Department of Communication Studies

Associate Professor K. David Roach, Chairperson.

Professor Stewart; Associate Professors Bliese, Olaniran, and Williams; Assistant Professors Hughes and McGee.

This department offers study in the following graduate degree program: COMMUNICATION STUDIES, Master of Arts.

The graduate program for the master's degree in communication studies requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of course work plus 6 hours of thesis. Required courses are COMS 5300, 5301, 5305, 5306, and 5307.

Courses in Communication Studies. (COMS)

5111. Communication Instruction in Higher Education I (1:1:0). First of two courses required of all communication studies teaching assistants. Provides individual development in philosophies and practices unique to teaching basic oral communication courses.

5112. Communication Instruction in Higher Education II (1:1:0). Second of two courses required of all communication studies teaching assistants. Provides individual development in philosophies and practices unique to teaching basic oral communication courses.

5300. Communication Theory (3:3:0). A comprehensive overview of contemporary communication theories and research. Students will read original work beginning with general semantics theory and culminating with the most recently published reviews of theoretical work in communication studies.

5301. Qualitative Research Methods (3:3:0). The course will introduce research methods of discourse analysis, conversation analysis, ethnography, applied qualitative communication research, and development of grounded theory. Students must engage in field work, interview participants, and write essays based on gathered data to successfully complete this course.

5302. Intercultural Communication (3:3:0). An examination of the relationship between culture and communication and approaches to studying intercultural communication.

5303. Communication in Small Groups (3:3:0). A study of factors affecting interpersonal communication in small group settings. Course content includes consideration of both theoretical and applied orientations to the study of small group communication.

5304. Communication in Organizations (3:3:0). This course examines theoretical perspectives, contemporary research, and practical models of human communication in complex organizations.

5305. Quantitative Research Methods (3:3:0). The study of quantitative research methods in communication research, emphasizing research designs, quantitative treatments, and analysis. Course requirements will include data entry, statistical analysis, and a research prospectus.

5306. Theories of Rhetoric (3:3:0). An in-depth study of rhetorical theories which have had significant impact on the research, teaching, and practice of communication behavior. Students must write a lengthy research paper in order to successfully complete this course.

5307. HistoricalCritical Research Methods (3:3:0). Survey of contemporary methods of rhetorical criticism and their application in analyzing a wide variety of message types. Students must write multiple essays exemplifying rhetorical criticism in order to successfully complete this course.

5309. Conflict Management and Problem Solving (3:3:0). In-depth study of, and research into conflict resolution through mediation and negotiation.

5313. Theories of Persuasion (3:3:0). Analysis of representative theories and models of persuasive processes and their implications for communication behavior. Theories of public, interpersonal, and mass communication are included.

5314. Communication Issues in Health and Health Care (3:3:0). An exploration of the nature and roles of discourse processes in health care interactions, including interpersonal, organizational, public, and intercultural communication contexts.

5315. Nonverbal Communication (3:3:0). Examines communicative functions of nonverbal message behavior. Considers a variety of behavioral domains and interaction contexts from both theoretical and practical perspectives.

5318. Interpersonal Communication (3:3:0). Communication theory and research on historical and contemporary topics in interpersonal communication contexts.

6000. Master's Thesis (V1-6).

6302. Seminar in Interpersonal Communication (3:3:0). A research course focusing on specific topics in interpersonal communication. Topics vary with students' needs. May be repeated for credit.

6303. Seminar in Organizational Communication (3:3:0). A research course focusing on specific topics in organizational communication. Topics vary with students' needs. May be repeated for credit.

6304. Seminar in Rhetorical Theory (3:3:0). A research course focusing on specific topics in rhetorical theory. Topics vary with students' needs. May be repeated for credit.

6307. Seminar in Instructional Communication (3:3:0). A research course focusing on specific topics in instructional communication. Topics vary with students' needs. May be repeated for credit.

6308. Seminar in Cultural and Intercultural Communication (3:3:0). A research course focusing on specific topics in cultural and intercultural communication. Topics vary with student's needs. May be repeated for credit.

7000. Research (V1-12).