communication

studies

Communication Studies Courses


ADVANCED APPLIED COMMUNICATION COMMS225 COMMS (2.00 credits)
A practicum course providing advanced guided experience in applied communication. Prerequisites: None.
APPLIED COMMUNICATION COMMS219 COMMS (2.00 credits)
A practicum course providing guided experience in applied communication. Prerequisites: None.
ARGUMENT AND CONTROVERSY COMMS312 KU COMMS (3.00 credits)
This study of argumentation and controversy is designed to cultivate concepts and abilities which are practically important to the use of reasoned discourse in public contexts which involve disagreement, doubt, and/or opposition. The course aims at developing competence in the conduct of arguments calling for policy decision both in isolation and within public contexts. It seeks to enhance a student's ability to analyze, criticize, produce, and report arguments. The course also explores functions of argumentation in democratic societies. Prerequisites: Completion of Introduction to Communication (COMMS 100) or concurrent enrollment in Introduction to Communication; completion of Logic: Practice of Critical Thinking (CRIT 101)
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT & THE COMMON GOOD COMMS232 2 COMMS (3.00 credits)
While serving as volunteers with a Madison-area social service organization, students will develop an understanding of the values implicit in organizations of this sort and their importance to the broader community. Through classroom work and volunteer activities, students will learn the essential role of communication in an organization's internal functioning and its relation to society at large. Among other activities, students will develop a significant public message (oral presentation, brochure, report, or web inclusion) related to some aspect of organizational communication. The volunteer time commitment will be 15 hours per student to be scheduled during the semester. Students will need to be available to spend at least 2 hours per visit. This time commitment does not include travel time between Edgewood and the organizational partner. Students may be assigned a variety of volunteer roles. Prerequisites: Completion of COR 1 or COR 199 or COR 199 in progress; two full-time semesters of college credit, excluding retro credits, AP credits, and college credit earned while in high school.
COMM IN A DISTRIBUTED WORKPLACE COMMS604 COMMS (3.00 credits)
Enhance your online presence. Remote work is here to stay. In this class you will learn how to coordinate and lead remote teams, maintain team accountability, manage effective online meetings, deliver timely and constructive feedback.
COMM IN AN INTER-CULTURAL WORKPLACE COMMS606 COMMS (3.00 credits)
Make the most of your diverse team. Understand and navigate cultural differences in order to effectively communicate and interact with people from diverse cultures.
COMMUNICATION AND CIVILIZATION COMMS201 COMMS (3.00 credits)
Provides students with the history of the discipline and the importance of communication in the development of civilization. The class covers the contributions of rhetoric and communications theory from early Greek times to the present, and offers vital insight to past and future contributions of Communication Studies. Prerequisites: COMMS 100
COMMUNICATION INTERNSHIP COMMS450 COMMS (3.00 - 4.00 credits)
This course provides an opportunity for the communications studies student to intern in a professional organization and to develop an understanding of the range of professional practice within the field. The practicum will be supervised by program faculty working with a mentoring member of the organization interning the student. The student, the faculty member, and the interning organization’s mentor will develop a printed contract with stated learning objectives, means of performance evaluation, and expected time commitments. The student is expected to successfully complete all required expectations of the organization as well as the expectations of the faculty mentor. 3 credits = 160 (minimum) to 240 hours 4 credits = 241-321 hours 5 credits = 233-401 hours 6 credits = 402-482 hours.  Prerequisites: COMMS 243 and COMMS 317
COMMUNICATION TEACHING PRACTICUM COMMS378 COMMS (1.00 credits)
Students get hands-on experience in college-level teaching by working closely with a Communication Studies faculty member to assist in class preparation and instructional activities in a given course. Student must arrange practicum contract with supervising instructor. Prerequisites: Prior satisfactory completion of the course in which the student is serving as teaching assistant, and consent of instructor.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION & MEDIATION COMMS710 COMMS (3.00 credits)
Address conflict in various contexts. You will understand fundamental causes of conflict, apply various approaches to resolving conflict and develop skills necessary to navigate and negotiate disputes in diverse settings. You will practice mediation techniques through role-play and case studies.
CREATE PERSUASIVE MEDIATED MESSAGES COMMS602 COMMS (3.00 credits)
Perform at a higher level with strong persuasive skills. You will study the fundamental elements of persuasion and apply them to create memorable mediated messages.
DIGITAL LITERACY COMMS721 COMMS (3.00 credits)
Thrive in a digital world. You will develop skills and knowledge to effectively navigate and use digital technologies to achieve your personal and professional goals. In this course, you will learn how to stay up to date with existing technologies and properly communicate in an online environment. You will learn how to find, evaluate, and communicate through various digital technologies and use online collaboration tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams). You will enhance your digital proficiency, critical thinking, and digital ethics.
