Elective Classes
| Course # | Title |
| 0535-311 | Rhetorical Theory |
| 0535-317 | Critical Research Methods |
| 0535-410 | Computer-Mediated Communication |
| 0535-411 | Health Communication |
| 0535-412 | Communication Law & Ethics |
| 0535-414 | Interpersonal Communication |
| 0535-415 | Organizational Communication |
| 0535-416 | Newswriting |
| 0535-420 | Argument and Discourse |
| 0535-422 | Ethics in Technical Communication |
| 0535-426 | Archival Research |
| 0502-444 | Technical Writing |
| 0535-446 | Writing the Technical Manual |
| 0535-452 | Uses and Effects of the Mass Media |
| 0535-465 | Rhetoric of Political Campaigns |
| 0535-470 | Law and Ethics of the Press |
| 0535-471 | History of Journalism |
| 0535-472 | News Editing |
| 0535-473 | eJournalism |
| 0535-474 | Reporting in Specialized Fields |
| 0535-483 | Small Group Communication |
| 0535-484 | Rhetoric of Race Relations |
| 0535-490 | Persuasion and Social Change |
| 0535-502 | Speechwriting |
| 0535-520 | Intercultural Communication |
| 0535-525 | Special Topics: Communication |
| 0535-532 | Professional Writing |
| 0535-550 | Film & Society |
| 0535-580 | International Media |
0535-311 - Rhetorical Theory
Students develop an understanding of public communication as a humanistic study concerned with the formation of judgment and moral-ethical choice. Rhetorical Theory focuses on the systematic relationships among the various ways and means human beings use communication to influence action and describe objects and events in the world. The class centers on verbal and nonverbal human symbolic action.0535-317 - Critical Research Methods
The course develops a disciplined ability for the critical appraisal of public discourse. Students learn methods enabling them to systematically investigate and explain human symbolic action and artifacts. In addition to the specialized form of critical thinking it teaches, the course promotes criticism as a means for understanding the processes of rhetorical action.0535-410 - Computer-Mediated Communication
Readings, discussions, and observations of online behavior introduce students to Computer-mediated communication (CMC) terms and theories to further develop their skills. CMC was originally defined as a form of electronic written communication. As networking tools advanced, CMC expanded to include new software developments, such as instant messenger and the internet. Today, the term computer-mediated communication is used to refer to a wide range of technologies that facilitate both human communication and the interactive sharing of information through computer networks.0535-411 - Health Communication
An introduction to the subject of communication in health care delivery and in public health campaigns, with an emphasis on interpersonal, organizational, and mass communication approaches. Also covered is the interrelationship of health behavior and communication.0535-412 - Communication Law & Ethics
An examination of the major principles and trends in communication law. The course analyzes a broad range of issues related to the First Amendment, intellectual property, and media regulation. Special attention is paid to new communications technologies and to discussing the major ethical perspectives and issues surrounding contemporary communication behavior.0535-414 - Interpersonal Communication
Provides students with analysis and situational applications of the major theories of interpersonal communication. This course allows the student to look in, out and at relationships in regard to communication. The focus is on perception of self and others, language use, nonverbal communication and symbolic interaction in face-to-face situations.No prerequisites.
0535-415 - Organizational Communication
Offers the seasoned communication student a comprehensive overview of the organizational communication field. This overview is focused on the conceptualization of organizations, communication theories as applied to organizations, significant research from the past and present, and speculations about the future.0535-416 - Newswriting
Practicum in basic techniques of news writing and gathering for the daily press. Emphasis is primarily on writing for the print media. Emphasis on frequent writing against a deadline.Prerequisite: 0502-220 or equivalent.
0535-420 - Argument and Discourse
Examines the processes of oral argumentation encountered in the "give-and-take" of formal and informal communication situations. Emphasizes development of critical thinking, research, speaking, organization, writing, oral cross-examination, and critical listening abilities. Students are taught to develop the means to reasoning cogently in different interactive communication situations.Prerequisites: 0535-200; 501 or equivalent
0535-422 - Ethics in Technical Communication
Ethics is the study of morals, of what is right and good, especially regarding specific moral choices. In a given situation, a system of ethics helps us answer the question: What should I do? "Ethics in Technical Communication" explores the ways in which ethical conduct is important in the communication of technical information, particularly among professional technical communicators; establishes principles, based on the history of ethical studies, for making ethical choices as technical communicators; and provides opportunities to apply ethical principles to case studies, in order to better understand the often problematical nature of ethical choices in technical--or any--communication.0535-426 - Archival Research
An applied learning experience designed to guide students through the research process using special collections of archival material. The course provides an opportunity to develop specialized research skills necessary to access, sort, and examine specific collections pertinent to independent communication scholarship. Examples of the changing research topics are Visual Communication, Material Culture, and Historical Documents. Class meetings are held in computer labs for preparatory on-line exploration of collections. Class schedule includes research at local collections, e.g., Wallace Library, local and regional historical societies, the International Museum of Photography at the George Eastman House, the Strong Museum. When possible class trips to remote sites will be available, e.g. National Archives in Washington DC.Prerequisites: Third-year status and permission of instructor.
