Communication

 

at the Core

 

 

Whether you're producing a film, troubleshooting technical difficulties in the sound booth, planning an event, covering a story for The Pulse: Media Hub, or negotiating a conflict, strong communication skills give you the foundation you need to work with others effectively and graciously.

 

As a student in the Department of Communication, you’ll take the required courses below to form the foundation for your more specialized major studies. For more detailed descriptions of each, click on the course titles.

 

 

• COMM 105 - Fundamentals of Oral Communication
• COMM 107 - Introduction to Communiction Seminar
• COMM 341 - Communication Theory
• COMM 493 - Communication Senior Seminar

 

 

One of the following media courses:

• COMM 211 - Media in Everyday Life
• COMM 218 - Mass Media and Society
• COMM 282 - Topics in Media Studies

 

 

One of the following interpersonal communication courses:

• COMM 241 - Small Group Communication
• COMM 313 - Relational Communication
• COMM 342 - Intercultural Communication
• COMM 354 - Interpersonal Conflict

 

 

One of the following major writing courses:

• COMM 247 - Writing for Mass Media
• COMM 254 - The Art and Science of Story
• ENGL 112 - Newswriting
• ENGL 211/BUSA 211 - Writing for Business
• ENGL 212 - Magazine Writing

 

 

   

Detailed Course Descriptions (as found in the Course Catalog)

 

 

COMM 105 - Fundamentals of Oral Communication (3)

This course is a study of basic principles of human communication. Modes such as: Intra- and interpersonal, small group and public speaking are examined. Students will develop skills in sharing information and reasoned argument, and examine the ethical responsibilities of oral communication. Meets General Education Oral Communication requirement.

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COMM 107 - Introduction to Communiction Seminar (1)

Overview of the communication discipline with an introduction to the breadth of vocational options open to communication graduates.

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COMM 341 - Communication Theory (3)

Students will learn about a diverse array of communication theories and distinguish differences among basic types of communication theories, including social scientific/objective, interpretive/humanistic, and critical. Communication theories in the subfields of interpersonal communication, media, rhetoric, intercultural communication, and organizational communication are examined.

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COMM 493 - Communication Senior Seminar (3)

This course instructs students in vocation and professional development, examines the relationship between faith and students' academic discipline, and engages advanced research in communication ethics.

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COMM 211 - Media in Everyday Life (3)

Examines the way media messages are interpreted and used in everyday life. Special consideration of children and adults as consumers of information and entertainment with a specific focus on violence and gender conditioning will be given.

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COMM 218 - Mass Media and Society (3)

Overview of the history, organization, economics, content, control, and effects of mass communications in the United States with some comparison with foreign systems.

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COMM 282 - Topics in Media Studies (3)

An in-depth exploration of a particular aspect of media studies. Subject matter may include areas such as popular culture or Christianity and media. The specific topic varies each semester. Please view course subtitle or consult with Instructor for details.

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COMM 241 - Small Group Communication (3)

Theory, research, and practice related to the structure and functioning of groups, including leadership, decision making, problem solving, and those variables requisite to effective communication within a group.

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COMM 313 - Relational Communication (3)

Theory, research and practice of relational communication focusing on issues between romantic partners, friends, and family.

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COMM 342 - Intercultural Communication (3)

Analysis of communication variables in cross-cultural situations, focusing on the individual, social, and cultural bases of human communication.

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COMM 354 - Interpersonal Conflict (3)

Analysis of the nature and function of interpersonal conflict. Identification of personal conflict styles as well as productive and destructive communication strategies.

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COMM 247 - Writing for Mass Media (3)

Introduction to and practice in writing for mass media, with a focus on commercial copy for the electronic media of radio and television.

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COMM 254 - The Art and Science of Story (3)

This course uses scripts from significant films and viewings of those same films to analyze the most important figures of film narrative. This course gives an introductory foundation for all other courses in screenwriting and teleplay writing.

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ENGL 112 - Newswriting (3)

Introduction to journalism, including study and practice in writing news, with some attention to issues and controversies in journalism as they affect editors and writers.

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ENGL 211/BUSA 211 Writing for Business (3)

Designed to improve clarity, conciseness, and speed in writing for the business world. Emphasis is on organizing written business communications to meet the readers' needs.

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ENGL 212 - Magazine Writing (3)

Introduction to magazine journalism, entailing the planning, research, and writing of several feature articles, and their submission for publication. Emphasizes interview techniques, correspondence with editors, and the writer's development of long-range publishing plans.

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