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¸£Àû±ÆÕ¾ Catalog 2024-2025

Communication

This is an archived copy of the 2024-2025 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit .

The Master of Science program in communication is designed to provide graduate-level expertise for solving problems in modern organizations and social systems from a communication perspective. This intensive, 36.00 credit-hour graduate program prepares students to address complex communication issues from a strong, theoretically grounded, and methodologically driven perspective. Providing a foundation of communication theory and mixed methodological training, the program allows students to specialize in various subfields such as public relations, organizational communication, interpersonal communication, cultural studies, mediated communication, and digital media. The curriculum addresses issues concerned with interpersonal, relational and technologically mediated communication systems essential to modern, networked organizations and societies. Its graduates will acquire advanced-level expertise in communication theory, research, and applications that will improve processes and enhance outcomes within and across diverse social systems.  The degree prepares students for higher-level positions in communication professions and for advanced degree programs (e.g., Ph.D. programs).

Master's Degree Requirements

The degree requires 36 credit hours with a minimum of 27 credit hours taken in communication. Students will be required to complete 9 hours of core requirements, and 27 hours of electives, 9 of which can be taken outside of the department with the approval of the graduate advisor.  Students can also take up to 6 internship or independent study credit hours.  Students on the thesis track can take up to 6 thesis credit hours.

More Information

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have a minimum 3.0 GPA in the undergraduate major and a minimum of 3.0 over the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.

Applicant Information

  • Delivery Method:Ìý°¿²Ô-°ä²¹³¾±è³Ü²õ
  • Entrance Exam: None
  • Interview Required: None

Application Deadlines

  • Fall: February 1 (US and Intl) 

Faculty

Full Professors

  • Deanna P. Dannels
  • Adriana Araujo de Souza e Silva
  • Victoria J. Gallagher
  • Jessica Katz Jameson
  • Melissa A. Johnson
  • Joann Keyton
  • William J. Kinsella
  • Robert Laurence Schrag
  • Kenneth S. Zagacki

Associate Professors

  • Andrew Ray Binder
  • Elizabeth Ann Craig
  • James Kiwanuka-Tondo
  • Kama A. Kosenko
  • Marcelo Luise Ardon Sayao
  • Sarah R. Stein
  • Stephen B. Wiley

Assistant Professors

  • Yang Cheng
  • Fernanda Duarte
  • Nicole Marie Lee
  • Colten Meisner
  • Ariel Seay-Howard
  • Cordarrell Self

Emeritus Faculty

  • Daniel A. DeJoy
  • Edward T. Funkhouser
  • William J. Jordan
  • Rebecca Leonard
  • Burton Lester Russell
  • Robert Laurence Schrag
  • Craig Allen Smith
  • Sarah R Stein

Lecturers

  • Kathleen Anne Sturgis
  • Jory Philip Weintraub

Courses

°ä°¿²ÑÌý506/·¡±·³ÒÌý506ÌýÌýVerbal Data AnalysisÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Research strategies for understanding how spoken and written language shapes activities (e.g., design, instruction, counseling, gaming interactions, e-commerce, etc.). Tracking patterned uses of language as verbal data (e.g., grammatically topically, thematically), formulating research questions, and designing studies to answer those questions through quantitative descriptive means. Sampling, collecting and managing data, developing coding schemes, achieving reliability, using descriptive statistical measures, and reporting the results.

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is offered alternate odd years

°ä°¿²ÑÌý508/³Ò·¡³§Ìý508ÌýÌýEmerging Technologies and SocietyÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Provides frameworks for understanding emerging technologies and their social, political, and cultural contexts. Presents historical case studies, ethnographic accounts, and theoretical perspectives that introduce students to ways of thinking about science and technology, nature and culture, and democracy and expertise. Graduate standing is required.

Typically offered in Spring only

°ä°¿²ÑÌý514/·¡±·³ÒÌý514ÌýÌýHistory Of RhetoricÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Historical development of rhetorical theory with attention to contemporaneous rhetorical practice and philosophical trends. Major focus on the classical period with briefer coverage of medieval, Renaissance, 18th-century, and 19th-century developments. Implications for contemporary theory and practice, including pedagogical practice.

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is offered alternate even years

°ä°¿²ÑÌý516/·¡±·³ÒÌý516ÌýÌýRhetorical Criticism: Theory and PracticeÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Development, achievements, limitation of major critical methods in the 20th century, including neo-Aristotelian, generic, metaphoric, dramatistic, feminist, social-movement, fantasy-theme and postmodern approaches. Criticism of political discourse,institutional discourse, discourses of law, medicine, religion, education, science, the media. Relations between rhetorical and literary criticism and other forms of cultural analysis.

