Master of Arts (M.A.) Major in Communication Studies (Thesis Option)

COMM 5100. Teaching Communication Studies.

An introduction to curriculum, instruction, and assessment methods in the teaching of Communication Studies. Provides an orientation as well as regular in-service training and planned periodic evaluations of instructional responsibilities. This course does not earn graduate degree credit. Repeatable with different emphasis.

COMM 5199B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollments. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding.

COMM 5299B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollments. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.

COMM 5301. Quantitative Research Methods in Communication.

This course is an examination of quantitative research methods in speech communication. Measurement procedures, statistics, experimental design, and descriptive research methods are investigated, as well as a consideration of scholarly writing and library research.

COMM 5302. Rhetorical Methods.

A study of approaches to the analysis of public discourse directed toward establishing workable perspectives for students conducting rhetorical analysis. Required of communication studies majors.

COMM 5303. Qualitative Research Methods in Communication.

This course provides an introduction to qualitative methods of inquiry in communication. Students will learn and apply principles of qualitative research designs in data collection, analysis, and integration of narrative and non-numeric data in communication research.

COMM 5304. Work/Life Intersections.

This course examines those situations where work and life intersect, and how humans use communication to create, negotiate, and manage work/life intersections.

COMM 5305. Communication Ethics.

This course explores common ethical dilemmas in personal and professional communication contexts. Various ethical decision-making frameworks, dialogic communication styles, and ethical case studies are emphasized to develop socially responsible and ethically sound communication strategies for diverse audiences, platforms, and situations.

COMM 5306. Communication for Leadership & Management.

This course explores communication theories related to leadership and management in social and professional organizational contexts. Students will research, critically evaluate, and apply these frameworks to case studies where they can demonstrate their knowledge of effective leadership and management communication.

COMM 5307. The Dark Side of Communication.

This graduate seminar will examine aversive and problematic interactions in interpersonal, organizational, health, and instructional settings. Sample topics include (un)fairness, backstabbing/betrayal, breaking up, end of life communication, deception, teacher misbehaviors, and bullying. Students will take a research-based approach to understanding these undesirable, yet common, messages.

COMM 5309. Proseminar in Communication Research Methods.

The goal of this course is to provide students with an overview of the methods used in the discipline of Communication Studies. To that end, we will begin by introducing students to the history of the discipline followed by overviews of rhetorical, quantitative, and qualitative research methods.

COMM 5310. Methods of Teaching Communication Studies.

A study of the methods of the teaching speech communication principles and skills for secondary school teachers. Prerequisite: Admission to teacher certification program or permission of department chair.

COMM 5312. Intercultural Communication.

This course examines how culture evolves and is maintained through communicative systems of meaning. The many ways in which language, culture, and communication interact with, influence, and manifest in each other in everyday experience are explored.

COMM 5313. Relational Communication.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of relational communication theories and research. Students engage with theory and research frameworks to think critically about relational communication perspectives and contributions, understand the strengths and limitations of those perspectives, and learn to contribute to new knowledge of relational communication.

COMM 5314. Family Communication.

This course explores the communication processes associated with families. Topic areas for exploration will include: storytelling, intimacy, conflict, rituals, religion, health-illness, and death. The goal is to further understand interdisciplinary research and theory related to family interactions embedded in larger webs of social, cultural, and generational relationships.

COMM 5315. Directed Research in Communication Studies.

A course to be offered to certain graduate students to allow for independent study in a specific area for which a regular course is not available. May be repeated with different emphasis for additional credit. Prerequisite: Departmental approval.

COMM 5318. Interpersonal Communication.

A review of current research in the area. Includes an examination of contemporary theories and research methods.

COMM 5319. Organizational Communication.

Examines organizational communication theory and research in applied organizational contexts. Provides communication professionals with an analytical framework for improving communication.

COMM 5320. Directing Communication Studies and Theatre Activities.

Designed to assist any teacher, whether of speech and drama or some other subject, in directing speech and drama activities. During the course, those in the class will actually direct debate, plays, declamation, and other activities. May be repeated with different emphasis for additional credit.

COMM 5321. Communication Assessment.

An in-depth study of communication assessment techniques employed in the field of oral communication. Statistical, experimental, and observational methods of assessing oral communication in interpersonal, group, and classroom settings are included.

COMM 5324. Seminar in Instructional Communication.

Examines communication instruction theory and research and their practical applications in various instructional settings.

COMM 5325. Seminar in Human Communication Theory.

This course is an examination of theories of human communication contexts including interpersonal, family, intercultural, organizational, and instructional communication. The course may be repeated with a different topic.

COMM 5327. Contemporary Rhetorical Theory.

A survey of the major contemporary theoretical perspectives and conceptual debates in rhetoric. Focuses upon critical interpretations and applications of theory in addition to study of primary theorists’ writings.

COMM 5329B. Communication and Negotiation.

