Communication Studies (COMM)

COMM 130 OVERCOMING PUBLIC SPEAKING APPREHENSION (1)

Designed for students with public speaking apprehension to help them overcome their apprehension when taking the public speaking course. Focuses on strategies for addressing public speaking apprehension and helps students become more comfortable with public speaking. Not intended for students who have already completed COMM 131. Graded S/U. Corequisite: COMM 131.

COMM 131 PUBLIC SPEAKING (3)

Perspectives of rhetoric and public speaking, investigating contemporary American experiences, delivering and critiquing speeches. Students who have successfully completed the honors version of this course (COMM 132) will not receive additional credit for this course. Core: Arts & Humanities.

COMM 132 HONORS PUBLIC SPEAKING (3)

Instruction in various kinds of public speaking (e.g., informative, persuasive, introductory, and impromptu); doing research, developing ideas with evidence, preparing outlines, delivering and critiquing speeches with emphasis on rhetorical criticism and ethical issues in speech communication. Honors College course. Students who have successfully completed the non-honors version of this course will not receive additional credit for this course. Core: Arts & Humanities.

COMM 201 INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION STUDIES (3)

Foundation for communication studies major that focuses on theory and application of the role that communication plays in public discourse and advocacy, identity and culture, and leadership and organizational contexts. Students who have successfully completed COMM 101 will not receive additional credit for COMM 201. Prerequisite: ENGL 102 or ENGL 190, or equivalent.

COMM 215 INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION (3)

Examination and application of core concepts, advanced theories, and current research. Prerequisites: ENGL 102 or ENGL 190; COMM 131.

COMM 216 GROUP DISCUSSION (3)

Focuses on the communicative theories and processes of decision making and problem solving in small groups and teams. Emphasis is placed on understanding and application of developing cultural norms, roles, interpersonal networks, climate and symbolic identity through direct participation/projects/presentations.

COMM 220 COMMUNICATION ETHICS (3)

Focuses on communication ethics from an interpersonal and societal perspective. By exploring diverse ethical principles, frameworks, and guidelines, we will discover what rights and responsibilities all communicators have to themselves and others. We will evaluate where the philosophy of ethics ends and the application begins, in order to understand the impact of our everyday communication with others. Core: Ethical Issues & Perspectives.

COMM 231 NONVERBAL COMM (3)

Examination of the elements of nonverbal communication: environment, personal space, physical appearance, body movement, gestures, touching behavior, facial expression, and vocal cues. Course will investigate the effects of these on interpersonal and public communication. Students who have successfully completed COMM 301 will not receive additional credit for COMM 231. Prerequisite: COMM 201 [COMM 101] or consent of instructor.

COMM 233 PERFORMING LITERATURE (3)

Performing literature is concerned with the analysis and interpretation of literature and the communicative sharing of that interpretation. It is an opportunity to combine critical analysis of a text with the experiential knowledge of the body and voice. Students develop skills in critical reading, writing, listening, speaking, and analysis of performance as they study the communicative power of literary texts. Core: Creativity & Creative Development.

COMM 249 SPEECH AND DEBATE I (1.5)

Practical skill development and participation within Towson's Speech and Debate Program: preparation, practice and competition in debate and/or individual speaking events; researching controversial issues, preparing and delivering speeches, participating in on-campus and intercollegiate events. Course is repeatable for a maximum of 3.0 units. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

COMM 250 SPEECH AND DEBATE II (1.5)

COMM 300 RESEARCH METHODS (3)

Survey of methods and uses of research in communication studies fields. Students who have successfully completed COMM 480 will not receive additional credit for COMM 300. Prerequisites: COMM 101 or COMM 201, and ENGL 102 or ENGL 190 or equivalent; majors and minors only. Core: Advanced Writing Seminar.

COMM 303 ADV PUBL SPEAKNG (3)

Principles and application of evidence, composition, organization, analysis, and criticism. Manuscript, persuasive, and impromptu speaking. Prerequisite: COMM 131 or COMM 132.

COMM 304 PERSUASION (3)

Theory and practice of linguistic and symbolic persuasion; applications of rhetorical principles in social sciences and formal and informal communication; analysis of rhetoric through discussion. Prerequisite: junior/senior standing or consent of instructor.