Prerequisite: Graduate Standing or the equivalent of COM/·¡±·³ÒÌý321 or COM/·¡±·³ÒÌý411

Typically offered in Spring only

°ä°¿²ÑÌý521ÌýÌýCommunication and GlobalizationÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Economic, political, cultural dimensions of globalization. Role of information and communication technologies, networks, institutions, and practices in human social organization.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Summer only

This course is offered alternate odd years

°ä°¿²ÑÌý522ÌýÌýCritical Approaches to Organizational CommunicationÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Overview of critical and interpretive organizational communication research studies. Application of insights to enriching and transforming working lives.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate even years

°ä°¿²ÑÌý523ÌýÌýInternational and Intercultural CommunicationÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Survey of intercultural, cross-cultural, and international communication theories and issues.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate even years

°ä°¿²ÑÌý525ÌýÌýGroup/Team CommunicationÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Comprehensive review of principles, theory, research, and practices involving group/team communication; associated with decision making, conflict management, relationship building, and evaluation of group/team effectiveness. Emphasis on guidelines for effective communication in groups and teams. Graduate standing required.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is offered alternate even years

°ä°¿²ÑÌý526ÌýÌýMedia EconomicsÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

This course provides an overview of economic perspectives on media and communication, particularly examining cases, topics, and controversies that stem from the many linkages between media and the economy. It reviews a range of perspectives on the economy of media, including the critical political economic approaches commonly employed in the field of communication, but also emerging neoclassical, behavioral, institutional, and heterodox approaches to economics, as applied to a range of possible topics. These may include: media ownership and the economics of journalism; labor and social media; data and surveillance economies; copyright and intellectual property; piracy, sharing, and collaboration; digital gift economies; social media celebrity and influencers; bitcoin and other virtual currencies; debt, credit, and algorithmic calculation; microfinance apps; "on-demand" platforms such as Uber and Lyft; automation and the future of employment; global supply chains in the manufacture of technology; the disposal of waste; consumerism and unsustainable energy use.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate even years

°ä°¿²ÑÌý527ÌýÌýSeminar in Organizational Conflict ManagementÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Examination of conflict antecedents, interventions, outcomes through multiple texts, journal articles. Emphasis on workplace conflict, organizational outcomes, dispute system design. Evaluation through participation in class discussion, independent papers, research project, presentation.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Summer only

This course is offered alternate odd years

°ä°¿²ÑÌý528ÌýÌýCommunication Culture and TechnologyÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Examine Communication technology via historical examples. Inquiry into the development of early sound and screen technologies. Analysis of computer-mediated Communication genres.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate odd years

°ä°¿²ÑÌý529ÌýÌýCommunication CampaignsÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Prepares students to design, implement, monitor, and evaluate a successful communication campaign for a health, public relations, or political organization that is grounded in sound theoretical approaches. The students conduct focus groups for audience research and professionally present a campaign plan to a real client for any of the mentioned types of organizations. The course emphasizes theoretical and hands on practical skills to developing successful communication campaigns.

Typically offered in Spring only

°ä°¿²ÑÌý530ÌýÌýInterpersonal Communication in Science and Technology OrganizationsÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Blends theory and research to understand and analyze interpersonal communication practices and issues within organizations, including managing impressions and conversations, engaging in active listening, managing conflict, influencing others, and communicating in teams. Focus on developing and maintaining effective interpersonal at work and improving student's communication competence.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Summer only

°ä°¿²ÑÌý532ÌýÌýCommunication ConsultingÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

This course provides an introduction to the art and methods of consulting particularly as applied to communication problems in organizational settings. It also provides students the opportunity to develop and/or refine training and facilitation skills and to link communication theory and research to organizational practice. Graduate standing required.

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is offered alternate even years

°ä°¿²ÑÌý536ÌýÌýSeminar in Environmental CommunicationÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Critical analysis of environmental discourse in organizational, mass media, political, cultural, and international contexts. Investigates public participation in environmental advocacy and deliberation; environmental conflict management; rhetorical constructions of nature and human relationships with nature; environmental justice; environmental risk communication; and competing ecological paradigms. Must hold graduate standing.

P: Graduate Standing

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate odd years

°ä°¿²ÑÌý537ÌýÌýGaming and Social NetworksÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Exploration of inter-relations among mobile technologies (cell phones, PDAs), location-based activities, and playful/social spaces. Investigates: (1) the definition of basic gaming concepts (community, narrative, play, and space); (2) the history of games as social environments, with particular emphasis on multi-user domains (MUDs); and (3) the definition of games, which use the physical space as the game environment, such as pervasive games, location-based games, and hybrid reality games. Discussion of inter-connections among games, education, and art. By permission of department.

