Course Descriptions

This course will introduce students to the study of mass mediated communication. Students will explore how mediated communication impacts every aspect of human cultures, as well as how people are ultimately the primary drivers of advancements in media technology. Students will learn how to apply several forms of knowledge pertaining to mediated communication to improve their own lives and communication with those around themselves.

This course will provide students with an overview of knowledge and effective skills to use in intercultural communication environments and relationships. Students will explore how various issues (e.g., race, religion, ethnicity) affect communication patterns, values, perceptions, and outcomes for different groups of people.

This course meets the Gen Ed Requirements for Human Cultures.

Embark on a comprehensive exploration of listening as a dynamic and essential communication skill, essential for success both as a student and a working professional. This course will cover the basics of listening, exploring its principles, applications, challenges, and its intricate role in both professional and personal relationships. Discover the inner workings of understanding spoken messages. Dive into the analysis of key listening theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts. Assess how a variety of messages, contexts, response styles, and personal biases shape the dynamic world of communication. Learn to gauge the quality, reliability, and credibility of information through effective listening. Develop a deeper understanding of listening processes by applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios.
 

 

This course will explore a wide variety of topics and skills relating to interpersonal communication. Students will be exposed to current research in the human communication field, and they will work to become more effective communicators in their relationships with friends, family, co-workers, and intimate others. Some of the topics and skills that will be covered in the course include: nonverbal communication, listening, perception, and interpersonal conflict.

This course meets the Gen Ed Requirements for Oral Communication.

This course will introduce students to theories of human communication, as well as to the history of the modern communication discipline. Communication is the root of human experience and existence, and therefore, the focus of this course is inherently interdisciplinary. Seven areas of communication studies will be examined: the foundations of theory, rhetoric, interpersonal, cultural, mass, organizational, and public.

An introduction to the oral reading/presentation of prose, poetry, and drama in distinct and inter-textual formats. Models of critical analysis will be applied to written literature and reading will be performed and evaluated by applying principles of effective delivery with a focus on vocal development and nonverbal effectiveness.
 

 

Explore the intricate world of conflict resolution and communication. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of conflict by defining its nature and examining the communicative exchanges that trigger conflicts. Delve into the role of individual perceptions in shaping meaning during conflict episodes. Identify and analyze diverse types of conflict and associated goals, preparing for collaborative management and resolution. Learn to recognize conflict styles and navigate potential biases arising from self-reporting, culture, context, and time. Engage in a comparative study of conflict across various contexts, including interpersonal, organizational, and public settings. Acquire skills in integrative conflict approaches, developing effective resolution strategies that cater to the needs of all parties involved. This course equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for constructive conflict resolution in diverse scenarios.
 

This course meets the Gen Ed Requirements for Critical Thinking.

This course will introduce students to various principles of effective public speaking. Students will be taught the different purposes of written, oral, and digital messages in public rhetoric, as well as how to employ appropriate organizational strategies (e.g., purpose statements, visual aids). Students will learn to both build and critique public messages, and they will also learn how to utilize research to provide credible evidence to support their claims.

This course meets the Gen Ed requirements for Oral Communication.

This course will focus on studying theory and research in persuasion. Students will learn to define persuasion, and they will come to understand attitude formation, as well as the often misunderstood relationships between attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and values. Students will also learn of prominent persuasion theories and their practical applications to the real world. Finally, students will discuss several of the ethical considerations one should make while designing and implementing persuasive messages.

This course meets the Gen Ed requirements for Oral Communication.

This course will provide students with an overview of contemporary research findings regarding the study of nonverbal communication. Students will explore topics relating to physical appearance, touch, distance, face and eye behavior, scent, time, gestures, and other nonverbal cues. Students will also gain a deeper understanding of nonverbal communication's impact in our daily lives, specifically in our various human relationships.

This course will provide students with real-world training, experience, and skill development within a professional context. Though each internship will be unique and different from any other, all internships will be completed within the lens of understanding how Communication theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts translate to real-world communicative practice. Ultimately, this course’s goal is to help students increase their communication competence in settings outside of the classroom, preferably related to the professional fields they one day hope to enter themselves.