COMM 305 HEALTH COMMUNICATION IN INTERCULTURAL CONTEXTS (3)

Designed to examine the role of communication, specifically culturally-competent communication, in the delivery of healthcare services. Students will learn about the influence of culture in healthcare processes in non-Western contexts. This course has been offered as a special topic; students who have earned credit for this course as a special topic will not receive additional credit for COMM 305. Prerequisite: COMM 201.

COMM 311 RHETORICAL THEORY & CRITICISM (3)

Foundation in the theories and practice of rhetorical studies with emphasis on the historical development of rhetorical theories and ideas, from Antiquity to the contemporary period, the application of theories to contemporary issues, and the scholarly process of studying rhetoric. Students who have successfully completed COMM 211 will not receive additional credit for this course. Prerequisite: COMM 300 or COMM 480.

COMM 315 BUSIN & PROF COMM (3)

Professional interview and other dyadic encounters, curriculum vitae preparation, and exploration of communication in business structures: agendas, briefings, meetings, conferences, and strategies of attributional and communicative techniques. Prerequisite: COMM 131/COMM 132.

COMM 331 ADVOCACY & ARGUMENT (3)

Essentials of argumentation; research, analysis, evidence, reasoning, case construction, and refutation. Applications in fact, value, and public policy settings. Prerequisites: COMM 131; majors/minors only.

COMM 333 INTRODUCTION TO PERFORMANCE STUDIES (3)

Will examine a broad range of performances on and off the stage, live and recorded, including performance art, storytelling, celebrations, political speeches, concerts, protests, street happenings, and everyday encounters. Students will observe and participate in various modes of performances and sites based on readings of key texts. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on the relationship between theory and practice through (auto)ethnographic writing and performance. Prerequisite: COMM 300.

COMM 345 SEXUAL COMMUNICATION (3)

Examines the communicative dimensions of sex, sexuality, and sexual expression. Surveying popular culture (magazines, pop science, tv/film) and everyday life (campus politics, hookup culture, dating rituals) students will critically analyze how sex is communicated in various public spheres. The course emphasizes the theoretical, political, relational, and ethical implications of sexual communication. Prerequisite: COMM 201.

COMM 349 PRACTICUM I (1-2)

Practical skill development and participation in competitive speech and debate, the public communication center, or in other on- or off-campus opportunities. Course is repeatable for a maximum of 8 units. Prerequisites: COMM 303 and consent of department.

COMM 350 PRACTICUM II (1-2)

COMM 360 COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL PROTEST (3)

Principles, research and applications of social protest as a communicative practice. Prerequisite: COMM 300.

COMM 365 VISUAL COMMUNICATION (3)

Explores the rhetorical power of images and visual artifacts including bodies, photographs, memorials, and image events. It introduces students to the theoretical concepts and methods used to interpret and analyze visual messages that stand alone or appear alongside verbal messages. Encourages students to engage visual artifacts critically in an investigation of the role visual media play in the creation and negotiation of American culture. Prerequisite: COMM 300.

COMM 368 COMMUNICATION AND POPULAR CULTURE (3)

Communicative elements of popular culture, including the production and consumption of critical analyses and power relations in popular culture. Prerequisite: COMM 201.

COMM 380 LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATION (3)

Students explore leadership from a communication processes perspective and investigate trends in leadership and communication. By looking at communication as a central force in leadership, students will study and develop skills needed for effective leadership. Prerequisites: COMM 131 and COMM 201.

COMM 382 AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNICATION (3)

Examines how members of the African American community have used and continue to use symbols rhetorically to construct and reconstruct images of themselves and their communities. Prerequisite: COMM 300.

COMM 390 COMMUNICATION AND POLITICS (3)

Designed to introduce students to the interdisciplinary study of political communication. It will examine the various ways that communicative messages, methods, and strategies relate to Politics (elections and policymaking) and politics (social movements and public advocacy) and inform our civic life. We will introduce this course with a theoretical foundation before exploring the following topics: presidential rhetoric and the rhetorical presidency, public policy deliberation, political campaigns, citizenship, public activism, political media, and political satire. Prerequisite: COMM 201.

COMM 400 ADVANCED QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS (3)

Study of qualitative research methodologies. This program-required course will explore theoretical paradigms, qualitative methods, and practical applications for qualitative research in Communication Studies. Prerequisites: senior standing and consent of the department.

