Courses

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COM 101 Collegiate Communication (1)
A twelve-week, one-credit course with a primary goal of teaching freshmen students how successful communication and relationship development can improve their chances of academic and personal success.
To view a sample syllabus from this course click here.

COM 114 Introduction to American Sign Language (4)
Conversational AMESLAN, nonverbal communication, body and facial expression integrated with a basic sign vocabulary, a survey of the various sign systems, and an examination of the psychological, cultural and linguistic aspects of the deaf community.
To view a sample syllabus from this course click here.

COM 115 American Sign Language (4)
A continuation of COM 114.
Prerequisite: COM 114
To view a sample syllabus from this course click here.

COM 201 Public Speaking (4)
Theory and practice in public address: adaptations required by particular goals, audiences and occasions, and classroom interactions.
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COM 202 Group Dynamics and Communication (4)
Group dynamics, discussion and problem solving influences of group structure, norms, roles, leadership and climate on the processes of group communication and collaborative decision making.
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COM 207 Meaning in Language (4)
The study of meaning, which involves the relation among speaker, the language and the real or imagined world. Attention is given to modern theories about the organization of thought.
Identical with LIN 207. Satisfies the university general education requirement in language.
To view a sample syllabus from this course click here.

COM 214 American Sign Language III (4)
Continues the work of COM 114-115 with a focus on clarity and completion of expressions. Accurate reception as well as an examination of literary prose in a deaf community.
Prerequisite: COM 115
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COM 215 American Sign Language IV (4)
Develops expressive and receptive fluency through a study of the performance and structure of American sign language poetry.
Prerequisite: COM 214
To view a sample syllabus from this course click here.

COM 220 Public Speaking on Public Issues (4)
The development, presentation and defense of speeches addressing public issues, including advanced concepts of audience analysis and persuasion, and the use of rhetorical strategies and aids. This course meets of campus at the Borders Book Store in Rochester.
Prerequisite: COM 201
To view a sample syllabus from this course click here.

COM 280 Broadcast Announcing (4)
Techniques of speaking before a microphone, editing, reading copy and news broadcasting. Experience includes recording and critiquing various styles of delivery.
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COM 285 Introduction to Broadcasting (4)
A survey of public and commercial radio and television, including their public service, educational and religious functions and the history, economics, influence and social control of broadcasting.
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COM 287 Media and Social Identity (4)
Explores the role of media in the construction of international, national and local communities, as well as socail identity. Students will be given an historical overview of the development of media with an emphasis on the role of media in shapeing our ideas of ethnicity, gender identity and citizenship.

COM 301 Persuasion (4)
Analysis of persuasion in current society, psychological bases of persuasion, ethical considerations and distinctions between debate and persuasive argument.
Prerequisite: COM 201
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COM 303 Communication Theory (4)
Central concepts in communication and the relation of communication to system theory, the acquisition of knowledge, the nature of language and the maintenance of ethical values.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing
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COM 304 Communication in Organizations (4)
Communication theory and practice within organizational systems.
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COM 305 Interpersonal Communication (4)
Elements, purposes and patterns of face-to-face communication and their effects; experience in interviewing, decision making and tutoring.
Prerequisite: One COM course
To view a sample syllabus from this course click here.

COM 307 Performance Communication (4)
Examination of the theory and practice of oral interpretation of written text. Particular attention is given to how readers bring written works to meaning through communicative performance.
Prerequisite: COM 201 or permission of the instructor
To view a sample syllabus from this course click here.

COM 308 Competitive Speaking (2)
Practice for forensic festival or competitive events such as public address and oral interpretation. May be repeated for up to six credits.
Prerequisite: COM 201
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COM 310 Philosophy of Rhetoric (4)
The problem of objectivity, the distinction between persuasion and proof, and the consequences of denying such a distinction. Readings include Plato's Gorgias, Aristotle's Rhetoric, and modern discussions of rhetoric and society. Offered every other year. Identical with PHL 310.
Prerequisite: Junior standing
To view a sample syllabus from this course click here.

COM 311 Rhetoric and Public Address (4)
Introduction to the history and theory of rhetorical criticism and public address, contrasting Aristotle's Rhetoric with contemporary theories.
Prerequisite: COM 201

COM 314 Discourse and Content Analysis (4)
Analysis and comparison of spoken and written texts, with the aim of bringing out their basic structures and differences by methods ranging from close reading to categorization and statistics.

COM 318 Argumentation and Debate (4)
Theories of argumentation from the classical to the contemporary period combined with debating experience. Propositions of fact, value and policy are distinguished and related to the construction and selection of argument. Debate experience will focus on the national intercollegiate proposition.
Prerequisite: COM 201

COM 327 Gender Communication (4)
Explores the relationships between gender and communication strategies and settings. The course examines how gender is experienced and how individuals learn to manage the dynamic of gender in interpersonal interaction and public discourse.
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COM 330 Digital Culture: Identity and Community (4)
Examination of the rhetoric an ethics of internet technology and culture. Introduces theories of digital culture and its effects on both on-line and actual identities and communities, especially in relation to ethnicity, gender, class, physical ability and sexual orientation. Inculudes individual and collaborative analysis and construction of web projects. Identical with WRT 330.
Prerequisite: Completion of university writing foundation requirement.