°ä°¿²ÑÌý538ÌýÌýRisk CommunicationÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Comprehensive review of principles, theory, research, and practices involving consensus building; associated with environmental, health and safety; enabling analysis and management of risks. Emphasis on risks associated with emerging science and technology. No quantitative experience necessary. Graduate standing required.

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is offered alternate odd years

°ä°¿²ÑÌý539/±Ê´¡Ìý539ÌýÌýFund DevelopmentÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Identifies and assesses techniques and best practices of fund development, annual giving, capital campaigns, endowments. Topics include setting achievable goals, organizing and staffing a fund development campaing, and identifying donors. Discusses links between fund development and organization mission and governance, ethical issues, and government regulations. PBS status or Graduate standing.

°ä°¿²ÑÌý540ÌýÌýCritical and Interpretive Inquiry in CommunicationÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Theoretical foundations and analytical techniques in critical and interpretive communication research. Analysis of culture and power in communicative practices, texts, technologies, production, and reception. Historical, political economic, archival, contextual, interpretive, rhetorical, and cultural modes of analysis and critique are highlighted. Graduate standing required.

Typically offered in Fall only

°ä°¿²ÑÌý541ÌýÌýQuantitative Research Methods in Applied CommunicationÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Introduction to research methods in applied communication. Knowledge of design, implementation, and analysis of various quantitiative research methods.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate odd years

°ä°¿²ÑÌý542ÌýÌýQualitative Research Methods in Applied CommunicationÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Theoretical and practical dimensions of conducting qualitative research. Issues include asking good questions, field observation, ethics, focus groups, interviews, representation of data, analyzing texts and discourse, writing qualitative reports.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate even years

°ä°¿²ÑÌý543ÌýÌýVisual Content AnalysisÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Research methods class in social science-orientated quantitative or qualitative analysis. Students will advance visual research by developing and/or testing theoretical concepts for visual media. Readings will focus on analytic techniques and concepts for still or moving images in digital or traditional media. Contexts include social media, organizational websites, blogs, online news sites, films, games, mobile media, and more. Students use qualitative and quantitative analysis software. Graduate standing required

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is offered alternate even years

°ä°¿²ÑÌý546ÌýÌýNonprofit Marketing and Public RelationsÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Survey of the marketing and public relations principles and practices applicable to nonprofit organizations.

°ä°¿²ÑÌý547ÌýÌýMobile Media and CommunicationÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Mobile communication technologies and their influence on communication patterns and social behavior. Conceptualization of cell phones beyond mobile telephones, as Internet access points and gaming devices. History, current uses and future perspectives for the social use of mobile interfaces. The creation of new mobile communities. The influence of mobile images on communication and the creation of mobile networks. Use of mobile phones across cultures and places, such as Asia, Scandinavia, Africa, and Latin America. Permission of department.

°ä°¿²ÑÌý554/·¡±·³ÒÌý554ÌýÌýContemporary Rhetorical TheoryÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Contemporary rhetorical theory covering the 20th and 21st centuries. Conceptual connections with and disruptions of the classical tradition and its, successors; relationship between rhetorical theory and philosophical trends, institutional histories, socioeconomic circumstances, and pedagogical needs. Attention to current issues such as the revival of invention, rhetorical agency, and ethics.

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate odd years

°ä°¿²ÑÌý556ÌýÌýSeminar In Organizational CommunicationÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Theoretic and applied approaches for studying communication perspectives of organizational behavior. Topics relate communication with organizational theories, research methods, leadership, power, attraction, conflict and theory development.

Prerequisite: Advanced Undergraduate standing or Graduate standing

Typically offered in Spring only

°ä°¿²ÑÌý561ÌýÌýHuman Communication TheoryÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

The role of theory in study of human communication. General social scientific theories as well as context-based theories including interpersonal, public, group, organizational and mass communication contexts.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or PBS status

Typically offered in Fall only

°ä°¿²ÑÌý562ÌýÌýCommunication and Social ChangeÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Examine persuasive theories and methods including compliance gaining techniques. Evaluate effectiveness of public communication campaigns directed at social change.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is offered alternate even years

°ä°¿²ÑÌý563ÌýÌýPublic Relations TheoryÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Study the theoretical body of knowledge in public relations and its application to practice. Graduate Standing required.

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate even years

°ä°¿²ÑÌý566ÌýÌýSeminar In Crisis CommunicationÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Working within theoretical perspectives of communication, conflict management and organizational designs, a theoretical understanding for crisis communication, including thorough guidelines for strategic communication planning for, managing and evaluating crises.

