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Programs of
Study
Communication
Course Descriptions
— Communications
- COMM 100 — Public
Speaking — 3 credits
- This is a performance class which emphasizes the theory, composition, delivery, and criticism of speeches. Successful completion of COMM 100 (with a grade of C or better) fulfills the speech skills requirement of the University.
- COMM 110 — Interpersonal
Communication — 3 credits
- An investigation and analysis of the process and nature of human communication and its intrapersonal and interpersonal attributes.
- COMM 115 — (W) Writing for
Communication — 3 credits
- (Prerequisite: WRTG 107 or fulfillment of Writing Skills requirement) An introduction to the major forms of writing for communication professions: corporate, print, radio/television production, public relations and advertising. Students will focus on the development and improvement of writing, research and critical thinking skills.
- COMM 130 — History of Electronic Media — 3 credits
- The content of the course will address many humanities-based topics as they are related to mass media. Such topics include media history, media technologies and their effects on cultural practices, economic structures of mass communication, media programming, and the role of media in society.
- COMM 210 — (W) Logical and
Rhetorical Analysis — 3 credits
- A study of the principles of logic and persuasion, analysis of fallacies, and critical examination of the principles of structure in written and oral communication. Practice in briefs and abstracts with an emphasis on precision and clarity.
- COMM 211 — Argumentation and
Debate — 3 credits
- This course concentrates on the techniques of argumentation, persuasion, debate, and forensics. Focuses heavily on research, case construction and formal analysis.
- COMM 214 — Small Group
Communication — 3 credits
- An examination of research, techniques, and principles of small-group communication. Topics include problem solving, decision making, conflict resolution, leadership theories, interaction strategies and participant roles.
- COMM 215 —(W) Introduction to
Communication Theory — 3 credits
- This course introduces the communication major to the rich body of theory and research in human communication. Students will examine theories from the traditional contexts of the field: interpersonal, small group, public, organizational, mass media, intercultural and gender. An emphasis is on applying the various theories to students’ communicative lives.
- COMM 221 — Radio
Production — 3 credits
- An examination of the dynamic industry roles of the radio producer/director. Areas to be studied include production theory and techniques which apply to station and program promotions, advertising, news, and music formats.
- COMM 222 — Television
Production — 3 credits
- Designed to provide both theoretical background and practical application of television production in and outside the studio. Various format types, production techniques, and artistic styles are studied. Opportunity for producing and directing television programs.
- COMM 223 — Radio
Journalism — 3 credits
- (Prerequisite: COMM 221 or COMM 224 or COMM 328) With a focus on gathering and preparing news for broadcast (concentrating especially on interviewing techniques), this class will investigate various news formats and styles. At the mid-semester point, the class will begin operating as a news team.
- COMM 224 — (W)
Newswriting — 3 credits
- (Prerequisite: COMM 115) Evaluating news, reporting, and writing stories. Newsroom organization. Style and usage. Interviewing. Feature writing. Students work at computer terminals. Typing ability needed.
- COMM
225 — Advertising — 3 credits
- This course explores advertising as an institution in society, utilizing research, media planning, and creative strategies. Students will participate in the formulation of an advertising campaign plan for local businesses.
- COMM 226 — Strategic Writing for
Public Relations — 3 credits
- Writing and editing of public relations and marketing communication materials such as press releases, speeches, direct mail, brochures, newsletter and Web sites. Writing and editing for electronic media and video news. Emphasis on integrated communications.
- COMM 227 — Contemporary Public
Relations — 3 credits
- Principles of the professional practice of modern public relations. Concepts of planning and executing effective communication strategies including message design and distribution for any organization.
- COMM 228 — (D) Intercultural
Communication — 3 credits
- Designed to provide a framework for understanding diversity in communication patterns among cultures and co-cultures. Topics include high- and low-context patterns, verbal and nonverbal communication across cultures and co-cultures, persuasion, dialects, organization of verbal codes, and the structure of conversations.
- COMM 229 — (D) Gender and
Communication — 3 credits
- This course focuses on interactive relationships between gender and communication in contemporary American society by examining the multiple ways communication in families, schools, media and society in general creates and perpetuates gender roles. The course considers not only what is in terms of gender roles, but also what might be and how students, as change agents, may act to improve their individual and collective lives.
- COMM 232 — Film
History — 3 credits
- This course traces the evolution of filmmaking from its earliest experimental stages to the feature film of today. The course concentrates on the American film industry, its audience impact as a mass medium, and the genres of films that have evolved. Selected screenings will reveal transitions and refinements that characterize this medium.
