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We have updated our course descriptions to reflect our new curriculum that went into effect for the Fall 2022 semester.

COMN 100 : Introduction to Communication

This course introduces key principles and aspects of human communication to improve the appropriateness and effectiveness of our messages. Students will explore the fundamentals of communication—such as perception, verbal and nonverbal messages, and listening—in our daily contexts, including relationships, groups, organizations, cultures, media, technology, and public settings. The course also increases understanding of Communication in relation to other disciplines while exploring the varied writing styles of researchers and practitioners and the scholarly sources central to Communication    Credits: 4; Prerequisites: None; Offered every semester.

COMN 102 : Principles of Public Speaking

Basic public speaking is the focus of the course. Emphasis is placed on researching topics, organizing speeches, using appropriate language, effective delivery, and critical listening. Instructors analyze student speeches. Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisites: None; Not offered on a regular basis.

COMN 203 : Professional Public Speaking

Building on the theories and principles introduced in COMN 102, this intermediate course facilitates the continued development of oral communication competency. Course content underscores an audience-centered approach to public address. Topics include organizing speeches for specialized and professional contexts of public address, voice and diction, the proper use of technology to support presentations, critical listening, and understanding/managing communication apprehension. Assignments are tailored to meet the career needs of individual students. Prerequisites: COMN 102. Offered every other year   Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisites: COMN 102; Not offered on a regular basis.

COMN 207 : Writing for Business & Professions

This course focuses on traditional and contemporary methods of written business communication. There is practical application of strategies for composing, organizing, and editing content for targeted audiences. Approaches may include collaborative and web-based writing. Students who are required to take INTD 205 may not take this course. Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisites: COMN 100; Not offered on a regular basis.

COMN 209 : Organizational and Small Group Communication

This course provides students with theoretical and practical perspectives of organizational and small group communication. We will explore the problems and paradoxes of organizational communication, the changing features of organizational life, and the central role small group communication plays in organizations.

Students will develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills related to group development, leadership, preparing and running meetings, decision-making, problem-solving, managing conflict, roles, and managing differences. Case studies and group projects will provide opportunities for application and experiential learning. Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisites: COMN 100; Offered every year.

COMN 210 : Interpersonal Communication

This course provides theoretical and practical knowledge about interpersonal communication from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives. This course is designed to help students become more mindful and effective communicators across a number for relational contexts. We will explore the role of communication in creating, maintaining, altering, and terminating relationships. Topics include identity and perception, investment, support, emotional intelligence, relational development, and conflict management. Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisites: COMN 100; Not offered on a regular basis.

COMN 222 : Special Topics in Communication

This course is a slot course that is designed to introduce students to theories, topics, and issues related to specialized or emerging topics in communication. Students will develop knowledge of related concepts, engage with readings related to the specific topic, and demonstrate their knowledge through one or more topic-centered projects. Examples of special topics include gender communication and political communication. Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisites: COMN 100; Not offered on a regular basis.

COMN 230 : Public Speaking and Rhetoric I: Identity

Rhetoric is the oldest discipline in the world, predating science and philosophy—because it is concerned with the most essential human endeavor: using symbols to influence belief. This course helps students develop a rhetorical perspective on the world in which belief is an effect of persuasion. Students will explore a range of rhetorical theories surrounding identity and critique oratory about identity and self. Students will craft and deliver original speeches that focus on self and identity. Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisites: COMN 100; Offered every two years.

COMN 231 : Public Speaking and Rhetoric II: Power

Rhetoric is the oldest discipline in the world, Predating science and philosophy—because it is concerned with the most essential human endeavor: using symbols to influence belief. This course helps students develop a rhetorical perspective on the world in which belief is an effect of persuasion. Students will explore a range of rhetorical theories surrounding power and critique oratory about power and privilege. Students will craft and deliver original speeches that focus on power and privilege. Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisites: COMN 100; Offered every two years.