GENDER, CULTURE, AND COMMUNICATION COMMS325 JKQ COMMS (3.00 credits)
In this course we will examine how gender is communicated within cultural and institutional settings (how we come to know what it is to be a woman or a man), the multiple ways humans communicate within and across gender lines (how we express ourselves as gendered individuals and why we do it many different ways), and the relationship of the two. We will also look at how feminists' theories illuminate gender issues in communication. Prerequisites: None.
GROUP DISCUSSION & TEAM LEADERSHIP COMMS320 COMMS (3.00 credits)
Communication makes a difference in small groups. In this course students will examine leading theories and methodological approaches focused on the link between communication and group outcomes. Students will have the opportunity to apply these theories and methods to real-life groups. Students will cover such topics as group processes, functionalism, decision making, emotions, leadership, social identity and conflict. The objective is to learn not only how to be a more effective group member but also how to evaluate and improve group experience, achievement and interaction.
INDEPENDENT STUDY - COMM STUDIES COMMS379 COMMS (1.00 - 4.00 credits)
Independent Study of selected topics in Communication Arts developed by the student with the approval and direction of the instructor. Prerequisites: consent of instructor.
INDEPENDENT STUDY - COMM STUDIES COMMS479 COMMS (1.00 - 4.00 credits)
Independent Study of selected topics in Communication Studies developed by the student with the approval and direction of the instructor. Prerequisites: consent of instructor.
INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION COMMS317 D COMMS (3.00 credits)
This course is the study of how individuals perceive and react to cultural rules, and how those perceptions and reactions affect the ways they communicate with one another. The general goals of the class are for students to develop understanding of the role that identity plays in intercultural communication, develop understanding of how cultural rules affect communication, learn how cultures differ from each other and how they come together and coexist, and develop competence in communicating with people of various cultures in the United States and beyond. Prerequisites: None.
INTERPERSONAL INFLUENCE COMMS601 COMMS (3.00 credits)
Strengthen your career through relationships. Learn how the fundamentals of interpersonal communication can be used to build trust, foster collaboration, increase productivity, resolve conflict, and employee engagement.
INTRO TO BUS COMM & LEADERSHIP COMMS600 COMMS (3.00 credits)
Complete the program successfully. You will complete a communication-style assessment to identify strengths and areas to improve. You will also learn how to communicate with diverse individuals, foster relationships, find a mentor, and how to express your professional brand through media.
INTRO TO INTERPERSONL COMMUNICATION COMMS240 COMMS (3.00 credits)
Examines the fundamental elements of interpersonal communication. Students will explore strategies for listening effectively, resolving conflict constructively, and using respectful language to improve interpersonal communication and relationships. The process of interpersonal communication is not as simple as it might first appear. This course looks at how scholarship can inform everyday interaction and explores how research and theories can lead to more effective and satisfying relationships. Prerequisite: COMMS 100
INTRO TO ORGANIZATIONAL COMM COMMS242 COMMS (3.00 credits)
Explores the communication that originates from and within profit and non-profit organizations. A survey of concepts, theories, and research helps the student to apply communication knowledge to the professional environment and prepare for a successful career. Prerequisites: COMMS 240
INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION COMMS100 O COMMS (3.00 credits)
This course will introduce students to concepts in interpersonal, organizational, public and mediated communication, and will focus primarily on developing applied communication competencies in the following areas: personal relationships, conflict management, careers, small groups, public presentations, basic media literacy and civic engagement. Prerequisites: None.
INTRODUCTION TO MEDIA STUDIES COMMS243 COMMS (3.00 credits)
Explores the structure, history, functions, potentials, and impact of mass and mediated communication in the U.S., with a focus on how culture and mass media influence each other. Prerequisites: COMMS 100, COMMS 242, ENG 110
INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMS280 COMMS (3.00 credits)
This course is an overview of the functions, practices, and applications of public relations in private industry and the public sector, both in the U.S and abroad. We will examine the nature and role of PR, its historical development, activities of PR professionals, the ethics of public relations, and professional development of those working in the field.
JUSTICE AND SPORTS COMMS110 1 COMMS (3.00 credits)
This course examines how we talk about sports, and for what purposes. The sporting world provides us with opportunities to talk about issues of social importance that we might otherwise ignore. Recent controversies within the sporting world have inspired nationwide discussions about racism, sexism and gender equality, the exploitation of college athletes, corruption in college sports, labor issues, violence, health and safety issues, or the use of sport as propaganda. By examining the world of "sports talk" through a communication perspective, students will understand how the sporting world functions as both a reflection of our social shortcomings and a site for social change. Prerequisites: This course is for first semester freshmen or freshmen transfer students.