- COMM 310 — Mass Communication
Law — 3 credits
- (Prerequisite: junior or senior standing) Analysis and examination of statutory laws, congressional legislation, and federal rules and regulations governing the mass media in the United States. Focus on the First Amendment, libel and slander, privacy, copyright, free press/fair trial, obscenity, advertising, antitrust and monopoly, taxation, and licensing.
- COMM 311 — Political
Communication — 3 credits
- The study of rhetorical strategies used by the modern politician. Examination of American political rhetoric as well as rhetorical styles operative in foreign-policy activities.
- COMM 312 — Organizational
Communication — 3 credits
- The study of communication behaviors, patterns, and strategies in organizations. Topics include power and politics, organizational cultures, human resources, conflict management, and negotiation. Historical and contemporary theories of organizing are examined and critiqued from a communication perspective.
- COMM 313 — Nonverbal
Communication — 3 credits
- A study of the nonverbal aspects of human interaction. Topics include impression management, social influence, form and function in design, proxemics, kinesics, and the symbolic environment.
- COMM 314 — Legal
Communication — 3 credits
- An examination of specific skills needed to promote effective and meaningful communication by the legal professional and the interface with clients, juries, judges, and the non-legal public.
- COMM 316 — Communication
Ethics — 3 credits
- (Formerly Responsibility in Communication) This course will consider the need for and applications of proper standards by those in today’s media. It will also focus on the media responsibility to be aware of the public they serve. Different faculty may approach this course from various ethical/humanistic perspectives.
- COMM 317 — Digital Audio and
Video Production — 3 credits
- This course will provide an introduction to producing audio and video content for new technologies such as the Web and digital publication formats. Students will use digital recording and editing equipment to produce projects suitable for new technologies.
- COMM 318 — Multi-Media
Presentations — 3 credits
- (Prerequisite: COMM 317) This course focuses on the principles and practices of speaker delivery style when using multimedia to present a message. Message construction and audience analysis will also be emphasized.
- COMM 319 — Sports Writing — 3 credits
- This course is designed to provide students with an overview of sport journalism including the history of sports journalism, how to conduct sports interviews, sports reporting techniques and how to write game stories, features and columns.
- COMM 320 — News Reporting — 3 credits
- This course is designed to introduce students to reporting for electronic and print media. Students learn how to obtain and analyze documents used in criminal/civil investigations, as well as how to develop and maintain contacts in news investigations.
- COMM 322 — Advanced Television
Production — 3 credits
- (Prerequisite: COMM 222) Building upon the foundation acquired in COMM. 222, students pursue specialized projects in producing and directing programs for broadcast or cable distribution.
- COMM 323 — Television
Journalism — 3 credits
- (Prerequisite: COMM 224 or COMM 328) Broadcast-journalism skills are refined through classroom and outside assignments. Production techniques, including tape editing, are explored. Television news formats are produced.
- COMM 324 — (W) Computer-Assisted
Reporting — 3 credits
- (Prerequisite: COMM 224) Intensive training and practice in techniques of reporting and writing news stories and in covering public affairs. Familiarity with journalistic basics, style, and computer terminal operations required.
- COMM 325 — Advertising
Copywriting — 3 credits
- Students develop two separate creative campaign strategies for hypothetical clients of their own choosing. For these large-budget accounts, students must create copy for newspapers, magazines, broadcast, and direct mail, all with a consistent campaign theme.
- COMM 326 — Political
Advertising — 3 credits
- Critical examination of rhetorical strategies used in 20th-century political campaigning. Case studies and student projects focus on the special uses of broadcast and print media in political advertising.
- COMM 327 — Cases in Strategic
Public Relations — 3 credits
- (Prerequisite: COMM 227) Case studies focusing on the problems and challenges faced by a variety of organizations. Practical application of creative problem-solving, theory and research in actual organizations.
- COMM 328 — News
Editing — 3 credits
- (Prerequisite: COMM 224) Preparing copy for publication. Correcting, improving and trimming stories. Headline writing, layout, graphics. Wire services, printing process.
- COMM
329 — Graphics — 3 credits
- Visual aspects of print media. Typography, printing presses, handling photos and other art layout and design, introduction to desktop publishing. Familiarity with journalism basics, style, and computer-terminal operations required.
- COMM
330 — Advertising Decision Making — 3 credits
- (Prerequisite: COMM 225) This course will cover the managerial and decision-making processes of advertising and related marketing communications functions. Students will learn the various problems and opportunities faced by advertising decision makers, and the alternative solutions available to handle these situations.
- COMM 331 — Mass Media
Management — 3 credits
- The multi-faceted roles of managers in the various communication industries are examined. Special attention is given to technical, conceptual and humanistic concerns. Specific areas of study include management of self and personal relations, unions and contracts, community relations, audience analysis and measurement.
