COMM570 ADVANCED
INTERCULTURAL
COMMUNICATION
3 sem. hrs.
This course examines the communicative
dimensions of intercultural interaction, with
particular focus on problems that arise when
persons of different ethnic or social back-
grounds attempt to communicate with one
another meaningfully. The course addresses
theoretical issues of cross-cultural compe-
tence, assimilation and translation, and pro-
vides an introduction to the ethnography of
communication.
COMM600 COMMUNICATION
THEORIES
3 sem. hrs.
This course on communication theory concen-
trates on its classical roots and moves into the
post modern era. It focuses upon the process-
es, major approaches, and communication
contexts of theory building and classifies the-
ories into the three contemporary paradigms:
Covering Laws, Human Action, and Systems
perspectives.
COMM610 COMMUNICATION
RESEARCH
3 sem. hrs.
This course introduces graduate students to
research methods and tools in communication
studies. Students become proficient in the use
of journals, data bases, and other resources in
their field. They develop necessary skills to
conduct relevant research and to design stud-
ies which make a contribution to the field of
communication.
COMM620 QUALITATIVE
COMMUNICATION
RESEARCH
3 sem. hrs.
This course provides students with the requi-
site knowledge and skills to design and carry
out qualitative research on communicative
practices, interactions and events. Students
learn principles of and applications for partic-
ipant-observation research and how interpre-
tive analysis can serve as the basis for hypoth-
esis generation and quantitative design.
COMM630 INTERPERSONAL
COMMUNICATION
STRATEGIES
3 sem. hrs.
This course examines current approaches to
interpersonal communication. It emphasizes
improving relationships with others, particu-
larly those with whom there is continual inter-
action. Topics include analysis of message ele-
ments in human communication, choices
available for determining appropriate behav-
ior, and individual judgments necessary for
personal applications.
COMM640 SMALL GROUP
COMMUNICATION
3 sem. hrs.
This course examines the theory and practice
of small group communication, with a focus
on developing productive interaction in teams,
meetings, negotiations, and other group set-
tings. Students take up issues of consensus-
building, group leadership and effective deci-
sion-making through communication prac-
tices.
COMM650 RHETORICAL THEORY
AND CRITICISM
3 sem. hrs.
This course surveys selected theories of rheto-
ric from the classical to the postmodern, and
examines methods for the critical analysis of
discourse and texts of various genres.
COMM660 ORGANIZATIONAL
COMMUNICATION
3 sem. hrs.
This course examines the major theories, both
classical and contemporary, that drive research
in organizational communication, with a focus
on systems theory, technological development,
organizational climate, information networks,
management style, and human relations skills.
COMM670 INTERCULTURAL AND
INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNICATION
3 sem. hrs.
This course develops models for explaining
and understanding intercultural and interna-
tional events. It identifies the stakes associated
with the increasing globalization of local iden-
tities and communities. The role of language
and communicative practices in national
development is also examined.
COMM680 GENDER AND
COMMUNICATION
3 sem. hrs.
This course considers the intersection of com-
munication, culture, and gender. It examines
the implications of socially constructed gender
roles, identifying and challenging communica-
tion practices that create inequities for both
men and women. Emphasis is placed on how
such knowledge aids in solving communica-
tion problems.
COMM700 LANGUAGE AND HUMAN
CONDUCT
3 sem. hrs.
This course investigates the relation between
language and human conduct, as the under-
standing of this relation has developed in
Western thought during the 20th century.
COMM710 COMMUNICATION
ETHICS
3 sem. hrs.
This course focuses on the analysis and inter-
pretation of communicative conduct from eth-
ical points of view. Students examine ethical
issues relevant to a variety of interests in inter-
personal, corporate, international, mediated
and other forms of communication, and inter-
rogate the extent to which a universal commu-
nicative ethics is possible.
COMM730 COMMUNICATION AND
SOCIAL PROCESS
3 sem. hrs.
This course examines the role of communica-
tion in the constitution of institutional and
organizational `realities.' The ways in which
persons internalize, legitimate and alter exist-
ing social structures through discursive prac-
tices are emphasized. Issues of leadership,
agency, power, change, positioning and prob-
lem resolution in small group contexts are also
addressed.
COMM750 PERSUASION AND
PROPAGANDA
3 sem. hrs.
This course focuses on the communicative
aspects of persuasion and the persuasive
aspects of propaganda. Students engage in
advanced theoretical and critical consideration
of the persuasive functions of media, especial-
ly television, through an analysis of the rheto-
ric of popular trials and other media events.
COMM760 MANAGERIAL AND
LEADERSHIP
COMMUNICATION
3 sem. hrs.
This courses focuses on the characteristics and
practices of management and leadership as
communication-based phenomena within the
organizational setting. It addresses the
demands of management and leadership in
business, non-profit, social service, and educa-
tional organizations, with emphasis on issues
of control and change.
COMM770 SEMINAR:
COMMUNICATION ISSUES
3 sem. hrs.
This course examines, analyzes, and interprets
contemporary communication issues as they
relate to a broad spectrum of personal, social
and organizational concerns. It explores topics
in public relations, management, business,
government, the media, international areas,
and other communication concentrations.
COMM793 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN
COMMUNICATION
STUDIES
3 sem. hrs.
This experience meets the needs of students
who wish to prepare, under the direction of a
member of the graduate faculty, individual
studies or projects in the field of communica-
tion studies. Prerequisites: consent of the
department chairperson, COMM501, research
course, admission to candidacy.
COMM796 INTERNSHIP IN
COMMUNICATION
STUDIES
12 sem. hrs.
The internship provides an integrating experi-
ence, one which allows the graduate student to
observe how specific components of the com-
munication process work together and to test
conceptual knowledge and skills against the
reality of the work place.
Communication Studies Program/49