Courses for Communication Studies

This course is an introduction to graduate level learning in the discipline of Communication Studies. The primary goal is to provide new graduate students with an orientation to the discipline and the department. This course provides a broad introduction to the various topics and approaches of studying communication, including the metatheoretical principles guiding knowledge production. As such, students will be introduced to theories and concepts of Communication, as well as how these can be applied to understand phenomena across various contexts. Another goal of the course is to prepare students for success in graduate studies by reinforcing skills such as critical reading, writing, information gathering, syntheses, and presentation. The course covers program requirements, degree completion options, and professional development within and outside academia.

The primary goal of this course is to facilitate the instruction of COM 123 Public Speaking. Graduate students enrolled in this course will provide lesson plans for their classes and discuss options for improving classroom learning.

An introduction to graduate study for working professionals. Students sharpen critical thinking, evaluate evidence, and make ethically grounded decisions in organizational settings. Each unit follows a Read · See · Do rhythm to translate research into practical deliverables.

The primary goal of this course is to facilitate the instruction of general education courses in Communication Studies. Graduate students enrolled in this course will provide lesson plans for their classes and discuss options for improving classroom learning.

This course is designed for graduate students in their final semester of study who have chosen to complete the comprehensive examination as their capstone experience for the degree.

Study and analysis of issues of diversity as they relate to groups in society and in communication fields. Emphasis is on the media's treatment of various groups in society.

Leading and Collaborating Across Difference examines the communicative role of leadership in diverse organizational environments. The course will engage collaborative communication as a means for understanding the importance of difference in workplace cultures. The course invites students to explore the theories and competencies necessary to lead effectively and ethically by exploring how social identities, power dynamics, and cultural contexts shape interaction, decision-making, and team performance. Students will analyze real-world cases, engage in experiential learning opportunities in organizations for which they are already involved, and help develop strategies for ensuring differences (of experience, identity and opinion) are assets to organizations and reflective of larger society.

This class explores the relationship between forensics and academia, investigating the placement of competitive forensic activities within specific academic departments, the development of strong, competitive programs through responsible coaching, and the application of forensics experience beyond the competitive environment.

Study of the impact of gender on political communication activities. Topics include gender differences in political messages and voter orientation, masculine ideals of leadership, women's roles and advancement in the political sphere, and media representations.

Individualized research under graduate faculty supervision. Students who want to include this course in their Plans of Study to complete degree requirements must secure official approval from their faculty advisor and the department. No more than three hours of independent study may be applied toward degree requirements for the M.A. in Communication Studies.

A survey of major contributions to rhetorical theory from the 20th century up to the present.

A systematic inquiry into the development of Greek and Roman rhetorical theory during the classical period (ca. 480 B.C.E. 400 C.E.).

An examination of various methodological perspectives of rhetorical criticism. Specifically, the course aims to familiarize students with both traditional and alternative critical methods and to encourage students to perceive the rhetorical dimensions of all manner of public discourse, ranging from speeches, advertising, film, popular music to discursive forms in new media and the Internet.

An introduction to qualitative research methods in communication, including data collection and analysis. The goals of the course are to provide exposure to a broad array of qualitative methods, help students learn to use some of these methods, and to help them to understand the role of research in our field. The course is designed to help student actually conduct research, resulting in two conference-worthy papers.

This course explores the theories, research, and practice that identify communication skills and competencies in the educational setting.

Negotiation is fundamentally a communicative activity. The main objective of this course is to understand processes of formal conflict management in mixed motive settings. Students will apply negotiation theory and skills to simulated negotiation cases that include buyer-seller transactions, negotiating through an agent or mediator, salary negotiations, deal making, resolution of workplace disputes, multiparty negotiations, international and intercultural negotiations, and ethical decision making and communication in negotiation. The skills and theory introduced in this course will help students manage integrative and distributive aspects of the negotiation process to achieve individual and collective goals.

An advanced study of small-group behavior, examining in detail theories of leadership as they relate to problem solving in group situations.

A detailed review of selected theories of speech communication with a focus on the critical examination of the foundation of social scientific theories.

Focused investigation of to communication in close personal relationships, with primary emphasis on contemporary concepts and theories of romantic relationships and friendships.

Survey and analysis of major concepts, theories, and research dealing with communication between people of different cultural backgrounds in multicultural and international settings.

A topical consideration of individual case studies from public discourse, designed to probe problems of the nature of the audience, the ethics of persuasion, and the power of public advocacy in mass society. Topics may vary.

An introductory examination of historical and contemporary issues in organizational communication scholarship from a variety of theoretical and methodological perspectives.

This course introduces students to the theory, methods, and practice of organizational needs assessment with an emphasis on communication processes, data-informed decision-making, and ethical practice. Students learn how communication functions as both the object of assessment and the primary tool for identifying, analyzing, and addressing organizational needs. Drawing on contemporary needs assessment models, students examine how information is gathered, interpreted, and communicated to diverse stakeholders in organizational contexts. The course emphasizes applied skills in inquiry, analysis, and professional communication while preparing students to evaluate performance gaps, learning needs, and strategic priorities across complex systems.

Communication does not happen in a vacuum, so leaders must learn to navigate relationship building both within and beyond their organization. This course studies the communicative processes and strategies for engaging with stakeholders. An organization’s success is closely tied to the quality of communication and the strength of relationships among its members. With a focus on inter and cooperative organizational structures, students engage in both research and experiential learning methods to understand how effective leaders build, use, and trust relationships within their organization and within their community.

Study of the complexity of technologically-mediated communication across cultures. This course combines literature and concepts from intercultural communication with human communication and technology and addresses the challenges of interacting with others via technology, working in global virtual teams and organizations, and participating as a citizen and consumer in the technology age.

Leaders are faced with an organizational climate characterized by complex change accelerating at an exponential pace. Organizations are being pressed to improve performance and quality, reduce costs, and deliver measurable results more efficiently and effectively. Because of this, it is important for leaders to have the knowledge and the skills to implement positive and effective change within various contexts. This course will introduce conceptual frameworks in organizational development and allow students to practice skills which help them lead and orchestrate organizational change via intentional investment in people, structures, policies and organizational culture. Combining both theory and practical application of organizational development and change, students will learn strategies to better serve stakeholders and improve organizations.

This course examines autoethnography as perspective, method, and content area, concentrating on writing as a method of knowing that privileges lived experience.

This course gives students opportunities to demonstrate learning by interpreting, synthesizing, and integrating their knowledge from previous coursework in communication studies. This course serves as a culminating experience and should be taken during the last term of students' program of study.

Proposal for supervised field experience in communication studies must be submitted and approved.

Topics vary by instructor.

MA students in Communication Studies who elect the Professional Plan II Option may earn 3 hours credit for completing a research or creative project.

Students conduct independent research culminating in a written thesis. This course is supervised by a faculty advisor.