Communications

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Courses

1013. Fundamentals of Speech Communication. (3-0) This course is designed to improve the individual's understanding of the human communication process. Classroom exercises involve the student in interpersonal, small group, and presentational speaking situations. Special emphasis on developing communication skills needed to check and validate perceptions, control language usage, and analyze and improve reasoning processes.

1023. Public Speaking. (3-0) An introduction to the principles and practice of presentational communication. Methods of topic analysis, research, evidence evaluation, organization, and delivery are covered. Students participate in several classroom presentations.

1031. Forensics Practicum I. (1-2) Analyses, critique, and adjudication of several debate, informative, persuasive, extemporaneous, and impromptu speaking events under the direction of a faculty member during a semester. May be taken up to 3 times as course content changes.

1041. Forensics Practicum II. (0-3) Participation in, analysis and administration of several debate, informative, persuasive, extemporaneous, and impromptu speaking events under the direction of a faculty member during a semester. May be taken up to 3 times as course content changes.

1313. Introduction to Newswriting. (3-0) Fundamentals of newswriting and reporting. Students will learn basic newspaper style and compose stories using traditional stylebook techniques. Students will learn how to write stories for both traditional and non-traditional media.

2013. Voice and Performance. (3-0) Oral presentation of literary forms with emphasis on the vocal mechanism and phonetics. Interpretative readings in prose, poetry, and drama are directed to help students gain a sensitivity to literary genre and develop effective speech habits through vocal analysis, guided practice, and class drills emphasizing pronunciation, enunciation, and articulation.

2033. Persuasive Speaking. (3-0) An advanced study of the theory and practice of persuasive public speaking. Emphasis placed on topic development, organization, style, and delivery with the intent of influencing an audience to change attitudes, beliefs, and actions. Students will be involved in several in-class presentations. Prerequisite: COMS 1023 or permission of the department head.

2053. Radio and Television Production. (2-2) A course dealing with theory, practice, policies, and production techniques of television and radio broadcasting. Students will be involved in laboratory productions. Prerequisite: COMS 1023 or permission of department head. Lab fee $10.

2133. Mass Communication and Society. (3-0) Places mass media in historical perspective; explores the relationships among media; examines the structure of the American communications system and compares it to international communications systems. Analyzes the social, economic, and political implications of modern society's reliance on mass communications. Explores the ways in which the mass media provides images of our world.

2143. Photography. (2-2) Fundamentals of camera operation, film development and printing. Study in the use and layout of photography in newspaper and magazines. Students will learn new photographic technology as well as traditional applications. One 2 hour lab per week is required. Course fee $10.

2153. Broadcast Journalism. (3-0) A study of broadcast news practices. The basic rules of broadcast news writing will be reviewed and stories will be written and delivered for both radio and television. Studio and newsroom procedures will be examined.

3013. Business and Professional Speech. (3-0) A study of verbal and nonverbal communication as it functions in business and professional organizations. Special emphasis will be given to developing oral language proficiency, interviewing, small decision making groups, oral reporting, and organizational communication.

3033. Debate. (3-0) An introduction to the principles of argumentation and debate. Subject material will include research, evidence, reasoning, case construction, refutation, and delivery. Classroom debating will provide students with opportunities to observe and participate in competitive debating. This course is particularly applicable to those anticipating study in pre-law. Prerequisites: COMS 1013, 1023 or permission of the department head.

3043. Interpersonal Communication. (3-0) A course designed to improve individual communication skills relevant to human relationships. The development and maintenance of interpersonal (one-to-one) relations are examined, with special emphasis on identifying and correcting communication breakdown. A portion of the course will be devoted to exercises designed to improve interpersonal skills. Prerequisite: COMS 1013 or 3013 or permission of the department head.

3064. Video Production. (3-4) A course covering theory and practice of video field production and post production processes. Emphasis will be on video photography factors and techniques and linear and nonlinear editing skills. Production team roles and organization will be covered. Will include extensive field work. Prerequisite: COMS 2053 or permission of the department head. Lab fee $20.

3103. Communication Law. (3-0) Examines First Amendment case law and state and federal regulations of speech and media. Provides historical and contemporary analyses of the laws of defamation, obscenity, fighting words and time, place and manner restrictions. Issues such as copyright, privacy, and freedom of information will also be covered. Prerequisite: 3 hours of COMS.

3123. Public Relations. (3-0) A study of the techniques used in planning public relations programs for businesses, schools, colleges, churches, and civic associations. Topics will include: press relations, crisis management, advertising, speech writing, and campaign activities. Prerequisite: 3 hours of COMS.

3113. Writing for Publication. (3-0) Study and practice in the techniques of writing contemporary nonfiction for publication, with special attention given to methods of research and markets for literary material. Numerous private conferences.

4043. Organizational Communication. (3-0) An advanced study of communication as it takes place in business and industrial settings. Special attention will be given to managerial communication, communicator style, channels and networks, and organizational communication consulting. Prerequisite: COMS 3013.

4063. Group Process and Decision Making. (3-0) A study of small group theory and process. Special attention will be given to leadership, organization, group analysis, and interaction. Students will observe and participate in small group discussions on contemporary issues. Prerequisite: COMS 1013 or 3013 or 3043 or permission of the department head.

4123. Rhetorical and Communication Theory. (3-0) A general survey of classical through contemporary rhetorical and communication theory. Emphasis on how theories have been and are being applied in criticism of public address and rhetorical movements and in contemporary communication research. Prerequisites: COMS 1013, 1023 or permission of the department head

4851. Speech Seminar. (Credit variable; 1-0 for each hour) Content varies according to the needs and desires of the students. When topic varies, course may be taken for credit more than once. Prerequisite: Junior classification or approval of department head.

4861. Speech Problems. (Credit variable) A course featuring independent reading, research, and discussion under personal direction of instructor, topics vary according to student need. Open to students of senior classification with department head approval.