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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS COMMUNICATION (COM)

5003 Introduction to Graduate Studies in Communication
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Arts Program in Communication or consent of instructor. Tracks the development of research and practice in communication stressing integration of inquiry, theory, and practice as well as grounding in various areas of specialized study. Emphasis on the development of skills critical to success in graduate-level communication study.

5013 Communication Theory
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Completion of, or concurrent enrollment, in COM 5003 or consent of instructor. Critical review of the historical roots, major paradigms, and current status of communication theory. Special emphasis on the diversity of theoretical approaches and applications as well as the integral relationship of theory and research.

5023 Quantitative Research Methods
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in COM 5003, or consent of instructor. Introduces social scientific approaches to communication inquiry. Focus on design, measurement, and data analysis of quantitative research. Also covers principal statistics applied in communication and related computer programs. Students apply course concepts by evaluating and conducting research projects.

5033 Qualitative Research Methods
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in COM 5003, or consent of instructor. Introduces humanistic approaches to communication inquiry. Focus on design, coding, analysis, data interpretation, and reporting of qualitative research. Examines a variety of qualitative research methods as well as challenges facing researchers in diverse social settings. Students apply course concepts by evaluating and conducting research projects.

5103 Theories and Practice of Communication
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Completion of, or concurrent enrollment, in COM 5003 and COM 5013. Integration of theory and practice in one or more contextual areas of communication, such as interpersonal and small group communication, organizational communication, new media and information design, or international and intercultural communication. Practical experience will be gained through service learning or other applied projects such as volunteer work or participatory, collaborative research in the community. May be repeated for credit when topics vary, but no more than 6 hours will apply to the Master’s degree in Communication without the permission of the Graduate Program Committee.

5213 Relational Communication
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: COM 5103 or consent of instructor. An examination of communication processes in relational systems such as marriages and families, friendships, and other applied contexts. This course emphasizes the role and function of verbal and nonverbal communication in developing and maintaining human relationships.

5223 Small Group Communication
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: COM 5103 or consent of instructor. An examination of communication processes in bona-fide groups such as interdisciplinary health care teams, community groups, and corporate teams. This course emphasizes the role and function of verbal and nonverbal communication in group processes of decision making, dialogue, and problem solving.

5413 Seminar in Organizations
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: COM 5103 or consent of instructor. The course addresses the role and effects of structures and communication processes in complex organizations. Examines the importance of organizational dynamics such as culture, leadership, decision-making, diversity management, technologies, and methods for adapting to change through strategic planning and continuous process improvement.

5423 Organizational Implementation of Integrated Communication
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: COM 5103 or consent of instructor. The course addresses separate specialties of communication with external audiences that have often resulted in fragmented, redundant, or contradictory messages. Includes an examination of approaches to manage integrated communication to enhance the dissemination, comprehension, acceptance, and application of information to achieve organizational goals.

5613 New Media Design and Production I
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: COM 5103 or consent of instructor. Introduction to information design. Advanced study of new media development. Hands-on skill development in creating digital elements for use in multimedia, such as graphics and animation, and combining these elements into interactive presentations.

5623 New Media Design and Production II
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: COM 5613 or consent of instructor. Advanced study of information design theories and practice. Emphasizes new media production techniques for audio, video, and interactivity.

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5813 International Communication
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: COM 5103 or consent of instructor. Exploration of global media systems, international media and information flows, and their impacts. Issues surrounding the globalization of media and information, development communication, and communication/cultural policymaking are examined.

5823 Intercultural Communication
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: COM 5103 or consent of instructor. Examination of communication dynamics among different cultural communities coexisting in diverse societies as well as communication among individuals and communities from different world cultures. The interactions among communication, culture, and identity are examined within historical and contemporary perspectives, and in specific contexts such as culturally diverse healthcare industries, community groups, and corporate teams.

5973 Topics in Communication
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: COM 5003 and COM 5013, or consent of instructor. Intensive study of one or more specific issues in communication. May be repeated for credit when topics vary, but no more than 9 hours will apply to the Master’s degree.

6941-3 Internship in Communication
1 to 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and permission in writing (form available) of the instructor and Graduate Advisor of Record. Supervised experience, relevant to the student’s program of study, within selected organizations. Must be taken on a credit/no credit basis. No more than 3 hours will apply to the Master’s degree.

6951-3 Independent Study
1 to 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and permission in writing (form available) of the instructor and Graduate Advisor of Record. Independent reading, research, discussion, project development and/or writing under the direction of a faculty member. Intended for specialized work not normally available as part of the regular course offerings. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to the Master’s degree. May not be substituted for COM thesis or project courses.

6961 Comprehensive Examination
1 hour credit. Prerequisite: Approval of the Graduate Advisor of Record. Independent study course for the purpose of taking the Comprehensive Examination. May be repeated once. Enrollment is required each term in which the Comprehensive Examination is taken if no other courses are being taken that term. The grade report for the course is either “CR” (satisfactory performance on the Comprehensive Examination) or “NC” (unsatisfactory performance on the Comprehensive Examination). Credit earned in COM 6961 may not be counted in the 36 hours required for the Master’s degree in Communication.

6983,6 Master’s Thesis
3 or 6 hours credit. Prerequisite: Permission of the thesis advisor and the Graduate Advisor of Record. Supervised thesis research and preparation. May be repeated for credit, but no more than 6 hours will apply to the Master’s degree. Credit will be awarded upon completion of the thesis. Enrollment is required each term in which the thesis is in progress.

6993,6 Master’s Project
3 or 6 hours credit. Prerequisite: Permission of the project advisor and the Graduate Advisor of Record. Supervised development and completion of a professional-quality project in the student’s area. May be repeated for credit, but no more than 6 hours will apply to the Master’s degree. Credit will be awarded upon completion of the project. Enrollment is required each term in which the project is in progress. Table of Contents | Catalog Home | Previous Page

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