Courses - Communication Courses and Theatre Courses

COMM 5000, Communication Research Methods (3) [online]

Drs. Yuning Zhang and James Parker

A study of communication qualitative and quantitative research methods.Prerequisite: Admission to the M. A. in Communication Program. Click here to view class syllabus.

COMM 5001, Proseminar in Communication (1) [online]

Overview of functions, processes, strategies, tools, and effects of communication. Introduces students to fields of research methods, marketing communication, advertising, public relations, sales, print-broadcast and electronic media, and to the theories governing the study of those fields. Prerequisite: Admission to the M. A. in Communication Program. Click here to view class syllabus.

COMM 5020, Organizational Communication (3) [online]

Emphasis is placed on the philosophical and practical aspects of organizational communication theories. Topic areas include organization communication theories, the identification of communication problems, the application of research methods, ethical and cultural issues in a changing organizational environment, internal communication and public communication practices and conflict resolution. Click here to view class syllabus.

COMM 5030, Applied Communication Theory (3) [online]

Dr. Christina Hicks-Goldston

The communication process is approached from a behavioral point-of-view exploring a combination of modern communication theories and their application in dyadic, small group, and mass communication interaction. Prerequisite: Admission to the M. A. in Communication Program. Click here to view class syllabus.

COMM 5050, Public Relations (3) [online]

A counseling, advising and management perspective serves as the basis for exploring the profession of public relations. Students review case studies, develop strategies, prepare tactics, and evaluation internal and external communication for a variety of publics and organizations. Click here to view class syllabus.

COMM 5060, Communication and Public Opinion (3) [online]

The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the concept of "public opinion" and to explore the relationships between communication and public opinion. An important normative goal is to explore ways to allow media messages to contribute to a healthy civic life rather than detract from it. Click here to view class syllabus.

COMM 5100, Marketing Communication Strategies (3) [online]

An exploration of direct marketing, sales promotion and branding through the application of advertising, persuasion, and mass media concepts and principles of preparation and analysis of communication campaigns, case studies, programs, projects, and special events. Click here to view class syllabus.

COMM 5110, Leadership and Communication (3) [online]

A focus on leadership as a function of communication behavior. Through discussion, cases and exercises, participants explore effective communication strategies within an organizational setting. Team leadership skills, rhetorical sensitivity, charisma, and practical suggestions for improving leadership effectiveness are covered in this course. Click here to view class syllabus.

COMM 5115, Sports Broadcasting Direction and Criticism (3) [on campus only]

An experience in production, direction, and editing of live sports events is offered. Students learn theoretical and practical skills associated with camera operation, digital switching, instant video replay, floor direction, and digital editing. Click here to view class syllabus.

COMM 5150, Advertising Strategies (3) [online]

Advertising theory and practice are considered as well as reviewing of application of theory to advertising, promotion, and media selection strategies. Required is the development of an advertising plan, media selection rationales, evaluation of selected campaigns, and the use of advertising media research techniques. Click here to view class syllabus.

COMM 5210, e-Communication Strategies (3) [online]

A survey of critical issues in management communication, promotional strategies, public relations and marketing communication in the context of electronic marketplaces and virtual communities. Click here to view class syllabus.

COMM 5300, Consumer and Audience Behavior (3) [online]

Understanding the behaviors of consumers and audiences in response to persuasive messages. Includes discussion of persuasive and psychological theories and their application to marketing problems of issue management. Click here to view class syllabus.

COMM 5350, Media Management (3) [online]

Legal, social, management, programming and sales aspects of electronic media management are presented. Click here to view class syllabus.

COMM 5400, Politics and Mass Media (3) [online]

Media's role in U. S. politics: influence of mass media on political opinions, on elections, on political participants and on public policy; and how political participants help shape the messages sent out by mass media. Click here to view class syllabus.

COMM 5410, Web Design and Criticism (3) [on campus only]

In today's changing electronic environment, the communication professional needs to have the necessary skills for web design construction and evaluation. Adobe Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and Fireworks are used to develop functional web sites. On the theoretical level, censorship, e-commerce, ethics, and advertising are web site criticism are explored. Click here to view class syllabus.

COMM 5500, Electronic News Gathering (3) [on campus only based on demand]

An advanced production course in which students create a designated variety of video projects which may involve field production and electronic news gathering, studio production, scheduling, shooting, editing, and evaluation of their own projects. Click here to view class syllabus.

COMM 5555, Independent Research (3)

Directed research in an area of special interest to the student which is not already a major part of an existing course. Students enrolling in this course must submit a written project proposal to the instructor before enrolling in this class. Enrollment in this class will be accepted only after the instructor approves the proposal.

COMM 5600, Integrated Corporate Communication (3) [online]

Important integrated corporate communication areas such as internal communication, advertising, PR, sales promotion, direct marketing and new technologies and how these approaches work together to achieve organization objectives. Prerequisite: Admission to the M. A. in Communication Program. Click here to view class syllabus.

