Undergrad. Catalog 07: Communication Studies

Revised May 2007

Department of Communication Studies

512 Main Hall
610-436-2500
Dennis R. Klinzing, Chairperson

PROFESSORS: Dean, Foeman, Klinzing, Orr

ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS: Brown, Jenks, Levasseur, Pearson, Remland, Thompsen

ASSISTANT PROFESSORS: Boyle, Hickman, Lordan, Millhous, Polk, Sawyer

The Department of Communication Studies offers two programs. One program leads to the bachelor of arts degree and the other leads to the bachelor of science in education.

1. The B.A. in COMMUNICATION STUDIES focuses on oral communication as the core of a liberal education that can be applied to a number of specializations.

2. The B.S. in EDUCATION-COMMUNICATION is for students who wish to meet the state of Pennsylvania requirements for teacher certification in communication.

Majors are expected to meet with their advisers to plan a course of study, to select courses prior to scheduling, to discuss career opportunities, and to keep abreast of departmental cocurricular activities. Handbooks are provided to help students be aware of requirements for each program in the department. Students who wish to transfer into the communication studies program must meet Program Admission Requirements below.

Departmental Student Activities

The Forensic Society, the radio station, the TV Club, and Women and Men in Communication are student organizations that involve department faculty and resources. The activities of these organizations are open to all students. For more information see the "Student Affairs" section.

Department Internships

Internship experiences are available in all areas related to students' vocational and academic interests. Students have been placed in offices of congressmen, radio and television stations, and local industries. Students and their placements are screened to assure mutual satisfaction for all parties involved. For details, students should check with the department's internship coordinator.

REQUIREMENTS COMMON TO THE B.A. AND B.S. PROGRAMS

120 semester hours

General education requirements, see pages 37-41 (48 semester hours)

BACHELOR OF ARTS-COMMUNICATION STUDIES

1. Required lower-division courses (18 semester hours)
COM 204, 212, 216, 219, 224, and SPK 208
Three of the required lower-division courses (COM 219, 224, and SPK 208) are prerequisites for all communication studies courses except for COM 310 and COM 315. In addition, COM 216 is a prerequisite for COM 304. Also, SPK 208 must be taken to satisfy the general education communication requirement.

2. Upper-division courses (18 semester hours)
Students will work with their advisers to select six appropriate courses at the 300 and/or 400 level from the listing of department course offerings. In order to facilitate student/adviser selection of upper-division courses, a listing of those courses that the department plans to offer will be posted and distributed to advisers. This listing will project two years into the future and will be updated at the beginning of each academic year. COM 300 and COM 400 may not be used to satisfy the upper-division course requirements.

Additional Notes

a. Limited substitutions may be made to the required lower-division courses with the adviser's written consent.

b. A grade of C or better must be earned in a COM course in order for it to meet a department requirement. Also, a 2.5 average or better must be earned in the aggregate of lower- and upper-division courses before graduation will be recommended.

c. To encourage B.A. communication studies majors to develop communication competence that extends beyond oral English, a grade of C or better is required in WRT 120 and 121, and a grade of C- or better is required in the 202-level course of a foreign language. If a major employs the culture cluster option to fulfill his/her language requirement, a C- or better is required in the 102 level of the foreign language course and in each of the culture cluster courses.

d. Students who exhaust their course repeat options and have not earned a grade of C or better in all the prerequisite communication courses will be advised that they will not be able to complete the requirements for a B.A. in communication studies. The department chair will offer an exit interview and help them to identify available alternatives.

3. Foreign language/culture requirement (0-15 semester hours)
See pages 40-41.

4. Applied area (24-27 semester hours)
Courses are to be selected in consultation with an adviser to meet career objectives.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION-COMMUNICATION

1. Core requirements (30 semester hours)
CLS 260*; COM 201*, 219, 224; ENG 230, 331, and 392; LIN 330*; LIT 200 or 201*; and LIT 230 or 231*; and SPK 208*
* Courses used as general education requirements.

2. Emphasis area requirements (30 semester hours)
Choose two areas:

a. Speech emphasis (15 credits)
COM 204, 216, 307, and 405; THA 102**.
Participation in forensics activities is required.
** Can be used for either general education arts requirements or free electives.

b. Theater emphasis (15 credits)
THA 103**, 104, 210, 301, and 306 or 307.
Participation in theater productions is required.
** Can be used for either general education arts requirements or free electives.

c. Media emphasis (15 credits)
COM 212, 217 or 317, 320, 355, and CSW 131

3. Professional education requirements (30 semester hours)
(See page 145.) COM 402/ENG 390, EDF 300, EDP 250 and 351, EDR/EDA 341, EDS 306, 411-412

Program Admission Requirements (B.A., B.S.Ed., and Minor Programs)

Applicants who have completed the prerequisite core (COM 219, 224, and SPK 208) will be ranked by grade point average in the core. Selection for admission will be based on these rankings at the conclusion of each semester, after grades are posted. Students who do not gain admission may reapply, but they must compete with the group of applicants in that semester.

