Below are short descriptions of courses offered by the Department of Communication Studies, as listed in the current Undergraduate Catalog of West Chester University of Pennsylvania. For a current listing of sections offered, please consult the latest edition of the WCU Undergraduate Course Schedule, available from the Registrar's office, or online at my.wcupa.edu.
Internship for high school seniors to engage in a structured and supervised learning experience in computerized communication.
This course provides students with an opportunity to gain knowledge and skill as they work at WCU media outlets. (This course may be taken again for credit.)
This course is designed to introduce the first of a two-phase, career-planning process. Self-assessment and exploration are provided through assigned readings, mini-lectures, reflective exercises, and small group activities.
Examination of the use of computers and other technologies to create, organize, store, visualize, and present messages.
Students are required to analyze, evaluate, and produce scripts for a variety of mass media formats. The course emphasis is on radio, television, and film.
This course focuses on one-on-one (or dyadic) communication to give the student a fundamental understanding of the processes and experiences of the most basic type of human communication.
Development of skills necessary to understand the theory of communication as a problem-solving tool in the community. Special emphasis is on the student's performance as a sender and receiver of messages directed at social action.
A survey course designed to identify, analyze, and evaluate the pragmatic, persuasive, creative, and technical dimensions of mass media.
Introduction to and practice in the structured small group. Emphasis on preparation for, analysis of, and participation in problem-solving oriented groups.
Planning and producing the nondramatic television production.
A study of human communication that includes a historical view of the field, examinations of definitions of communication, analyses of the nature of theory and the process of theorizing, assessment of perspectives of communication, and construction of models of communication.
The practical application of communication theory through experiences in photography and multi-media productions. The creative potential of combining sound and various photographic elements will be explored with special attention given to photojournalism as used in advertising, public relations, theater, and related mass communication fields.
Examination of problems and solutions for successful Web publishing.
An examination of the nature of inquiry and research in communication. Emphasis on understanding and appreciating the strengths and weaknesses of various methods of research in communication.
Practice in effective speaking and listening. Interpersonal communication in the business and professional setting, including reports and sales presentations, policy speeches, conference leadership techniques, group dynamics, and speaking.
A study of factors that contribute to communication breakdowns between diverse cultures and between fragmented segments within the same society. (Diverse communities course)
An examination of the many effects of computer-mediated communication.
This course explores how individuals communicate through and about disability. Topics covered include the place of perceptions, identity, language, nonverbal behavior, and assistive technology in interpersonal communicative interactions among and about individuals with disabilities in family, friendship, and professional relationships.
An indepth analysis of the dynamic process of communication as it occurs in organizational networks. PREREQ: COM 216, 219, 224; and SPK 208.
A study of the verbal and sensory messages we are constantly receiving. Body language and the uses of space, time, touch, objects, and color inherent in the sensory messages we receive. PREREQ: COM 219, 224; and SPK 208.
Designing personal strategies, adapting delivery to large audiences, developing oral use of language, and speaking to live or simulated community groups. PREREQ: COM 219, 224; and SPK 208.
Planning the program. Preparing the shooting script. Practice in rehearsing with actors and cameras. PREREQ: COM 217, 219, 224; and SPK 208.
Study in the philosophy and practice of forensics. Initiating, developing, and administrating a forensic program. Coaching and judging debate and individual events. PREREQ: COM 219, 224; and SPK 208.
For the student who, by career or circumstance, will be required to be on radio and television. The focus of the course will be on three major areas: interviewer/interviewee techniques; acting for television, including working in commercials; and news reporting, including studio and remote locations. PREREQ: COM 219, 224; and SPK 208.
The student will explore the oral component of effective communication as it applies to the business and professional world of mathematics, engineering, and science. PREREQ: COM 219, 224; and SPK 208.
This course examines the functions and effects of political messages in policymaking and in campaigns. Particular attention is paid to the flow of messages between politicians, the media, and the electorate. PREREQ: COM 219, 224; and SPK 208. (Interdisciplinary course)
Introduces students to the theory and practice of public relations, including research, writing, and evaluation. PREREQ: COM 219, 224; and SPK 208.
This course explores the cultural perspective and practices that form the basis of African American communication. Topics covered include the characterisitics of African American verbal and nonverbal communication as well as the communication strategies that improve intercultural communication competence. PREREQ: COM 219, 224; and SPK 208.
Research, creative projects, reports, and readings in communication studies. Students must apply to advisers one semester in advance of registration. Open to juniors and seniors only. PREREQ: COM 219, 224; SPK 208; and approval of department chairperson. (This course may be taken again for credit.)
