Communication Studies
Courses for COMM (COMM)
COMM
400/800
Rhetorical Theory LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Major writers, works, and concepts involved in the rhetorical approach to the study of human communication.
COMM
427/827
Instructional Communication LINKCrosslisted as TEAC 429/829| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Advanced introductory course in instructional communication, focusing on understanding variables associated with the communication process in instructional settings and managing instructional communication more effectively. Provides an experimental and a cognitive understanding of the role of communication in the instructional process.
COMM
485/885
Small Group Communication Theory LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Overview of small group communication theory and research centered on how groups and teams are formed and enacted in interaction.
COMM
490/890
Internship in Communication Studies LINK| Credit Hours: | 1-6 |
| Max credits per semester: | 6 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Junior standing and 12 to 15 hrs communication studies courses.
Prerequisites waived for instructor assistants for COMM PSI courses.
Structured professional experience in the field of communication studies outside of the traditional academic setting. Communication problems are confronted not as abstractions, but as specific occurrences with which the student must cope.
COMM
850
Seminar in Gender and Communication LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Relationship between gender and communication. Theories and research on gender and communication, serving as the basis for studying the interrelationships among language, social reality, sex role stereotypes, and cultural values.
COMM
852
Media and Culture LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Theories of mass media, digital media, and culture as the basis for investigation of human communication in a variety of contexts and activities.
COMM
859
Human Communication Theory LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Evolution of human communication theory as a social science. Major writers, works, and concepts involved in the study of human communicative interaction.
COMM
870
Interpersonal Communication Theory LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
In-depth exploration of interpersonal communication theory and research across contexts. How people interact to create, maintain, and dissolve relationships.
COMM
886
Organizational Communication LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Principles and theories relevant to communication behavior within organizations which can be used to guide the way people communicate in organizations.
COMM
887
Consulting and Training in Communication LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Research on communication consulting and training. Design of consulting and training programs for use in organizational environments.
COMM
898
Special Topics LINK| Credit Hours: | 1-3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 24 |
| Course Format: | Lecture |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Topic will be announced prior to registration.
Topic varies.
COMM
899
Masters Thesis LINK| Credit Hours: | 6-10 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Admission to masters degree program and permission of major adviser
COMM
900
Introduction to Graduate Studies in Communication LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Will be required for all graduate students in communication studies.
Systematic introduction to the discipline of communication studies, focusing upon the various dimensions of scholarship essential to successful pursuit of an advanced degree in communication studies. Function of communication studies research, surveys major research trends of the discipline, examines epistemology from a human communication perspective, and helps to develop writing and research skills.
COMM
911A
Classical Rhetoric LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Permission
In-depth study of the evolution of rhetorical theory from its origin to St. Augustine, with emphasis on rhetorical theory in Classical Greece and Rome.
COMM
911B
Modern Rhetoric LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Permission
In-depth study of the evolution of rhetorical theory from the middle ages through the modern period, with emphasis on eighteenth- and nineteenth-century British rhetorical thought.
COMM
911D
Contemporary Rhetoric LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Permission
In-depth study of the development of rhetorical theory in the twentieth century.
COMM
927A
Seminar in Instructional Communication LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Literature and research pertaining to the basic psychological concepts, principles, and communication skills employed in effective instruction. Communication as it applies to instruction by studying and applying theories of learning and communication to instructional contexts.
COMM
927B
Seminar in Instructional Communication Research LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Review and analyze the seminal and current research related to communication in instructional contexts. Foundation for developing theory and generating original research.
COMM
927D
Current Issues in Instructional Communication LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Investigation of current topics in instructional communication and speech communication education. Specific content depends on the semester the course is offered and the research interests of the instructor assigned.
COMM
950D
Special Topics in Rhetoric and Public Culture LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Permission
Investigation of current topics in the research on the relationship between cultural processes and human communication.
COMM
953
Seminar in Political Communication LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
In-depth study of the influences of communication behavior on political events. Communication within political campaigns and governmental processes.
COMM
970A
Seminar in Interpersonal Communication LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Fundamental concepts, theories, and research in interpersonal communication. Selected problems and contemporary research.
COMM
970B
Seminar in Family Communication LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Concepts, theories, and research in family communication. Selected problems and contemporary research across a variety of family contexts.
