Communication Studies

101. Introduction to Communication Studies.

An introductory examination of the practices and theories that inform the study of human communication as a social and cultural phenomenon. Students consider quantitative, qualitative and critical social-science research into the processes and effects of communication in interpersonal, organizational and mass communication contexts. The course also provides students with a first look at the variety of professional opportunities awaiting Communication Studies graduates. Cornerstone 3. Three hours.

102. Public Speaking in Society.

This course focuses on how language and culture intersect to produce meaning and identity. Topics include a variety of basic communication issues: intention, interpretation, outcomes, and ethics. Emphasis is placed on public speaking, the analysis of communication situations, and thinking critically about the influences and limitations of language. Three hours.

130. Journalism Practicum (Newspaper).

Supervised, practical experience in journalism through reporting, writing and production assignments for The Simpsonian student newspaper. One hour.

141. Photography I.

Use of the camera as a means of making aesthetically satisfying images. The student learns the complete black and white photographic process from inception to completion, from taking the photo to developing and processing the negative and printing the fi lm. Three hours. Same as Art 141.

165. Journalism Practicum (Yearbook).

Supervised, practical experience in journalism through reporting, writing and production assignments for The Zenith student yearbook. One to three hours.

190. Special Topics in Communication.

201. Argumentation and Rhetoric.

An examination of argumentation as the art of persuasion, pulling from a variety of theoretical perspectives. This course will focus its attention on argumentation form and content, initially grounded in the traditional argumentation principles of claim, data, and warrant. As the course progresses, alternative visions of argumentation, rooted in cooperative argumentation, will be examined. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 102. Three hours.

204. Small Group Communication.

A survey of the concepts and competencies of small-group communication. The course integrates dominant theoretical perspectives with skill-building. Emphasis is placed on the development of small-group leadership and participation competencies. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 101. Offered every other year. Three hours.

205. Interpersonal Communication.

A survey of the concepts and contexts of interpersonal communication. The course combines theoretical material and skills orientation. Emphasis is placed on the development of interpersonal competencies. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 101. Offered every other year. Three hours.

211. Beginning Newswriting and Reporting.

Study of the fundamentals of news writing, including methods of news judgment, news gathering and modern news style. Emphasis will be placed on the coverage of breaking news events. Prerequisite: English 102 or equivalent. Three hours.

213. Advanced Newswriting and Reporting.

Writing advanced stories for the print media, including beat and sports reporting, features, in-depth and investigative stories, and opinion. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 211. Three hours.

220. Mass Communication and Society.

Examination of the history, audience characteristics and effects of mass communication; relationship of mass communication to public opinion, crime and violence, political affairs, racism and sexism. Cornerstone 3. Three hours.

222. Principles of Public Relations.

Survey of the public relations industry in the United States and the study of the theory and process of public relations. Three hours.

230. Journalism Practicum (Newspaper).

Supervised, practical experience in a leadership position, such as section editor or editor-in-chief of The Simpsonian newspaper. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Two hours.

237. Beginning Graphic Design.

A how-to approach to graphic design, from concept development to camera-ready artwork. The essential methods and tools of professional designers are taught in projects with practical applications — from logotypes to poster design. Emphasis is placed on the use of the Macintosh computer as a layout and design tool, with instruction in Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. Same as Art 237.

238. Design for Print Production.

Further exploration of graphic design theory and practice. This course is a practical exploration into the nature and use typography in graphic design in regard to traditional printing and an introduction to electronic digital media. The relation of type to image and other graphic elements is explored in a series of practical assignments. Design, as a discipline of a problemsolving activity, will be explored in a more advanced scenario. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 237. Three hours. Same as Art 238.

240. Advertising Practicum (Newspaper).

Supervised, practical experience in advertising sales management and design for The Simpsonian student newspaper. Two hours. Same as Art 240 and Management 240.

241. Photography II: Advanced.

Camera use, development, enlargement, printing and darkroom skills are all refi ned in this course. The translation of creative ideas into fine, finished black and white photographs is a course objective. Conceptual development and creative exploration of the photographic medium will be stressed in the student’s work. May be repeated once at an advanced level. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 141. Three hours. Same as Art 241.

255. Mass Media and Politics.

A review of the history and impact of media in American politics, focusing on the role of mass media in setting agendas, framing policy issues, and covering candidate and campaigns. Selected topics include media bias, the rise of alternative media, the effects of political ads, and coverage of U.S. politics by global media. Three hours. Same as Political Science 255.

