Department of Communication Studies

COMS 5331. Comm Studies Methods & Resrch. 3 Hours.

An introduction to graduate level research methods, including quantitative and qualitative approaches to data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Students will learn to develop individual research proposals.

COMS 5332. Statistical Methods For Comm. 3 Hours.

This course focuses upon various statistical techniques used in communication research, including univariate and bivariate techniques, hypothesis testing for single and multiple samples, as well as methods used to investigate relationships between two or more variables such as ANOVA, ANCOVA, and multiple regression analysis. Lectures, assigned readings and projects are used to describe and illustrate advanced literature on the logic, interpretation, and assumptions of each statistical model. Emphasis is placed upon understanding of the techniques and their assumptions as well as applications. Research activities based on the use of statistical techniques are included in the course.

COMS 5333. Qualitative Comm Research. 3 Hours.

Students in this course examine qualitative communication research methods and designs. The focus of this course is on the identification and creation of communication research problems, the development of designs, data collection, and analysis procedures to address those problems.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

COMS 5335. Advanced Communication Theory. 3 Hours.

(Prior SH course id: COM 535); This course is designed to help students understand and evaluate communciation theory from varied empirical and critical perspectives. Students will learn the process of theory building in order to evaluate existing theories.

COMS 5350. Computer Mediated Comm. 3 Hours.

In this course students examine how computers mediate such issues as interpersonal relationships, privacy, cyberbullying, social support, and family dynamics. Students study and conduct empirical research on the topic. Prerequistite: None.

COMS 5360. Adv Interpersonal Communicatn. 3 Hours.

A study of methodological and theoretical issues in relational communication with special attention to building ongoing research projects in support of theory.

COMS 5361. Dark Side of Communication. 3 Hours.

Students in this course explore some of the darker aspects of communication, such as how negative behaviors can impact both the perpetrator and the victim of such behaviors. Possible topics to be covered include, but are not limited to, bullying, criticism, complaints, verbal aggression, and revenge.

COMS 5362. Advanced Intercultural Comm. 3 Hours.

Students in this course explore current theories and research in the area of intercultural communication, mainly from an interpersonal perspective such as self-disclosure, interpersonal trust, mate selection, love, interracial relationships, and arranged marriage.

COMS 5363. Interpersonal Conflict. 3 Hours.

Students examine the complexities of conflict in order to help understand the forces that make conflict challenging and in order to develop arepertoire of skills for thinking about and managing conflict more effectively in a variety of close relationship contexts.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

COMS 5370. Health Communication. 3 Hours.

A study of a variety of health communication topics that relate to and influence the family and other relationships. Perspective and theories in public health, adolescent alcohol and drug abuse,parent-child-physician communication, telemedicine, and rural health concerns.

COMS 5371. Sex & Gender In Communication. 3 Hours.

A study of sex and gender differences and similarities in communication behavior. Students will examine the sex and gender scholarship and assess Its Implications for understanding communication in interpersonal and family relationships.

COMS 5375. Grad Readings in Communication. 1-3 Hours.

(Prior SH course id: COM 575); This course is an independent study of topics that are not covered elsewhere in the graduate curriculum. Special attention is given to students who need more in-depth study of a topic that is related to their thesis research.

COMS 5380. Advanced Family Communication. 3 Hours.

Methodological and theoretical issues in family communication.

COMS 5381. Intergenerational Family Comm. 3 Hours.

Students in this course focus on theory and research dealing with family communication as it occurs between members of different generations. It also concerns how the communication between family members of the same generation differs from the communication between family members of another generation.

COMS 5382. Dark Side of Family Comm. 3 Hours.

Students in this course explore the role communication plays in a variety of family problems such as jealousy, domestic abuse, negligent parenting, and conflict escalation.

COMS 5390. Seminar In Interpersonal Comm. 3 Hours.

Advanced topics in interpersonal communication theory and research. Topics rotate from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit when topics change.

COMS 5391. Seminar In Family Communicatn. 3 Hours.

Advanced topics in family communication theory and research. Topics rotate from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit when topics change.

COMS 5395. Social Support and Well-Being. 3 Hours.

Students in this course explore theories and research related to the communication of social support and its role in physical, psychological, and social outcomes. Students conduct empirical research on social support and well-being.

COMS 5396. Risk Communication. 3 Hours.

Students in this course present theories and research related to the communication of health, environmental, and technological risks. The Important issues that influence the relationships between risk communicators and the public are examined. Students conduct empirical research on risk communication.

COMS 5397. Persuasion & Social Influence. 3 Hours.

Students in this course analyze theories and research related to persuasion and social influence in various contexts, including attitudinal/behavioral change. Students conduct empirical research on persuasion/social influence.

COMS 5398. Sexual and Affectionate Comm. 3 Hours.

Students learn theories and scholarship on sexual and affectionate communication. The role of sexual interaction, sexual communication, and affectionate communication in a variety of relationships (e.g., marital and premarital; long-term and short-term; familial relationships) are investigated. Possible topics to be covered include hookups, "friends with benefits" relationships, courtship evolution, affection in romantic/family relationships, and the physical benefits of affection.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.