Course Descriptions

Portfolios
The department places heavy emphasis on portfolios for the assessment of student progress.  Majors are required to begin a portfolio in their freshman year and add to it throughout their academic careers. Specific course assignments will be required for portfolio inclusion. In addition, work completed for WRMU, the Dynamo, internships or other communication related employment could be included. Portfolios will be assessed by the department faculty both at the midpoint of the major’s course work and at the conclusion of CM 490 Senior Seminar.

CM 101 Public Speaking. A study of effective extemporaneous speaking emphasizing informative and persuasive public speaking. Special attention is given to the coherent organization of ideas, effective use of language, logical reasoning, argumentation, audience
adaptation and critical listening. 3 Sem. Hrs. {GenEd: I,B,2.}

CM 102 Group Communication. An introductory course in the processes and procedures of group decision making. Emphasis on communication processes and conference leadership within the problem-solving context. Groups define, research, analyze and propose feasible courses of action to problems. 3 Sem. Hrs. {GenEd: I,B,2.}

CM 103 Introduction to Film. An introduction to the fundamentals of film theory and criticism. Students will learn the basic techniques involved in film production and evaluate he impact of film on society. Critical tools that enable the student to analyze and evaluate the film media will be applied in classroom viewing experiences. Laboratory experience
required. 3 Sem. Hrs. {GenEd: II,A,2.}

CM 110 Introduction to Communication. An introductory survey of the concepts, principles and theories that define the study of communication. Attention given to the history of the discipline, ethics, the process of communication, contexts of communication and research skills fundamental to the study of communication. Required for the major and minor in the department and to be completed prior to the end of the second year of study. 3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 130 Survey of the Mass Media. An introduction into the historical, legal and social backgrounds of contemporary mass communication media including newspapers, radio, television, film, magazines, books and the Internet. 3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 140 Broadcast Studio Operation. An introduction to the functions, operations and equipment found in the radio studio. FCC Rules and Regulations are emphasized. Required of all majors and students wishing to be on the staff of WRMU. 1 Sem. Hr.

CM 199 Special Topics. See All-College course descriptions on page 113.

CM 220 Interpersonal Communication. A study of the major approaches, models, theories and research on dyadic and small group communication. Focus will be on topics such as verbal communication, nonverbals, listening, perception, ethics, conflict management, and self-disclosure in personal and professional relationships. Typically offered spring semester.  Prerequisites: CM 101 or CM 102. 3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 225 Organizational Communication. A review of the development of organizational communication theory and how application of that theory adds to our understanding of organizations as information systems. Topics include information flow, organizational structures, formal and informal networks, organizational cultures, and external and internal organizational communication. Typically offered fall semester.  Prerequisite: CM 101 or CM 102. 3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 227 Public Advocacy and Argumentation. The study of the principles of argumentation, including collection and evaluation of evidence, modes of reasoning, briefing and organizing arguments and the refutation of arguments. Typically offered even fall semesters.  Prerequisite: CM 101 or CM102. 3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 240 Audio Production and Programming. An introduction to the principles of writing and producing materials for the broadcast and audio related media. Basic skills necessary for working with audio in various media settings will be stressed. Prerequisites: CM 130 (may be taken concurrently), and CM 140. 3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 245 Broadcast News Writing and Reporting. An examination of the fundamentals of writing and reporting for the broadcast media. Topics include the newsroom, news selection, news writing, editing, interviewing, press conferences, disaster and on-the-scene reporting, and news ethics. Typically offered odd spring semesters. Prerequisites: CM 240, CM 250W. 3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 246 Video Production I. This course will cover the basic principles and techniques employed in video production. Students will be engaged in hands-on experiences with video cameras, lighting, sound and editing technologies. Typically offered fall semesters.  Prerequisites: CM 140, CM 240. 3 Sem.Hrs.

