Department of Communication Studies
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Introduces basic concepts, theories, and principles of oral communication applied to speaking situations. Develops competence in oral communication through performance and critical analysis of student skills in a variety of speaking formats. Audience analysis, content discovery, communication strategies, arrangement of ideas, use of evidence and reasoning to support claims, language and style, voice and other delivery skills and ethical considerations are covered.Instructors: Cathryn Cushner Edelstein, Heather Erickson, Gregory Freed, Kenneth Grout, Patrick Johnson, Shane Martin, Agatha Morrell, Jodi Nevola, Stephanie Orme, Jane Pierce Saulnier, Tom Smith, Keri ThompsonIntroduces the practices and principles of interpersonal communication. Focuses on perception, creative/critical listening, nonverbal communication, emotions, power, and self-disclosure. Issues of ethics, technology, and culture are woven throughout class content and discussions. Stages of relationships are explored as well as the influence of communication within and between those stages. Numerous applications to a variety of situations, including those in the family, workplace, and romantic context are undertaken as students draw from their own experiences.Instructor: Richard WestIntroduces the study of communication, power, and politics in contemporary life. Considers theory and research in communication that help understand how power relationships are constituted, negotiated, and changed.Instructor: Emily CuryCovers the development of human communication from orality to literacy to "electrasy," or electronic orality, as a foundation for the exploration of issues and problems in contemporary culture concerning effective participation in society. Students learn how such development continues to revolutionize human consciousness, communication, and culture. They consider central concepts of voice and expression in forms ranging from embodied speech to dialogue to new media and technologies.Instructor: John Dennis AndersonAnalyzes readings in intercultural communication focusing on verbal and nonverbal customs of various cultures as information from both cultural and language perspectives. Each semester focuses on specific topics or cultures. Background in other cultures is helpful but not essential.Instructors: Angela Cooke-Jackson, Cathryn Cushner EdelsteinIntegrates the theory and practice related to discussion and deliberation in small groups and teams. Emphasizes the norms, rules, roles, climate, and leadership patterns in both personal and professional lives. Discussions center upon the communication implications of being a member of a group/team and participating in group/team decision-making. Applications of gender and culture are woven throughout classroom discussions.Study and practice of rhetorical argument, proof, ethics, style, and delivery in performance and analysis of speeches. Projects include use of professional communication situations and video/audio aids and new technology to enhance rhetorical effectiveness in message preparation, development, and delivery.Studies the art of advocacy. Students develop logical, organizational, and research skills that debate and other forms of oral and written advocacy require. They participate in debates about current political and legal controversies and learn how critical thinking skills are used as tools both for advocates and audiences.Instructors: Gregory Payne, Kathi-Anne ReinsteinOral performance of literature (poetry, prose, and drama) is used as the art of understanding and communicating a text's meaning to an audience. Explores the aesthetic dimensions of literature and its performance. Students develop critical skills interpreting texts and evaluating performed literature.Instructors: Agatha Morrell, Jacqueline RomeoTrains voice to develop wide range of controls in pitch, volume, and quality to meet voice and speech needs of journalism, public speaking, and interpretation. International students are encouraged to enroll if interested in accent reduction.Instructor: Aleksander WierzbickiStudies conflict theory and principles and practices of dispute resolution. Includes everyday conflict, negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution systems. Emphasizes interpersonal skills development.Instructors: Israela Brill-Cass, Ted HollingworthInvestigates classical and contemporary theories of political communication with an emphasis on utility of theory in mass- and multi-mediated communication contexts. Discusses application of theory to these domains, including examination of how conceptions of the citizen, democracy, aesthetics, morality, and culture are established and maintained vis-a-vis different modes of communication.Instructor: Owen EaganStudies the research process from problem definition to survey design, sampling, data analysis, and interpretation of results. Students develop skills in reading and interpreting social scientific research and conducting forms of research pertinent to public and political communication needs.Instructor: Spencer KimballStudies social-shaping communication technologies. Explores central role of communication in creating and sustaining social communities online and examines web-based technology and use by people in building social networks and organizational structures. Analyzes optimal use of information technology to create social presence and cohesion in multiple contexts. Individual and/or team projects explore human communication and intersection of information technologies.Instructor: Linda GallantPrimary focus on electoral campaigns with attention to persuasive campaigns in general. Includes political advertising.Introduces fundamental principles of management in profit, nonprofit, and government settings. Special emphasis is placed on humanistic and systems approaches, communication skills and theory, and national and global trends. Sample topics include planning, organizing, staffing, decision making, and leading. Case method is applied.Instructor: Ted HollingworthStudies classical theorists of rhetoric on speaking and writing well. Practical application of classical theory to contemporary rhetorical situations. In-class oral performances and several written assignments are required.Critically examines prominent rhetorical texts and