Minor in Communication Studies (18 semester hours)

This minor may be taken as one of the minors in the bachelor of arts or bachelor of science in the liberal studies general degree program. Students who wish to minor in communication studies must first gain admission to the minor as indicated in "Program Admission Requirements" above. Once students are admitted, they must complete three courses (nine semester hours) selected from 300- and 400-level regular course offerings in communication studies. (COM 400, Internship, may not be selected to meet the program requirements.) A "C" grade or better must be earned in each of the nine courses used to meet the minor requirements. Students are also required to earn a grade of "C" or better in WRT 120 and WRT 200 (or any intermediate-level writing course deemed its equivalent). A 2.5 GPA must be achieved in the aggregate of minor courses before clearance for graduation with a minor will be granted.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
COMMUNICATION STUDIES

Symbol: COM

100 Internship in Computerized Communication (1-3) Internship for high school seniors to engage in a structured and supervised learning experience in computerized communication.

112 Communication Media Practicum (1-3) This course provides students with an opportunity to gain knowledge and skill as they do work at WCU media outlets.

200 Communication Careers Planning I (1) This course is designed to introduce the first of a two-phase, career-planning process. Self-assessment and exploration are provided through assigned readings, mini-lectures, reflective exercises, and small group activities.

201 Fundamentals of Communication Technology (3) Examination of the use of computers and other technologies to create, organize, store, visualize, and present messages.

202 Scripts and Formats for Mass Media (3) Students are required to analyze, evaluate, and produce scripts for a variety of mass media formats. The course emphasis is on radio, television, and film.

204 Interpersonal Communication (3) One-on-one communication to give the student a fundamental understanding of the processes and experiences of the most basic type of human communication.

212 Mass Communication (3) A survey course designed to identify, analyze, and evaluate the pragmatic, persuasive, creative, and technical dimensions of mass media.

216 Small Group Communication (3) Introduction to and practice in the structured small group. Emphasis on preparation for, analysis of, and participation in problem-solving oriented groups.

217 Directing and Producing the Documentary Television Program (3) Planning and producing the nondramatic television production.

219 Communication Theory (3) A study of human communication that includes a historical view of the field, examinations of definitions of communication, analyses of the nature of theory and the process of theorizing, assessment of perspectives of communication, and construction of models of communication.

220 Multimedia Communication (3) The practical application of communication theory through experiences in photography and multi-media productions. The creative potential of combining sound and various photographic elements will be explored with special attention given to photojournalism as used in advertising, public relations, theater, and related mass communication fields.

222 Successful Web Publishing (3) Examination of problems and solutions for successful Web publishing.

224 Communication Research (3) An examination of the nature of inquiry and research in communication. Emphasis on understanding and appreciating the strengths and weaknesses of various methods of research in communication.

250 Intercultural Communication (3) A study of factors that contribute to communication breakdowns between diverse cultures and between fragmented segments within the same society.
Diverse communities course

292 Effects of Computer-Mediated Communication (3) An examination of the many effects of computer-mediated communication.

300 Communication Careers Planning II (1) This second phase of the careers planning course series examines the initial steps required for finding employment. Topics covered include the job-hunting process, resume development, networking, and the transition from college to employment.

304 Organizational Communication (3) An in-depth analysis of the dynamic process of communication as it occurs in organizational networks. PREREQ: COM 216, 219, 224, and SPK 208.

307 Nonverbal Communication (3) A study of the verbal and sensory messages we are constantly receiving. Body language and the uses of space, time, touch, objects, and color inherent in the sensory messages we receive. PREREQ: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.

309 Advanced Public Speaking (3) This course explores advanced television production processes. Topics covered include proposal and budget writing, visualization and storyboarding, composing and staging shots, and the advanced use of editing tools in pre-production, production, and post-production. PREREQ: COM 217, 219, 224, and SPK 208.

317 Introduction to Video Production and Editing (3) Planning the program. Preparing the shooting script. Practice in rehearsing with actors and cameras. PREREQ: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.

318 Forensics (3) Study in the philosophy and practice of forensics. Initiating, developing, and administrating a forensic program. Coaching and judging debate and individual events. PREREQ: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.

320 Communicating on Television and Radio (3) For the student who, by career or circumstance, will be required to be on radio and television. The focus of the course will be on three major areas: interviewer/interviewee techniques; acting for television, including working in commercials; and news reporting, including studio and remote locations. PREREQ: COM 219, 224, SPK 208, and THA 103.

330 Oral Communication for Technical Professionals (3) The student will explore the oral component of effective communication as it applies to the business and professional world of mathematics, engineering, and science. PREREQ: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.

340 Political Communication (3) This course examines the functions and effects of political messages in policymaking and in campaigns. Particular attention is paid to the flow of messages between politicians, the media, and the electorate. PREREQ: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.

355 Introduction to Public Relations (3) Introduces students to the theory and practice of public relations, including research, writing, and evaluation. PREREQ: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.

