Communications

Welcome	Areas of Emphasis
Requirements and Courses	Meet the Faculty Members
The Writing Well Newsletter

COMMUNICATIONS
2005-2006 Faculty: Dr. Curtis, Mr. Young, Dr. Crummey, Ms. Chism

Requirements for a Communication Studies Major - Graphic Communication Track
AR 109; CO 213, 217, 221, 240, 300, 321, 451, 452; 12 hours selected from AR 110, 170, 219, 232, 319, 419

Requirements for a Communication Studies Major – General Communication Track
AR 109; CO 213, 217, 221, 240, 304, 321, 451, 452; CO 300 or PY 207and 207L; 12 hours selected from CO 322, 331, 337, 350 (if applicable), 412; EN 338

Requirements for a Communication Studies Major - Professional Studies Track
AR 109; CO 213, 217, 221, 240, 300, 321, 451, 452; 12 hours selected from CO 205, 331, 337, 334, 338, 350 (if applicable); LD 220, 230, 240

Requirements for a Communications Minor
CO 205, 213, 217, 221; CO 321 or 322; one course from CO 334, 337, or 338.
TOTAL: 18 semester hours

Requirements for a Speech Minor
CO 213, 217, 221, 331, 3 hours of 399; PA 212 (or 3 hours of PA 290).
TOTAL: 18 semester hours
A grade of ‘C’ or better is required in all Communications courses taken to meet the Speech Minor Requirement.

Courses
101. Fundamentals of Writing (1 hour)
Each Semester
Fundamentals of writing with class tailored to students’ individual needs. To be taken concurrently with CO 111. Placement in CO 101 will be determined by high school records and/or recommendation of CO 111 instructors during the first three weeks of the semester.

102. Fundamentals of Writing (1 hour)
Each Semester
Fundamentals of writing with class tailored to students’ individual needs. To be taken concurrently with CO 112. Placement in CO 102 will be determined by high school records and/or recommendations of CO 112 instructors during the first three weeks of the semester.

111. Freshman Inquiry I (3 hours)
Each Semester
An introduction to the academic, work, and co-curricular life of the college through extensive reading, writing, and reflection. Prerequisite: First time, full-time freshman.

112. Freshman Inquiry II (3 hours)
Each Semester
A continuation of CO 111 with particular emphasis on critical thinking and academic writing, including a multi-draft research paper. Prerequisite: Completion of CO 111 with a grade of ‘C’ or above or equivalent.

205. Introduction to Journalism (3 hours)
First Semester, alternate years. Offered 2007-2008.
Introduction to newswriting, newsgathering, editing layout and feature writing. Emphasis on accuracy, clarity, and simplicity; general introduction to media criticism and journalism ethics and law. Prerequisite: CO 112 with a grade of ‘C’ or better.

213. Public Speaking (3 hours)
First Semester
Develop skills in composition and delivery of speech material in common public speaking scenarios. Primary emphasis will be on learning how to develop and deliver presentations of an extemporaneous nature, with some secondary training in impromptu delivery.

217. Mass Communications (3 hours)
Second Semester
A survey of mass communications. A study of the techniques, forms, issues and effects from the first printed media to current electronic communications.

221. Introduction to Communication Studies (3 hours)
First Semester
This course will provide students with an introduction to communication studies, including a basic history of the field and the common areas of study and research within the field. Students will also be introduced to contemporary scholars.

240. Advanced Composition: Expository Writing (3 hours)
Second Semester
An intensive writing class that builds on skills introduced and developed in CO111 and 112; it also emphasizes the role of peer review, self-assessment, and development of an authentic voice. Prerequisite: Grade of ‘C’ or better in CO 112 or equivalent.

300. Internship (1-12 hours)
Each semester
Internships involve working and learning experiences off campus. Each student’s program is developed according to established College guidelines under the sponsorship of a faculty member. See the index under “Internships” for reference to additional information on internship guidelines or consult the Department Chair. Prerequisite: Junior standing or above. Not open to any student who is on academic, disciplinary, or Work Program probation.