COMM
970D
Current Research in Interpersonal Communication LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Surveys current research in interpersonal communication. Issues, direction and methodology in interpersonal communication.
COMM
981
Rhetorical Criticism LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Advanced course in rhetorical criticism and textual analysis. Designing and conducting an in-depth research project from a critical perspective.
COMM
983
Advanced Experimental Research LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Experimental designs with an emphasis on assessing strengths and limitations of the various approaches. Individual research projects are planned, conducted, and reported.
COMM
984
Interpretive Research Design LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Theory and practice of interpretive research methodologies and methods. Individual and/or group research projects are planned, conducted, and reported.
COMM
985
Cultural Criticism LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Advanced course focusing on the critical analysis of cultural artifacts, especially upon the relationship of media, language, and culture. Designing and conducting a research project from a cultural studies perspective.
COMM
986A
Perspectives in Organizational Communication LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Perspectives in organizational communication range from a system-cultural-applied orientation to that of the paradigmatic. Various orientations, strengths and weaknesses of each, and looks at empirical and theoretical research representative of these views.
COMM
986B
Problems and Issues in Organizational Communication LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Basic issues in the study of organizational communication range from differences in the structure of the organization itself to differences in the task activities of work units. How such differences influence the communication behavior of those involved.
COMM
986D
Current Research in Organizational Communication LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Current research in organizational communication over a two-year period. Emphasis on issues studied, the focus organizational communication research takes, and the methodology employed.
COMM
996
Research Problems Other Than Thesis LINK| Credit Hours: | 1-6 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
COMM
998
Special Topics in Communication Studies LINK| Credit Hours: | 1-24 |
| Course Format: | Lecture |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Special topics in communication studies.
COMM
999
Doctoral Dissertation LINK| Credit Hours: | 1-24 |
| Max credits per degree: | 55 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Admission to doctoral degree program and permission of supervisory committee chair
POLS
430/830
Political Communication LINKCrosslisted as COMM 430/830| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
| Groups: | American Government, Politics and Law |
Prereqs:
12 hrs communication studies, or permission.
Role of communication in the political process, with emphasis on communication strategies in political campaigns. Includes communication variables important in the political process, an application of communication theory and principles to political rhetoric, and analysis and criticism of selected political communication events.
Description
For a brief description of the program, application requirements and contact information, view the graduate program summary.
Department Chair: Dawn O. Braithwaite, Ph.D.
The Department of Communication Studies offers the MA and PhD degrees in three areas of concentration: interpersonal and family communication; organizational communication; and rhetoric and culture. The department also offers an interdisciplinary MA specialization in marketing, communication studies, and advertising.
The department’s graduate degree programs are designed to provide an advanced understanding of the scholarly traditions in communication studies; to train students in both social-scientific and humanistic research approaches in order to create proficiency in historical/critical, quantitative, and interpretive/qualitative methods; to develop competent investigators capable of producing communication scholarship of the highest quality; and to foster the creation of teacher-scholars and practitioner-researchers who respect the discipline’s pluralism and follow the highest standards of ethical conduct.
Master of Arts Degree.
Students pursuing masters degrees with a major in communication studies must have completed an undergraduate major of at least 30 hours in communication studies, or have had equivalent preparation. The Department also offers a specialization in marketing, communication studies, and advertising. This is an Option III program. The program consists of a major--a minimum of 18 hours in communication studies and two minors of 9 hours--one in advertising and one in marketing. Eighteen hours of the program are specified courses which includes 6 hours from each of the following three departments: communication studies, marketing, and advertising. There is also an 8-hour comprehensive exam of which 5 hours can be waived if the student has a 3.25 GPA or higher in all courses taken in the specialization.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree.
Applicants for this degree have met the minimum requirements for the masters degree. The student must take such qualifying examinations as may be prescribed by the department. General requirements of the Graduate College also apply. Two research tools are required for the PhD degree. This requirement may be met by any combination of the methods described in this bulletin, see , and the department’s “Graduate Studies Handbook for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree” under Research Methodology Requirements.
Approved Specializations:
Great Plains Studies (MA and PhD); Marketing, Communication and Advertising (MA only); Women's and Gender Studies (MA and PhD)