COMN 260 : Introduction to Mass Communication

This course covers mass communication in both historical and contemporary contexts. Students are introduced to the broad socio-cultural function of mass media, as well as the specific function of each medium. The course explores roles of mass communication in terms of the societal impact, technology, and the effects on individuals. Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisites: COMN 100; Offered every semester.

COMN 266 : Radio and Audio Media Production

An introduction to basic radio-station operations and equipment, announcing skills, and audio-production techniques, (including scriptwriting, voiceover and commercial production), and their application in modern radio and digital platforms. Students will be introduced to and use the facilities of campus radio station WGSU-FM. Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisites: COMN 100; Offered every year.

COMN 267 : Visual Communication

A study of visual communication through practical application, designed to introduce students to the technical and aesthetic elements involved in visual media production. Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisites: COMN 100; Offered once every fall.

COMN 275 : News & Specialized Writing

This slot course focuses on improving basic reporting and writing skills, crafting in-depth news reports, and exposing students to other types of journalistic writing. Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisites:  COMN 100; Not offered on a regular basis.

COMN 276 : Media Writing

This course presents the essentials of writing for media and public relations, which include but are not limited to textual, audio, video, social media or other electronic media. Students will design, develop and produce messages for various platforms. Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisites: COMN 100; Offered every two years.

COMN 300 : Introduction to Strategic Communication

This course is designed to introduce the foundational principles of strategic communication to undergraduate majors. It focuses on two major disciplines of strategic communication, public relations and advertising and emphasizes the essential elements as well as the fundamental process of the two. Through integrating public relations and advertising, the course aims to help students understand the key principles as well as concepts of strategic communication. The course introduces the strategic perspective of communication for students who plan to pursue further education in communication. It is also beneficial to students who are planning careers in other areas that require or desire an understanding of strategic communication practices, such as public relations and advertising. Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisites: COMN 100; Offered every year.

COMN 310 : Family Communication

this course will center on theories, topical issues, and empirical research related to family communication. This course will place emphasis on the multitude of family formations that people experience. Topics of discussion include but are not limited to family culture, family development, family identity, family meaning-making, family roles, and mediated constructions of family. Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisites: COMN 100; Offered every two years.

COMN 314 : Persuasion

The course is designed to introduce persuasion from a social scientific perspective to undergraduate majors. It focuses on the key elements of persuasion in social science, introduces various common social scientific theories and principles in persuasion, and acquaints students with the essential process of designing and developing persuasive messages guided by the theories and principles. The course builds a foundation of persuasion for students who plan to pursue further education in communication. It is also beneficial to students who are planning careers in other areas that require or desire an understanding of persuasion. Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisites: COMN 100; Offered every year.

COMN 317 : Culture and Communication

The purpose of the course is to provide the student with the theoretical and practical tools necessary to engage in competent communication across differences in culture and identity. Discussions will focus on the role of communication in constructing cultural messages and managing relationships and how cultural variations play a role in the process of communication. Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisites: COMN 100; Not offered on a regular basis.

COMN 330 : Photography as Visual Communication

Visual images, largely provided through the ease that anyone can take a picture with digital technology, plays a significant role in contemporary communication. This course explores photography's role in our visual communication. It introduces technical aspects of photography, historical development of photography, explores different venues of photography (e.g., photojournalism, advertising), and analyzes how visual messages influence viewers. The course covers both creative aspects as well as criticism of photography to enhance our visual literacy. Prior photographic experience is not needed. Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisites: COMN 100, 260; Offered every year.

COMN 333 : Special Topics in Communication

This course is a slot course that is designed to introduce students to theories, topics, and issues related to specialized or emerging topics in communication. Students will develop knowledge of related concepts, engage with readings related to the specific topic, and demonstrate their knowledge through one or more topic-centered projects. Examples of special topics include gender communication and political communication. Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisites: COMN 100; Not offered on a regular basis.