events that shaped political processes and relationships. Applies insights to contemporary contexts and issues.Advanced study of interplay of media, politics, policy, and advocacy. Through historical and contemporary case studies and research, students examine a variety of constituencies affecting politics and public policy and the role the media play in political, public policy, and advocacy debates. Propaganda is defined and its role in affecting public opinion is discussed. Studies the relationship between communicator, media, and key constituencies with a focus on ethical, effective use of public affairs.Instructor: Alexander GoldsteinAnalyzes theory and practice of effective ethical leadership in contemporary political and organizational settings; theories for organizing and motivating people; cross-cultural applications; and issues of diversity and communication skills for leadership.Explains political communication theories, policies, and practices as they relate to Washington, D.C., context. Integrates readings with speakers to fully demonstrate synergies of theory and practice in Washington political, government, and social advocacy arenas. Offered in conjunction with Washington Semester.Provides overview of how political discourse and resources of language influence audiences. Uses theoretical insights of Kenneth Burke, Murray Edelman, Garry Wills, George Lakoff, and others to assess communication of diverse political figures and texts from Pericles to Ronald Reagan, from Gettysburg Address to Mein Kampf. Students produce political texts, speech drafts, "blog" designs, political advertisements, and press releases.Considers theory and practice of various forms of third-party-guided dispute resolution. Students learn to mediate conflicts, facilitate discussions, and promote dialogue among parties in conflict. Emphasis is on developing skills in leading groups.Instructor: Israela Brill-CassExamines political comedy through lens of performance studies. Surveys history of political commentary by American platform humorists (Artemus Ward, Mark Twain), stand-up comedians (Lenny Bruce, Kate Clinton), comedy monologue artists (Spalding Gray, Margaret Cho), and talk-show hosts (Bill Maher, Jay Leno). Examines role of comedy in shaping social and political discourse. Emphasis is on developing performance skills.Details the importance of managing communication in crisis situations. Topics include definitions, types, classifications, phases, planning, publics, contingency events, time estimating, crisis teams, control centers, working with media, training, and follow-through. Crisis scenarios cover profit, nonprofit, and government organizations at the local, regional, national, and/or global level. Case examples are employed.Special topics in political communication. May be repeated for credit if topics differ.Instructor: Gregory PayneSpecial topics in communication studies. May be repeated for credit if topics differ.Instructor: Richard WestAdvanced theory, research, and practice in political communication. Students develop and enhance portfolios of political communication materials, including development of two communication campaigns.Instructor: Spencer KimballAdvanced theory, research, and practice in communication studies. As a key feature of the course, students complete a senior thesis or project.Instructor: Spencer KimballA critical examination of the historical roots, significant paradigms, current thinking/application of communication theory. Survey of the development of the field, emphasizing the theory-research connection. Additional topics include theory building, theory evaluation, and the assumptions and tensions in the communication field.Focuses on how organizations function as systems with special emphases placed on the basic principles of management, strategic planning, decision making, and implementation. Concepts covered include vision, mission, goals, objectives, strategies, tactics, and operations. Organizational communication, the humanistic perspective, ethics, and productivity, in both for-profit and nonprofit environments, are continuing themes throughout this course.Students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to identify, analyze, and communicate with internal and external stakeholder groups for the purpose of persuasion. Rhetorical strategies are developed for ethical, effective issue advocacy campaigns and campaigns to build identity, and enhance and protect reputation of individuals and organizations. New media developments, diverse and global stakeholder groups, and the 24/7 media environment will be addressed. Students design and produce at least one original communication campaign for a client in the private or public sector.Students learn about the development of organizational and marketing communication strategies in crisis situations. Using case studies and fieldwork, students focus on the importance of internal communication and media relations during a crisis. Students also investigate preventive strategies that organizations should employ to avoid crises.Entrepreneurship is the process of creating value by bringing together a unique package of resources to exploit an opportunity. Students learn about the concepts and characteristics of entrepreneurship. Students will investigate the key dimensions of entrepreneurial attitudes and behaviors that include: innovativeness, risk-taking, and proactiveness. Case studies are utilized to help students employ concepts from the course and develop their own creative and critical thinking, as well as problem solving skills.Students learn negotiation strategies in personal and organizational contexts. Students will apply negotiation strategies, including third-party conflict resolution, union-management settings, and other conflict management efforts to practical settings, and will also utilize role-plays.Explores employee communication and diversity issues in the context of strategic communication in organizations. Emphasis is placed on understanding organizations and their multiple internal constituencies from the perspective of the human resources professional. Issues addressed include internal communication message development and delivery, including best practices in the use of technology and in workplace diversity initiatives. Students learn to design and implement communication strategies that recognize and