Courses

Required Courses
Course Rotations
Courses in Communication Studies

Required Courses

New Curriculum for Communication Studies

General Education Core Requirements:
COM 111 Public Speaking
COM 170 Interpersonal Communication

Core Communication Studies Requirements (Required of all Com Studies Majors):
Introductory Courses (6 Hours)
COM 102: Introduction to Communication Theory
COM 202: Communication Research Methods

Survey Courses (12 Hours)
COM 315: Small Group Communication
COM 375: Organizational Communication Theory
COM 414: Rhetorical Theory and Criticism
COM 470: Advanced Interpersonal Communication

Leadership (3 Hours)
COM 408: Principles of Leadership

Diversity (3 Hours)
COM 435: Intercultural Communication

Concentrations (12 hours)
Concentrations are limited to 4 additional specialized courses. Students may only choose one area of concentration.

Interpersonal	Public	Organizational	Media Studies
COM 270 Nonverbal Communication	COM 311 Principles of Persuasion	COM 406 Professional Communication	COM 300 Introduction to Media Studies
COM 412 Interpersonal Crisis Communication	COM 313 Argumentation and Debate	COM 460 Issues Management and Crisis Response	COM 402 Mass Media and Society
COM 436 Psychology of Communication	COM 406 Professional Communication	COM 475 Adv Topics in Org Communication	COM 400 Advanced Topics in Media Studies
COM Elective (Must be approved by concentration advisor)	COM 415 Political Communication	COM Elective (Must be approved by concentration advisor)	COM Elective (Must be approved by concentration advisor)

Course Rotations

Course Rotations for Communication Studies 2009-2010
Com Studies Core Courses	Fall	Spring
COM 102 Intro to Com Th	COM 102
COM 202 Com Rsrch Mthds		COM 202
COM 315 Small Group	COM 315	COM 315
COM 375 Org Com Theory	COM 375
COM 414 Rhetorical Theory	COM 414
COM 470 Adv Interpersonal	COM 470
COM 408 Leadership		COM 408
COM 435 Intercultural		COM 435
Concentration Courses	COM 270 (Inter) Nonverbal	COM 311 (Pub) Persuasive
	COM 370 (Old Req) Listening	COM 313 (Pub) Argumentation and Debate
	COM 412 (Inter) Inter Crisis Com	COM 460 (Org) Issues Mgmt & Crisis Respnse
	COM 436 (Inter) Psy of Com	COM 475 (Org) Adv Org Com
	COM 406 (Pub & Org) Professional Com	COM 402 (Media) Mass media & society
	COM 300 (Media) Intro to Media Studies	COM 415 (Pub; every election year) Political Com
	COM 400 (Media) Adv Media Studies	COM 401 (Elective) Topics in Communication
	COM 390 (Elective) Internship	COM 390 (Elective) Internship
	COM 495 (Elective) Independent Study	COM 495 (Elective) Independent Study

Courses in Communication Studies

These courses reflect differing situations in which communication is found in human relations, from dyadic and small group communication, organizational communication and public address. Special attention is given to organizational communication, interpersonal perceptions, attitudes, motivations, personal influence, message variables, channels, leadership, crisis situations, and social environments.

*The Department of Communication expects to offer the following courses in the coming academic year. The semester listed is to be used for the purpose of planning and advising but course offerings are subject to change. Students and advisors should verify these course offerings with the current printed or on-line schedule of classes.

102 - Introduction to Communication Theory - Communication theory is an introductory course designed to develop a basic understanding of foundational theories in the field of communication.

111 - Public Speaking (SPCH 1315) - Theory and practice in public speaking. Analysis of communication as a function of public speaking. Resource page *fall/spring/summer

170 - Interpersonal Communication I (SPCH 1318) - A study of communication in the one-to-one situation leading to development of interpersonal communication skills. Emphasis is on positive mental attitude and personal growth.

202 - Communication Research Methods - Communication Research Methods is an introductory course designed to establish knowledge of basic social scientific, humanities and critical research methods used in the field of communication.

270 - Non-Verbal Communication - Awareness and understanding of non-verbal interpersonal communication cues.

300 - Introduction to Media Studies - Students learn basic media literacy by developing conceptual tools to think critically about cinema, television, advertising, print journalism, the internet, etc. The course focuses on the process of reading media texts from various perspectives to explore how the mass media shape and convey meaning.

311 - Principles of Persuasion - Consideration of principles and practices in persuading individuals and groups. Prerequisite: Com 111.

313 - Argumentation and Debate - Instruction and practice in oral argumentation and debate. Prerequisite: Communication 111.

315 - Small Group Communication - Theories, principles and skills involved in group communication. Experiential focus upon problem analysis, problem solving, and decision-making. Prerequisite: COM 170.

370 - Listening Behavior - Study of the nature and importance of listening in the communication process, with concentration on improvement. Prerequisite: COM 111 or 170.

375 – Organizational Communication Theory - Overview of research methods and contemporary issues within organizational communication.

380 - Public Relations - A study of the principles and practices in the field of public relations with special emphasis on practical case study experiences.

390 - Communication Internship - 3-6 semester hours. Supervised on- the-job experience. Prerequisite: Must have completed 66 hours overall with 24 hours in communication (12 hours at SFA.) Participants are selected on the basis of making written application to the Internship Coordinator.

400 - Advanced Topics in Media Studies -This course entails a close study and consideration of the relationship between media and culture. Rotating topics will be covered. May be repeated when topic changes.

401 - Topics in Communication - In-depth study of selected topics in communication. May be repeated when topic changes.

402 - Mass Media in Society - Examination of the interrelationship between mass media and society, with special emphasis upon media effects.

406 - Professional Communication - Designed to give students an insight into professional communication skills, illustrated with examples from a broad range of business and professional settings. Prerequisite: Advanced standing.

407 - Management of Meetings - Study and practice in communications within formal settings. Including meeting/conference arrangements, committee reports, parliamentary procedure, meeting outcomes and objectives, and current technology. Prerequisite: 3 hours of speech.

408 - Principles of Leadership - The study of leadership skills, leadership philosophies and the role communication plays in the process of leadership.

412 - Interpersonal Crisis Communication - A study of the application of interpersonal communication principles and theories in situations involving personal crisis.

414 - Rhetorical Theory and Criticism - This course is designed to provide advanced study of the writings of principle rhetoricians from ancient to modern times, together with the application of principles drawn from these works in critical analysis.

415 - Political Communication - General overview and introduction to the study of political communication. Focus upon the relationship between mass media and the political process, political campaigns, and the political consultants.

435 - Intercultural Communication - An examination of how communication functions in exchanges between individuals from different cultures.

436 - Psychology of Speech Communication - Psychological processes underlying speech communication; emphasis on nature and origin of speech. Prerequisite: Junior standing.

460 – Issues Management and Crisis Response - An examination of current practice in corporate communication issues management and crisis response.

470 - Advanced Interpersonal Communication - Development of in-depth understanding and skills with regard to the complex features of interpersonal communication within personal and professional contexts.

475 – Advanced Topics in Organizational Communication - Students will analyze a current research trend in organizational communication studies.

495 - Special Problems in Communication - 1-3 semester hours. Independent investigation of a special topic or project by the student with advice, approval and supervision by an instructor.

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