2016-2017 Undergraduate Academic Catalog

COM-2320 Theories of Mass Media –Fa, Sp 3 hours Contemporary mass media is surveyed with attention to the nature, role, structure, influence, operation, and problems of newspapers, magazines, radio, and television-journalistic activities. The course also examines issues involving new communication technologies such as the web, personal digital assistants, and digital broadcasting. COM-2330 3 hours Writing for Communication Professions –Fa This course covers the form and style of writing for internal and external communication, including use of social media and persuasive writing. Course work includes writing executive summaries, memos, proposals, reports, grants, press releases, and opeds as part of a semester-long project. Students will also learn to manage communication in email, Twitter, and Facebook. COM-2440 Advanced Forensics –Fa, Sp 1 hour Advanced training for intercollegiate forensic competition. Focus on literary and rhetorical criticism, extemporaneous speaking, and the writing of original oratory. Repeatable up to six hours. COM-2510 Media History –Sp 3 hours This course offers the historical foundations of mass communication from colonial America to the present. Focuses on the growth of news and entertainment media within a social, political, and economic framework of each era of development. Particular attention is given to the interaction of minority and mainstream media. COM-2520 Virtual Communication –Fa 3 hours This course will teach students how to be successful biblical and professional virtual communicators through hands-on practice of successful online communication principles and techniques. COM-2820 Political Communication –Fa 3 hours A survey of the theory and practice surrounding the relationship between media and politics. Issues such as the role of media in promoting democracy; media effect theories, political knowledge, and the public’s response to news; and the role of public opinion in an open society will be explored. (even years) COM-3100 Advanced Public Speaking –Sp 3 hours Emphasizes the creative, logical, and audience-centered thinking needed for excellent public address. Students exhibit logical communication skills through writing and speaking assignments. Prerequisite: COM-2200 Communication in Applied Contexts. COM-3120 Argumentation –Sp 3 hours The study of principles and practices of critical thinking and argumentation. Course includes an overview of debate theory as a vehicle for argumentation as well as the theory involved in logical preparation and refutation of a position. COM-3150 Gender, Politics, and Communication –Fa 3 hours Using communication theory and biblical application, this course studies the patterns and the effects of communication upon male and female genders identifying the political struggles that are a part of gender relationships and communication. The women’s movement, contemporary masculinity studies, and the Christian church’s response to gender issues are surveyed. COM-3230 Organizational Communication –Sp 3 hours The study using communication for organizational structure. The course focuses on major organizational theories, topics, and their communicative implications. The role of communication during conflict management, negotiation, crisis management, and small group process in the organizational context. (Fee: $10) COM-3240 Interpersonal Communication –Sp 2 hours Centers on the nature and function of interpersonal communication as it operates within casual encounters, families, organizations, and institutions. Implications for personal, social, and professional growth will be considered. COM-3250 Interviewing –Fa, Sp 3 hours Focuses on the study of fundamental interviewing principles. Instruction and training are offered across a variety of interviewing situations, including informational, employment, and persuasive interviews. COM-3260 Organizational Negotiation –Fa 3 hours Focus on communication and the negotiation process in the organizational context, coverage of negotiation theories, elements of the negotiation process, and negotiation formats (e.g., salary negotiations, budget negotiations, collective bargaining, etc.). COM-3330 Organizational Training –Fa 2 hours Focuses on trainer skills essential for training the adult employee in an organizational setting. Techniques and learning resources are presented to aid the trainer in assessing training needs. Prerequisite: COM-3230 Organizational Communication or permission of instructor. COM-3350 Event Planning –Sp 3 hours This course introduces students to event planning processes and techniques. Emphasis is on creating, organizing, planning, processing, marketing, implementing, and evaluating a wide variety of events. Focus includes information and resources applicable to community, professional, private, nonprofit and for- profit events. COM-3450 Forensics/Individual Events –Fa, Sp 1 hour Students receive individual coaching for participation in intercollegiate speech competition. Areas of competition include oral interpretation, public speaking, and limited preparation events. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. COM-3451 Debate Practicum –Fa, Sp 1 hour Students receive individual coaching for participation in intercollegiate debate competition. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Credit/no credit; repeatable up to six times. COM-3500 Storytelling –Sp 3 hours The history, development, and usage of storytelling is presented in a format where the student participates in developing skills as a teller. Students are assisted in developing their own style and method for presenting stories. Open to all majors. COM-3550 Advocacy Communication –Fa 3 hours This course studies advocacy as it relates to social and political change. Advocacy communication requires unique practices that rely on public speaking skills and analysis of advocacy discourse. Students will think critically about current social, political, and ethical issues and will develop persuasive and strategy skills as they practice how to mobilize the public, influence public opinion, and negotiate policy decisions. These skills are useful to those anticipating careers in politics, consulting, speechwriting, law, sales, nonprofits, and religion. COM-3650 2 hours Clinical Methods in Teaching Speech –Fa, Sp Students seeking certification for teaching speech will gain classroom experience. One credit hour equals 20 classroom hours. Department staff members will supervise all assignments. Credit/no credit. COM-3710 Narrative and Cultural Literacy –Sp 3 hours An examination of early New Testament and American cultural narratives helps students examine current communication practices using biblical, critical, and theological perspectives. COM-3810 Speechwriting for the Professional –Sp 3 hours This course focuses on the skills necessary to research for and effectively write a variety of public messages. Students will practice using the skills necessary for effective communication in organizational, political, and nonprofit contexts. Theory that enriches the understanding of speech writing will be presented and applied. Prerequisite: COM-3100 Advanced Public Speaking. 2016–17 Undergraduate Academic Catalog Page 221 Course Descriptions COM-2320 – COM-3810 COMMUNICATION