COMM 190 Public Speaking
4 Hours
Coleman, M.
Prerequisite: None
This course addresses basic theoretical principles of effective public speaking necessary for pluralistic audiences, concentrating on content, organization, audience analysis, ethics, language, and delivery. Students apply these principles to several oral presentations, some videotaped and requiring the use of PowerPoint.
COMM 200 Introduction to Communication Studies
4 Hours
Broz, S.
Prerequisite: ENG 101E
This course provides an introduction to the field of human communication studies and a foundation for future study within the communication discipline. The course introduces the core concepts, essential skills, and perennial issues found in several relevant contexts of human interaction, including interpersonal relationships, organizations, and cross-cultural interaction. It also examines these contexts from a theoretical perspective, suggesting how scholars have sought to formulate generalized explanations for the processes of human meaning making. Writing intensive.
COMM 222A Graphic Storytelling: Comic Books as Culture
4 Hours
Smith, M.
Prerequisite: None
This course explores the kinds of graphic storytelling that goes on in comic books and graphic novels and considers the aesthetic standards with which to understand the narratives and resulting culture-making that goes on through them. Working from a mass communication perspective, we will review the historical development of the art form, the various genres that have popularized it (e.g., horror, romance, memoir), the industry (including the works of specific creators), and the audience. Using this information, students will learn to compose informed written and oral critiques of artifacts in the medium. In order to do this effectively, we will be reading a number of classic comic books as well as some modern graphic novels to better appreciate and articulate ideas about the art form.
COMM 224 Group Dynamics
4 Hours
Martycz, V.
Prerequisite: None
This course aims at improving your understanding of and ability to demonstrate effective communication behaviors in group discussions. The course is structured so that students study the principles of effective group communication and have the opportunity to apply these lessons to actual group interactions. Students thus have the chance to improve their communication competency in small group settings through discussions and projects in the practical application of theoretical concepts.
COMM 270S Interpersonal Communication
4 Hours
Medford, K.
Prerequisite: None
This course offers an introduction to message production and interpretation in face-to-face settings. The focus of the course is to illustrate how choices in interpersonal communication behaviors are basic to our character as human beings and the nature of our interpersonal relationships. Students will complete the course having learned about basic interpersonal communication principles related to, for example, self-presentation, self-disclosure, effective listening, relationship development, relational maintenance, relationship dissolution, compliance gaining, and conflict management.
COMM 280 Reasoning and Communication
4 Hours
Cunningham, S.
Prerequisite: ENGL 101E
This course provides extensive training in critical thinking, listening, reading, practical reasoning, deliberation, and oral and written advocacy. As part of a deliberative process, participants prepare oral and written arguments on contemporary issues for critical, well-informed audiences. Emphasis is placed on the ability to anticipate and address the wide variety of alternative perspectives represented by such audiences. Required assignments include: a personal essay regarding attitudes toward argumentation, a deliberation log, a roundtable performance of oral arguments with question and answer sessions, a written critique of the roundtable performances, and an argumentative position paper. Writing intensive.
COMM 290S Media Literacy
4 Hours
Smith, M.
Prerequisite: ENGL 101E
This course provides a broad foundation for examining the form, content, and consequences of mediated communication (including the internet, recording, radio, television, cable, film, newspaper, magazine, and publishing industries). The course introduces media industries from both an historical and contemporary perspective, covers the prominent theories that characterize mass media functions and effects, and addresses controversial issues in mediated communication. Students are introduced to intellectual tools that will enable them to be more critical consumers of media and given opportunities to practice applying those tools in both structured classroom discussions and formal writing assignments. Writing intensive.
COMM 300Z Social Scientific Methods
4 Hours
Warber, K.
Prerequisites: COMM 200; COMM 270S, 280 or 290S; Math Placement score 22
This course introduces students to the process of conducting qualitative and quantitative communication research, including how to 1) formulate a research question, 2) conduct library research for a literature review, 3) select a method (e.g., participant/observation, in-depth interviewing, focus groups, experiment, content analysis, or survey research), 4) adhere to standards for scholarly writing, and 5) critically evaluate others’ research studies. Writing intensive. Mathematical-reasoning intensive.
COMM 328 Intercultural Communication
4 Hours
Broz, S.
Pre-requisites: COMM 200 or permission of instructor
The advanced seminar introduces students to a wide range of scholarship about intercultural communication. The course explores the nature of the communication processes that influence and/or are influenced by intercultural contexts. The role of communication in intercultural understanding, cultural patterns of interaction, cultural identity, ethnocentrism, and specific cross-cultural experiences are explored, as well as intercultural communication competence and the costs associated with cross-cultural misunderstanding.
COMM 351 Media Law
4 Hours
Smith, M.
Pre-requisites: COMM 290S or permission of instructor
This course examines how the law helps shape the activities of mass media industries in the United States. Students have the opportunity to develop a basic understanding of the American legal system, its institutions, and some of its terminology, as well as a broad understanding of First Amendment principles as they relate to mass communication. Readings provide a working knowledge of the laws that directly restrict or enhance information gathering and message dissemination in the mass media, and an understanding of the rationales behind those laws. Projects encourage the development of skills to identify and interpret the law, particularly as it develops beyond its present shape. An additional evening meeting will focus on filmic representations of issues in media law.
COMM 360 Topics: Rhetorical Theory and Political Identity
4 Hours
Cunningham, S.
Pre-requisites: COMM 280, 290, or 301 or permission
In rhetorical studies the question of agency—how much “choice” a speaker has in a given historical and social context—is central to understanding how political actors are both enabled and constrained in the public sphere. In this course we will study how contemporary political actors use language (both words and images) to construct a self and an other (often an idealized self and a demonized other) in order to be elected or to gain favor for certain policy positions. We will use concepts from rhetorical theory to guide our investigation of a public sphere in which we continuously see the persuasive power of language in action. Students should expect to read rhetorical theory and be prepared to use theoretical concepts to analyze contemporary political rhetoric. Experience in rhetorical criticism (COMM 301) is preferred, but not required.
COMM 490 Independent Study
1-4 Hours
Staff
COMM 491 Internships: OCC Consultants
2 Hours
Cunningham, S.
Prerequisites: BY PERMISSION ONLY
COMM 491 Internship: Communication Leaders
2 Hours
Warber, K.
Prerequisites: BY PERMISSION ONLY
The Communication Leaders experience offers Wittenberg University seniors a unique developmental opportunity focused on their transition from college to professional life. The program presents students with the chance to interact with proven leaders whose backgrounds and/or careers focus on effective communication practices. These leaders are pulled from the ranks of corporate America, non-profit agencies, and government service, and when it comes to sharing the benefits of their experiences are often eager to “pass it on.”
COMM 499 Senior Honors Thesis/Project
0-4 Hours
Staff
Prerequisites: 3.50 GPA and permission of the Department Chair.
