Introduction to the social-scientific and critical-historical research methods in communication studies. Location, interpretation, and application of extant communication research.

Principles of argumentation and debate. Practice in analysis, briefing, use of evidence, reasoning, detection of fallacies, refutation, and delivery of argument.

Introduction to the historical and critical examination of significant persuasive efforts in American history. Emphasis on speakers and writers who engaged in advocacy of sociopolitical importance, including representatives of important social movements, demagogues, elected officials, and others who defined our rhetorical legacy.

Development of the American system of broadcasting and the telecommunication industry.

Introduction to communication and popular culture, e.g. television, music, film, popular literature, "self help" literature, etc., using rhetorical and critical methods of analysis to understand the communicative dimension of these cultural forms to explore the complex relationship of language, visual images, mediated communication, and cultural values.

Application of principles of argumentation and persuasion in intercollegiate debate, public address, and oral interpretation. Intensive research and practice.

Special forms of debate and public discussion. Adaptation of argument to various types of audiences. Analysis of principles of argumentation in great historical debates.

Primary focus: studying and applying the principles and strategies of interviewing to practical situations; defining and discussing the applications of interviewing theory as it applies to interviewers and interviewees; and participation in interviews utilizing the strategies and techniques discussed in class including employment, counseling, informational, appraisal, complaint, reprimand, and/or persuasive.

Attitudes and behavior of citizens with respect to politics, how these attitudes and behaviors are shaped, how they are measured, and what influence they have on government.

Overview of communication research and practice in various care contexts: client/provider interactions, provider/provider communication, communication in health care organizations, mediated messages in the marketing and promotion of health information, consumer advocacy, politics of health care.

Introduction to theory and research in gender and communication and a survey of research on similarities and differences between male and female verbal and nonverbal communication. Emphasis on examining the relationships among gender, language, social reality, and cultural values.

Structured professional experience for training instructor assistants to tutor, evaluate communication activities, and do other instructional assistance for communication studies courses.

Major writers, works, and concepts involved in the rhetorical approach to the study of human communication.

Emphasis placed on the relationship between theory in speech communication and practice in the debate and speech contest situation.

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.

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.

Integrate theory and skills learned in a communication studies major with a focus on scholarly trends and career opporutnities.

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.