Courses at the 400-level

Different historical and contemporary rhetorical theories are used to evaluate artifacts, such as speeches, songs, photographs, and written texts.
3 credit hours

• COMM 230

Basic acoustics, the acoustics of speech, speech production theory, psycho-acoustics, and speech perception are covered. Lecture and laboratory. (Formerly Communications 321.)
4 credit hours

• COMM 319

Human language processes are examined, with explorations into its social, biological, and cognitive components. This course may be repeated for credit with a change in content.
3 credit hours

• COMM 200 (or equivalent)
• COMM 255

The clinical process and ethics in speech-language pathology and audiology are introduced. Students earn twenty-five observation hours and learn professional report writing. (Formerly Communications 329: Clinical Observation.)
3 credit hours

• completion of a minimum of six courses in communications, including COMM 305, with a minimum GPA of 3.00 in all courses

Students examine preflighting, problem-solving techniques, and font management, while mastering basic to advanced page layout techniques in the creation of products destined for printing.
3 credit hours

• COMM 232
• or consent of the department chair

Students write a thesis and formally present findings on a major research project. Emphasis is on mass media theories and research methodologies.
4 credit hours

• open to only COMM majors and minors. 90 credit hours of undergraduate courses including:
• COMM 200
• COMM 208
• COMM 240
• COMM 242
• COMM 342

Conflict is examined as a personal and societal challenge that can be managed by applying communication skills and knowledge. (Formerly Communications 352.)
3 credit hours

• COMM 358

Organizational communication and methods for improving the communication of leaders and managers in organizations are studied. Simulations, role play, and case studies are used. (Formerly Communications 254.)
3 credit hours

By applying theories and methods of argumentation, students debate on controversial topics in public venues, such as high schools.
3 credit hours

• COMM 359
• or consent of department chair

A topic not previously studied in communications is researched.
3 credit hours

• 75 credit hours of undergraduate courses
• COMM 200
• COMM 208
• 12 additional credit hours of communications courses

Students gain a more comprehensive understanding of communication fields through on-the-job training. This course may be repeated once for credit.
1-4 credit hours

• Open to communications majors who have completed at least 75 credit hours of undergraduate courses, 18 of which are communications courses and to graduate students with consent of the instructor
• Application must be made during the semester prior to field experience
• Additional requires are set forth in the application form

An area of concentrated study is selected under the supervision of a department faculty advisor. This course may be repeated once for credit with a change in content.
3 credit hours

• 18 credit hours of communications courses and consent of the instructor
• COMM 200

A practicum-oriented problem on which to concentrate for the semester is selected under the supervision of a faculty advisor. This course may be repeated once with a change in content.
3 credit hours

• 18 credit hours of communications courses and consent of the instructor
• COMM 200

Students develop a professional-quality portfolio of media production projects. Emphasis is on conceptual design, clarity, aesthetics, content, effectiveness of communication to audience, and technical competence.
4 credit hours

• 90 credit hours of undergraduate courses
• Open to only COMM majors and minors.
• COMM 200
• COMM 208
• COMM 240
• COMM 242
• COMM 246

Students write a thesis and formally present findings on a major research project. Emphasis is on mass media theories and research methodologies.
4 credit hours

• open only to communications majors and minors
• completion of 90 credit hours of undergraduate courses, including COMM 200, 208, 240, 242, and 342