COM 360 Listening in Communication (2)
Examination of the differences between hearing and listening in responsible communication. The course identifies barriers to effective listening and explores ways to manage them. Different listening skills appropriate for diverse types and purposes of listening are identified and examined.
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COM 371 Forms and Effects of Mass Communication (4)
Techniques of disseminating ideas and information through the mass media; evaluation of the effect of mass media on values of individuals and policies of institutions. Identical with SOC 371.
Prerequisite: SOC 100 or sophomore standing
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COM 373 Social Control of Mass Media (4)
The major sociological factors that control the informational content of the mass media; differences between the structures and processes of control in the print and electronic sectors of the media. Identical with SOC 373.
Prerequisite: COM 371
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COM 376 Introduction to Television Production (4)
The essential elements of television as a medium, its capabilities and limitations. Practical experience in studio and/or field work.
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COM 377 Live Video Production (4)
Practicum in live television production. Students will participate in every aspect of producing a live television program. Experiences include research, writing, equipment operation and directing.
Prerequisite: COM 376
To view a sample syllabus from this course click here.

COM 378 Television News Producing (4)
Fundamentals of broadcasting television news including operation of studio equipment, non-linear editing, and newscast direction in the production of an on-air program. This course will be taught concurrently with JRN 338 Prerequisite: COM 376

COM 380 Special Topics in Communication (2 or 4)
Various topics in communication theory and practice chosen by department faculty. May be repeated under different subtitles.
Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing and at least 20 credits of COM courses.
Below is a list of special topics that have been taught in recent years. To view a sample syllabus click on the title of the course you are interested in.
Family Communication.
Health Communication.
Studies in Performance Communication.

COM 381 Broadcast Operations (4)
An analysis of non-commercial radio with an emphasis on college broadcasting; includes experience in writing, producing and performing on-air programming for the university's radio station.
Prerequisite: COM 280 (may be taken concurrently)
To view a sample syllabus from this course click here.

COM 382 Advanced Radio Production (2)
Training for positions of leadership in the campus radio station. May be repeated for a total of four credits.
Prerequisite: COM 381

COM 385 Multicultural Communication (4)
Students will learn the relationships among culture, communication and perception, and how these relationships are manifested in our daily interactions among people who are ethnically, racially and sexually different from us. Students also will learn the appropriate communication skills necessary to minimize misunderstanding in intercultural encounters. Satisfies the university ethnic diversity requirement.
Prerequisite: Junior standing
To view a sample syllabus from this course click here.

COM 399 Field Experience in Communication (4)
Field experience, with faculty supervision, that incorporates student performance in community service organizations with directed study assignments and regular discussion sessions. May not be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite: Senior standing and at least 20 credits of COM courses
To view a sample syllabus from this course click here.

COM 401 Persuasion and Social Change (4)
Examination of the communicative processes by which movements for social change influence institutions and actors. Emphasis on persuasive strategies for mobilization, maintenance and social transformation inlcuding: narrative and argument, symbolism and music, and the role of leadership. Analysis of case studies and consideration of contemporary efforts at social change.
Prerequisite: COM 301

COM 402 Small Groups (4)
The study of small group relations and the informal understandings, codes and conventions they generate. Considers dynamics of individuality, leadership, conformity and esprit de corps in a group setting. Identical with SOC 402.
Prerequisite: SOC 100

COM 405 Advanced Interpersonal (4)
Advanced current research and theories in relational communciation. Shows how communciation is the force behind the initiation, development, maintenance, and deterioration of interpersonal relationships.
Prerequisite: COM 305

COM 476 Advanced Video Production (4)
Advanced practice in video production from conception to post-production. Skills involve pre-production research, remote and studion shooting techniques, and script writing for program formats including commercials and documentary television.
Prerequisite: COM 376
To view a sample syllabus from this course click here.

COM 480 Special Topics Seminar (4)
Group study of topics of special interest chosen by department faculty and students. May be repeated for credit with the instructor's permission.
Prerequisite: Three COM courses

COM 485 Cultural Studies in Communication (4)
History, theoretical frameworks and applied studies emergent in cultural studies from a communication driven perspective. Students will explore the relationships among communcation practices, cultual forms and politics within and among cultures.
Prerequisite: COM 385. COM 303 is highly recommended.

COM 490 Independent Study (1-4)
Special research projects in speech communication. May be repeated for a maximum of eight credits.
Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing, 12 previous credits in the major, permission of instructor and completion of course application form.
To download the required form click here. This form must be signed by the cooperating instructor and the Director of Communication.

COM 491 Internship (4)
Experience working with professionals in various performing arts and mass communication settings. May be repeated once in a different setting for up to eight credits.
Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing and permission of instructor (permission will normally require completion of at least one writing course beyond RHT 160)
To view COM 491 expectations and required forms click here.

COM 497 Apprentice College Teaching (2 or 4)
Assisting in teaching an undergraduate course in speech communication, and discussions with the supervising faculty member on the principles, methods and problems of such teaching.
Prerequisite: Junior standing and permission of instructor
To download the required form click here. This form must be signed by the cooperating instructor and the Director of Communication.