COMMUNICATION STUDIES

This course is a survey of the discipline of communication studies that emphasizes the history, interest areas, major theories, and contemporary and emerging issues in the field. This course will specifically cover public speaking, interpersonal, group, intercultural, mass and other emerging areas in the study of communication.

This course focuses on the oral interpretation of poetry and prose, with a special emphasis on literature by and about cultural groups in the United States, including African-Americans, Asian-Americans, European-Americans, Jewish-Americans, Latino/a-Americans, Arab-Americans, Indigenous peoples of the United States and others. Through the process of oral interpretation, students will analyze works of literature, discover a personal connection to the material, and share their emotional and intellectual creation -- using voice and body -- with an audience. Students will learn to appreciate the similarities and differences among cultures and how culture affects the author's voice by studying and performing multicultural literature.

This course focuses on the identification and analysis of processes and challenges of communication as affected by small group interactions. This course helps students develop competence and confidence as a group member and leader through a combination of theoretical and practical knowledge of small groups in everyday life. The course focuses on the principles of communication theory as they apply to the small group setting with an emphasis on practical application through study and practice in various group activities.

This class explores the role of agitational and protest communication in the formation, processes, and goals of different historical and contemporary movements. Agitational and protest communication includes the strategies, tactics, and communication utilized by movements to resist or provide different perspectives, including those that have been excluded or silenced. Attention is given to theories, contexts, and strategies related to agitational and protest movements, as well as numerous examples of diverse protest movements in modern and contemporary history.

This course provides students with the foundational knowledge of argumentation and debate concepts and theories to successfully dissect and deliver arguments in distinct contexts and public speaking settings and to critically evaluate the arguments of others. The course covers concepts, such as Aristotle's proof of ethos, pathos, and logos, audience analysis, ethics in argumentation, critical listening, and effective verbal and nonverbal practices for effective argumentation. Lastly, the course includes analysis of strong evidence and the process of reasoning needed for effective arguing and presentation of arguments to live audiences.

This course introduces the major theoretical approaches to, applications of, and issues in Communication Studies. Examining and analyzing theories from the various areas of the field, such as interpersonal, group, organizational, rhetorical, intercultural, mass, and health communication, students will apply communication theories and concepts to everyday communication phenomena.

This course introduces the tenets and methods of social science research in general, and communication research in particular. The course provides an overview of both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Particular attention is given to experimental design, survey research, content analysis, and field research. The goal of this course is to prepare students for reading empirical research reports as well as prepare them for upper division research.

Techniques for effective interpersonal communication are studied with emphasis on developing awareness of one's own actions and their impact on relationships. Verbal and nonverbal communication styles are analyzed and practiced in one-to-one and small group situations. Lecture, discussion, and class participation are utilized to demonstrate a variety of skills including listening conflict resolution, and the effective use of language in personal and professional interactions. In addition, exercises in body language, role playing, and self-disclosure and positive/negative thinking help students understand the power of the communication process.

Exploring the role, influence, effects, and significance of gender on our everyday communication interactions, this course critically analyzes issues of gender and communication by examining the theoretical perspectives used to explain gender phenomena, gender socialization, and male and female interactions and stereotypes. With an emphasis on improving communication skills, we will explore the relationship between gender and communication as it pertains to the nature of gender(s), the language of gender, and gender differences in verbal and nonverbal communication.

This course explores critical and intercultural theories and research related to Latina/o/x communication patterns, processes, media, and performance in different historical, contemporary, and political contexts. Additionally, the course explores how Latina/o/x communication is influenced by different processes, including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, religion, spirituality, national origin, immigration status, ability, tribal citizenship, sovereignty, language, and/or age in different Latina/o/x communities. Lastly, the course looks at the historical and contemporary intersections between Latina/o/x communication, cultural identity, and other relevant themes, including technology and media.

This course focuses on the identification and analysis of processes and challenges of communication as affected by different cultures, especially as it affects communication among the various cultures found within the United States (e.g. African American, Asian American, Latino/a, Middle Eastern, Native American, European American and Gay/Lesbian cultures) and among the various cultures throughout the world. The course focuses on the principles of communication theory as they apply to the intercultural setting with an emphasis on the effects of differences in beliefs, values, attitudes, socio-political organization, role expectations, language and nonverbal behavior, etc. -- all of which are interrelated.

In this course, students learn and apply foundational rhetorical theories and techniques of public speaking in a multicultural democratic society. Students discover, develop, and critically analyze ideas in public discourse through research, reasoning, organization, composition, delivery to a live audience and evaluation of various types of speeches, including informative and persuasive speeches.