2012-2013 Undergraduate Bulletin
Department of Communication
Professors Cofield, Scott; Associate Professors Bell (Chair), Ford, Ozley, Thompson; Assistant Professors Hoerner, Wang.
Department Philosophy and Goals
Formed in 1925, the Department of Communication is one of the oldest college communication programs in the Southeast. The Department’s philosophy is centered in the fundamental human activity that links our divisions: communication, television programs, and speeches are all human communication. Thoughts become concepts, which must be translated into recognizable symbols through oral and written communication. The goal of the Department of Communication is to teach students to communicate . . . clearly, accurately, and effectively.
Reproduction Rights
The Department of Communication reserves the right to retain examples of student work for instructional, publicity or recruiting purposes. Similarly, each division of the department reserves the right to use photographs, video/DVD and audio recordings of student productions in any departmental promotional material, including websites.
Curriculum
The Department of Communication offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in Communication Studies and Mass Communication. Minors are available in Communication Studies, Journalism, Mass Communication, and Public Relations.
General Education
All undergraduate students at the University must complete the General Education Core, which includes COMS 101. MC 325 is an option to fulfill the Fine Arts requirement.
Graduate Courses
The department offers one graduate-level course.
COMS 531—Directed Studies in Communication Studies
Contact the Office of Graduate Studies for more information.
Organizations
Each Communication Division has a club or honorary society: Lambda Pi Eta for Communication Studies; the National Broadcasting Society and Alpha Epsilon Rho for Mass Communication. Students who meet the grade-point requirements and who desire to become actively involved should contact the appropriate Division.
Internships
Many businesses offer paid and/or unpaid student internships. Successful completion of an internship can greatly enhance a student’s job prospects by providing daily work experience in the major. Up to 6 hours of credit may be counted toward the degree. Internships are graded on a pass/fail basis. Contact the appropriate Division for details.
Division of Communication Studies
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science
Communication Studies is a core liberal art that provides training in the skills required by today’s employers. The science of interpersonal and group dynamics, effective communication in business and industry, and the art of persuasion and social influence are emphasized in Communication Studies.
In addition to completing the General Education core, the Communication Studies curriculum requires 37 credit hours. A total of 130 credit hours is required to graduate.
Required Communication Studies Core (15 credit hours)
3 COMS 140—Principles of Public Speaking
3 COMS 141—Interpersonal Communication
3 COMS 200—Introduction to Communication Research Methods
3 COMS 330—Persuasion
3 COMS 499—Senior Seminar in Communication Studies
Choose 22 credit hours from the following
3 COMS 220—Introduction to Public Relations
3 COMS 320—Communication Theory
3 COMS 344—Organizational Communication
3 COMS 350—Nonverbal Communication
3 COMS 360—Group Discussion
3 COMS 375—Gender Communication
3 COMS 410—Environmental Communication
3 COMS 430—Argumentation and Debate
3 COMS 435—History and Criticism of U.S. Public Address
3 COMS 445—Communication Training and Development
3 COMS 450—Rhetorical Criticism
3 COMS 455—Intercultural Communication
3 COMS 460—Seminar in Communication Studies
1–6 COMS 475—Internship in Communication Studies
1–3 COMS 491—Directed Study
Minor in Communication Studies
The minor in Communication Studies requires 18 credit hours, including COMS 140, 141, and electives approved by a Communication Studies adviser.
Division of Mass Communication
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science
The Division of Mass Communication teaches the knowledge and skills necessary to enter the fields of radio, television, newspapers, magazines, advertising, video production, corporate/governmental media relations, and web-related communication. The convergence of traditional mass media and the Internet has highlighted the importance of critical thinking, creativity, and effective writing. Career success depends upon adapting to the constantly changing technology.
In addition to completing the General Education core, the Mass Communication curriculum requires 37 credit hours, including the following courses and 3 credit hours of Mass Communication electives. A total of 130 credit hours is required to graduate.