adapt to diverse stakeholder groups.Investigates the development and strategic management of web-based information using communication principles such as audience analysis and message construction strategies based on stakeholder analysis. Using systematic techniques to analyze the internal goals of the organization, students learn to produce an information design structure that maximizes outcome. The course examines the internal workings of information architecture to develop recognizable patterns that improve communication effectiveness. Students also learn usability testing strategies to determine website functionality from a communication outcome perspective.Focuses on the management of communication with stakeholders in a world defined by globalization. Case studies, role-play workshops, and ethnographic inquiry are employed to enhance and update the student's knowledge and awareness of best-practices in contemporary business negotiations and transactions, public diplomacy initiatives, and cross-sector partnerships. Examples from small business to multinationals and from local nonprofits to global NGOs are used.Instructor: Mohamed KhalilStudents engage in applied research in communication management. Students develop skills in assessing and formulating problems; designing research; gathering, synthesizing, analyzing, and interpreting data; and applying the results to comprehensive communication strategies. Students learn to apply the most appropriate quantitative and qualitative research methods to particular research problems in an effort to effectively address stakeholder audiences, oversee information management systems, and cultivate and manage intellectual capital. Students gain experience in surveys, polling, focus groups, interviews, communication audits, and learn how to optimize research conducted through the Internet-based research.Instructor: Angela HosekAddresses in-depth the development of stakeholder relations and communication in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Topics covered include corporate relations, reputation management grassroots organizing, public policy and the media, political communication, social advocacy campaigns, and public diplomacy. Case studies of communication campaigns at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels are used. Students produce and present at least one communication campaign to affect behavior in diverse stakeholder groups.Examines how communicators in businesses, nonprofits, and government employ principles and techniques of persuasion to serve organizational goals. Uses persuasion theory, both classical and modern, to illuminate how strategic messages, both within organizations and to external stakeholders, are planned, composed, delivered, and evaluated. Surveys different forms and contexts of strategic communication and illustrates them with case studies.Instructor: Richard WestSurveys the political, social, and economic trends of the 21st century with an eye on the effects and uses of information technology in the shaping and reshaping of institutions. Students develop a media literacy that informs their own consumption of mediated content. Through a series of exercises and collaborative projects, they use this literacy to guide their strategic use of media formats, applications, and technology in developing every aspect of organizational communication--from the narrowest internal communication to the broadest public communication campaigns.Aims to integrate a theoretical and practical understanding of how interpersonal communication functions in the business context. Specifically, the course examines the role of communication and its relationship to a variety of key managerial and leadership experiences. Among the topics to be explored are creative and critical listening, emotional competency, cultural identity, perception, conflict and power, self-awareness, persuasion, and rumor, among others. Attention is paid to how theory informs practice and how practice leads to managerial effectiveness.Develops skills in understanding, applying, and assessing the process known as project management in a variety of environments. This is accomplished by introducing and applying the following: systems theory and its philosophical underpinnings; project management theories, methods, vocabularies, and skills; organizational communication theories; team building theory, application, and trends; and global workplace implications and trends.Instructor: Ted HollingworthTeaches students the theories, methods, and skills needed to become adult trainers in organizational and independent (consulting) settings. A major emphasis is placed on adult learning theories (andragogy). Topics covered include: needs assessment, strategic and tactical integration of training, identification of learning goals and behavioral objectives, program planning, training methods and skills, and outcomes assessments. Several opportunities to plan, train (teach), and assess learning modules are included. How to recognize, select, and manage high-quality training programs and operations are covered.Instructor: Angela HosekStudents synthesize prior coursework and new learnings to address an important need in public or organizational life. Calling upon competencies in strategic communication planning and design, students produce and present a final professional-level project as the culmination of their course of study. Readings, case studies, and in-class activities support continued inquiry into the most current theoretical dimensions of the discipline.Instructor: Linda GallantStudents have the opportunity to enroll in special topics courses that are offered by the Department of Communication Studies when contemporary ideas or new research findings in the area of human resources and employee communication emerge in the field of communication. This course number represents a new course offering that, if successful, will become a permanent course in the course roster.Students have the opportunity to enroll in special topics courses that are offered by the Department of Communication Studies when contemporary ideas or new research findings in a chosen area of program study emerge in the field of communication. This course number represents a new course offering that, if successful, will become a permanent course in the course roster.Students have the opportunity to enroll