MASS COMM CMPGN: COMM 4 PUBLIC GOOD COMMS319 2 COMMS (3.00 credits)
This course asks students to investigate how communication campaigns can help improve the quality of life for diverse individuals and populations. Working in teams, students will develop the knowledge, understanding, and skills necessary to plan, design, and carry out a communication campaign for a real-world client, a nonprofit organization. The issue addressed in this campaign will depend on the needs of the nonprofit organization, but whatever the issue, students will carefully consider relevant aspects of diversity including culture, gender, socioeconomic status, and more. Prerequisites: Completion of COR 1 or COR 199 or COR 199 in progress; two full-time semesters of college credit, excluding retro credits, AP credits, and college credit earned while in high school; background in mediated communication (possibly from COMMS 243, COMMS 260, or a graphic design course) is suggested but not required.
MASS MEDIA & POLITICS COMMS460 J COMMS (4.00 credits)
How media has transformed American politics in the last half-century. Explores the assumption that media coverage of politics is not apart from the events it reports on, but rather a determinant, in many ways, of those events. How the presentation of political reality by the media, especially TV, affects elections, political behavior, public opinion, policy debates, and the notion of citizenship and democracy. Prerequisites: None.
MEDIA CAMPAIGNS COMMS720 COMMS (3.00 credits)
Master the art of media campaigns. You will plan, develop, and execute media campaigns for various purposes such as marketing, public relations, social advocacy and political. You will emphasize media strategy, message development, audience targeting, media selection and finally, evaluation.
NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION COMMS315 COMMS (3.00 credits)
This course explores theory, research and practical applications of nonverbal communication in interpersonal relationships. It examines various types of nonverbal communication, including kinesics, proxemics, vocalics, haptics, artifacts, and chonemics. It also considers how communicators and their environment influence nonverbal behaviors in relationships, as well as the use of nonverbal behaviors for specific purposes, such as managing one's image, expressing emotions, managing conversations, processing messages, deceiving, and influencing others. Prerequisites: COMMS 240.
PERSONAL & PROF BRAND DEVELOPMENT COMMS605 COMMS (3.00 credits)
Create your professional brand for results. You will learn how to develop your network, chart your career plan, and enhance your leadership message. You will also master interviewing, resume and cover letter writing.
PERSUASION PROMOTION & ADVERTISING COMMS314 COMMS (3.00 credits)
This course investigates persuasive communication with a special focus on advertising and promotion. Students are introduced to theories of persuasion, integrated marketing communication tools, and the practical application of persuasive communication methods. Prerequisites: None.
PR & STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION COMMS730 COMMS (3.00 credits)
Communicate with intent. In this course you will learn how to strategically communicate key messages to achieve organizational goals. You will identify target stakeholders, build relationships with journalists and media outlets, leverage social media for PR and branding, and craft compelling stories for brand building and reputation management.
PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS COMMS290 K COMMS (3.00 credits)
Students will develop an understanding of the communication skills and expectations involved in professional, organizational, and public life. Such expectations include the ability to devise effective and ethical communication messages that respond appropriately to informative, persuasive, crisis communication, interviewing, and ceremonial speaking situations. Prerequisites: Completion of the Written Communication requirement (ENG 110) and completion of the Oral Communication requirement (COMMS 100).
QUALITATIVE COMMS RESEARCH METHODS COMMS311 COMMS (3.00 credits)
This course aims to help students gain an essential view of qualitative inquiry within communication contexts. This course entails the following specific objectives: to examine the theoretical traditions of qualitative methods in the field of communication; to understand various approaches to qualitative inquiry such as interviewing, focus groups, and ethnography; to critique written qualitative research in communication journals and identify ways to improve it; and to develop skills and techniques to design a qualitative research project, including collecting and analyzing qualitative data and writing up qualitative findings. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or above. Completion of COMMS 100, COMMS 313, and ENG 110.
QUANTITATIVE COMM RESEARCH METHODS COMMS313 COMMS (3.00 credits)
Provides students with tools to better understand quantitative social science and communication research. The class covers the basics of scientific inquiry, choosing participants, making generalizations, developing instruments, and collecting/analyzing data for communication research. Students will design and conduct a quantitative research project exploring a communication question of their choice using the online survey tool Qualtrics. The research experience will emphasize information and technological literacy, which will include finding, evaluating and analyzing relevant information, understanding research ethics in the digital age, and using a variety of information sources and technological tools. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or higher. COMMS 201.