CM 250W Introduction to Journalism. An introductory course in news gathering and writing for the print media. Prerequisites: EH 100 and CM 130, or permission of the instructor. 3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 255 Introduction to Public Relations. A course designed to develop public relations skills. Emphasis on journalistic style of news releases and informational writing for in-house publications. Typically offered fall semester.  Prerequisites: CM 250W and CM 256 (may be taken concurrently). 3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 256 Print Production and Design. An examination of the integration of print and design and the concepts, theories and skills needed to convey messages. The course features hands-on experiences in the computer assisted techniques of writing and producing publications. Typically offered fall semester.  Prerequisite: CM250W. 3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 260 Peace Communication. Topics include the nature of conflict and peace, the communication strategies used to both create and manage conflict, and the messages of the peace movement.   Attention will be given to persuasive tactics, language strategies, and message development of those voices raised before, during, and after times of conflict. Focus will be on social, economic, political, religious, and/or human rights conflicts on local, regional, national, or international levels. This course examines issues of peace and conflict from a communication perspective utilizing case studies such as the 1945  bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  Students successfully completing this course will be eligible to travel to Hiroshima to participate in a seminar sponsored by the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation by enrolling in CM 305: Communication Study Travel Seminar.  Typically offered odd spring semesters.  3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 265 Persuasion and Social Movements. A study of persuasion in the initiation and maintenance of social movements for change. Focus will be on one or more of the following movements:  peace. abolitionist, labor, African American civil rights, feminist, environmental, gay and lesbian, student, Chicano, and/or American Indian. Persuasive strategies used by those advocating change as well as those opposed to change will be considered. Typically offered odd fall semesters.  Prerequisites: CM 101 or 102. 3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 270 Photojournalism. This is an introductory course in the basic theories, principles and practices of digital photojournalism. Topics include composing, editing, and producing photos for media use. Students learn the fundamentals of visual reporting and the ethical dimensions of photojournalism through this course.  Typically offered odd fall semesters.  3 Sem. Hrs.

CM275 Sports Journalism. This course is designed to introduce students to sports journalism in the modern era (21st century).  This writing intensive course provides a broad overview of the ever-changing sports media field, discusses journalists as public figures, explores the role of the Internet in covering sports, and analyzes the 24-hour news cycle and its effects on journalists and the public figures they cover.  Prerequisite:  CM250W.  Typically offered even fall semesters.  3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 278 Minorities, Women, and the Media. This course in media literacy offers students the opportunity to critically examine the image construction of women and various minorities, including but not limited to racial and ethnic minorities.  Typically offered even fall semesters. 3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 290 Communication Practicum: Print.  Open to majors wishing to pursue an on-campus project in print.  Course work involves active participation in a performance-oriented project.  Students may count a maximum of 4 semester hours in any practicum toward graduation requirements.  Registration for practicum hours requires completion of an application form.  Graded S or U.  Prerequisites:  CM 110, CM 250W, and permission of instructor.  1 – 4 semester hours.

CM 291 Communication Practicum:  Audio.  Open to majors wishing to pursue an on-campus project in audio production.  Course work involves active participation in a performance-oriented project.  Students may count a maximum of 4 semester hours in any practicum toward graduation requirements.  Registration for practicum hours requires completion of an application form.  Graded S or U.  Prerequisites:  CM 110, CM 140, and permission of instructor.  1 – 4 semester hours.

CM 292 Communication Practicum: Open to majors wishing to pursue an on-campus project in public relations.  Course work involves active participation in a performance-oriented project.  Students may count a maximum of 4 semester hours in any practicum toward graduation requirements.  Registration for practicum hours requires completion of an application form.  Graded S or U.  Prerequisites:  CM 110, CM 255, and permission of instructor.  1 – 4 semester hours.

CM 293:  Communication Practicum:  Video. Open to majors wishing to pursue an on-campus project in print.  Course work involves active participation in a performance-oriented project.  Students may count a maximum of 4 semester hours in any practicum toward graduation requirements.  Registration for practicum hours requires completion of an application form.  Graded S or U.  Prerequisites:  CM 110, CM 246, and permission of instructor.  1 – 4 semester hours.