304. Qualitative Research Methods (3 hours)
First Semester, alternate years. Offered 2006-2007.
Introduce students to the use of qualitative methods in Communication research. Topics covered will include ethnographic methods, textual analysis, and document analysis, as well as a review of the philosophical underpinnings of qualitative methods. Prerequisites: Junior standing; PY 207, PY 207L; CO 217, 221 recommended.

321. Intercultural Communication (3 hours)
Second Semester, alternate years. Offered 2007-2008.
Study of cross-cultural communication with special attention to language, stereotyping, perception, role, power and nonverbal communication as such variables operate in cross-cultural situations. The class will provide an examination of the philosophy, process, problems, and potentials unique to communication across cultural boundaries. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.

322. Communication in Society (3 hours)
Second Semester, alternate years. Offered 2006-2007
This course is designed to review the influence of communication phenomena in human history. Written, mechanical, electronic, and computer-mediated communication will be examined within the contexts of ancient civilization, the early modern age, the industrial era, and finally the emerging global era. Attention will be paid to the influence of communication media on our social, cultural, political, and historical lives. Prerequisite: CO 217, Sophomore standing.

331. Small Group Communications (3 hours)
Second Semester, alternate years. Offered 2006-2007.
Examination of communication principles in small group settings. Includes consideration of task and interpersonal dimensions, cohesiveness, conformity, as well as approaches to leadership. Prerequisite: CO 221.

336. Introduction to Advertising (3 hours)
Second Semester, alternate years. Offered 2007-2008.
Survey of the field of advertising and career areas within the field with emphasis on the relationship between marketing and advertising and the media which serve as channels of advertising communication. Prerequisites: sophomore standing. This course is also cross-listed as BA 336.

337. Organizational Communication (3 hours)
First Semester, alternate years. Offered 2007-2008.
Introduces students to the concepts, processes and roles of human communication in human organizing. Early perspectives, as well as current approaches, of organizational communication will be examined. Students will also be instructed in basic techniques of analyzing organizational structures. Prerequisite: CO 221 and Junior standing.

338. Introduction to Public Relations (3 hours)
Second Semester, alternate years. Offered 2006-2007.
Overview of the history and practices of Public Relations specialists. Additional attention will be on case studies of crisis management by Public Relations specialists. Prerequisites: CO 221 and Junior standing.

350. Topics in Communication (3 hours)
As needed
Special topics in communication based on student/faculty interests. Prerequisites: Junior standing and consent of the instructor.

361. Teaching Writing (2 hours)
First Semester
Provides an overview of methods and current research related to the teaching of writing at the college level. Also suitable for students preparing for secondary teaching.

363. Teaching Writing Practicum (1 hour)
First Semester
Practical tutoring experience concurrent with enrollment in CO 361. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

368. English Grammar and Contemporary Usage (2 hours)
Second Semester
Students will assess their knowledge of grammar and develop a plan to remedy weaknesses based on current theories of teaching grammar. In addition, students will complete a grammar related project based on their area of interest.

399. Independent Study (1-6 hours)
Each Semester
Independent study in an area of communication selected with the consent of the instructor. The study may result in a research paper or creative project. Approaches include: experimental, empirical, critical, historical research, or a creative project. Prerequisites: Junior standing, six or more hours of 200 level or better CO courses, and consent of the instructor.

412. Media Studies (3 hours)
Second Semester, alternate years. Offered 2007-2008.
Through selected academic writings, students examine key media of human communication with reference to their social, historical, political, geographical, cultural, and political impacts and contexts. Prerequisites: CO 217 or 221.

451. Seminar I (2 hours)
First Semester
Overview of communication history and contemporary theory including lecture and group discussion; development of proposal for senior research paper. Prerequisite: Completion of core communication classes and senior standing.

452. Seminar II (1 hour)
Second Semester
Completion and presentation of senior paper. Prerequisite: CO 451.