RELATIONAL COMMUNICATION COMMS250 COMMS (3.00 credits)
Examines the fundamental elements of interpersonal communication within the context of developing relationships. This course explores the forces that bring people together, keep them together, and separate and divide them. Whether with roommates, lovers, parents, or friends, we are constantly experiencing how communication behavior affects our relationships. It is within the context of our relationships with others that abstract concepts like feedback, perception, and conflict resolution become increasingly relevant. Therefore, theories and concepts covered in this course are examined against the backdrop of students' actual relationships. Prerequisites: None
SCIENCE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMS294 2V COMMS (3.00 credits)
This course is for students who are interested in how science can be communicated to the community at large. Students will examine the roles of the scientists and science educators in society. Topics for discussion will include: ethical and controversial issues in science, the various ways scientific knowledge is conveyed to the public, and how the general public uses science in their lives. Through intensive community engagement, students will develop a sense of the role scientists and science educators play in the community at large. NOTE: Some class meetings or community outreach may occur on nights and weekends. Prerequisites: Completion of COR 1 or COR 199 or COR 199 in progress; two full-time semesters of college credit, excluding retro credits, AP credits, and college credit earned while in high school; completion of Written Communication requirement (ENG 110). 
SENIOR CAPSTONE COMMS440 3 COMMS (3.00 credits)
This course is meant to serve as a summary "capstone" experience that will help students integrate what they have learned in their college experience--in and out of the classroom--with their plans for the future. It helps students reflect upon and prepare to present their accomplishments, develop resumes/curriculum vitas, practice communication-theory-based interviewing skills, and explore avenues for locating career and graduate study opportunities as well as opportunities for developing a rich and fulfilling life outside the professional realm through civic engagement. The course also guides students in reflecting on Edgewood's COR questions in the context of their chosen field. Prerequisites: COR 2, Senior standing.
SOC MEDIA: BRANDS, INFLUENCERS & HM COMMS295 K COMMS (3.00 credits)
This course will help students understand how social media has changed the way we do business and explore the influence of social networks and personal connections. Learning will take place both in virtual and face-to-face environments. Students who complete this course will know how to create profiles, appropriately post, tweet, comment, chat and tag. Students will gain confidence in their participation in virtual communities and have hands-on experience with the latest social media platforms, developing the online communication skills that today's employers demand. Prerequisites: None.
SPECIAL TOPICS IN COMM STUDIES COMMS430 COMMS (3.00 credits)
A variable topics seminar that treats specialized areas of communications study, e.g., health communications, communication, communication and the environment, persuasion, and marginalized communities. Prerequisites: None.
STORYTELLING COMMS711 COMMS (3.00 credits)
Tell a compelling story. Professional storytelling is the art of crafting and delivering compelling narratives in a business or professional context. Use storytelling techniques to engage, persuade, and connect with an audience in order to achieve specific objectives.
TOPICS: AFRO-AMERICAN COMMUNICATION COMMS430B COMMS (3.00 credits)
This course explores African-American language, culture and communication with in-depth and critical interpretations within a social and historical context. Prerequisites: None.
TOPICS: HEALTH COMMUNICATION COMMS430A COMMS (3.00 credits)
TPC: UNSPINNING CAMPAIGN RHETORIC COMMS430D COMMS (3.00 credits)
Characteristic of political campaigns is the "spinning" of factual information. Campaigners employ a variety of techniques including bending "facts," mischaracterizing the words of others, and ignoring or denying crucial evidence to create support for their value and/or policy positions. Guided by previous communication research, students will identify important assertions of fact in the campaigns of state and local candidates in the 2010 elections and seek to verify such assertions by consulting relevant literature and experts. If the candidates' assertions are not supported, the candidates themselves will be asked for clarification. The study will be conducted within the context of general campaign communication and will pursue such questions as "What political realities encourage "spin?" "What is the ethical importance of veracity in political speech?" "What is the role of the media in perpetuating "spin" and/or "fact checking" assertions made in political campaigns?" Prerequisites: None.
WRITING & PRESENTING FOR IMPACT COMMS603 COMMS (3.00 credits)
Leave an impact. Whether you are writing a concise email or delivering an engaging presentation, in this class you will learn how to harness your natural skills, analyze your audience, and express your ideas in meaningful ways.
WRITING FOR THE MEDIA COMMS260 X COMMS (3.00 credits)
This course introduces students to writing in a professional environment and to the forms of writing for the mass media (including news and feature stories for print and broadcast, advertising copy, writing for the Web, and writing for public relations). The class is heavily practice-based, with the majority of the final grade coming from weekly writing assignments and in-class writing workshops. The main course objective is for students to leave the class able to write clearly, concisely, and appropriately for a variety of media settings. Prerequisites: Completion of the Written Communication requirement (ENG 110).