in special topics courses that are offered by the Department of Communication Studies when contemporary ideas or new research findings in the area of public relations and stakeholder communication emerge in the field of communication. This course number represents a new course offering that, if successful, will become a permanent course in the course roster.Introduces important theories on nature of the good in human conduct. Theories belong to Western philosophical tradition and include works of Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Mill, and others.Instructors: Monica Link, Brian MarrinConsiders ethical theories and theories of justice, especially those related to questions of economic, criminal, political, and social justice.Instructor: Eric DaleStudies the origin and development of Hinduism in India; Buddhism in India, China, and Japan; Taoism and Confucianism in China; and Shintoism in Japan. Students read original texts; development of doctrine in each religious tradition; and literary, artistic, and cultural impact of each religion on Eastern civilizations.Instructor: Eric DaleExamines contemporary ethical issues of abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, and affirmative action in light of major theories of ethics and morals from the history of Western philosophy.Instructors: Robb Eason, Sarah FarkasTopics announced prior to each term may include: Art and Politics, Media Ethics, Feminist Ethics, Political Philosophy, or Judaism. May be repeated for credit if topics differ.Instructors: Albert Axelrad, Deonnie MoodieConsiders philosophical ethics in relation to environmental issues. Topics include: religious beliefs as a foundation for environmental commitments, duties, and obligations toward other species; "deep ecology"; ecofeminism; economic imperatives versus environmental concerns; and disproportionate burden of environmental problems borne by certain groups.Instructor: Charles OliverProvides overview of classical and modern approaches to ethical theory using examples from fiction and film to show how ethical theories can be applied. Connects abstract theory with "real life" through storytelling and story analysis to understand and evaluate moral issues.Instructor: Robb EasonTopics in political theory vary by semester and may include: Art and Politics; Community, Communication, and Public Policy; Liberalism and Communitarianism; Censorship, Privacy, and the Public Good. May be repeated for credit if topics differ.Instructor: Pablo MuchnikWhat does it mean to be or become a citizen? Readings and discussions will include what it means to be a citizen in a local community, a national community, and, perhaps, a world community. What are the responsibilities involved in being an engaged citizen? This is a philosophy course, and we will be examining these issues on a theoretical and on a practical level. All students will be placed n a local non-profit for approximately 2-3 hours a week.Introduces key sociological concepts, methodologies that provide pivotal tools for critical analysis of structures, agents of power focusing on roles shaping relationships, and institutions in local and global communities. Explores historical biographies that shape worldviews. Brings history to bear on present to identify and shape sociological imagination. Hands-on approaches extend learning beyond classroom, ensuring theory linked to practice. Students learn and live sociology as an integral aspect of individual and community identities.Instructor: Paul AnskatStudies the history and sociology of racial and ethnic groups in United States, including consideration of group tensions and aggressions. Gives overview of social experiences of major ethnic groups that entered the United States and selected Native American societies. Modern issues of inter-group relations are examined.Instructor: Darrin KorteExamines gender in a comparative and global context framed by interdisciplinary perspectives from sociology, anthropology, psychology, and cultural studies. Studies social construction of gender across cultures and globalization as a web of complex forces shaping gender-construction activities and institutions. Students compare experiences with other cultures and analyze work, play, and intimacy and institutional structures, including religion, politics, military, media, and the economy.Instructor: Mary MulderigSocial theories of economic cultural change describe increasing significance of visual images and decline of texts, oral communication, and face-to-face interactions. The visualization of culture is considered in connection to economic globalization and the shift from production to consumption economies examined in television, websites, billboards, clothing, and window displays. Visual-ethnographic studies explore effects of visual culture (electronic and digital images, video, film, photography, magazine images) on identity, race, sexuality, politics, opportunity, community, and tradition.Instructor: Paul AnskatTheory and practice of effective, ethical communication on behalf of constituent groups. Needs assessment, resource identification, development (including grant writing), public advocacy, and program review.Examines production of culture and meaning in everyday life, employing perspectives from sociology of culture and cultural studies. Looks at subjectivity and agency relation to social structure. Investigates the formation and expression of individual and collective identities, and contestation of ideology in life activities such as eating, dressing, dancing, watching television, and shopping. Ethnography explores everyday activities that define sense of selves and power and give meaning while organizing social institutions and processes.Examines various forms of social control, the use of power constructing normative boundaries that differentiate normal and deviant perspectives. Media roles within popular culture, and overviews of differing academic perspectives include specific grand theories evidenced through sociological imagination; varieties of violent forms; sexual configurations; mental disorders; substance usages; white-collar dysfunctions; governmental-economic forms. Ethical dimensions of choice change through personal self-critique or examination of career roles in chosen media specialties.Instructor: Sam Binkley
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