Examines theory, research, and practice of conflict management and negotiation.

COMM 5329D. Managing Communication Technologies in the Workplace.

Examines how communication technologies both help and hinder workplace communication. Examines theory, practical applications, key scholars and empirical research. Heavy focus on using case studies that provide context for learning how to thrive in the contemporary organization.

COMM 5329E. Communication and Organizational Culture.

A seminar about communication and organizational culture. Discussion and materials explore communication practices that enable people to identify themselves as members of an organization and bind themselves to each other. Students will have the opportunity to analyze an organization.

COMM 5329G. Communication and Emotion.

This course examines various ways in which interpersonal communication and emotion coexist and impact one another. The goal is to provide opportunities to learn about emotional experience and expression both in an abstract way (class readings and discussions) and in a more concrete fashion (conducting your own analyses and research).

COMM 5329H. Work, Identity, and Difference.

Work is influential in our social interactions, our understanding of our own and others’ identities, and our navigations of difference. We will explore the communication challenges of contemporary work in the United States through researching the history of work, excessive work, and communication construction of difference at work.

COMM 5329I. Relational Health Communication.

This course reviews the intersection of interpersonal and health communication theory, highlighting the impact of social involvement and communication processes on health outcomes, as well as the application of health communication theories in close relationship contexts.

COMM 5329J. LGBTQ+ Rhetoric and Advocacy.

This course explores historical and contemporary developments in of LGBTQ+ rhetoric and advocacy. In doing so, the course also examines how approaches to the study of LGBTQ+ rhetoric and advocacy, in terms of theory and methodology, has changed and shifted over time.

COMM 5329K. End-of-Life Communication.

This course will examine communication at the end-of-life (EOL). Students will discuss how people approach the EOL, and the end of relationships, through communication. Course material will highlight challenges and current issues surrounding EOL communication between terminally ill individuals and their family, friends, and medical professionals.

COMM 5329L. Communicating Diversity and Inclusion.

This course examines the relationship between communication and power imbalances that deny equal respect, dignity, and rights to inclusion for the socially marginalized. Building upon historical and contemporary research, students will be able to extend principles from the critical paradigm and instructional communication to act ethically when making decisions that impact socially marginalized groups, develop a research project that advances knowledge of diversity and inclusion, and conduct training to advance diversity and inclusion initiatives.

COMM 5329M. Health Communication Campaigns.

Contemporary theory and research from the field of Communication Studies make it possible to understand how and why health messages may impact future communication and behavior. This course explores how health-focused information can produce shared meaning between message senders and receives. Using a transactional communication framework, students will examine impacts of relationships, organizational roles, and networks of social relationships in relation to health outcomes of patients, families, organizations, and communities. Theoretical and applied research is used to guide the analysis of evidence-based messages that prevent disease and illness, reduce health risks, and promote behaviors that improve health.

COMM 5329N. Rhetoric of Diversity.

The course delves into the academic literature on rhetoric, diversity, and inclusion. This course explores how the values of diversity and inclusion are products of rhetorical negotiation and definition, examining how these concepts are used in a variety of context and for a wide array of purposes.

COMM 5329O. Communication in Understudied Close Relationships.

This course focuses on important relationships that may get ‘glossed over’ in standard interpersonal communication seminars. More specifically, we will examine the various types of close relationships that comprise modern society, and current issues that affect those bonds. Students will investigate how communication functions to develop, maintain, enrich, or limit these understudied relationships.

COMM 5329P. Communication & Identity in International Work Cultures.

This course explores how personal, cultural, organizational, and occupational identities shape workplaces. By traveling to multiple countries abroad, we will explore how different employees make sense of their work identities. Tours across the country will enable students to better understand culture’s influence on work, and business site visits will allow students to observe work, communication, and identities in a variety of organizations.

COMM 5330. Nonverbal Communication.

A review of current theory and research of nonverbal communication behavior.

COMM 5331. Persuasive Communication.

An analysis of theories of persuasion. Emphasis placed on understanding established theories of attitude formation and change, contemporary persuasion, research, and the application of persuasion theory.

COMM 5332. Communication and Technology.

Focuses on research and theories about the relationships between technology and communication behavior in interpersonal, group, and organization contexts. Also considers relationships between communication, technology, and culture.

COMM 5333. Health Communication.

This course provides an overview of health communication theory and research to explore how interpersonal, organizational, and cultural messages shape views of illness and the health care system. Topics will include health literacy, health risk messages, e-health, health disparities, and physician-patient interactions.

COMM 5340A. Rhetorical Movements.

This course examines the unique phenomenon of “rhetorical movements”. Unlike rhetorical inquiries that typically focus upon the discourse of those in power, the study of rhetorical movements analyzes how individuals, who often have no other resources but their voices and their bodies, come together to attempt social and political changes.

COMM 5340B. Free Speech and Extremism.