290. Special Topics in Communication.

301. Law of Mass Communication.

First Amendment theory and selected legal topics in communication, including defamation, privacy, sedition, obscenity, access, contempt, lottery, copyright, governmental regulation of broadcast and new media, and commercial speech. Three hours.

303. Ethical in Mass Communication.

Examination of ethics as a branch of philosophy and its applicability to the work of professionals in mass communication. Specific consideration of such ethical issues as conflicts of interest, fairness, responsibility, taste and codes of ethics. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 301. Three hours.

311. Editing and Design.

The study of story and photographic editing and modern publication design and production, including instruction in desktop publishing systems. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 211. Three hours.

319. Internship.

An off-campus practical experience in a communication-related professional setting. The internship offers an opportunity for study in a prepared and monitored individual learning setting. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Credit Arranged. (Repeatable to a maximum of 12 hours.)

325. Public Relations & Advertising Copywriting.

Development of a critical public relations skill through writing in a variety of styles that best represent an organization to its publics, and the development of essential advertising and copywriting techniques for the marketplace. The course emphasizes the strategy of crafting and delivering a PR or advertising message — not just getting in ink or on the air — with special emphasis on pre-writing, preparation and editing. Students will write news releases, speeches and employee publications along with various media advertisements. Prerequisites: Communications Studies 237 and 341 or 346.Three hours.

339. Graphic Communication.

Focus on the design of information graphics. Projects involving multi-paged printed materials and electronic media will be explored. The integration of design techniques in both printed and electronic media with the understanding of how it relates to the viewer through the study of semiotics will be a component of this course of study. Prerequisite: Art 237. Three hours. Same as Art 339.

340. Intercultural Communication.

An introduction to the dominant theories of intercultural communication and study of the implications of those theories for practice in such contexts as business and interpersonal relationships. In addition, the course explores the role of communication as an agent of social change. Cornerstone 3. Three hours.

341. Advertising.

An investigation of specific activities designed to generate demands for products and services. Particular emphasis is placed on the creative and functional aspects of advertising, including media strategy. Personal selling and sales promotion will also be studied in terms of their respective roles in the firm’s overall promotional strategy. Prerequisites: Management 131 and 234. Three hours. Same as Management 341.

342. Rhetoric, Gender & Culture.

An examination from feminist perspectives of the rhetorical enactment of gender in a variety of public communicative contexts in the United States, including (but not limited to) speeches, music, newspapers, magazines, film, television and a variety of other communicative vehicles. Cornerstone 6. Three hours.

344. Digital Imaging.

This course will allow students to explore the integration of the computer and the camera as image-making devices. Students will learn to illustrate using the computer as the sole painting or drawing tool. They will also learn how to incorporate photographic imagery into the computer illustrations to create a unique photographic look. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 241. Three hours. Same as Art 344.

346. Advertising and Culture.

A critical examination of advertising’s role in society. We will examine the history of advertising, the commercial and social aspects of the messages conveyed by ads, and the advertising industry’s infl uence on institutions such as the media and politics. The basic orientation of the course is to study and critique advertising as a form of communication unique to modern society. Three hours.

350. Rhetorical Theory and Criticism.

An investigation into how rhetorical theory, spanning from its ancient roots in Aristotelian thinking to its current postmodern components, operates in society. From this foundation, this course will explore how various critical methods, including neo-classical criticism, narrative criticism and feminist criticism, can be utilized to gain a stronger understanding of public communication texts, including (but not limited to) newspapers, speeches, music and fi lm. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 201. Three hours.

360. Corporate Communication Seminar.

A capstone course with readings and casework in corporate communications. Real world cases will be reviewed in terms of four criteria: research, objectives, programming and evaluation. Additionally, students will work in teams to develop campaigns for real or fi ctional clients. Prerequisites: Communication Studies 237 and 325. Three hours.

375. Gender, Race, Class & Media.

An exploration from the perspectives of marginalized groups in the United States of the ways that popular media represent our diverse and dynamic culture. The course focuses on images of race, class and gender in television, film and popular culture. Cornerstone 6. Three hours.

380. Independent Study in Communication.

399C. Senior Portfolio in Corporate Communication.

399J. Senior Portfolio in Journalism and Mass Communication.