COMM 401 ADVANCED COMMUNICATION THEORY (3)

An advanced understanding of communication as a discipline and its usefulness in different contexts. Students will be richly exposed to the discipline of communication studies as they learn theories of communication and the role communication plays in different contexts; relational, public, group, cultural, and organizational, with a focus on critical cultural and organizational communication theories. Prerequisites: senior standing and consent of the department.

COMM 418 COMMUNICATION TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT (3)

Instructional strategies for implementing objectives, specifying and evaluating results. Prerequisite: COMM 300 [COMM 480].

COMM 419 ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION (3)

Theories and processes of decision making in organizations including classical, human resources, culture, systems, and critical approaches. Emphasis is on the role communication plays in assimilation, conflict, diversification, and crisis management. Prerequisites: COMM 300 or COMM 480 or MCOM 390 or MCOM 490.

COMM 422 EVENT PLANNING (3)

Communicative details in preparing for and implementing events. Prerequisite: COMM 201.

COMM 440 COMMUNICATION AND GENDER (3)

The creation of gender images through communication and the development of lines of argument regarding masculinity and femininity. Emphasizing both historical and contemporary theories of gender arguments in public discourse. Prerequisite: COMM 201.

COMM 442 QUEER/LGBT COMMUNICATION STUDIES (3)

Examines the communicative traffic between queer theories and the lived realities of historically minoritized people. Between queer/intersectional theory-building and non-normative expressions, students will learn strategies for LGBTQIA social justice in various public and private scenes of communication. Surveying everyday life (identity formation, community formation, public advocacy) students will critically analyze how the communicative contours of queer/LGBT identities and cultures are formed, reformed, and maintained. The course emphasizes the theoretical, political, relational, and ethical implications of communicating about LGBT/queer people and communities in public. Prerequisites: COMM 201; junior/senior standing.

**COMM 444 TRANS* COMMUNICATION STUDIES (3)**

Engages students in a critical analysis of trans* communication (both by and of transgender lives), with a focus on production and consumption of popular media. Students are asked to reflect on their own allyship and advocacy work, and to move forward to a model where we amplify transgender voices and understand the forces that seek to control them. Students develop communication skills that respect trans peoples’ lived experiences, make space for trans peoples’ voices, and work against oppression targeted at trans people. The final project is open-ended, with either an audio text, policy brief, or critical analysis paper. Prerequisite: COMM 201.

COMM 450 CAPSTONE IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES (3)

The capstone course is designed to help students apply all the knowledge gained throughout the communication studies major. Students will use previous knowledge to create an individual research project of their choosing, from start to finish, with a culminating public research presentation. Prerequisites: COMM 300; majors only; senior standing.

COMM 470 TOPICS IN PUBLIC DISCOURSE AND ADVOCACY (3)

In-depth study of a selected area in public discourse and advocacy dependent on student and faculty interest. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units provided a different topic is covered. Prerequisite: COMM 201 [COMM 101].

COMM 471 TOPICS IN IDENTITY AND CULTURE (3)

In-depth study of a selected area in identity and culture dependent on student and faculty interest. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units provided a different topic is covered. Prerequisite: COMM 201 [COMM 101].

COMM 472 TOPICS IN LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION (3)

In-depth study of a selected area in leadership and organizational communication dependent on student and faculty interest. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units provided a different topic is covered. Prerequisite: COMM 201 [COMM 101].

COMM 477 INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION (3)

Principles, research and applications of cross-cultural discourse. Students who have successfully completed COMM 377, COMM 378 or COMM 379 will not receive additional credit for COMM 477. Prerequisite: COMM 300 [COMM 480].

COMM 490 INTERNSHIP IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES (1-6)

Practical field experiences. Under faculty supervision, the student works as an intern with a working professional in some field of communication. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units. Graded S/U. Prerequisites: sophomore standing; consent of the department.

COMM 494 STUDY ABROAD (3)

Provides students the opportunity to study communication outside of the United States. Prerequisites: COMM 131 and COMM 201.

COMM 495 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES (1-6)

Directed study through readings, projects, papers, or seminars. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units. Prerequisites: COMM 300 or COMM 480; minimum GPA 3.25 in the major or consent of the department.