- COM 100 INTERNSHIP IN COMPUTERIZED COMMUNICATION (1-3)
- This Internship allows for high school seniors to engage in a structured and supervised learning experience in computerized communication.
- COM 112 COMMUNICATION MEDIA PRACTICUM (1-3)
- This course provides students with an opportunity to gain knowledge and skill as they do work at WCU media outlets.
- COM 200 COMMUNICATION CAREERS PLANNING I (1)
- This course is designed to introduce the first of a two phase career planning process. Self-assessment and exploration is provided through assigned readings, mini-lectures, reflective exercises, and small group activities.
- COM 201 FUNDAMENTALS OF COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (3)
- Examination of the use of computers and other technologies to create, organize, store, visualize, and present messages.
- COM 202 SCRIPTS AND FORMATS FOR MASS MEDIA (3)
- 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.
- COM 204 INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION (3)
- One-on-one communication to give the student a basic understanding of the processes and experiences of the most basic type of human communication.
- SPK 208 PUBLIC SPEAKING (3)
- Development of skills necessary to understand the theory of and proficiency in communication as a problem-solving tool in the community. Special emphasis is on the student’s performance as a sender and receiver of messages as directed at social action.
- COM 212 MASS COMMUNICATION (3)
- A survey course designed to identify, analyze, and evaluate the pragmatic, persuasive, creative and technical dimensions of mass media.
- COM 216 SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION (3)
- Introduction to and practice in the structured small group. Emphasis on preparation for, analysis of, and participation in problem-solution oriented groups.
- COM 217 INTRODUCTION TO VIDEO PRODUCTION AND EDITING (3)
- Planning and producing the non-dramatic television production.
- COM 219 COMMUNICATION THEORY (3)
- A study of human communication which 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.
- COM 220 MULTI-MEDIA COMMUNICATION (3)
- The practical application of communication theory through experiences in photography and multi-media productions. The creative potentials of combining sound and various photographic elements will be explored with special attention given to photo journalism as used in advertising, public relations, theatre, and related mass communication studies.
- COM 222 SUCCESSFUL WEB PUBLISHING (3)
- Examination of problems and solutions for successful Web publishing.
- COM 224 COMMUNICATION RESEARCH (3)
- 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.
- SPK 230 BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL SPEECH COMMUNICATION (3)
- Practice in effective speaking and listening; reports and sales presentation; policy speeches, conference leadership techniques, group dynamics, speaking; interpersonal communication in the business and professional setting.
- COM 250 INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION (3)
- A study of factors that contribute to communication breakdowns between diverse cultures and between fragmented segments within the same society.
Diverse communities course.
- COM 292 EFFECTS OF COMPUTER-MEDIATED COMMUNICATION (3)
- An examination of the many effects of computer-mediated communication.
- COM 300 COMMUNICATION CAREERS PLANNING II (1)
- This second phase of the careers planning course series examines the initial steps required for finding employment. Topics covered include the job hunt process, resume development, networking, and the transition from college to employment.
- COM 304 ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION (3)
- An in-depth analysis of the dynamic process of communication as it occurs within organizational networks.
Prereq: COM 216, 219, 224, and SPK 208.
- COM 307 NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION (3)
- 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.
- COM 309 ADVANCED PUBLIC SPEAKING (3)
- 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.
- COM 317 ADVANCED VIDEO PRODUCTION AND EDITING (3)
- Planning the program. Preparing the shooting script. Practice in rehearsing with actors and cameras.
Prereq: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.
- COM 318 FORENSICS (3)
- 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.
- COM 320 COMMUNICATING ON TELEVISION AND RADIO (3)*
- 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, SPK 208, and THA 103.
- COM 330 ORAL COMMUNICATION FOR TECHNICAL PROFESSIONALS (3)
- 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.
- COM 340 POLITICAL COMMUNICATION (3)
- This course examines the functions and effects of political messages in policymaking and in campaigns. Particular attention is paid to the flow of message between politicians, the media, and the electorate.
Prereq: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.
- COM 355 INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC RELATIONS (3)
- Introduces students to the theory and practice of public relations, including research, writing, and evaluation.
Prereq: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.
- COM360 AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION (3)
- This course will examine communication practices from an African American cultural perspective.
Prereq: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.
- COM 399 DIRECTED STUDIES IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES (1-3)*
- Research, creative projects, reports, reading in speech communication. Application must be made to advisors by students one semester in advance of registration. Open to juniors and seniors only.
Prereq: COM 219, 224, SPK 208, and approval of Dept. Chairperson.
This course may be taken again for credit.
- COM 400 INTERNSHIP IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES (3-6-9-12)
- This course provides a structured and supervised work experience in communication. Credits earned are based on amount of time spent on the job. Students must apply to the department internship coordinator and receive approval to be admitted.
Prereq: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.
This course may be taken again for credit.
- COM 402 TEACHING COMMUNICATIONS (3)
- Theory and practice in teaching junior and senior high school communication and drama courses and in directing co-curricular programs in junior and senior high school.
Prereq: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.
- COM 403 PERSUASION (3)
- 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.
- COM 404 RHETORICAL THEORY AND CRITICISM (3)
- 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.
- COM 405 ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE (3)
- Functions and principles of argumentation and debate, including analysis, evidence, reasoning, and refutation. Class debating on vital issues.
Prereq: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.
- COM 410 CONFLICT RESOLUTION (3)
- This course explores the means of resolving conflict through argument, negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.
Prereq: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.
- COM 415 (also LIN 415) LANGUAGE, THOUGHT AND BEHAVIOR (3)
- This course is designed to help students to understand the way language functions in the communication process.
Prereq: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.
- COM 440 FRIENDSHIP COMMUNICATION (3)
- 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.
- COM 445 FAMILY COMMUNICATION (3)
- 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 219, 224, and SPK 208.
- COM 450 HEALTH COMMUNICATION (3)
- 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 mediated contexts.
Prereq: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.
- COM 455 PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGEMENT (3)
- This course is for students who have completed COM 355 and want to learn strategic planning and program implementation. Students use case studies and social science research to evaluate PR Program effectiveness.
Prereq: COM 212, 219, 224, 355, and SPK 208.
- COM 460 COMMUNICATION AND ADVERTISING (3)
- 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.
- COM 470 INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION TRAINING (3)
- 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, 250, and SPK208.
- COM 480 COMMUNICATION AND LEADERSHIP (3)
- This course explores the relationship between leadership and communication. Topics covered include the definition of the “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.
- COM 490 ADVANCED COMMUNICATION THEORY (3)
- This course explores the central theories of the field of communication studies. Topics covered include symbolic convergence theory, constructivism, message design logic, dialectical theory, rhetorical sensitivity, elaboration likelihood theory, organizational culture theory, agenda setting, and media equation theory.
Prereq: COM 219, 224, and SPK 208.
- COM 492 ADVANCED INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION (3)
- This course explores the central theories of interpersonal communication focusing on the relationship between the self and other. Topics covered include a pragmatic and relational perspective of communication, symbolic interactionism, relational perception, constructionism, role theory, dialectical theory, and narrative theory.
Prereq: COM 204, 219, 224, and SPK 208.
- COM 499 COMMUNICATION SEMINAR (3)
- 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 SPK208.
This course may be taken again for credit.