399R. Senior Portfolio in Rhetoric and Speech Communication.


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Communication Studies 101. Introduction to Communication Studies. An introductory examination of the practices and theories that inform the study of human communication as a social and cultural phenomenon. Students consider quantitative, qualitative and critical social-science research into the processes and effects of communication in interpersonal, organizational and mass communication contexts. The course also provides students with a first look at the variety of professional opportunities awaiting Communication Studies graduates. Cornerstone 3. Three hours. 102. Public Speaking in Society. This course focuses on how language and culture intersect to produce meaning and identity. Topics include a variety of basic communication issues: intention, interpretation, outcomes, and ethics. Emphasis is placed on public speaking, the analysis of communication situations, and thinking critically about the influences and limitations of language. Three hours. 130. Journalism Practicum (Newspaper). Supervised, practical experience in journalism through reporting, writing and production assignments for The Simpsonian student newspaper. One hour. 141. Photography I. Use of the camera as a means of making aesthetically satisfying images. The student learns the complete black and white photographic process from inception to completion, from taking the photo to developing and processing the negative and printing the fi lm. Three hours. Same as Art 141. 165. Journalism Practicum (Yearbook). Supervised, practical experience in journalism through reporting, writing and production assignments for The Zenith student yearbook. One to three hours. 190. Special Topics in Communication. 201. Argumentation and Rhetoric. An examination of argumentation as the art of persuasion, pulling from a variety of theoretical perspectives. This course will focus its attention on argumentation form and content, initially grounded in the traditional argumentation principles of claim, data, and warrant. As the course progresses, alternative visions of argumentation, rooted in cooperative argumentation, will be examined. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 102. Three hours. 204. Small Group Communication. A survey of the concepts and competencies of small-group communication. The course integrates dominant theoretical perspectives with skill-building. Emphasis is placed on the development of small-group leadership and participation competencies. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 101. Offered every other year. Three hours. 205. Interpersonal Communication. A survey of the concepts and contexts of interpersonal communication. The course combines theoretical material and skills orientation. Emphasis is placed on the development of interpersonal competencies. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 101. Offered every other year. Three hours. 211. Beginning Newswriting and Reporting. Study of the fundamentals of news writing, including methods of news judgment, news gathering and modern news style. Emphasis will be placed on the coverage of breaking news events. Prerequisite: English 102 or equivalent. Three hours. 213. Advanced Newswriting and Reporting. Writing advanced stories for the print media, including beat and sports reporting, features, in-depth and investigative stories, and opinion. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 211. Three hours. 220. Mass Communication and Society. Examination of the history, audience characteristics and effects of mass communication; relationship of mass communication to public opinion, crime and violence, political affairs, racism and sexism. Cornerstone 3. Three hours. 222. Principles of Public Relations. Survey of the public relations industry in the United States and the study of the theory and process of public relations. Three hours. 230. Journalism Practicum (Newspaper). Supervised, practical experience in a leadership position, such as section editor or editor-in-chief of The Simpsonian newspaper. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Two hours. 237. Beginning Graphic Design. A how-to approach to graphic design, from concept development to camera-ready artwork. The essential methods and tools of professional designers are taught in projects with practical applications — from logotypes to poster design. Emphasis is placed on the use of the Macintosh computer as a layout and design tool, with instruction in Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. Same as Art 237. 238. Design for Print Production. Further exploration of graphic design theory and practice. This course is a practical exploration into the nature and use typography in graphic design in regard to traditional printing and an introduction to electronic digital media. The relation of type to image and other graphic elements is explored in a series of practical assignments. Design, as a discipline of a problemsolving activity, will be explored in a more advanced scenario. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 237. Three hours. Same as Art 238. 240. Advertising Practicum (Newspaper). Supervised, practical experience in advertising sales management and design for The Simpsonian student newspaper. Two hours. Same as Art 240 and Management 240. 241. Photography II: Advanced. Camera use, development, enlargement, printing and darkroom skills are all refi ned in this course. The translation of creative ideas into fine, finished black and white photographs is a course objective. Conceptual development and creative exploration of the photographic medium will be stressed in the student’s work. May be repeated once at an advanced level. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 141. Three hours. Same as Art 241. 