Communication (COM) courses
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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COM 698 Studies in Communication Theory and Practice
In-depth examination of a specific communication topic. May vary from semester to semester. Variable content course. May be repeated to a maximum of 12 hours with permission of the department. May be taught concurrently with COM 597. Cannot receive credit for both COM 597 and COM 698.
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COM 700 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.
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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.
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COM 702 Communication Theory and Research
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.
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COM 703 Professional Communication Skills
Prerequisite: admission to the MBA program.This course seeks to enhance students' awareness and appreciation of communication processes in business and professional settings. An emphasis is placed on improving skills in interpersonal relations, teamwork, and professional presentation. Skills and applications related to communication competence and impression management from the individual's perspective working within the contextual enabling and constraining of organizational hierarchy are underscored.
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COM 704 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.
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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.
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COM 706 Rhetorical Theory
The study of rhetorical theories from the pre-Socratic period to the contemporary period.
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COM 707 Family Communication
This course is intended to provide students with an in-depth examination of communication as it functions in family systems.
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COM 708 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.
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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.
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COM 711 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.
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COM 712 Quantitative Research Methods in Communication
Quantitative research methodology in human communication. This course is designed to teach students how to read, interpret, and conduct research that uses numerical data. Some descriptive and inferential statistical analysis included. Students will design and carry out communication research using the methods they have learned.
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COM 713 Public Relations Campaigns
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.
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COM 714 Qualitative Research Methods in Communication
Qualitative research methodology in human communication. This course is designed to teach students how to read, interpret, and conduct various types of qualitative research. Students will design and carry out communication research using the methods they have learned.
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COM 716 Rhetorical Criticism
Rhetorical criticism methodologies in human communication. This course is designed to teach students how to read, interpret, and conduct various types of rhetorical criticism. Major themes in rhetorical criticism explored include roles of the critic, audience, situation, theory, method, and artifact. Students will engage a rhetorical criticism project.
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COM 717 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.
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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 three hours will count toward the degree.
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COM 719 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.
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COM 722 Argumentation as Communication
Argumentation as related to decision making, conflict resolution and negotiation in business, industry, government, and education.
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COM 723 Contemporary Topics in Conflict
An in-depth exploration of a specific topic in conflict. Topics will vary from semester to semester and may include but are not limited to the following: Dialogue and Facilitation, Conflict and Communication Coaching, Advanced Mediation, Family Conflict, Communication and Restorative Processes, Conflict Management in Schools, and Peace and Conflict. Variable content course. May be repeated to a maximum of nine hours with permission of the department.
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COM 724 Interpersonal Communication
Advanced study in interpersonal communication theories and concepts. Topics may include relational development and maintenance, conflict resolution, identity management, verbal and nonverbal message analysis, and information management.
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COM 732 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.
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COM 736 Organizational Communication
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.
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COM 739 Public Relations Theories and Applications
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.
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COM 750 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.
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COM 752 Communication Technology and Politics
This course focuses on how communication technology contributes to the political process including campaigns, discourse, and information gathering. Heavy emphasis is placed on the distribution, reception, and process of political information through all communication technology, including social media, in terms of both theory and practice.
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COM 754 Presidential Rhetoric
Examination of rhetoric used in governance, with a primary focus on presidential rhetoric. Emphasis is placed on history of presidential address, genre expectations for common presidential topics, political speechwriting, and rhetorical norms for legislative and judicial rhetoric.
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COM 760 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.
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COM 794 Conflict Internship
Prerequisite: 6 hours of conflict courses; admission to the graduate certificate in Conflict and Dispute Resolution; and permission.This course allows students an applied opportunity to integrate theoretical material on conflict and dispute resolution in a variety of contexts and settings in which conflict occurs. May be taught concurrently with COM 494. Cannot receive credit for both COM 494 and COM 794.
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COM 795 Communication Internship
Prerequisite: 12 graduate hours in Communication; and permission of department.Independent projects in the various areas of communication. May be repeated to a maximum of six hours with permission of the department.
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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 four hours.
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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 six hours.
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COM 799 Masters Thesis
Prerequisite: completion of 9 graduate 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.