0502-444 - Technical Writing
Technical Writing furnishes knowledge of and practice in writing skills most often required in technical professions. Students gain instruction and experience in technical writing style; organizing, preparing and revising short and long technical documents; using effective page design features, principles and format elements; designing tables, charts and graphs; and writing technical definitions, physical and process descriptions, and instructions. Prerequisites: 0502-227 or equivalent.0502-446 - Writing the Technical Manual
Continuing from Technical Writing (0502-444), this course develops skills necessary for researching, planning, designing, writing and editing full-length technical documents such as manuals. Students apply techniques learned in Technical Writing, for instance, physical and process description writing, to put together a complete and detailed piece of technical documentation. Prerequisites: 0535-200; 0502-4440535-452 - Uses and Effects of the Mass Media
Through the use of theory and scientific research, this course provides an analysis of the media's "effects" on people and people's "uses and gratifications" of various mass communication forms. The course focuses on building and refining mass communication theory.Prerequisite: 0535-482
0535-465 - Rhetoric of Political Campaigns
An overview of the rhetorical dimensions, history and the functions of political communication. Students read communication and rhetorical theory that relates to the ways in which the form, content, and context campaign rhetoric invite citizens to conceive of themselves, the candidates, the nation, the government and the political process.0535-470 - Law and Ethics of the Press
An introduction to the American legal system and its relationship to journalists and communication practitioners. The ethical boundaries and applications of law are explored to help students better understand how it influences journalism ass an industry and profession. Students will strengthen their understanding of basic legal principles by applying them to existing and emerging issues in mass communication.0535-471 - History of Journalism
The history of American journalism from colonial times to the present, including the advance of press freedom under the First Amendment and how it has affected the development of American media. Journalism's relationship to politics, institutions and culture are investigated. Newspaper, magazine and broadcast industries are examined for ideas that have changed American journalism.0535-472 - News Editing
An introduction to the principles and practices of editing hard news and feature articles, including news judgment, story selection, headline writing, copy editing, and picture editing. The course emphasizes reader interest, readability, clarity, verification and style, as well as legality, ethics and propriety.0535-473 - eJournalism
An introduction to the principles and practices of online news reporting, including writing for mainstream news sites, journalistic blogs (Web logs), share and discussion sites, and other, evolving online news outlets. The course familiarizes students with the tools of the online reporter and explores the cultural and ethical terrain unique to the digital environment.0535-474 - Reporting in Specialized Fields
An in-depth study, analysis and practicum of a selected advanced and focused subject in professional journalism. Specific subject matter of the course varies according to faculty assigned and is published when the course is offered. Examples include education journalism, health journalism, business journalism, reporting public affairs, sports journalism, reporting for alternative media.0535-483 - Small Group Communication
Focuses on the importance of cooperation and understanding as essential prerequisites to effective communication and to becoming adept in the analysis and evaluation of communication in small groups. This class is highly experiential in nature; you should expect to engage in a variety of activities that explore the concepts and topics being studied.Prerequisite: 0535-200
0535-484 - Rhetoric of Race Relations
Examines the history of the struggle for freedom and equality for Blacks in American society. This course traces the history and rhetoric of key spokespersons from the pre-Civil War period to the 20th century as evidenced in texts of selected public speeches and reactions to them.No prerequisites.
0535-490 - Persuasion and Social Change
Focusing on the persuasive strategies used by individuals and groups to change society, this course stresses the history and patterns of persuasion influencing social change in human rights and race, human rights and gender, war and peace, and environmental policy. Persuasive strategies that promote, agitate, maintain and reinforce change and/or resistance to change will be examined in legal, political, polemical and social campaigns.No prerequisites
0535-502 - Speechwriting
An advanced course for those who wish to increase their abilities to write professional public speeches for themselves or others. This course focuses on acquiring the skills necessary for contemporary professional speechwriting.Prerequisite: 0535-200
0535-520 - Intercultural Communication
An examination of the role of culture in face-to-face interaction. Students may find a basic background in communication, anthropology or psychology useful. Professional elective for professional technical communication majors. Option for concentrators in Arabic and French foreign language culture concentrations and for the communication minor. Also may be taken as a liberal arts elective.Prerequisite: 0535-200
0535-525 Special Topics in Communication
A focused, in-depth study and analysis of a selected advanced topic in communication and associated issues. Specific topic varies according to faculty assigned and is published when the course is offered. Topics may include: semiotics, communication technologies, gender differences in communication, legal communication, group dynamics, and censorship and propaganda. Professional elective for communication majors.Prerequisites: For junior/senior communication majors; permission of the instructor required for all others.
0535-532 Professional Writing
Students develop writing, research, and interviewing skills necessary to the composition of articles for magazines, newsletters, and other similar publications. In addition students learn how to investigate the market for and “sell” their writing, and how to write query letters. Much of the course is conducted as a workshop, during which students appraise each other’s work, and make suggestions for revision. Required course for communication majors and may be taken to fulfill a communication minorPrerequisites: 0535-230 or equivalent
0535-550 - Film and Society
An inquiry concerning the relationship between motion pictures and society that uses historical, humanistic and social science research to achieve an understanding of movies as a social force, industry and art form.Prerequisite: 0535-482