500.
Introduction to Graduate Studies. One credit hour.
The primary goal is to orient new graduate students to the expectations
and procedures of graduate study in the department. Topics covered
include developing the plan of study, thesis prospectus, comprehensive
examination, and choosing advisors and committees.
501.
Introduction to Teaching Public Speaking. No credit
hours.
This course is open to graduate students with at least 18 hours
of coursework in the department. The primary goal is to facilitate
the instruction of COM123, Public Speaking. Students enrolled
in this course will provide lesson plans for their classes and
discuss options for improving classroom learning
513. Communication and Diversity. Three
hours.
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. Approved as a communication
and cultural diversity elective.
515. African American Rhetoric. Three hours.
A historical-critical investigation of African American public discourse from the Revolutionary era to the present, exploring rhetorical strategies for social change and building community.
521. Political Communication Theory. Three hours.
An exploration of rhetorical, media, and cross-disciplinary theories
related to political communication.
525. Gender and Political Communication. Three hours.
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.
531. Political Campaign Management. Three hours.
The study of communication management in the context of political
campaigns. Topics include audience analysis, candidate and electoral
context analysis, strategic planning and assessment, leadership
and campaign management styles, and database management.
536. Independent Study. One to three hours.
Prerequisite: Written permission. A Formal Request
Form must be approved by the faculty advisor and submitted to
the Graduate Program Director.
541. Contemporary
Rhetorical Theory. Three hours.
A survey of major contributions to rhetorical theory from the
20th century, up to the present.
545.
Classical Rhetorical Theory. Three hours.
A systematic inquiry into the development of Greek and Roman rhetorical
theory during the classical period (ca. 480 BCE to 400 CE).
548.
Seminar in Rhetorical Criticism. Three hours.
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.
549. Seminar -- Persuasion and Social Influence. Three
hours.
The course emphasizes social-scientific approaches to the study
of social influence and persuasion (primarily as exemplified by
speech communication research, mass media research, and psychology).
560. Group Leadership. Three hours.
An advanced study of small-group behavior, examining in detail
theories of leadership as they relate to problem solving in group
situations.
561. Human Communication Theory. Three
hours.
A detailed review of selected theories of communication with a
focus on the critical examination of the foundation of social
scientific theories.
562. Theories of Persuasion. Three
hours.
A critical review of social-influence theories in the area of
persuasion and human action.
563. Seminar in Interpersonal Communication. Three hours.
Prerequisite: COM 220 or permission of the instructor. Focused investigation of selected approaches to interpersonal
communication with an emphasis on recent conceptual and theoretical
developments.
567. Seminar
-- Public Address. Three hours.
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.
569. Communication and Gender. Three
hours.
Explores the role of communication in the construction of gender. Covers feminist theoretical approaches in communication and other disciplines, the intersections of gender with other marginalities, and the role of gender in various communication contexts. Approved as a communication and cultural diversity elective.
571. Seminar in Organizational Communication I. Three
hours.
An introductory examination of historical and contemporary issues
in organizational communication scholarship from a variety of
theoretical and methodological perspectives.
572. Seminar in Organizational Communication II. Three
hours.
Prerequisite: COM 571 or permission of the instructor.
Advanced study in organizational communication, focusing on such
areas as communication climate, technology and communication,
communication research in organizations, and communication consulting.
590. Internship in Communication Studies. One to three
hours.
Prerequisite: Written permission from the graduate
program director. Proposal for supervised field experience in
communication studies must be submitted and approved.
595. Special Topics. Three hours.
Topics vary by the instructor.
598. Practicum Project or Research. Three hours.
599. Thesis Research. One to three hours.
