Communication Studies (CMST prefix)

Following certain course descriptions are the designations: F, Sp, Su. These indicate the semesters fall, spring, summer in which the course is normally offered and are intended as an aid to students planning their programs of study.

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CMST 101 Introduction to Public Speaking (3) Principles and practices of oral communications with selected experiences in their use. F, Sp, Su

CMST 107 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication (3) Increases understanding of oneself, the many roles one plays in the communication process, and the interpersonal relationships of individuals in society. Course includes nonverbal communication, the role of language in structuring interpersonal situations, and the importance of dialogue in resolving interpersonal conflicts. F, Sp, Su

CMST 203 Introduction to Performance Studies (3) This course will serve two purposes. First, operating on the theory that literature is best understood and appreciated when performed, this course is designed to give students experience performing and analyzing literature. In addition, this course will introduce the many ways we experience performance in our everyday lives. B2, F

CMST 204 Business and Professional Communication (3) A study of the theory and principles involved in oral communication situations in the business and professional context. Students will present speeches, participate in interviews, and learn to work in teams. Special attention will be given to the use of computer-mediated communication in each of these units. F

CMST 214 Group and Team Communication (3) Introduces students to the basics of group and team communication. Students learn about the dynamics of group interaction with emphasis on leadership, decision making, and group preparation. Students will be exposed to a variety of group types, including standing committees, ad hoc groups, task forces, special interest groups, and administrative groups. F, Sp

CMST 301 Communication Criticism and Analysis (3) The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with basic techniques of planning, conducting and reporting qualitative human communication research. Focusing on communication criticism as well as ethnographic study, the course will introduce students to methods and theories that can enhance the understanding of most types of communication, including public address, media events, popular culture, organizational interaction, family conversation, cultural artifacts, or social interaction. Prereq: CMST 101, any 200-level course offered in communication studies or mass communication, and junior standing. F

CMST 303 Introduction to Persuasion (3) This course focuses on our dual roles as producers and consumers of persuasive messages. Students will examine persuasion in a variety of texts and contexts, as well as examine persuasive elements in human interaction and behavior. In addition to learning about the roles logic, credibility, emotion, and cultural tradition play in persuasion, students will learn strategies for constructing effective and ethical persuasive messages. Prereq: SPCH 101, SPCH 301, or consent of program coordinator. Sp, Su

CMST 307 Nonverbal Communication (3) This course provides a conceptual and theoretical understanding of how nonverbal communication influences perceptions of self, others, and culture. Emphasis is placed on the critical examination of research in areas such as haptics, proxemics, kinesics, chronemics, and paralanguage. Prereq: junior or senior standing. F

CMST 308 Public Speaking in a Diverse Society (3) Students will produce and deliver effective rhetorical messages, actively applying both traditional and more modern rhetorical strategies. The course will begin by studying traditional (e.g., primarily male and Western) notions of rhetoric, argument, and evidence. The focus will then shift to more recent notions of what “rhetoric” can be, particularly by studying rhetorical strategies often excluded in traditional study, including call-and-response strategies, rhetorical strategies grounded in feminist philosophy, and non-Western approaches to structure and evidence. Prerequisites: CMST 101 and Junior or Senior standing.

CMST 312 Interviewing: Principles & Practices (3) Emphasis on preparing and structuring interviews. Students will become familiar with various kinds of interviews, settings, styles of questions, successful techniques, and common mistakes. Role-playing opportunities will enable students to employ the principles studied in class. Prereq: CMST 101. F

CMST 313 Advanced Performance Studies (3) Advanced topics in individual performance as a method of textual study, theory and practice in individual performance as an aesthetic event and rhetorical and social act. Prereq: CMST 203 or consent of instructor.