COMM 5650, Communication Law (3) [online]

Dr. David von Palko

An in-depth examination of to the legal impact of new technologies on mass media involving lecture, discussion, extensive reading and writing assignments. Prerequisite: Admission to the M. A. in Communication Program. Click here to view class syllabus.

COMM 5710, Ethics in a Changing Environment (3) [online]

An exploration of ethical challenges within the context of new technologies and media. Topics covered include codes of ethics, forces that affect ethical decision making, and media responsibility. Click here to view class syllabus.

COMM 5730, Web Content Maintenance and Management (3) [online]

Students develop a team approach to the techniques and creating and publishing websites and then manage and maintain the web and electronic content for an organization's site. Course includes Internet research projects, website strategic management plans, Internet management and content development, and procedures and policies for site maintenance. Click here to view class syllabus.

COMM 5750, Feature Writing (3) [online]

Workshop designed to give instruction and practice in writing feature articles for newspapers, trade journals, and magazines. Click here to view class syllabus.

COMM 5800, Persuasion and Social Change(3) [online]

A study of persuasive theories and their application to the development of social and cultural issues. Click here to view class syllabus.

COMM 5810, Race, Gender and Mass Media (3) [online]

Examination of current and historical portrayals of ethnic minorities and men and women in the news media, entertainment and advertising; discussion of research into the influence of these portrayals on audience attitudes. Click here to view class syllabus.

COMM 5920, Economics of the Mass Media (3) [online]

A study of economics of mass media including the overall financial impact of the media on our economy, society, and technology. Click here to view class syllabus.

THEA 5000 Chronicles and Concepts I (3) [on campus only]

Prerequisite: THEA 1000 or equivalent. Examines history and theory of theoretical art of the Classical Era, Middle Ages and Renaissance in Western Europe. Emphasizes theatrical space, production and performance. Drama considered as a plan for production rather than as literature. Term paper required. Click here to view class syllabus.

THEA 5010 Chronicles and Concepts II (3) [on campus only]

Prerequisite: THEA 1030 or equivalent. Examines history and theory of theatrical art of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries in Western Europe. Emphasizes theatrical space, production and performance. Drama considered as a plan for production rather than as literature. Term paper required. Click here to view class syllabus.

THEA 5200 Secondary SchoolTheatre Production (3) [on campus only]

Examination of techniques for theatrical production in secondary schools, including script selection and adaptation, casting, directing, design and technical work, and marketing. Areas that students find most essential will be given greatest emphasis. Click here to view class syllabus.

THEA 5300 Advanced Acting and Criticism (3) [on campus only]

For students who intend to pursue a career in theatre on the educational or commercial level, to refine skills as well as to develop the capacity to teach the art of acting to others. Click here to view class syllabus.

THEA 5330 Musical Theatre History (3) [on campus only]

A survey course of the history of musical theatre from operetta to present day with an emphasis on select shows and significant contributors to the genre. Click here to view class syllabus.

THEA 5350 Musical Theatre Workshop (3) [on campus only])

Prerequisites, Co-requisites: Graduate status and instructor approval. THEA 535L or two semesters of vocal study (one semester may be concurrent). A performance oriented study of musical theatre, composers, and styles to improve students’ audition and performance skills. Click here to view class syllabus.

THEA 5351 Musical Theatre Workshop Lab (1) [on campus only]

Prerequisite, Co-requisite: Graduate status and instructor approval and THEA 5350. Individual instruction in techniques using the body and voice to prepare the student for opportunities in musical theatre performance. Click here to view class syllabus.

THEA 5400 Studies in Directing (3) [on campus only]

A study of script analysis and production that will lead to the production and direction of a theatrical event. A production is to be selected with the advice and consent of the instructor. Click here to view class syllabus.

THEA 5450 Creative Drama for Children (3) [on campus only]

Designed to demonstrate how theatre may be used as both means and end to teach the elementary school child. Included will be theatre projects, group and single, involving puppetry and live theatre. Click here to view class syllabus.

THEA 5500 Lighting Design and Criticism (3) [on campus only]

Exposes the student to theatre design in the area of lighting. Emphasis placed on script analysis and the implementation of various design elements. Students will explore working in a collaborative atmos- phere with given Scenic and Costume designs. Click here to view class syllabus.

THEA 555A, B, C Independent Research (3) [on campus only]

Opportunity for directed scholarly research in an area of special interests to the student. Enrollment accepted only after professor has approved a written project proposal from the student. Click here to view class syllabus.

THEA 5600TechnicalTheatre Practicum (3) [on campus only]

Practical work in stagecraft and technical direction in an apprenticeship mode. Click here to view class syllabus.

THEA 5900 Playwriting (3) [on campus only]

The structure of dramatic expression through the analysis of theme, plot, character and dialogue. Students will undertake their own writing, culminating in the composition of a one-act play. Click here to view class syllabus.