One of the most unique and important foundations of American society is the right to free speech. This course will begin with an examination of free speech in historical and contemporary society. Because free speech is often contested (and protected) through extreme controversy, we will also focus on extremist rhetoric.

COMM 5340C. Rhetoric of Women's Rights.

This course examines the rhetoric of women’s rights in the United States. We will analyze arguments of the nineteenth century abolitionist, temperance, and women’s rights movements, and the public discourse of the twentieth century women’s rights movements. We will also consider contemporary issues of gender and power in public argument.

COMM 5340D. Argumentation & Public Advocacy.

This course explores the theory and practice of argumentation and public advocacy. The course provides an overview of contemporary approaches to the study of argumentation and ethics. The course emphasizes the application of theories of argumentation and advocacy to recent examples.

COMM 5340E. Science, Health, & Environmental Rhetoric.

This graduate course explores the history, theories, and applications of rhetoric as it pertains to science, health and the environment. These fields are both interrelated and distinct in rhetorical studies. For instance, while environmental rhetoric includes the rhetorical construction of “wilderness,” it also includes studies of environmental justice & health disparities across gendered/classed/racial lines as well as debates over climate science & scientific consensus. Students will gain a broader understanding of rhetorical theory and how to complete rhetorical critique. Students can also expect to read academic articles, lead class discussions, and engage in independent academic research.

COMM 5342. Historical Rhetoric and Social Influence.

This course is an analytical study of speeches, speakers, groups, movements, and rhetorical strategies in history. Includes emphasis on the following topics: American Public Address, Rhetoric of Woman’s Suffrage, and other historic topics of interest. This course may be repeated with different emphasis or topic for additional credit.

COMM 5343. Contemporary Rhetoric and Social Influence.

The analytical study of speeches, speakers, groups, movements, and rhetorical strategies in contemporary society. Includes emphasis on the following topics: rhetoric and culture, rhetorical movements, and rhetorical genres. May be repeated with a different topic.

COMM 5344. American Speeches.

This course is a survey of American public address. The class will study significant and representative speeches from different periods of American history. This class will examine what the study of American public address can teach us about history, communication, and social influence.

COMM 5345. Political Communication.

Study of political communication in contemporary times. Course will cover the rhetoric of candidates and politicians, the structure of political campaigns, and campaign practices.

COMM 5347. Small Group Communication.

An examination of theories and research evidence about communication in the small group.

COMM 5350. Applied Communication Studies.

An application of communication principles and skills. Topics covered may include organizational, interpersonal, nonverbal and group communication, conflict management, communication technology, and persuasion analysis. May not be taken for credit by students pursuing M.A. degree in Communication. May be repeated for additional credit with department approval.

COMM 5355. Media Criticism.

A rhetorical analysis of media from a Contemporary Cultural Studies perspective.

COMM 5356. Gender and Communication.

An examination of research and theories about gender communication, relationships, and qualitative research methods. (MULT).

COMM 5360. Introduction to Empirical Research in Communication.

Introduction to Communication Studies as a behavioral science. Students will learn principles of the scientific method; explore quantitative and qualitative methods; investigate variables across the field (persuasion, interpersonal, organizational, non-verbal, intercultural, and instructional); and analyze and apply research in Communication. This course does not earn graduate degree credit.

COMM 5362A. Organizational Communication.

Introduction to communication concepts in the context of organizations. Students will learn how communication influences contemporary organizations through familiarity with contemporary research. Students will be prepared to understand, investigate, and manage communication processes in organizations. This course does not earn graduate degree credit.

COMM 5362B. Organizational Rhetoric.

Introduction to the study of organizational rhetoric designed for internal and external audiences. Students will analyze and create messages based in theories of organizational rhetoric. This course does not earn graduate degree credit.

COMM 5371. Communication Training and Development.

This course examines the theory and practice of developing and presenting communication training sessions for organizations.

COMM 5372. Organizational Communication Analysis and Development.

This course examines communication problems in organizations and describes effective interventions. Provides communication managers and consultants with a broad range of tools and procedures for diagnosing and changing communication.

COMM 5374. Organizational Rhetoric.

This course will include an examination of how organizations use symbols to accomplish a variety of functions for internal and external audiences, as well as exploring the concept of organization as rhetorical argument.

COMM 5390. Communication Internship.

Students acquire on-the-job experience in a position with an organization, using skills and knowledge acquired through graduate coursework. The course requires written reports and other projects as specified by the supervising instructor. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.

COMM 5395. Capstone Research Project.

Under the direction of a graduate faculty member, students develop and submit a research or applied project using knowledge and skills acquired through graduate coursework. Required for students not pursuing the thesis path. May be taken only once for degree credit. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

COMM 5399A. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s initial thesis enrollment. No thesis credit is awarded until student has completed the thesis in Communication Studies 5399B. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.

COMM 5399B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollments. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.

COMM 5599B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollments. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.

COMM 5999B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollments. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.