This course provides a structured and supervised work experience in communication. Credits earned are based on the amount of quality time spent on the job. Students must apply to the department internship coordinator and receive approval to be admitted. PREREQ: COM 219, 224; SPK 208; and approval of department internship coordinator. (This course may be taken again for credit.)
Theory and practice in teaching junior and senior high school communication and drama courses, and in directing cocurricular programs in junior and senior high school. PREREQ: COM 219, 224; and SPK 208.
Current theories of attitude and attitude change. Practice in speaking to modify behavior through appeals to the drives and motives of the listener. PREREQ: COM 219, 224; and SPK 208.
Offers an overview of rhetorical theory from classical to contemporary times. Theory is used to analyze and assess a variety of texts such as advertisements and speeches. PREREQ: COM 219, 224; and SPK 208.
This course explores the functions and principles of argumentation and debate, including analysis, evidence, reasoning, and refutation. Class debates on vital issues. PREREQ: COM 219, 224; and SPK 208. Writing emphasis course.
This course explores the means of resolving conflict through argument, negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. PREREQ: COM 219, 224; and SPK 208.
This course is designed to help students understand the way language functions in the communication process. To accomplish this purpose, various language systems will be examined, and one will be selected for in-depth analysis. PREREQ: COM 219, 224; and SPK 208. Writing emphasis course.
This course explores communication in friendship relationships. Topics covered include a dialectical perspective of creating and maintaining meaning between friends in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, as well as how friendship communication is affected by gender, culture, school, work, romance, and family. PREREQ: COM 204, 219, 224; and SPK 208. Writing emphasis course.
This course explores communication in family relationships. Topics covered include interpersonal interaction between family members, societal influences on the family as a whole, and the place of family narratives in these communicative behaviors. PREREQ: COM 204, 219, 224; and SPK 208. Writing emphasis course.
This course explores communication in health care settings. Topics covered include the changing perceptions of medical encounters, the language of illness and health, the roles of patients and caregivers, and health communication in historical, cultural, organizational, technological, and medical contexts. PREREQ: COM 219, 224; and SPK 208.
This course explores the strategic planning and implementation of public relations programs. Topics include the application of management theory to real public relations cases to solve communication problems as well as identifying audience values and working with the media to develop and distribute messages. PREREQ: COM 212, 219, 224, 355; and SPK 208.
This course explores the relationship between communication and advertising. Topics covered include the interconnection among advertising, media, and a range of publics, as well as the process and history of advertising, message strategies, media planning, campaign evaluation, and ethical and regulatory issues. PREREQ: COM 212, 219, 224; and SPK 208.
This course explores intercultural communication training in organizations. Topics covered include the effects of cultural differences on communication within and between organizations, training strategies for managing cultural differences in communication, and the relationship between intercultural communication training and the power structures in organizations. PREREQ: COM 219, 224; and SPK 208.
This course explores the relationship between leadership and communication. Topics covered include the definition of "leadership challenge," the major approaches to leadership training, and the study of leadership as a metaphor for self-development. PREREQ: COM 219, 224; and SPK 208.
This senior-level seminar explores leading communication theories at an advanced level. Students will be expected to read, synthesize, and apply original communication research related to key theories across the communication studies field. PREREQ: COM 219, 224; SPK 208; and any two 300- or 400-level COM courses other than COM 400.
This senior-level seminar explores leading theories of rhetoric and social influence at an advanced level. Students will be expected to read, synthesize, and apply original communication research related to theories in these particular areas of emphasis in the communication studies field. PREREQ: COM 219, 224; SPK 208; and any two of the following courses: COM 309, 340, 403, 404, 405, or 481.
This senior-level seminar explores leading theories of intercultural and interpersonal communication at an advanced level. Students will be expected to read, synthesize, and apply original communication research related to theories in these particular areas of emphasis in the communication studies field. PREREQ: COM 204, 219, 224; SPK 208; and any two of the following courses: COM 307, 360, 410, 440, 445, 450, 470, or 482.
This senior-level seminar explores leading media and public relations theories at an advanced level. Students will be expected to read, synthesize, and apply original communication research related to theories in these particular areas of emphasis in the communication studies field. PREREQ: COM 212, 219, 224; SPK 208; and any two of the following courses: COM 317, 320, 355, 455, 460, or 483.
Intensive examination of a selected area of study in the field of communication studies. Topics will be announced in advance. PREREQ: COM 219, 224; and SPK 208. (This course may be taken again for credit.)
