation and other diversity issues. Emphasis is placed on improving understanding of communication similarities and differences among diverse population groups. Includes readings, class discussion, observation, and/or class projects about assessment and training in communication skills in a diverse workplace. May be taught concurrently with COM 512. Cannot receive credit for both COM 512 and COM 617.

COM 619 Ethical Issues in Communication

Ethical theories and justification models are studied and then related to ethical decision making in a variety of communication contexts, including interpersonal communication, group communication, organizational communication, and public communication. The course will examine the components of good ethical decision making in communication, as well as obstacles that can stand in the way of responsible choices. May be taught concurrently with COM 513. Cannot receive credit for both COM 513 and COM 619.

COM 621 Communication, Mediation, and Negotiation

Explores the communicative foundation for understanding the processes of mediation and negotiation as methods for resolving conflict, with an emphasis on interpersonal and organizational conflict. The course covers theories and concepts pertaining to mediation and negotiation, particularly alternative dispute resolution, and provides students the opportunity to apply concepts through a variety of experiential activities. May be taught concurrently with COM 521. Cannot receive credit for both COM 521 and COM 621.

COM 631 Teaching Debate

This course prepares the student to teach various forms of debate in a high school setting. It will explore all major forms of high school debate, including CX Policy Debate, L/D Debate, parliamentary, and Public Forum debate. May be taught concurrently with COM 532. Cannot receive credit for both COM 532 and COM 631.

COM 633 Teaching Individual Events

This course prepares the student to teach various individual events common in a high school setting. It will explore all major high school individual events, including Foreign and Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking, Original Oratory, Poetry, Prose, Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Radio Speaking, Storytelling, and Student Congress. May be taught concurrently with COM 534. Cannot receive credit for both COM 534 and COM 633.

COM 635 Directing Forensics

Problems in coaching and conducting forensic contests. May be taught concurrently with COM 536. Cannot receive credit for both COM 536 and COM 635.

COM 650 Political Communication

Examination of the communication process in modern political campaigns. Emphasis is placed on the role of communication strategies and tactics in political organization, message formation, fund raising, and mass media usage. May be taught concurrently with COM 550. Cannot receive credit for both COM 550 and COM 650.

COM 660 Social Movement Communication

Examination of social movement communication with emphasis on functionalist, dramatistic, and symbolic convergence theories. Study of movements' use of communication to generate discontent, mobilize and coordinate support, defend themselves and attack opponents, and negotiate with external groups. Critical analysis of collective actions such as student, civil rights, identity, labor, religious, feminist, lesbian/gay, and utopian movements. May be taught concurrently with COM 566. Cannot receive credit for both COM 566 and COM 660.

COM 698 Studies in Communication Theory and Practice

In-depth examination of a specific communication topic. May vary from semester to semester and, with permission of the department, may be repeated to a total of 12 hours. Variable content course. May be taught concurrently with COM 597. Cannot receive credit for both COM 597 and COM 698.

COM 701 Introduction to Graduate Studies

Introduction to graduate study in communication. Topics include an overview of the field, introduction to relevant journals, library skills, professional associations, planning a program of study, and how to satisfy the research requirement.

COM 702 Theory and Research in Communication

Survey of communication theory, models, and research. Topics include perception, construction of meaning, language and symbol systems, interpersonal discourse, relationships, small group interaction, and organizational communication.

COM 705 Health Communication

Examination of communication theory in the health care context. Emphasis will be on communication effectiveness in health care professional/client relationships, in addition to message practices in small group, organizational, and mediated health campaign settings.

COM 706 Rhetorical Theory

The study of rhetorical theories from the pre-Socratic period to the contemporary period.

COM 710 Contemporary Communication Education

Examination of current practices and trends in Communication Education. Graduate teaching assistants in communication are required to take this course during the first semester of the assistantship. Course is only open to graduate teaching assistants in the Department of Communication.

COM 712 Quantitative Analysis in Communication Research

Quantitative research designs and statistical tools used in human communication research. Topics include descriptive and inferential statistics, validity and reliability, hypothesis testing, and analysis and interpretation of computer assisted research. Students may design and carry out individual research projects.

COM 713 Media Resources for Organizations

This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to explore the interface of profit and non-profit organizations with television, radio, newspapers and the internet to enhance organizational effectiveness. The course is project based focusing on developing specific media resources to meet strategic organizational communication goals.

COM 714 Qualitative Analysis in Communication Research

Qualitative approaches to studying human communication. Topics include in-depth interviewing, survey methods, observation and coding techniques in structured and naturalistic settings, and interpretive data analysis. Students may be required to design and complete research.

COM 716 Rhetorical Analysis in Communication Research

The investigation and evaluation of rhetorical acts and artifacts for the purpose of understanding rhetorical processes. Students will survey methods of rhetorical analysis and practice critical analysis of artifacts, events, and/or acts.

COM 718 Applied Communication Research Methods

Prerequisite: permission of instructor. In-depth examination of a specific applied communication research methodology including: survey research, media criticism, communication audits, in-depth interviewing, and focus group interviewing. Topic will vary semester to semester. May be repeated but only 3 hours will count toward the degree.

COM 722 Argumentation as Communication

Argumentation as related to decision making, conflict resolution and negotiation in business, industry, government, and education.

COM 724 Theories of Interpersonal Communication

Topics include theories, concepts, models of interpersonal communication, interpersonal discourse, relationships, resolving conflicts, verbal message analysis, interpreting nonverbal message.

COM 732 Theories and Concepts of Small Group Communication

Survey of theories and concepts related to communication in small groups. Topics include group development, roles, norms, leadership, cohesiveness, decision making, conflict, interaction analysis, and research approaches to small group communication.

COM 736 Concepts and Analysis of Communication in Organizations

Advanced study of communication in organizations. Application of traditional and contemporary theories of communication and organizations in current research and practice. Particular attention is given to the symbolic nature of organizing and to the analysis of organizational culture.

COM 739 Concepts and Analysis of Public Relations

Examination of concepts which underlie practices in public relations. Analysis of current practices and issues important in public relations for corporations, not-for-profit organizations. government agencies, and educational institutions.

COM 795 Communication Internship

Prerequisite: 12 graduate credit hours in Communication; and permission of department. Independent projects in the various areas of communication. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours with permission of the department.

COM 796 Independent Study

Prerequisite: permission of advisor. Study may be reading project or a practical application of theories. May be repeated to a maximum of 4 hours.

COM 797 Seminar: Communication Theory

Special topics in history, theory and criticism of communication. Topic may vary from semester to semester. With permission, may be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours.

COM 799 Masters Thesis

Prerequisite: completion of 9 graduate credit hours in communication; and permission of the Director of Graduate Studies and admission to the thesis option; and complete 3 graduate hours in research methods or be concurrently enrolled in one of the following courses: COM 712, COM 714, COM 716, or COM 718. Independent research and study connected with preparation of thesis.