255. Mass Media and Politics. A review of the history and impact of media in American politics, focusing on the role of mass media in setting agendas, framing policy issues, and covering candidate and campaigns. Selected topics include media bias, the rise of alternative media, the effects of political ads, and coverage of U.S. politics by global media. Three hours. Same as Political Science 255. 290. Special Topics in Communication. 301. Law of Mass Communication. First Amendment theory and selected legal topics in communication, including defamation, privacy, sedition, obscenity, access, contempt, lottery, copyright, governmental regulation of broadcast and new media, and commercial speech. Three hours. 303. Ethical in Mass Communication. Examination of ethics as a branch of philosophy and its applicability to the work of professionals in mass communication. Specific consideration of such ethical issues as conflicts of interest, fairness, responsibility, taste and codes of ethics. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 301. Three hours. 311. Editing and Design. The study of story and photographic editing and modern publication design and production, including instruction in desktop publishing systems. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 211. Three hours. 319. Internship. An off-campus practical experience in a communication-related professional setting. The internship offers an opportunity for study in a prepared and monitored individual learning setting. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Credit Arranged. (Repeatable to a maximum of 12 hours.) 325. Public Relations & Advertising Copywriting. Development of a critical public relations skill through writing in a variety of styles that best represent an organization to its publics, and the development of essential advertising and copywriting techniques for the marketplace. The course emphasizes the strategy of crafting and delivering a PR or advertising message — not just getting in ink or on the air — with special emphasis on pre-writing, preparation and editing. Students will write news releases, speeches and employee publications along with various media advertisements. Prerequisites: Communications Studies 237 and 341 or 346.Three hours. 339. Graphic Communication. Focus on the design of information graphics. Projects involving multi-paged printed materials and electronic media will be explored. The integration of design techniques in both printed and electronic media with the understanding of how it relates to the viewer through the study of semiotics will be a component of this course of study. Prerequisite: Art 237. Three hours. Same as Art 339. 340. Intercultural Communication. An introduction to the dominant theories of intercultural communication and study of the implications of those theories for practice in such contexts as business and interpersonal relationships. In addition, the course explores the role of communication as an agent of social change. Cornerstone 3. Three hours. 341. Advertising. An investigation of specific activities designed to generate demands for products and services. Particular emphasis is placed on the creative and functional aspects of advertising, including media strategy. Personal selling and sales promotion will also be studied in terms of their respective roles in the firm’s overall promotional strategy. Prerequisites: Management 131 and 234. Three hours. Same as Management 341. 342. Rhetoric, Gender & Culture. An examination from feminist perspectives of the rhetorical enactment of gender in a variety of public communicative contexts in the United States, including (but not limited to) speeches, music, newspapers, magazines, film, television and a variety of other communicative vehicles. Cornerstone 6. Three hours. 344. Digital Imaging. This course will allow students to explore the integration of the computer and the camera as image-making devices. Students will learn to illustrate using the computer as the sole painting or drawing tool. They will also learn how to incorporate photographic imagery into the computer illustrations to create a unique photographic look. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 241. Three hours. Same as Art 344. 346. Advertising and Culture. A critical examination of advertising’s role in society. We will examine the history of advertising, the commercial and social aspects of the messages conveyed by ads, and the advertising industry’s infl uence on institutions such as the media and politics. The basic orientation of the course is to study and critique advertising as a form of communication unique to modern society. Three hours. 350. Rhetorical Theory and Criticism. An investigation into how rhetorical theory, spanning from its ancient roots in Aristotelian thinking to its current postmodern components, operates in society. From this foundation, this course will explore how various critical methods, including neo-classical criticism, narrative criticism and feminist criticism, can be utilized to gain a stronger understanding of public communication texts, including (but not limited to) newspapers, speeches, music and fi lm. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 201. Three hours. 360. Corporate Communication Seminar. A capstone course with readings and casework in corporate communications. Real world cases will be reviewed in terms of four criteria: research, objectives, programming and evaluation. Additionally, students will work in teams to develop campaigns for real or fi ctional clients. Prerequisites: Communication Studies 237 and 325. Three hours. 375. Gender, Race, Class & Media. An exploration from the perspectives of marginalized groups in the United States of the ways that popular media represent our diverse and dynamic culture. The course focuses on images of race, class and gender in television, film and popular culture. Cornerstone 6. Three hours. 380. Independent Study in Communication. 399C. Senior Portfolio in Corporate Communication. 399J. Senior Portfolio in Journalism and Mass Communication. 399R. Senior Portfolio in Rhetoric and Speech Communication.
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