College Catalog
Course Descriptions
Communication and Media Studies

COME 122 Principles of Interpersonal Communication
Develops basic principles, characteristics, types, and summary propositions of personal communication. Examines the relationships between such concepts as language, perceptions, self-concept, listening and values in their bearing upon personal communication. Each semester.

COME 124 Principles of Mass Communication
Development and application of basic communication principles in mass media. Examination of a variety of media: print, film, electronic. Each semester.

COME 222 Small Group Communication
Develops basic communication concepts with application to small group decision-making. Explores role behavior and leadership, problem-solving, conformity and deviance, individual and group behavior, risk, size and other variables that influence small group communication. Prerequisite: COME 122. Spring semester.

COME 224 American Broadcasting
Surveys the operation of the broadcasting system in the United States. The course explores the structure, programming practices, economics, regulation, research, and general operations of radio and television stations in this country and how these elements shape media content. Prerequisite: COME 124. Fall semester.

COME 252 Writing for Media
An intensive writing course designed to introduce print and broadcast writing styles and conventions. Covers style rules, editing, lead writing, libel law, story construction, interviewing, rewriting and other topics. Prerequisite: COME 124. Each semester.

COME 322 Business and Professional Speaking
Study and practice in three areas of communication which most business and professional people encounter within organizations: a) Speaking to Groups: the theory and practice of clearly presenting information and ideas; b) Speaking in Meetings: the theory and practice of participation and leadership in conference; c) Speaking One-on-One: the theory and practice of interviewing, job selection and application. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing. Each semester.

COME 323 Nonverbal Communication
An examination of theory and research in several non-linguistic codes andf the effects on human communication behavior. Topic areas covered include: touch, movement, space, vocal characteristics, tije, appearance, erc. Prerequisite: COME 122.

COME 324 Persuasion
Examines theoretical and practical applications of persuasive communication. Students are exposed to traditional theories of persuasion, and to current trends in empirical persuasion research. Students construct and deliver persuasive messages in group and individual settings. Prerequisite: COME 122. Fall semester.

COME 328 Family Communication
This course examines the ever-changing nature of families and the role communication plays in creating and maintaining family relationships. Specific topics include family structures, conflict, culture, decision-making, power, and stress.

COME 330 Intercultural Communication - GS 11
This course focuses on the concepts necessary to understand people from other cultures, their patterns of communication, and our interactions with them. Cultural, sociocultural, and psychocultural influences on the communication process are studied. Fall semester.See Extended General Studies Course Description.

COME 343 International Mass Communication - GS 11
Explores the phenomenon of "global society" by examining one of its key components: media and information technology. Topics include the global dominance of western/US media, how developing nations respond to the dominance, the different press systems, the internet, and the development of democracy within the context of global society. Each semester. See Extended General Studies Course Description.

COME 364 Media Law & Regulation
Consideration of federal regulations and regulatory practices. Current issues in changing policies. Some Supreme Court decisions and their effects on the media. Fall semester.

COME 375 Relational Seminar
This course explores a variety of concepts and theories which seek to explain the dynamics of interpersonal relationships and how those relationships shape our experiences of the world, and contribute to our identity, our outlook on life, and even the way we think about experiences and life in general. The course readings will come from the academic literature in communication, social psychology, and sociology.

COME 383 Media Ethics
Those who work in media face growing ethical dilemmas and this course will explore them and their possible solutions while providing an appreciation for the complexities of media structures and purposes. Spring semester.

COME 384 Communication Technology and Social Change
We are in an information age where phrases such as "information superhighway," "internet," and "cyberspace" have become common. What do these phrases mean? What effect do they have on us? How can we make better use of them? This course will explore these new technologies as well as the evolution of older technologies such as television and cable and their impact on our lives. Spring semester.

COME 389 Special Topics in Communication
This course concentrates on a topic pertaining to the current needs and interests of faculty and students. The topics covered will vary from semester to semester and will be announced in the course listings whenever the course is offered.

COME 426 Organizational Communication
A study of organizational communication theory and research. Traces development of current organizational communication perspectives, examines potential constraints and barriers to effective communication in organizations, and studies communication processes both within and between organizational components. Prerequisite: COME 122 and senior standing. Fall semester.

COME 427 Communication Theory
Examines the various ways of approaching the study of communication processes. Focuses on the historical development of theoretical perspectives with emphasis on significant research trends that influence the understanding of communication. Prerequisite: COME 122 and senior standing. Spring semester.

COME 467 Television Criticism
Applies classical critical approaches to the study of television content. In addition to approaches such as genre studies, content analysis, and historical analysis, the course considers economic and cultural factors that affect content. The ultimate goal of the course is to gain a broader understanding of why the media gives us what they give us. Prerequisite: COME 124 and senior standing. Spring semester.

COME 468 Mass Communication Theory
Examines the various ways of understanding media's impact on society. Focuses on the historical development of theoretical perspectives with emphasis given to the major theories and research trends that influence the understanding of mass communication. Prerequisite: COME 124 and senior standing. Fall semester.

COME 490 Independent Study
A course allowing staff and students to explore together topics of special interests. Does not fulfill a 400-level requirement for the major.

COME 494 Internship
This internship experience allows students to apply their studies in a supervised work situation. Students benefit from an inside look at different kinds of organizations, a chance to work in their field of study, and gain experience with state-of-the-art equipment and practices. Junior/senior standing. Does not fulfill a 400 level requirement for the major.

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