- COMM 332 — Documentary
Film — 3 credits
- This course traces the growth, development, and influence of American and foreign nonfiction films, particularly their various functions as propaganda, public service and promotion, education, entertainment, and art.
- COMM 334 — Broadcast
Programming — 3 credits
- Study of programming strategies, practices, and operations of commercial radio and television stations. Topics include audience research, program acquisitions, scheduling, formats, syndication, promotion, and network-affiliate relationships.
- COMM 380 — Advertising
Practicum — 3 credits
- (Prerequisite: COMM 225 or COMM 325) Students function as a full-service advertising agency which provides clients with a complete array of services ranging from campaign creation to implementation and evaluation.
- COMM 411 — Persuasion and
Propaganda — 3 credits
- An in-depth examination of the theoretical foundations and practical applications of those factors which influence the persuasibility of target audiences. Topics include attitudes, beliefs, values, behaviors, appeals and reference groups.
- COMM 415 — Senior
Seminar — 3 credits
- (Prerequisite: senior standing) This capstone course will synthesize course work to prepare students for entry into the profession of communication. Emphasis will be placed on the application of Jesuit ideals to the identification and approaches that concerns today’s communication industry.
- COMM 422 — Educational
Television — 3 credits
- Instructional uses of the television medium by public television stations, schools, closed-circuit and cable systems. Types of educational programs are evaluated. Students work on preparing projects which may reflect their own pedagogical interests.
- COMM 425 — Cable
Television — 3 credits
- A study of cable television and its development and current place in the telecommunications industry. Topics include programming strategies, formats, multiple-system operators, independents, syndication, sales, satellite services, pay-per-view, audience ratings, management and the franchising process. Students develop their own research proposals for establishing new cable channels, networks and services.
- COMM 426 — International
Broadcasting — 3 credits
- Comparative analysis of national and international
media systems throughout the world. Emphasis on their origin, development, and
operation.
- COMM 427 — International
Film — 3 credits
- An investigation of the major contributions and movements of various nations in the development and evolution of film as a multi-national and global industry.
- COMM 428 — Public Relations Campaigns and Competitions — 1.5 credits
- This advanced course gives students the opportunity to develop communication projects for various audiences both on and off campus. These projects will then be entered into competitions.
- COMM 432 — Film Theory and Criticism — 3 credits
- Critical examination of the major theoretical and analytical explanations of film’s effectiveness as an artistic form of communication. The work of classical, contemporary and experimental film scholars will be studied, and selected films depicting their observations will be screened. Film analysis and criticism projects will be designed by students.
- COMM 433 — Television
Criticism — 3 credits
- Analysis of radio and television programs and promotional strategies, including formats, scripts, talent, commercials, public- service announcements, positioning, ratings, and network-affiliate relationships.
- COMM 433 — Advertising Competition — 3 credits
- (Prerequisites: COMM 225 and COMM 330) Students function as part of an advertising agency and create an advertising campaign for presentation to the client and the judges at the National Student Advertising Competition sponsored by the American Advertising Federation.
- COMM 480 — Television
Practicum — 3 credits
- (Prerequisites: COMM 222, COMM 322) Communication seniors undertake significant areas of study resulting in a broadcast-quality videotape or audiotape suitable for airing by commercial or non-commercial television stations, radio stations or cable systems.
- COMM
481 — Internship — 3-6 credits
- (Prerequisites: junior or senior standing, appropriate course work, faculty approval) Highly recommended for every major, this on-the-job experience is guided by practitioners in the communication field and supervised individually by a faculty member in consultation with the student’s advisor and the department chair. (Internship credits can only be used in the free elective area.)
- COMM 482 — Directed Independent
Study — 3 credits
- (Prerequisite: senior standing) In consultation with the student’s advisor and department chair, Communication Seniors undertake a significant area of study resulting in a major research paper. Students select a Communication professor whom they wish to direct the study. Provided to augment an area of the student’s interest not substantially covered in available departmental courses.
- COMM 484 — Special
Topics — 3 credits
- In-depth departmental seminars on selected communication topics meeting the needs and interests of students. Topics vary from semester to semester.
- COMM 499 — Senior
Thesis — 3 credits
- (Prerequisites: COMM 215 and 316) An optional research-based written project in which Communication seniors (in consultation with their advisor and department chair) select an issue or problem for scholarly study, undertake significant and meaningful research, and produce a major paper of publishable quality. Students select a Communication professor whom they wish to direct their thesis. Strongly recommended for students planning for graduate school.
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