Department of Communication

Graduate Program

Communication Courses

CMC 600: Communication Research Methods

Examines different research methodologies and techniques and their application in rhetorical, interpersonal, and mass communication research. This course is a prerequisite for all CMC 600- and 700-level courses. 3 Cr.

CMC 601: Quantitative Research Methods in Communication: Surveys and Experiments

Provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and conduct both experimental and survey research on communication topics. Requires students to design and conduct quantitative research prospectuses. 3 Cr.

CMC 602: Qualitative Research Methods in Communication: Textual Analysis and Ethnography

Provides students with knowledge and skills necessary to design and conduct qualitative communication research. Focuses on various methods of rhetorical criticism, textual analysis and ethnography. Requires students to design and conduct qualitative research prospectuses. 3 Cr.

CMC 691: Seminar in Topics Rhetorical Criticism

Prerequisite: CMC 600. Examines the development of rhetorical criticism and application of methodologies to particular problems of criticism. 3 Cr.

CMC 692: Seminar in Rhetorical Theory

Prerequisite: CMC 600. Examines classical and contemporary theories of rhetoric, with an emphasis on the epistemic functions of rhetoric and on the role of rhetoric in public, social and cultural contexts. 3 Cr.

CMC 693: Seminar in Organizational Communication

Prerequisite: CMC 600. Examines organizational communication. Specific topic announced in advance by the instructor. 3 Cr.

CMC 694: Seminar in Mass Communication

Prerequisite: CMC 600. Covers mass communication theory, research and practice, development in contemporary mass communication theory; and the social and cultural contexts of mass communication. Specific topic announced in advance by the instructor. 3 Cr.

CMC 695: Seminar in Periods of Rhetorical Discourse

Prerequisite: CMC 600. In-depth examination of particular periods or movements in the history of rhetorical discourse such as colonial American speeches, the women's sufferage movements, totalitarian movements, or contemporary political speaking. Specific period announced in advance by the instructor. 3 Cr.

CMC 696: Seminar in Types of Rhetorical Discourse

Prerequisite: CMC 600. Examines various approaches to media studies and criticism, including technological determinism, rhetorical criticism, semiotics, social criticism, cultural studies and ideological criticism.

CMC 697: Seminar in Interpersonal Communication

Prerequisite: CMC 600. Examines dyadic, relational, family, small group, therapeutic, and/or negotiation communication. Specific topics will be selected by the instructor. 3 Cr.

CMC 699: Independent Study in Communication

Prerequisite: CMC 600. Designed individually through consultation between the student and instructor to suit the student's needs and interests, and the special competence of the instructor. Additional requirements may be established by the department. 1-3 Cr.

CMC 797: Project in Communication

Prerequisite: CMC 600. Entails a substantial research, creative, or utilitarian project that serves to integrate and focus the graduate student's program of study. Acceptable projects can include limited historical, descriptive, or experimental research; applied communication activities with a clearly defined end product; or creative work demonstrating an understanding of theoretical communication concepts. An acceptable project is determined through consultation between the student and his/her advisor and other graduate faculty in the department and in the student's cognate area. 3-6 Cr

CMC 510: Speakers, Campaigns and Movements

Surveys significant historical and contemporary speakers, persuasive campaigns and rhetorical movements, with special attention to the introduction of women to the speaking platform and to historical and contemporary spokespersons and movements on behalf of social and gender equality. 3 Cr.

CMC 511: Rhetorical Criticism

Covers the theory and methods of rhetorical criticism the application of methods to rhetorical discourse and the recognition of critical methods in critical studies. 3 Cr.

CMC 513: Non-verbal Communication

Develops an awareness of communication through channels in addition to spoken and written communication. Applies research, observations, and practical experience to the understanding and use of body, artifacts, space and time to communicate. Requires an original, experimental project based on research and field tests. 3 Cr.

CMC 517: Political Rhetoric In The Information Age

Critically examines significant 20th century American political speeches and campaigns. Explores the ways in which individuals and institutions use media to exercise power and influence opinion through the use of verbal and visual symbols. Special emphasis placed on representations of gender in political rhetoric. 3 Cr.

CMC 518: Intercultural Communication

Explores cultural similarities and differences affecting communication and intercultural competencies for interaction between cultural groups and individuals along gender, ethnic and national lines. 3 Cr.

CMC 519: Freedom of Expression

Critically examines the First Amendment by exploring its historical foundations and significant legal, political and philosophical arguments. Explores a variety of contemporary controversies concerning an individual's right to freedom of verbal and nonverbal expression, including hate speech, incitement to violence and obscenity. Controversies are examined in a variety of contexts, include the public speaking platform, print, television and the Internet. 3 Cr.

CMC 532: Public Relations Campaigns

Focuses on the treatment of an organization's public relations and information efforts, including situation analysis and research, program and campaign planning, development of communications materials and activities, and program management. Provides experience in planning and executing public relations and information campaigns and programs. 3 Cr.

CMC 563: Media and Society

Covers significant phases, issues and controversies in the historical development of mass communication in the United States. Emphasizes contemporary media relationships with, and impact on intellectual, socio-political, economic and technological aspects of, culture and society. Considers daily and other periodical press, radio, television and film. 3 Cr.

CMC 562: The Rhetoric of Film

Studies film as a medium of persuasive communication through an examination of the communication methods of film and the forms/genres through which the communication takes place. 3 Cr.

CMC 563: Mass Communication and Society

Covers significant phases, issues and controversies in the historical development of mass communication in the United States. Emphasizes contemporary media relationships with, and impact on, intellectual, socio-political, economic and technological aspects of culture and society. Considers daily and other periodical press, radio, television and film. 3 Cr.

CMC 573: Theories of Communication

Examines classical and contemporary theories of human communication and the research and practical applications of theory. Allows students to relate theoretical concepts to instances of communication behavior and identify salient communication theses. 3 Cr.

CMC 577: Organizational Communication

Integrates communication theories with practice of communication in organizations. Emphasizes communication roles and culture of organizations as a force in organizational philosophy and world view. Provides practice in diagnosing and improving organizational communication systems. 3 Cr.

CMC 579: Conflict Management Through Communication

Covers interpersonal conflict and its essential characteristics; evolution of the study of social conflict; perspectives from which social conflict is viewed, including psychological, social-psychological, sociological, economic, political and mathematical; the sources, conditions and consequences of social conflict in a given social setting; and skills of conflict management. 3 Cr.

CMC 583: Communication Training and Development

Introduces communication training with emphasis on practice in designing, facilitating, and evaluating a workshop presentation in an organizational setting. 3 Cr.

CMC 592: Theories of Rhetoric

Provides an intensive study of classical and contemporary theories of persuasion and social influence. Gives attention to the application of theory to the practice of social influence. 3 Cr.