Department of Communication Studies

PY 504
Phone: 410-704-3943
Fax: 410-704-8526
Email: communicationstudies@towson.edu

Why Communication Studies?

Are you interested in public advocacy and how individuals and groups craft and respond to messages?
Do you have an interest in how identity and culture shapes our communication interactions?
Do you want to better understand how organizations and groups manage communication?

If so, Communication Studies may be a great fit for you!

The department seeks to contribute to a broad, liberal education for majors and non-majors by raising students' level of oral, visual, and written communication literacy, as well as their critical thinking abilities. Students develop an understanding and appreciation of human message exchanges and recognize how communication influences social, political, artistic, and cultural existence. In addition to the Communication Studies' programs, the department participates in an interdisciplinary approach to the discipline and thus offers cross-listed courses with Theatre, Cultural Studies, African American Studies, Women's and Gender Studies, and IDFA.

Alumni work in areas including public affairs, corporate relations, law, religion, sales, lobbying, entertainment, human resources, conference and meeting management, training, health communication, teaching and consulting. The major also prepares students well for graduate or law school.

Department faculty are committed to scholarly research and creative production in the department's areas of expertise: identity and culture, public discourse and advocacy, and leadership and organizational communication. The department provides service to TU and the larger community in a variety of ways, including through service-learning courses, annual participation in Tiger Pride Day, community engagement initiatives and with the department's affiliation with Pi Kappa Delta, the communication studies honorary society. The department also houses the Public Communication Center, a center that offers peer mentorship for students working on speeches and presentations.

Internship Program Guidelines

Communication Studies has a successful and robust internship program. Students who meet the requirements for participation are encouraged to consider selecting an internship for course credit.

In order to be eligible for an internship, students must be a major, have junior/senior status. Visit the department website for information on the internship application and approval process. All internship worksites must be approved by the internship coordinator.

Departmental Scholarships

The department is fortunate in being able to offer its majors a number of scholarship opportunities, including the Brian Billick Sports Communication Scholarship, the Jamie Parker Memorial Scholarship, and the Louis Adam Dollenger '75 Memorial Scholarship. Typically, scholarship applications are due in early February for the next academic year.

Departmental Activities

The Speak Up, Speak Out! (SUSO!) Residential Learning Community invites students to live together and learn public speaking and advocacy skills. The department supports the Public Communication Center, a center to help students improve their advocacy, public speaking, and class presentation skills, and Pi Kappa Delta, the national honorary for speech and debate. The department sponsors a Welcome Back event in the fall and two major events in the spring--a campus-wide public speaking contest and the Communication Studies Symposium. The department also provides workshops, lectures and alumni events throughout the year.

Courses

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 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 (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 4 units. Prerequisites: COMM 303 and consent of department.

COMM 350 PRACTICUM II (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 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 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.

Faculty

Professors: Audra McMullen, Jennifer Potter (Chairperson)

Associate Professors: Blake Abbott, Michaela Frischherz (Associate Chair), Desirée Rowe

Assistant Professors: Comfort Tosin Adebayo, Eric Karikari, Michael Tristano Jr.

Lecturers: Michael Harrington, Cicada Inscoe, Kanika Jackson, Melanie Morris

Lecturer II: Carol Norton, Sarah Parker Hughes, Erin Witte