360 African American Culture (3) This course explores the cultural perspective and practices that form the basis of African American communication. Topics covered include the characterisitics of African American verbal and nonverbal communication as well as the communication strategies that improve intercultural communication competence. PREREQ: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.

399 Directed Studies in Communication Studies (1-3) Research, creative projects, reports, and readings in speech communication. Students must apply to advisers one semester in advance of registration. Open to juniors and seniors only. PREREQ: COM 219, 224, SPK 208, and approval of department chairperson.
This course may be taken again for credit.

400 Internship in Communication Studies (3-12) This course provides a structured and supervised work experience in communication. Credits earned are based on the amount of quality time spent on the job. Students must apply to the department internship coordinator and receive approval of the department internship faculty committee to be admitted. PREREQ: COM 219, 224, SPK 208, and approval of department internship coordinator.
This course may be taken again for credit.

402 Teaching Communications (3) Theory and practice in teaching junior and senior high school communication and drama courses, and in directing cocurricular programs in junior and senior high school. PREREQ: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.

403 Persuasion (3) Current theories of attitude and attitude change. Practice in speaking to modify behavior through appeals to the drives and motives of the listener. PREREQ: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.

404 Rhetorical Theory and Criticism (3) Offers an overview of rhetorical theory from classical to contemporary times. Theory is used to analyze and assess a variety of texts such as advertisements and speeches. PREREQ: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.

405 Argumentation and Debate (3) Functions and principles of argumentation and debate, including analysis, evidence, reasoning, and refutation. Class debates on vital issues. PREREQ: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.

410 Conflict Resolution (3) This course explores the means of resolving conflict through argument, negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. PREREQ: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.

415 (also LIN 415) Language, Thought, and Behavior (3) This course is designed to help students understand the way language functions in the communication process. To accomplish this purpose, various language systems will be examined, and one will be selected for in-depth analysis. PREREQ: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.

440 Friendship Communication (3) This course explores communication in friendship relationships. Topics covered include a dialectical perspective of creating and maintaining meaning between friends in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, as well as how friendship communication is affected by gender, culture, school, work, romance, and family. PREREQ: COM 204, 219, 224, and SPK 208.

445 Family Communication (3) This course explores communication in family relationships. Topics covered include interpersonal interaction between family members, societal influences on the family as a whole, and the place of family narratives in these communicative behaviors. PREREQ: COM 204, 219, 224, and SPK 208.

450 Health Communication (3) This course explores communication in health care settings. Topics covered include the changing perceptions of medical encounters, the language of illness and health, the roles of patients and caregivers, and health communication in historical, cultural, organizational, technological, and medical contexts. PREREQ: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.

455 Public Relations Campaigns (3) This course explores the strategic planning and implementation of public relations programs. Topics include the application of management theory to real public relations cases to solve communication problems as well as identifying audience values and working with the media to develop and distribute messages. PREREQ: COM 212, 219, 224, 355, and SPK 208.

460 Communication and Advertising (3) This course explores the relationship between communication and advertising. Topics covered include the interconnection among advertising, media, and a range of publics, as well as the process and history of advertising, message strategies, media planning, campaign evaluation, and ethical and regulatory issues. PREREQ: COM 212, 219, 224, and SPK 208.

470 Intercultural Communication Training (3) This course explores intercultural communication training in organizations. Topics covered include the effects of cultural differences on communication within and between organizations, training strategies for managing cultural differences in communication, and the relationship between intercultural communication training and the power structures in organizations. PREREQ: COM 219, 224, 250, and SPK 208.

480 Communication and Leadership (3) This course explores the relationship between leadership and communication. Topics covered include the definition of "leadership challenge," the major approaches to leadership training, and the study of leadership as a metaphor for self-development. PREREQ: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.

490 Advanced Communication Theory (3) This course explores the central theories of the communication studies field. Topics covered include symbolic convergence theory, constructivism, message design logic, dialectical theory, rhetorical sensitivity, elaboration likelihood theory, organizational culture theory, agenda setting, and media equation theory. PREREQ: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.

492 Advanced Interpersonal Communication (3) This course explores the central theories of interpersonal communication focusing on the relationship between the self and others. Topics covered include a pragmatic and relational perspective of communication, symbolic interactionism, relational perception, constructionism, role theory, dialectical theory, and narrative theory. PREREQ: COM 204, 219, 224, and SPK 208.

499 Communication Seminar (3) Intensive examination of a selected area of study in the field of communication studies. Topics will be announced in advance. PREREQ: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.
This course may be taken again for credit.

Symbol: SPK

208 Public Speaking (3) Development of skills necessary to understand the theory of communication as a problem-solving tool in the community. Special emphasis is on the student's performance as a sender and receiver of messages directed at social action.

230 Business and Professional Speech Communication (3) Practice in effective speaking and listening. Interpersonal communication in the business and professional setting, including reports and sales presentations, policy speeches, conference leadership techniques, group dynamics, and speaking.