CM 294:  Communication Practicum: Special Topics. Open to majors wishing to pursue an on-campus project in Communication (other than print, audio, or video).  Course work involves active participation in a performance-oriented project.  Students may count a maximum of 4 semester hours in any practicum toward graduation requirements.  Registration for practicum hours requires completion of an application form.  Graded S or U.  Prerequisites:  CM 110 and permission of instructor.  1 – 4 semester hours.

CM 305 Communication Study Travel Seminar.  A faculty-led trip to various national or international locations for the purpose of studying a topic or event firsthand from a communication perspective.  Students will be expected to attend orientation sessions, to complete required readings, and to develop a research proposal before the trip. During the trip, students will keep a journal and collect data for their research project which is to be completed upon return. Seminars may travel to locations such as the Tesuque Pueblo reservation in New Mexico or Hiroshima, Japan.  Offered summer only.  Prerequisites:  Junior standing and permission of instructor. 3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 320W Communication Theories. A thorough examination of classical and contemporary concepts, models and theories of rhetoric, relational communication, and mass media.  Typically offered spring semester.  Prerequisites: Junior standing, CM 110. 3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 321 Research in Communication Studies. An introduction to research design with application of qualitative and quantitative methods typically used in Communication research. Prerequisites: Junior standing, CM 320W or permission of instructor. Typically offered fall semesters.  3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 325 Leadership and Team Communication. This course explores the relationship between communication and leadership within organizations to develop specific communication competencies associated with effective leadership. This is accomplished by considering both theoretical and applied approaches to leadership communication. The relationship between leaders and followers and the communication approaches used to develop and maintain that relationship are investigated.  Typically offered odd spring semesters.  3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 326 Business and Professional Presentations. An advanced course in business and professional presentations. Building on the skills and theories of CM 101, this course will focus on the careful planning and delivery of presentations in businesses and organizations. Attention will be paid to organizational and research skills, audience adaptation, language use, persuasion and delivery in professional and community settings.  Typically offered odd fall semesters.  3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 329 Conflict Management and Negotiation. Analysis of the communication dynamics involved in managing interpersonal, organizational, and sociopolitical conflicts. Examination of theory and research related to conflict management and negotiation. Emphasis on case studies in various communication contexts.  Prerequisite:  Junior standing.  Typically offered even spring semesters.  3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 335 Communication and the Professions. A course focusing on careers in communication-related professions.  Students will learn job search skills and career planning techniques.  Working experts from a variety of communication professions will be invited to share career advice.  Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grade.  Prerequisite:  Junior standing or permission of the instructor. 1 Sem. Hr.

CM 346 Audio and Video Production II. An intensive project-driven course offering students the opportunity to further develop their skills in writing and producing audio and video content.  This will be a laboratory-based course in which students will gain advanced hands-on experience. Prerequisites: CM 240 and CM246 (recommended CM 245).  Typically offered even spring semesters.  3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 350 Advanced Journalism. A course on newsgathering and research designed to develop journalistic writing skills in feature stories, editorials, columns, and mulitmedia.  Typically offered even spring semesters.  Prerequisite: CM 250W.  3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 355 Advanced Public Relations. A course designed to further develop public relations skills. Emphasis on public relations case studies and the development and execution of a public relations plan. Students will also learn specialized areas of public relations.  Typically offered even spring semesters.  Prerequisites: CM 250W, CM 255, CM 256 (may be taken concurrently). 3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 380Q  Gender, Communication and Society. An examination of how communication structures gender identities, and how gender affects communication. Prerequisite: Junior standing or above.  Typically offered odd fall semesters.  3 Sem. Hrs.  {GenEd: III, B}

CM 381 The American Indian and the Rhetoric of Liberation. A study and critical analysis of the persuasive discourse advanced by American Indians from first encounter to contemporary times in their quest for liberation. Historical, political, cultural, environmental, human rights, justice and spiritual issues will be explored. Emphasis placed on the rhetorical strategies employed and social exigencies addressed in representative speeches and texts. Prerequisites: Junior standing or above.  Typically offered even spring semesters.  3 Sem. Hrs. {GenEd: II,D,2.}