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate years

°ä°¿²ÑÌý579/°ä°¿²ÑÌý479ÌýÌýClimate Change CommunicationÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

An exploration of the communication successes and failures surrounding climate change and public opinion. Topics addressed include: agenda setting, media effects, framing, data visualizations, fear responses, naming, risk communication and theory, argumentation and refutation, and persuasion as well as issues and current events related to the challenges associated with communicating climate change to multiple stakeholders.

Typically offered in Spring only

°ä°¿²ÑÌý581/·¡±·³ÒÌý581ÌýÌýVisual Rhetoric: Theory and CriticismÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Application of visual theory to rhetoric and of rhetorical theory to visual forms of communication. Discussion and analysis may include advertising, photography, news and informational media, political communication, instructional material, scientific visualization, visual arts, public commemorative artifacts, internet and other digital media.

R: Graduate Students Only

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate even years

°ä°¿²ÑÌý585ÌýÌýTeaching College CommunicationÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Introduction to communication education theory and research. Course divided into primary parts: 1)education theory and philosphy and 2)instructional design theory and practice.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall only

°ä°¿²ÑÌý587ÌýÌýInternet & SocietyÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Overview of the development of the internet and its social uses, including the historical context that led to the development of the ARPANET and the World Wide Web. Analysis of the transition from mainframes to personal computers, to the internet of things. Treatment of principal social and communication issues related to the use of the internet, such as digital privacy, digital divide, net neutrality, and civic engagement. Development of mobile internet, social networking sites and location-based social networks.

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is offered based upon demand

°ä°¿²ÑÌý598ÌýÌýSpecial Topics In CommunicationÌýÌý(1-6 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Detailed investigation of a special topic in communication. No more than 6 hrs. may be used as credit toward graduation with master's degree.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

°ä°¿²ÑÌý609ÌýÌýColloquium in CommunicationÌýÌý(1 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Discussion and evaluation of communication research, along with attendant topics in professional development and ethical conduct of research, in a colloquium setting.

Restriction: MS in Communication Program. Department Approval Required.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

°ä°¿²ÑÌý630ÌýÌýIndependent Study in CommunicationÌýÌý(1-3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Special projects course to be utilized for guided research at graduate level. Topic determined by instructor. No more than 6 hrs. may be used as credit toward graduation with master's degree.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

°ä°¿²ÑÌý650ÌýÌýCommunication InternshipÌýÌý(1-6 credit hours)ÌýÌý

The internship experience provides the students the opportunity to practice professional communication skills in a workplace setting under the supervision of a communication practitioner. Restricted to MS in Communication students.

Prerequisite: Acceptance into MS in Communication Program

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

°ä°¿²ÑÌý685ÌýÌýMaster's Supervised TeachingÌýÌý(1-3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment, and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall and Summer

°ä°¿²ÑÌý688ÌýÌýNon-Thesis Masters Continuous Registration - Half Time RegistrationÌýÌý(1 credit hours)ÌýÌý

For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all credit hour requirements for their degree but need to maintain half-time continuous registration to complete incomplete grades, projects, final master's exam, etc.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

°ä°¿²ÑÌý689ÌýÌýNon-Thesis Master Continuous Registration - Full Time RegistrationÌýÌý(3 credit hours)ÌýÌý

For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all credit hour requirements for their degree but need to maintain full-time continuous registration to complete incomplete grades, projects, final master's exam, etc. Students may register for this course a maximum of one semester.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

°ä°¿²ÑÌý695ÌýÌýMR Thesis ResearchÌýÌý(1-9 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Thesis Research

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

°ä°¿²ÑÌý696ÌýÌýSummer Thesis ResÌýÌý(1 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Typically offered in Summer only

°ä°¿²ÑÌý798ÌýÌýSpecial Topics in CommunicationÌýÌý(3-6 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Intensive exploration of specialized or emerging topics in an area of communication theory, rhetoric, media, or other aspect of Communication studies. Emphasis on student research and writing. May be used to test and develop new courses. May be repeated for credit. Doctoral students only.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

°ä°¿²ÑÌý810ÌýÌýDirected Readings in CommunicationÌýÌý(1-6 credit hours)ÌýÌý

Intensive study of a specific topic from various specializations of the Communication faculty. Negotiation between the student and the director for variable credit and approved by Director of Graduate Studies. May be repeated for credit. Doctoralstudents only.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

°ä°¿²ÑÌý896ÌýÌýSummer Dissert ResÌýÌý(1 credit hours)ÌýÌý