Communication Courses

COMM 1013 Voice and Diction
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Articulation and pronunciation including an introduction to phonetics.

COMM 1023 Public Speaking
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Principles of audience analysis, collection of materials, and outlining. Emphasis on careful preparation of speech and delivery. May not be taken for credit by students who have taken COMM 1043.

COMM 1043 Honors Speech Communication
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: Minimum ACT composite score of 24 or Dean's permission.
Performance course emphasizing research and persuasion on a more sophisticated level than that in COMM 1023.NOTE: Fulfills General Education requirement for speech. May not be taken for credit by students who have taken COMM 1023.

COMM 2203 Interpersonal Communication
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Promotes conceptual understanding of relevant theory and research with a combination of theory, skills practice, and competency evaluation.

COMM 2223 Mass Communication
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: COMM 2xx3 (Intro to Communication Studies)
NOTE: May be used either for speech or journalism credit, but not for both.
Survey of historical, economic, and political influences of mass communication on society and individuals.

COMM 2243 Technical Theater Arts
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: COMM 2xx3 (Intro to Communication Studies)
Theory and practice of technical theater (set, stage properties, costumes, light, and make-up).Laboratory hours in addition to regular class meetings assigned by instructor.

COMM 2273 Argumentation and Debate
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: COMM 1023 or COMM 1043 and COMM 2xx3 (Intro to Communication Studies) or permission of Dean.
Principles of argumentation and place of debate in democratic government, analysis of propositions, proper use of evidence and reasoning, case construction, and persuasive speech

COMM 2283 Business and Professional Speech
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Oral communication needs of professional persons. Practice in the construction and delivery of various types of speeches and participation in group conferences, discussions, and interviews.

COMM 2293 Introduction to Communication Studies
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisites: Completion of ENGL 1023 or ENGL 1043 and general education speech course or permission of the Dean.
Prepares students for upper level courses in the speech discipline by introducing them to the specialized areas of study, general theories, and critical thinking skills necessary for advanced work.

COMM 340V Intercollegiate Debate/Forensics
Variable credit
Prerequisite: COMM 2273
One or two hours credit given to students participating in activities designed to enhance and test skills in competitive speaking and debate. Includes study and activities related to the directing of speech tournaments, festivals, and exhibitions. Students concurrently enrolled in COMM 2273 may enroll for only 1 hour credit.

COMM 3413 Intercultural Communication
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: COMM 2xx3 (Intro to Communication Studies)
Practical and theoretical approach to communication across cultures. Perceptions, language use, nonverbal style, thinking modes, and values will be explored. Emphasis will be placed on communicating with individuals and groups from cultures around the world as well as diverse cultures within the United States.

COMM 3453 Persuasion
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: COMM 2xx3 (Intro to Communication Studies)
The theory and practice of persuasion in rhetorical and behavioral contexts as a means of motivating human conduct.

COMM 3483 Communication in Small Groups
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: COMM 2xx3 (Intro to Communication Studies)
Practical and theoretical study of communication during decision making, conflict management, and interpersonal interaction in task-oriented work groups.

COMM 3513 Introduction to Oral Interpretation
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: COMM 2xx3 (Intro to Communication Studies)
Study and techniques of interpretative reading.

COMM 3523 Acting
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: COMM 2243, or consent of instructor.
A detailed study of character analysis, creation, and stage movement.

COMM 3533 Communication in Organizations
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: COMM 2xx3 (Intro to Communication Studies)
Theory and analysis of communication behaviors within the organization.

COMM 359V Communication Practicum
Variable credit
Prerequisite: COMM 2xx3, completed 9 additional hours in the speech major or permission of Dean
NOTE: May be repeated for a total of 6 hours credit with approval of the Dean. Introduction to research methods in communication in the context of assisting with faculty research. Limited to campus-based work supervised by a member of the faculty engaged in active research.

COMM 4623 Seminar in Speech
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: COMM 2xx3 (Intro to Communication Studies) and completed 9 additional hours in the speech major or permission of Dean
NOTE: May be repeated for a total of 12 hours credit with permission of Dean.
Detailed study of one of the major areas of speech, emphasizing assigned readings and individual research resulting in a completed project or paper.

COMM 4643 Directing
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: COMM 2243
A detailed study of basic interpretation, casting, rehearsal procedures, and director-actor relationships in an analysis and creation of character.

COMM 4653 Theories of Human Communication
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: COMM 2xx3 and completed 9 additional hours in the speech major or permission of Dean
Origin and development of basic concepts in communication theory. Survey and analysis of communication theories and models used in quantitative and qualitative research. An applied research paper is required.

COMM 4663 Performance Studies
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: COMM 3513
Cutting, arranging, and delivery of all literary forms and development of original character studies. Special emphasis on program building.

COMM 468V Communication Internship
Variable credit
Prerequisite: COMM 2xx3 and completed 9 additional hours in the speech major or permission of Dean
NOTE: May be taken for a total of 6 credit hours. Off-campus work placement in a setting where students apply both theoretical and practical knowledge of communication under the dual direction of a faculty member and a worksite supervisor. Contract required.

COMM 479V Independent Study in Speech
Variable credit
Prerequisite: COMM 2xx3 and completed 9 additional hours in the speech (see other restrictions under the Independent Study Courses in the current catalog) NOTE: May be taken for a total of 6 credit hours toward the major.
Student does independent research work that expands on any of the formal courses listed in the curriculum. Production of a formal research paper or project required.

COMM 4903 Seminar in Teaching Speech
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: COMM 2xx3 (Intro to Communication Studies) and completed 9
additional hours in the speech
Evaluation and critique of micro classroom teaching, history of academic discipline, philosophical development, test design and evaluation, and materials for on-site teaching. Must be enrolled in education curriculum and have senior standing to be eligible.

COMM 4633 Senior Capstone in Speech Communication
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisites: COMM 2xx3, Senior Standing, Speech Major
A semester-long assessment project where the senior speech communication student works with a mentor to prepare the graduation portfolio, work toward professional employment, complete other activities, including service learning, during which a research paper/project is undertaken with the guidance of a faculty mentor leading to a presentation in a public forum with at least three (3) members of the speech faculty present.