CMST 314 Organizational Communication (3) A review of the research and theoretical approaches to organizational communication. This course includes an examination of the process of selecting appropriate communication channels, a consideration of the ways in which meaning, both verbal and nonverbal, is conveyed, and an exploration of ways in which communication can help to alleviate typical interpersonal problems within organizations. Prereq: CMST 101, CMST 204. F

CMST 315 Readers Theatre (3) This course will focus upon a variety of forms of Readers Theatre. Experiences will be provided in adapting selections for Readers Theatre and creating original scripts. Students will study techniques of both directing and performing Readers Theatre productions. Prereq: CMST 203 or consent of instructor.

CMST 317 Intercultural Communication (3) This exploration of cross-cultural communication surveys intercultural theories and problems in communication. It offers a general orientation to intercultural communication, theorizes intercultural transactions, and provides insight into cultural differences. Prereq: CMST 107 or consent of instructor; junior standing. C5. Sp

CMST 400 Independent Study in Communication Studies (1-3) This course is designed to provide an opportunity for upper division communications majors and minors to research subject areas in the discipline. A maximum of six hours may be taken; only three may be taken in any one semester. Prereq: 21 hours of Communications Studies courses, upper division status and written consent of instructor. Students who wish to take independent study courses in the Communication Studies curriculum should be aware of the following points: 1) Only six hours of independent study may apply toward a major in communications. 2) No more than three hours of CMST 400 may be directed by the same instructor. 3) Students wishing to enroll in independent study courses must receive written permission from their instructors prior to registration. F, Sp, Su

CMST 402 Gender, Communication and Culture (3) This course combines cognitive and experimental approaches to gender and culture as they relate to communication. Students will obtain a critical understanding of gender construction and behavior, as well as learn about gendered conflict, identity, relationships, and differences. Prereq: junior or senior standing. F

CMST 410 Seminar in Interpersonal Communication (3) The special topics course will offer students the opportunity to examine more closely specialized topics in interpersonal communication. Topics may include areas such as family communication, health communication, relational maintenance, or dialogic communication. Students may repeat this course provided the topic is different. Only six hours may apply toward the communication studies major. Prereq: CMST 107.

CMST 414 Oral Traditions (3) This course examines the dynamics of orality, literacy, and tele-literacy to better understand the role oral literacy has played in personal and social expression. Students will examine topics including verbal performance, oral poetry, oral history, folk tales, folk songs, and urban legends. Prereq: junior or senior standing. F

CMST 420 Seminar in Organizational Communication (3) This course will offer the students the opportunity to examine more closely specialized issues in organizational research, theory, and application. Topics will vary each semester and may include areas such as values and leadership, organizational advocacy, communication training and development, or organizational culture. Students may repeat this course provided the topic is different. Only six hours may apply toward the major in communication studies. Prereq: CMST 204, CMST 214, CMST 314, or consent of the instructor.

CMST 427 Family Communication (3) This course is designed to enable students to think critically about the communication processes that comprise and define families. In this course, students will be exposed to the numerous methodological and theoretical perspectives taken by contemporary family communication scholars. Moreover, in this course, students will learn how to distinguish family communication research from other kinds of scholarship (ie., family sociology or interpersonal communication) and how to better apply family communication theories and research to their own lives. Prereqs: CMST 107 and 214. F

CMST 430 Seminar in Persuasion (3) This special topics course will offer students the opportunity to examine more closely specialized topics related to the psychological, sociological or cultural dimensions of persuasion and social influence. Students may repeat this course provided the topic is different. Only six hours may apply toward the communication studies major. Prereq: CMST 301, CMST 303, or consent of program coordinator.

CMST 498 Internship in Communication Studies (3) Offers students job experience in the discipline through a minimum of 150 hours of supervised professional work. Prereq: departmental approval. F, Sp, Su

CMST 499 Special Topics in Communication Studies (3) Topics will vary. Purpose of course is to cover topics which are not specific courses in the curriculum. Students my repeat this course provided the topic is different.  Only six hours may be applied toward the communication studies major.  Prereq: junior standing.