COMN 342 : Mass Media and Society

This course assesses the evolving and dynamic relationship between mass media and society. Particular attention is paid to how mass mediated messages can define social and cultural realities and the interplay of social influences on these messages. By applying theoretical concepts, students critically examine how mass media function in various contexts, from local communities, national industries and politics, to global systems. Current and past research perspectives are discussed and analyzed. Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisites: COMN 100, 260; Offered every year.

COMN 346 : Conflict and Relational Communication

This course focuses on the nature of conflict in a variety of relational contexts. A combination of theory and application helps students understand the central issues of relational conflict and develop communication skills to manage those conflicts. Case studies and simulations facilitate the application of theory to practice. Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisites: COMN 100 or permission of instructor; Offered every year.

COMN 357 : Broadcast News Workshop

Students with communication, journalism/news writing and/or audio/video production backgrounds will work as part of a team of student broadcasts journalists in the production and dissemination of original-reporting multimedia news content (written and audio-based segments and packages occasionally supported by additional multimedia content)—for broadcast (and online posting) as part of a bi-weekly "news digest"-style radio program (and other public-radio-style news programjing). Student journalists will gain hands-on experience in civic-based original reporting, new judgement, news writing, storytelling, investigative journalism, production (audio editing and post-production), story pitching and working independently and collaboratively in teams. Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisites: COMN 100, 266, 275; Not offered on a regular basis.

COMN 367: Advanced Visual Communication

This course is an in-depth examination of video production techniques through both practical application and academic analysis. Students will apply principles of visual composition to create advanced level stories, cover events, prepare news packages, and/or produce live television programs. Legal issues, such as libel, slander, and shield laws will also be examined. Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisite(s): COMN 100 and COMN 267; Offered every two years.

COMN 379 : Communication in Career Preparation

This course encourages students to make connections between the communication concepts they have learned in their classes and their future personal and professional life. In doing so, students will look back to review and discuss key concepts, look inward to see how these concepts impact their own lives and look forward to see how these concepts impact their own lives and look forward to make explicit connections to their anticipated future. Concurrently, students will engage in a self-reflective process in preparation for a professional career. Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisites: COMN 100 and junior or senior standing; Offered every year.
 
COMN 395 : Internship in Communication

This course provides an opportunity for students to explore different career contexts through an internship experience. Students work with the Department's faculty internship director and Career Design to find and secure an appropriate internship in a field of interest. An approved learning agreement is needed for class registration. A minimum of sophomore standing is required. May be repeated for credit without exceeding a maximum of 15 credits for internships (395 or 495). COMN 395 is graded on an S/U basis and cannot count toward the major. Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisites: COMN 100, junior or senior standing and permission of internship faculty; Offered every semester.

COMN 410 : Theories and Research in Relational Communication

This course involves theory-grounded empirical research in relational communication. Students will learn the history, assumptions, axioms, and vocabulary of various theories used by researches to explain relational communication. Students will develop basic skills in data collection, theory-based analysis, manuscript preparation, and research translation within the context of relational communication. Credits: 4 (4-0); Prerequisites: COMN 100; Offered every year.

COMN 415 : Research and Theory in Persuasion

This course is designed to help students further their understanding of persuasion from a social scientific perspective. It offers more in-depth discussion of major concepts in persuasion as well as their theoretical and practical implications. In this project-oriented course, students are guided to apply theoretical concepts of persuasion via a systematic research processes on issues that interest them. The course is beneficial to students who wish to enrich their understanding of persuasion from a social scientific perspective in Communication and to students who wish to practice and improve their critical thinking and analytical skills. (Communication 314 Undergraduate D or Communication 213 Undergraduate D)

COMN 420 : Sports Communication

In this course, students will critically engage with readings and thinking about the role of sports in our lives and how we experience it, especially as it relates to media, culture, identity, global politics, and social justice. Given that modern sports development transcends global boundaries in terms of both (in/ex