Communication Studies (COMS)

COMS 1361. Public Speaking. 3 Hours. [TCCN: SPCH 1315]

Students apply the research, composition, organization, and delivery of informative and persuasive speeches for various purposes and occasions. Topics may include strategies for reducing speaker apprehension and audience analysis.

COMS 2331. Intro - Comm Theory & Research. 3 Hours.

Students study theories and research in the field of communication with an emphasis on interpersonal and family communication. Students prepare reviews of literature as well as scholarly abstracts.

COMS 2382. Comm. for Bus. & Professions. 3 Hours. [TCCN: SPCH 1321]

Students examine communication theories and research with the goal of developing skills in settings such as interviewing, group decision-making, speech preparation, and presentation. Topics may include interpersonal communication, leadership strategies, listening, and non-verbal communication. Not for COMS majors or minors. Non-Minors only. Non-Specializations only.
Prerequisite: Non-Majors only.

COMS 2386. Interpersonal Communication. 3 Hours. [TCCN: SPCH 1318]

Students examine theory and research in one-to-one communication in relationships. Topics may include perception, listening, conflict management, and the development and maintenance of relationships.

COMS 3330. Communication in Sport. 3 Hours.

Students analyze the field of sport communication research. Students explore sport issues across various communication contexts. Students apply theory and research-based approaches to effectively communicate sport-related issues. Students also examine ethical considerations and the role of sport in culture.

COMS 3340. Communication, Culture, and Technology. 3 Hours.

Students examine how computers mediate communication issues, such as interpersonal relationships, social networking, information literacy, political agendas, and entertainment.

COMS 3341. Digital Communication Literacy. 3 Hours.

Students analyze strategies of self-presentation and impression management and apply theory and research-based approaches to effectively communicate messages through various social media platforms. Students gain practical knowledge in creating communication content for various audiences. Students implement these strategies on their own social media platforms as they learn to become more literate information consumers.

COMS 3350. Communication and Pop Culture. 3 Hours.

Students identify messages and meanings contained in popular culture, and examine how messages from music, television, films, celebrities, and advertising reflect and create social norms.

COMS 3360. Interpreting Visual Images. 3 Hours.

Students examine messages found in visual communication and analyze visual messages using theoretical constructs. Topics may include the persuasive impact of those visual messages.

COMS 3365. Humor in Communication. 3 Hours.

Students examine how humor functions across a variety of contexts, including interpersonal, organizational, public, and political. In the process, students apply theories and research about humor in communication.
Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor.

COMS 3370. Intercultural Communication. 3 Hours.

Students analyze the theory, research, and practice of communicating within and across cultures with an emphasis on application to the student’s own intercultural communication. Topics may include a comparison of various cultures, culture shock, racism, and prejudice.

COMS 3371. Conflict, Negotiatn & Resolutn. 3 Hours.

Students investigate the complexities of conflict in order to understand forces that make conflict challenging and to develop skills for examining and managing conflict more effectively in a variety of close relationship contexts.

COMS 3374. Persuasion. 3 Hours.

Students assess the principles of attitude and behavior change as they apply to the speaker, political campaigns, and social movements.

COMS 3375. Strategic Organizational Communication. 3 Hours.

Students analyze the impact of human communication technology on organizations of all types, including political, social, religious, and educational institutions. In the process, students may examine how communication technologies shape organizations, channel power, manage crisis, establish leadership, and redefine privacy and freedom of expression.
Prerequisite: Sophomore Standing.

COMS 3379. Freedom of Speech and Civic Communication. 3 Hours.

Students examine a broad range of free speech issues, including blasphemy, defamation, popular culture, political speech, privacy, public forums, symbolic speech, threats, and restrictions on free speech. The course is structured to expand the knowledge of the student about freedom of speech and to enable them to be more engaged citizens in their communities. To this end, the course not only covers the areas that the right to free speech encompasses, it also explores instances in which freedom of speech protections do not apply.

COMS 3383. Small Group Communication. 3 Hours.

Students examine the theories and practices of interaction, leadership, and problem-solving in formal and informal small group settings.

COMS 3385. Community Applied Communica. 3 Hours.

Students improve research skills, critical thinking, leadership, individual and group communication skills. This is achieved through lecture and community interaction. Students work together to examine their community for need, investigate how to meet that need through the lens of established organizations, and present their findings. This is a capstone course.

COMS 3386. Learning to Listen: A Key Communication Competency. 3 Hours.

Students examine significance and complexity of the many different types of listening across various social, professional, and interpersonal contexts. Students use theory and research-based approaches to tackle issues surrounding listening as a cognitive process, a social and relational skill, and professional competency. They also examine emerging areas, such as mediated listening in the digital age.
Prerequisite: COMS 2386.

COMS 3391. Interpersonal Health Communication. 3 Hours.

Students examine patient and physician communication skills. Topics may include communicating social support for those with serious illnesses, survivorship, identity issues, media influence, and e-health across a wide range of communication contexts.

COMS 3392. Risk Communication. 3 Hours.

Students illustrate the history of risk communication research. Students examine how to effectively communicate risks across various contexts including interpersonal communication, organizational communication, and mass communication. Students apply theory and research-based approaches to effectively communicate risks including health risks, environmental risks, and technological risks.

COMS 3393. Environmental Communication. 3 Hours.

Students learn theory, research and practice with regard to environment and communication from both international and multi-disciplinary perspectives. Students will also learn how to identify environmental issues and use appropriate communication strategies to respond to/solve those issues. The course uses a lecture/discussion format.

COMS 4091. Independent Study in Communication Studies. 1-3 Hours.

Students pursue particular problems or issues beyond the limits of current course offerings. Students may receive Academic Distinction credit for this course. See Academic Distinction Program in this catalog. May be repeated for credit. Senior standing. Variable Credit (1 to 3). Senior standing.
Prerequisite: 12 hours COMS completed and approval of the Chair.

COMS 4365. Nonverbal Communication. 3 Hours.

Students study systems of nonverbal communication and their effective use. Topics may include body language, vocalic, facial, and spatial communication. Students apply current theory and research in nonverbal communication to their own communication.

COMS 4366. Deceptive Communication. 3 Hours.

Students assess lying and other forms of deception in a variety of communication contexts, including interpersonal, public, and legal. Students gain empirical, ethical, and critical understandings of deception including their own deception and that of others.

COMS 4378. Internship In Comm Studies. 3 Hours.

Students apply skills and theories learned in the classroom to on-the-job situations. Internships may occur with public relations and governmental agencies, businesses, and non-profit organizations.
Prerequisite: At least junior standing, 12 COMS hours completed, and approval of the Chair.

COMS 4381. Communication Theory. 3 Hours.

Students analyze and apply contemporary theories of communication.
Prerequisite: 12 hours COMS completed.

COMS 4386. Family Communication. 3 Hours.

Students examine interpersonal communication within families. Topics may include family conflict, family structure, culture and the family, and family stories.
Prerequisite: COMS 2386.

COMS 4387. Relationship Communication. 3 Hours.

Students explore communication as it occurs in various types of personal relationships with a special focus on romantic relationships and close friendships. Topics may include long-distance and mediated relationship forms. Students work to enhance the quality of communication and satisfaction within relationships.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.

COMS 4392. Sem In Communication Studies. 3 Hours.

Students explore new and special interest areas of communication scholarship offered on a rotating basis.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.