Communication Studies (COMM)

15000 Introduction to Human Communication (3)
An inquiry into the nature and function of human communication in interpersonal, group and public contexts. Prerequisite: none. This course may be used to satisfy the Kent Core.

20000 Foundations of Communication (3)
Introduces communication majors to the communication discipline by acquainting students with career information, major requirements, skills needed in major courses and database and internet search strategies. Prerequisite: cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.

20001 Interpersonal Communication (3)
Introduction to human interpersonal communication. Components and structures, situations and contexts are described; non-evaluative focus with emphasis on informal experience. Prerequisite: none.

21000 Communication Grammar Review (1)
Designed to increase grammar, punctuation, spelling, and syntax skills and proficiency. Students must earn a minimum grade of C (2.0) in this course to fulfill the grammar requirement. If they fail to earn a C (2.0) or better in COMM 21000 after three attempts, they are not permitted to continue in the communication studies program. Does not count toward Communication course requirements. Prerequisite: none.

25454 Intercollegiate Forensics I (1-2)*
(Repeatable for a total of 8 credit hours) Practicum in intercollegiate forensics for freshmen, sophomores and beginning forensic students. Maximum of 4 credit hours may apply to the communication major. S/U grading. Prerequisite: special approval.

25464 Argumentation (3)
Introduction to principles of oral and written argumentation. Prerequisite: COMM 15000.

25851 Communication for Teachers (3)
Principles, skills and responsibilities of oral communication as central to the process of teaching all grades and subjects. Focuses upon speaking and listening with pupils, peers and parents. Prerequisite: integrated language arts (INLA) major.

25863 Business and Professional Communication (3)
Fundamentals of public and conference speaking, conducting meetings, electronic presentations, interviewing and interpersonal relations as applied to business and organizational settings. Prerequisite: none.

25902 Communication Theory (3)
Study of the process of human communication. Emphasis on source, message, channel and receiver dimensions of communication. Examination of major theories of communication and social influence. Prerequisite: none.

26000 Criticism of Public Discourse (3)
A critical examination of selected public speeches representing diverse viewpoints on a variety of historic and contemporary issues, emphasizing methods of evaluating public oral communication and the role of speechmaking in free societies. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. This course may be used to satisfy the Kent Core and diversity requirement.

26001 Public Communication in Society (3)
Examines communication in public settings. Content includes issues in mass media, political communication and political advertising, news, crisis communication, public opinion, and communication in executive, legislative and judicial settings. Students explore the influence of mediated messages via application of mass communication theories and constructs. Prerequisites: none.

30000 Communication Research Methods (3)
Introduction to qualitative and quantitative research methods in communication. Students should complete this course early in their program of study. Prerequisites: COMM 25902 and cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.

35454 Intercollegiate Forensics II (1-2)
(Repeatable for a total of 8 credit hours) Advanced practicum in intercollegiate forensics for juniors and seniors with forensics experience. Maximum of 4 credit hours may apply to the communication major. S/U grading. Prerequisite: special approval.

35550 Small Group Communication (3)
An examination of group communication in social and family contexts throughout the life span. Prerequisite: cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.

35600 Communication in Teams (3)
Examines communication processes and research related to teambuilding, decision-making, task groups and leadership within the organizational context. Prerequisite: cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.

35852 Intercultural Communication (3)
Theory and application of communication between people of different cultures and different national systems. Prerequisite: none. This course may be used to satisfy the diversity requirement.

35860 Interviewing (3)
Techniques, principles and practical skills for interviews most likely to occur in business environments; job searches and selection interviews, information-gathering interviews, performance appraisals, counseling interviews and persuasive interviews. Prerequisite: none.

35864 Organizational Communication (3)
Application of communication theory to organizational settings. Exploration of communication structures, processes and methods in organizations. Prerequisite: minimum grade of C (2.0) in COMM 20000; and pass the Grammar Test with a 680 or better or have a minimum grade of C (2.0) in COMM 21000; and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better. This course may be used to satisfy the writing-intensive requirement with approval of major department.

35912 Gender and Communication (3)
Examines influence of gender in interpersonal and organizational communication including communication processes in interpersonal violence, STDs and other contemporary social problems. Prerequisite: none. This course may be used to satisfy the diversity requirement.

40001 Advanced Interpersonal Communication (3)
Advanced treatment of interpersonal communication theory and research. Interpersonal principles are applied to group and organizational contexts. Prerequisites: COMM 20001; and COMM 20000 with a minimum grade of C (2.0); and pass the Grammar Test with a score of 680 or better or have a minimum grade of C (2.0) in COMM 21000; and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better. This course may be used to satisfy the writing-intensive requirement with approval of major department.

41000 Sports Communication (3)
An examination of the inter-relationship between sports and communication in today's society. Students discuss and examine sports through communication lenses (groups, interpersonal, media/mediated and organizational). Prerequisite: none.