Required Mass Communication Core (16 credit hours)
3 MC 100—Introduction to Mass Media
3 MC 200—Introduction to Mass Media Writing
3 MC 360—Mass Communication Theory and Media Effects
3 MC 455—Media Law
3 MC 460—Media Management
1 MC 495—Senior Exit Portfolio
and
Broadcast Concentration (21 hours):
3 MC 215—Producing Video in the Studio
3 MC 315—Producing Video in the Field
3 MC 327—Electronic News Gathering
3 MC 411—Video Engineering
3 MC 412—Audio Engineering
3 MC 415—Advanced Video Post Production
3 MC Elective
or
Journalism Concentration (21 hours):
3 MC 255—Media Writing Fundamentals
3 MC 265—Broadcast News Writing
3 MC 300—Advanced Journalism Practices
3 MC 332—Broadcast News Fundamentals
3 MC 333—Television Newscast Production
3 MC 355—Advanced Media Writing or
3 MC 310—Publication Layout and Design
3 MC Elective
Minor in Journalism
The minor in Journalism requires 21 credit hours, including MC 100, 200, 255, 265, 300, and electives approved by a Mass Communication adviser. Students majoring in Mass Communication may not minor in Journalism.
Minor in Mass Communication
The minor in Mass Communication requires 21 credit hours, including MC 100, 200, 215, 255, and electives approved by a Mass Communication adviser.
Minor in Public Relations
The minor in Public Relations requires 21 credit hours, including COMS 140 and 220, MC 200, and 12 elective hours selected from approved courses across four content areas including Writing, Communication Management, Persuasion, and Production.
Courses in Communication
Every class is not offered every semester. It is strongly recommended that students arrange their schedules around courses in the major.
Communication Studies (COMS)
| Course number | Course name | Credit hours |
| 101 | Foundations of Oral Communication | 3 |
| 102 | Honors Foundations of Oral Communication | 3 |
| 140 | Principles of Public Speaking | 3 |
| 141 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| 200 | Introduction to Communication Research Methods | 3 |
| 220 | Introduction to Public Relations | 3 |
| 320 | Communication Theory | 3 |
| 330 | Persuasion | 3 |
| 344 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| 350 | Nonverbal Communication | 3 |
| 360 | Small Group Communication | 3 |
| 375 | Gender Communication | 3 |
| 410 | Environmental Communication | 3 |
| 430 | Argumentation and Debate | 3 |
| 435 | History and Criticism of U.S. Public Address | 3 |
| 445 | Communication Training and Development | 3 |
| 450 | Rhetorical Criticism | 3 |
| 455 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| 460 | Seminar in Communication Studies | 3 |
| 475 | Internship in Communication Studies | 1–6 |
| 491 | Directed Study | 1–3 |
| 499 | Senior Seminar in Communication Studies | 3 |
| Course number | Course name | Credit hours |
| 100 | Introduction to Mass Media | 3 |
| 200 | Introduction to Mass Media Writing | 3 |
| 215 | Producing Video in the Studio | 3 |
| 255 | Media Writing Fundamentals | 3 |
| 265 | Broadcast News Writing | 3 |
| 300 | Advanced Journalism Practices | 3 |
| 310 | Publication Layout and Design | 3 |
| 315 | Producing Video in the Field | 3 |
| 325 | Survey of American Cinema | 3 |
| 326 | History of French Film | 3 |
| 327 | Electronic News Gathering | 3 |
| 332 | Broadcast News Fundamentals | 3 |
| 333 | Television Newscast Production | 3 |
| 353 | Media History | 3 |
| 355 | Advanced Media Writing | 3 |
| 357 | Special Topics in Public Relations | 3 |
| 360 | Mass Communication Theory and Media Effects | 3 |
| 370 | DVD and Video Graphic Design | 3 |
| 390 | Multimedia Website Creation | 3 |
| 400 | Special Topics in Journalism | 3 |
| 411 | Video Engineering | 3 |
| 412 | Audio Engineering | 3 |
| 415 | Advanced Video Post Production | 3 |
| 425 | Documentary Production | 3 |
| 433 | Advanced TV Newscast Production | 3 |
| 450 | Seminar in Mass Communications | 3 |
| 452 | Public-Relations Writing | 3 |
| 453 | Advanced Journalism Practicum | 3 |
| 455 | Media Law | 3 |
| 456 | Nonfiction Freelance Writing | 3 |
| 460 | Media Management | 3 |
| 475 | Internship | 1–6 |
| 491 | Directed Study | 1–3 |
| 494 | Location Production | 3 |
| 495 | Senior Exit Portfolio | 1 |