Communication Courses (CO) (Credits)

100. Interpersonal Communication (3)
This course is designed to help students become more reflective about their communication. Building on current theories of communication and relationships, it guides students to multiple ways of thinking about their communicative partners, and providing them with choices about their communicative practices. The focus is upon managing effective communication in relationships with friends, roommates, romantic partners, teachers, and parents.

101. Introduction to Communication Theory (3)
Introduces students to the communication discipline and the systematic study of human communication. Emphasis is placed on providing students with the theoretical grounding necessary for future work in the Department of Communication. In the course of the semester, they will also meet department faculty, learn about their scholarly interests and explore career opportunities.

107. Argument and Social Issues (3)
Introduces students to the process of argumentation. Students will be encouraged to discover and assess arguments existing in artifacts ranging from popular films to presidential addresses. Special attention will be paid to ethical dimensions of argument and to the impact new communication media and climates are having on the way we engage in community and national conversations about social issues.

110. Introduction to the Radio Industry (3)
Study of practical and theoretical applications of radio production techniques, including performance, programming, editing, sales and management.    

120.  Media Aesthetics (3)
Students will learn the vocabulary and concepts media professionals employ in describing the choices they make in using technology.  Stress will be placed on the way productions can be designed to communicate complex and subtle messages.

181-5. Communication Laboratory (1)
Students involved in specific areas of applied communication may enroll in this course to earn credit for their work. Section 1 awards credit for work at WJMU; Section 2 earns credit for participation on the Ethics Bowl team; Section 3 awards credit for tutoring in the Media Arts Center; Section 4 awards credit for webmastering. Other sections may be available on an as-needed basis. Pre-requisite for Section 1 will be CO 110, Introduction to the Radio Industry or consent of the instructor. Section 2 pre-requisite is instructor consent. Section 3 pre-requisite is CO 324, Advanced Video Production and/or consent of instructor. Section 4 pre-requisite is EN 301, Web Publishing and/or consent of instructor.

200. Rhetorical Act (3)
Theory and practice in speech preparation and delivery. Emphasis is on inquiry, evidence, reasoning and decision making.

204. Investigative Methods in Communication (3)
Introduces students to the varied research methodologies, both quantitative and qualitative, used in the communication discipline. Specific attention is paid to representative scholarship from the discipline to facilitate student understanding of the sources and applications of communication knowledge. Pre-requisite: CO 101 or consent of instructor.

220. Introduction to Video Production (3)
Designed to provide students with television production techniques as they pertain to single camera, electronic news gathering (ENG) and documentaries. Storyboarding, editing skills and script writing are emphasized. Production techniques under direct supervision of instructor will aid the student producer in creating news features and/or a documentary or original design.

225. Issues in Mass Media (3)
In order to more clearly understand the special problems of living in a world dominated by media technology, students will investigate the impact of mass media on American society. Topics include the role of the media in a democracy, ethics, objectivity, censorship, television and children, hegemony, demassification, pornography and other relevant issues. Pre-requisite: CO 101 or consent of instructor.

242. Business and Professional Communication (3)
The focus is on developing a working knowledge of the theory and skills for interpersonal communication, groups and teams, informative and persuasive presentations, and the use of communication technologies in business and professional presentations. This course does not count toward a Communication major or minor.

251. Introduction to Public Relations (3)
Covers basic public relations principles and tools such as research, planning, media relations, press releases, public service announcements, brochures, newsletters, layout and printing techniques, position papers, and special events.

260. Seminar in Communication (1-3) Per Semester
Topics to be announced each year but may include topics such as media and culture, nonverbal communication and communication in close relationships. Pre-requisite: CO 101, communication major or consent of instructor.

306. Topics in Discourse Studies (3)
Critical studies of discourse in social context.  Topics might include ethnic minority portrayals in the mass media, representations of law in popular culture, and the discourse concerning popular culture.  Pre-requisite:   Communication 101, junior or senior standing or consent of instructor.

308. Communication Ethics and Freedom of Expression (3)
Considers the place of communication in the human situation, critically evaluates theories of ethics, takes up at least one significant problem in applied communication ethics, and makes an examination of some of the famous texts concerning freedom of expression. Pre-requisite: CO 101 or consent of instructor.