42000 Media, War and Propaganda (3)
Examines the influence of TV, movies, and media images of war, the war effort and portrayals of enemies, protesters and anti-war groups on communication research, including mass communication and persuasion. Prerequisite: none.

45006 Media Use and Effects (3)
Examination of the ways in which communication scholars have conceptualized and analyzed media processes, uses and effects. Issues explored include media portrayals, news coverage, political campaigns, sex and violence in the media, media entertainment, children and television and newer communication technologies. Prerequisite: none.

45007 Freedom of Speech (3)
Examines historic and contemporary instances relating to freedom of speech; study of limits, rights, responsibilities and socio-legal-rhetorical issues. Prerequisite: none.

45091 Seminar in Communication Studies (1-4)
(Repeatable for a total of 9 credit hours) Examination of selected communication topics/areas and related research. Prerequisite: none.

45092 Internship in Communication Studies (3-6)
(Repeatable for credit) A formal, cooperative field experience with a designated organization or agency, as designed by the students and the internship coordinator. S/U grading; IP grade permissible. Prerequisite: cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better; and a minimum grade of C (2.0) in COMM 20000; and junior standing; and special approval.

45093 Variable Title Workshop in Communication (1-5)
(Repeatable for credit) No more than 3 credits may be counted as part of the upper-division credits required in the communication studies major. S/U grading. Prerequisite: none.

45095 Special Topics in Communication Studies (1-6)
(Repeatable for credit) Offered when unusual resources permit a topic different from existing courses. Topic is announced when scheduled. S/U grading. Prerequisite: none.

45154 Rhetorical Criticism (3)
Standards of criticism in public discourse and methods for their application in persuasive speaking. Prerequisite: minimum grade of C (2.0) in COMM 20000; and pass the Grammar Test with a 680 or better or have a minimum grade of C (2.0) in COMM 21000; and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better. This course may be used to satisfy the writing-intensive requirement with approval of major department.

45196 Independent Study: Communication Studies (1-6)
(Repeatable for a total of 6 credits) Readings and/or research on problems approved by undergraduate coordinator in consultation with students’ advisor and faculty project director. S/U grading; IP grade permissible. Prerequisites: cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better; and COMM 20000 with a minimum grade of C (2.0); and junior standing; and special approval.

45459 Communication and Conflict (3)
Examination of issues related to managing conflict in communication. Critique and synthesis of conceptual approaches and research pertaining to conflict in interpersonal, organizational and public communication settings. Prerequisite: cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.

45807 High Impact Professional Speaking (3)
Principles and practices of effective communication in a variety of professional contexts. Emphasis on professional presentation skills development. Prerequisites: COMM 15000 and junior standing.

45865 Organizational Communication Training and Development (3)
Theory and application of diagnosing communication problems in an organization and the intervention process. Prerequisites: COMM 35864; and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.

45902 Communication and Influence (3)
Explores theories and strategies of social influence in contemporary society. Students discuss and critique influential communication practices such as interpersonal persuasion, product and services advertisements, social movements and political messages. Course addresses global perspectives on persuasion. Prerequisites: COMM 25902; and minimum grade of C (2.0) in COMM 20000; and pass the Grammar Test with a 680 or better or have a minimum grade of C (2.0) in COMM 21000; and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better. This course may be used to satisfy the writing-intensive requirement with approval of major department.

45957 Language and Meaning (3)
Examines the influence of verbal codes in human communication. Theories of meaning are explored through readings, field study and class exercises. Prerequisite: COMM 25902; and COMM 20000 with a grade of C (2.0) or better; and pass the Grammar Test with a score of 680 or better or have a minimum grade of C (2.0) in COMM 21000. This course may be used to satisfy the writing-intensive requirement with approval of major department.

45959 Nonverbal Communication (3)
Survey of theory and research in nonverbal codes of communication through readings, field study and classroom interaction. Prerequisite: cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better. Pre/corequisite: COMM 30000.

45960 Health Communication (3)
Examines communication processes and research related to health and health care from the perspectives of public, professional and primary discourses. Prerequisite: none.

46091 Senior Seminar (3)
Capstone course helps students synthesize major coursework. Students complete a career exploration project, examine ethics and issues in communication and also do a portfolio of their achievements.IP grade permissible. Prerequisites: minimum grade of C (2.0) in COMM 20000;  and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better; and senior standing.

46092 Practicum in Applied Communication (3)
(Repeatable for credit) A formal cooperative field experience with a designated organization or agency, as designed by the student and the practicum director. IP grade permissible. Prerequisite: cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better; and COMM 20000 with a grade of C (2.0) or better; COMM 35864; and JMC 20005; and VCD 37000; and senior standing.

* Course ineligible to be repeated for GPA recalculation.