Communication and Media Studies
The Department of Communication and Media Studies represents one of the fastest-growing disciplines in higher education. It is founded on the belief that competent communication transforms individuals, organizations, and society. Competent communication involves forming and maintaining satisfactory relationships, having skill in a variety of communication behaviors and being able to adjust those behaviors for a variety of situations, showing empathy, and applying ethical guidelines for communication practice. Courses in the department reflect these concepts through the breadth of areas of expertise within the discipline.
Graduating majors are prepared for careers or advanced education in fields as diverse as advertising, entrepreneurship, public relations, broadcast journalism, law, ministry, human resources, higher education, and not-for-profit management.
After completing the requirements for a Communication and Media Studies major, students will be able to:
- Describe the Communication Discipline and its central questions;
- Employ Communication theories, perspectives, principles and concepts;
- Engage in Communication Inquiry;
- Create messages appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context;
- Critically analyze messages.
Degree Type: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Program Contact: Associate Professor Susan Dummer
Majors and Minors
- Communication and Media Studies Major (COMM)
- Communication and Media Studies Minor (COMM)
- Professional Media Minor (PROM)
- Sports Administration Major (SAM)
Classes
COMM115 : Public Speaking
Introduction to the rhetorical dimensions of public communication in the professional world including the use of technology to enhance multi-media presentations.
Credit Hour(s)
3Semester Offered
COMM200 : Personal and Interpersonal Bases of Communication
Credit Hour(s)
3Area of Inquiry
Semester Offered
COMM215 : Introduction to Media Studies
Credit Hour(s)
3Semester Offered
COMM263 : News Media Practicum
Credit Hour(s)
1 - 3COMM264 : Sports Media Practicum
Credit Hour(s)
1 - 3Semester Offered
COMM265 : Communication Practicum
Credit Hour(s)
1 - 3COMM271 : Introductory Topics in Communication
Introductory study of selected topics in specialty areas such as communication in education, careers in communication, and campaign strategies.
Credit Hour(s)
3COMM302 : Media Journalism
Credit Hour(s)
3Prerequisites
COMM 101, 115, or 200.
COMM306 : Media Criticism
Credit Hour(s)
3Prerequisites
COMM 215.
COMM310 : Persuasion and Propaganda
Examination of the classical and contemporary rhetorical and social scientific communication theories as they apply to speech, media, campaigns, social movements, and popular culture.
Credit Hour(s)
3Prerequisites
COMM 101, 115 or 200.
COMM312 : Group Dynamics
Credit Hour(s)
3Area of Inquiry
Semester Offered
COMM315 : Advertising
Credit Hour(s)
3Prerequisites
COMM 101, 115 or 200.
Semester Offered
COMM320 : Communication Theory and Research Methods
Credit Hour(s)
3Prerequisites
COMM 101, 115 or 200.
Semester Offered
COMM323 : Conflict Management
Credit Hour(s)
3Area of Inquiry
Semester Offered
COMM325 : Human Communication and Technology
Credit Hour(s)
3Area of Inquiry
COMM329 : Gender and Communication
Credit Hour(s)
3Area of Inquiry
Semester Offered
COMM331 : Nonverbal Communication
Credit Hour(s)
3Area of Inquiry
Semester Offered
COMM333 : Sports and Communication
Credit Hour(s)
3Semester Offered
COMM335 : Media Theory
Credit Hour(s)
3Prerequisites
COMM 101 or 115, 200, and 215.
COMM345 : Emergent Media
Credit Hour(s)
3Prerequisites
COMM 215.
COMM350 : Entrepreneurial Leadership
Attempts to identify the new characteristics and behaviors that benefit new ventures and also questions whether these characteristics benefit leaders in contexts other than startup organizations.
Credit Hour(s)
3Prerequisites
COMM 101, 115, or 200.
COMM360 : Event Planning
Credit Hour(s)
3Semester Offered
COMM400 : Organizational Communication
Communication processes within an organization, such as socialization, performance control, decision- making, conflict management, diversity, and technology.
Credit Hour(s)
3Area of Inquiry
Semester Offered
COMM413 : Leadership for Change
Overview of leadership theories and the examination of the communication processes involved in developing and sharing a vision, making and implementing decisions, and managing conflict.
Credit Hour(s)
3Prerequisites
COMM 101, 115 or 200.
COMM415 : Public Relations
Credit Hour(s)
3Prerequisites
COMM 101, 115 or 200.
Semester Offered
COMM418 : Intercultural Communication
Credit Hour(s)
3Area of Inquiry
COMM420 : Videography: The Documentary
Credit Hour(s)
3Prerequisites
COMM 215.
COMM425 : Seminar in Popular Culture
Popular culture has been described as a sphere in which audiences struggle over meaning and understanding of reality. This course explores the study of that struggle, examining the ways in which the media contribute to the construction of popular culture and help to define the ways in which we view the world.
Credit Hour(s)
3Prerequisites
COMM440 : Independent Study
Credit Hour(s)
1 - 3Prerequisites
COMM 320 and approved prospectus.
COMM444 : Crisis Communication
Credit Hour(s)
3Semester Offered
COMM450 : Seminar in Communication and Media Studies
Credit Hour(s)
3Prerequisites
27 hours of major completed, including all core courses, and application approved by department.
Semester Offered
COMM460 : Internship
Credit Hour(s)
3 - 6Prerequisites
15 hours of major completed and chair approval.
COMM471 : Topics in Communication and Media Studies
Credit Hour(s)
3SAM315 : Sports Events and Operations Planning
Credit Hour(s)
3SAM400 : Legal Issues in Sport
Credit Hour(s)
3SAM450 : Senior Seminar
This capstone experience is intended to involve all aspects of the chosen course concentration in Sports Administration at the undergraduate level. The student has options through which this may be done. A successful capstone project will satisfy the following objectives: demonstrate theoretical and practical knowledge of sport administration through its application to real-life scenarios, demonstrate a competent knowledge of the organizational and managerial logistics of being involved in the sport industry, demonstrate competent knowledge in interpersonal and leadership skills, develop materials which will prove useful when seeking employment, and demonstrate individual creativity, initiative, and responsibility.