CM 382Q African-American Rhetoric. A study and critical analysis of the persuasive discourse advanced by African-American spokespersons from colonial times to the present, including the abolition era and civil rights movement. Emphasis placed on the rhetorical strategies employed and social exigencies addressed in representative speeches and documents. Prerequisite: Junior standing or above.  Typically offered odd spring semesters.  3 Sem. Hrs. {GenEd: II,D,2 andII,B.}

CM 384Q Intercultural Communication. A study of human communication across cultures focusing on the variables that influence interaction when members of different cultures come together. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above or permission of the instructor. Cross-listed as So 384Q.  Typically offered spring semester.  3 Sem. Hrs. {GenEd: II,D,2 and III,B.}

CM 399 Special Topics. See All-College 399 course description on page 114.

CM 400 Independent Study. The study of selected topics in communication. Individual research is emphasized. A paper or major project is required. May be repeated for not more than 6 Sem. Hrs. Prerequisites: CM 110, CM 320W, CM 321 and junior or above standing. 3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 405 Design for Multimedia. This course covers the graphic and cognitive design of electronic multimedia. Students will combine creative typography, digital image manipulation and Flash-based web pages in an exploration of the creative side of electronic design. Students will also examine content development and the on-line distribution and display of digital images through electronic story-telling.  Typically offered odd spring semesters.  Prerequisites: CM 250W, CM240. 3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 410 Advertising. The course will explore the role of advertising in society including its importance to the economic foundation of newspapers, television, radio, magazines, and the Internet.  Prerequisite:  Junior standing. Typically offered even spring semesters.  3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 430 Media Criticism. A seminar which will explore the techniques of mass media criticism and the social, political and economic impact of the media on American society. Prerequisites: CM 320W or CM 330 or permission of the instructor.  Typically offered fall semester.  3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 440 Political Communication. This course examines the role rhetoric and the media play in constructing and shaping a variety of political messages and citizen perceptions of politics. Topics include the nature of political rhetoric; campaign discourses; media coverage of campaign discourses; congressional and presidential oratory; and media ethics. The course aims to sharpen student’s critical skills in analyzing and evaluating political rhetoric and media coverage of political campaigns. Typically offered even fall semesters.  Prerequisite:  Junior standing. 3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 435 Media Law and Policy. A seminar which examines the policy formation and implementation in media law.  Topics covered include the role of the Federal Communications Commission, an analysis of the First Amendment and related Supreme Court interpretations of the law as it relates to policies.  Typically offered odd spring semesters.  Prerequisite:  Junior standing. 3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 483 International Media Systems. Comparison of national approaches to television, radio, cable, telephone, the Internet, satellite communication and print media. The transnational flow of news and entertainment programs and their social and political impact on cultures and the role of international regulatory bodies will be discussed.  Typically offered odd fall semesters.  Prerequisites: CM 130 and junior standing. {GenEd: II,D,2} 3 Sem. Hrs.

CM 490 Senior Seminar – SCE. A senior seminar that culminates in a research project focusing on a creative, historical, descriptive, legal, or critical aspect of Communication. Synthesis is stressed. Required of all seniors. Typically offered spring semesters.  Prerequisite: Senior standing, CM320W, CM321 or permission of instructor. 3Sem Hrs.

CM 494 Honors Thesis/Project. See All-College 494 course description on page 114.

CM 499 Internship in Communication. An opportunity for a significant experiential learning experience outside of the classroom. Admission to the internship program is through a formal application and approval process. A student’s academic record and active participation in the communication activities sponsored by the department are major criteria for admittance into the program. See a department faculty member or the department secretary for details and application form. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing in the major and approval of the department. Graded S or U. 3, 6 or 12 Sem. Hrs. May be repeated.