310. Small Group Communication (3)
Designed to provide students with an understanding of theory, research and methods of group interactions. Practical applications stressed through study of roles, conflict and leadership. Pre-requisite: CO 101 or consent of instructor.

314. Advanced Radio Production and Performance (3)
Copywriting, interviewing, on-air performance, and new studio production techniques are studied and practiced.  Students are responsible for several broadcast-ready productions. Pre-requisite: CO 110.

324. Advanced Video Production (3)
A more intensive study of advanced production techniques. Some of these include: script and treatment development, advanced camera and lighting techniques, nonlinear editing, and work with third party graphic and image manipulation programs. Pre-requisite: CO 220.

331. Relational Communication (3)
The study, critique and application of the theory and research in communication amid close relationships. It examines the role communication plays in the construction, maintenance, repair and dissolution of friendships, romance and family. Pre-requisite: CO 101 or consent of instructor.

332. Gendered Communication (3)
Examines the variable of gender and its impact on verbal communication, non-verbal communication, marital communication, conflict and organizational communication. Pre-requisite: CO 101 or consent of instructor.

341. Organizational Culture (3)
Examination of the theories of communication within an organization. Topics include formal and informal networks, leadership and management styles, human relations, corporate culture, communication audits and training. Practical application through case studies, simulation and analysis of local companies. Pre-requisite: CO 101, junior or senior standing or consent of instructor.

343. Communication and Conflict (3)
Introduces students to effective strategies for addressing conflict and mediating disputes. Participants analyze the ways they handle conflict and investigate theoretical approaches to conflict mediation.

344. Leadership (3)
Focuses on the key concepts of leadership and application of those concepts in real-world scenarios. Effective participation in this course should help the student better understand the complex interconnections between power, leadership, and group processes.

351. Topics in Writing for Communication Professions
Specialized workshops in writing for students seeking to develop skills for mass media and public communication professions.  Topics will include:  Radio-Television Newswriting, Speech Writing, and Public Relations Writing.  Pre-requisite: Communication 101, junior or senior standing or consent of instructor.

360. Seminar in Communication (3)
An intensive, junior-senior level study of a particular topic or communication context. Pre-requisite: Communication 101, Communication major or consent of instructor.

371-2. Internship (1-3, maximum total 3)
Opportunities for majors to work with local businesses and agencies in order to receive practical experience. Maximum of three credits.  Pre-requisite: 2.0 grade point average and junior Communication major, or consent of Department Chair.

391- 394. Independent Study (1-3) Per Semester
Directed study in a topic chosen jointly by student and instructor, with approval of Department Chair.

401. Topics in Persuasion (3)
Emphasizes the theoretical concepts that explain the process and effects of persuasion from both the source and the target perspective. Application of theories to the classroom, law, advertising, politics, marketing, interpersonal influence, corporate advocacy and social movements. Pre-requisite: junior or senior standing, CO 101 or consent of instructor.

425. Media Law and Policy (3)
Seminar on topics concerning rights and obligations of mass media in the legal and regulatory environment. Also discussed will be the social implications and the economics of media policy behind these issues and their influences on public debate and knowledge. Research and discussion cover areas such as privacy, libel, obscenity, prior restraint, free press v. fair trial, censorship, copyright, and other constitutional problems. Pre-requisite: CO 225 and junior or senior standing, or consent of instructor.

432. Intercultural Communication (3)
A seminar focusing on the ways in which cultures vary and how these variations impact communication between cultures.

456. Applications in Public Relations (3)
Continuation of Communication 251, applying public relations skills to campaigns and crisis situations. Emphasizes crisis planning, ethics, media buying, budget management, fund-raising and direct mail. Pre-requisite: CO 251.

471-5.  Senior Track Internship (1-3, 3 maximum, all terms)
Opportunities for senior majors to work with local businesses and agencies in order to receive practical experience.  All seniors will complete an internship or experiential learning experience in their professional track.  Must be taken in conjunction with CO 480: Capstone Experiential Learning Seminar.  Maximum of three credits.  Pre-requisite:  2.0 grade point average and senior Communication major, or consent of the Department Chair.

480. Capstone Experiential Learning Seminar (1)
Taken in conjunction with CO471-5, an opportunity for reflection on the graduating major’s internship or service learning experience and anticipation for the student’s entry into work and opportunities beyond undergraduate education.