Graduate Course Descriptions

The following directory lists the graduate courses which the University expects to offer, although the University in no way guarantees that all such courses will be offered in any given academic year, and reserves the right to alter the list if conditions warrant. Click on the links below for a list of courses in that subject area. You may then click “View Classes” to see scheduled classes for individual courses.

5000. Fundamentals of Theory, Research, and Design

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Recommended preparation: COMM 5001, which should be taken concurrently.

Grading Basis: Graded

Introduction to the fundamentals of communication theory, research, and design for incoming graduate students. Overview of the philosophy of science, different research paradigms, and approaches to the study of communication.

View Classes »

5001. Introduction to Graduate Communication Research

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

An introduction to quantitative research methods and statistics. Issues of measurement and design of communication studies as well as basic descriptive and inferential statistics are covered.

View Classes »

5002. Research Methods

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Integrative approach to modeling theory, research design, and statistical analysis, including mathematical models, scale construction, measurement issues, correlation, regression, and analysis of variance.

View Classes »

5003. Advanced Communication Research Methods

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: COMM 5002.

Grading Basis: Graded

Research techniques and procedures for the study of communication. Research design, multivariate statistics, and structural modeling.

View Classes »

5004. Qualitative Research Methods in Communication

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Introduction to methods for collecting and analyzing qualitative data. Discussion of the diverse social scientific and humanistic traditions comprising qualitative research paradigms, ethical considerations, contemporary theoretical and epistemological debates in the field, and the use of qualitative data analysis software. Applied approach to writing, theorizing, and making a difference through qualitative research.

View Classes »

5010. Theory Construction and Research Design

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: COMM 5002.

Grading Basis: Graded

Conceptualization, theory construction, and review of communication methodologies. Students will write a proposal for independent research, thesis, or dissertation.

View Classes »

5100. Persuasion Theory and Research

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Evaluation of current and traditional theories of persuasion and attitude change from communication, social psychology, and related disciplines.

View Classes »

5101. Motivation

Also offered as: PSYC 5101

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Theories of motivation considered in relation to their supporting data.

View Classes »

5110. Environmental Communication

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Best practices for communicating environmental issues to diverse communities and audiences. Survey of the cognitive, affective, and behavioral theories relevant to effectively communicating about pressing environmental issues. Development of communication strategies to target different constituencies with important environmental messages.

View Classes »

5120. Communication Campaigns

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Campaign theory and planning. Students learn how to conduct interviews and focus groups with members of a target audience, and work with non-profit organizations to design a campaign.

View Classes »

5150. Crisis and Risk Communication

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Open to graduate students in Communication, others with consent.

Grading Basis: Graded

Research, theory, and best practices in crisis and risk communication.

View Classes »

5200. Interpersonal Communication

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Cognitive, emotional and behavioral interactions in specific contexts, including interpersonal relationships, groups, and work.

View Classes »

5220. Group Communication Research

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

The group communication process with emphasis upon research methodologies for the study of interactions in a group setting.

View Classes »

5230. Organizational Communication: Theory and Research

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Relationship of prescribed and informal communication networks to organizational goal achievement and individual integration. Emphasis on frequently used research methodologies.

View Classes »

5300. Mass Communication Theory

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Introduction to major theories, with emphasis on the structure, function, and effects of mass media.

View Classes »

5310. Seminar in Mass Communication Research

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Recent theories of social and political effects of mass communication, and the cognitive processing of media messages.

View Classes »

5330. Children and Mass Media

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Open to graduate students in Communication and others with consent.

Grading Basis: Graded

This course provides an overview of important issues, theoretical perspectives, and research regarding children's and adolescent's reactions to mass media including developmental differences in the processing of media content and in the effects of such materials.

View Classes »

5460. Intercultural Communication

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Not open for credit to students who have passed COMM 5895 when offered as "Intercultural Communication."

Grading Basis: Graded

Classic cross-cultural theories and new approaches in the study of cultures and cultural group interactions. Topics may include: intercultural communication history; demographic changes; ethnic identities; conflict and cooperation; violations, moral choices, professional responsibilities; acculturation, adaptation, assimilation; media use; media representation; gender and sexuality; high and low context communication; time orientation; the sojourn; and culture shock.

View Classes »

5500. Nonverbal Communication

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

The study of metacommunication: Kinesics, space, time and other concomitants of verbal messages. How the non-verbal band helps in the interpretation of verbal messages.

View Classes »

5501. Seminar in Nonverbal Communication and Persuasion

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Role of media nonverbal communication in persuasion and media preferences. Affective and analytic communications in attitude formation, structure, and change.

View Classes »

5630. Communicating Presence

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

An examination of the conceptualization, measurement, and theoretical application of presence within a range of communication-related research disciplines.

View Classes »

5640. Social Media Use and Effects

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Open to graduate students in Communication and others with consent.

Grading Basis: Graded

Research and theory on the social and psychological predictors and effects of social media use as well as social media platforms: their technology, functions, and analysis of collected data.

View Classes »

5650. Communication Technology and Society: Theory and Research

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Theory and research associated with the study of emerging communication technologies. Provides a comprehensive foundation in the scholarly literature addressing the content, adoption, uses and effects of new media.

View Classes »

5655. Human Computer Interaction

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Open to graduate students, others with instructor consent. Recommended preparation: A social science or computer science course in research methods.

Grading Basis: Graded

Evaluation of human computer interaction including issues in the design of technology people use. Methods and theories for design that consider unique needs, capabilities, and limitations of users. Techniques for evaluating user-centered systems based on the latest research.

View Classes »

5660. Computer Mediated Communication

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Communication networks, human-computer interaction and interface design, social and collaborative communication via computer.

View Classes »

5770. Health Communication

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Overview of health communication, including health behavior change interventions, emergency communication, risk assessment, media influences, provider-patient communication, socialization and identity, stereotyping, social support, diverse populations, and new communication technologies.

View Classes »

5892. Practicum in Research

1.00 - 6.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 18 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

May be repeated for credit.

View Classes »

5895. Special Topics in Communication

1.00 - 3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 18 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Instructor consent required. May be repeated for credit with a change in topic.

View Classes »

5899. Independent Study in Communication

1.00 - 6.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 18 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

This course is an independent study course in which periodic conferences with the instructor are required.

View Classes »

5900. Professional Communication

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Open to graduate students only.

Grading Basis: Graded

Theories and applications of communication in professional settings. Focus on effective design of relevant messages to reach various audiences. Preparation for future employment by cultivating high-caliber communication skills through lecture content and workshops.

View Classes »

5979. Masters Capstone Project

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: Department consent. Recommended preparation: COMM 5001; should be taken in the last or next-to-last semester of study in the masters program.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Capstone project addressing problems or opportunities in the field of communication.

View Classes »

5981. Internship in Communication

1.00 - 6.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 6 credits.

Prerequisites: Open to graduate students in Communication, others with consent.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Completion of a departmentally-approved internship.

View Classes »

6001. Proseminar in Communication Research

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: COMM 5002, COMM 5003, and COMM 5010.

Grading Basis: Graded

Advanced topics in communication research presented by faculty and specialists. Topics include information theory, survey of sampling and data collection, time series analysis (time-domain and panel design), physiological measurement, interaction analysis, and meta-analysis.

View Classes »

6800. Seminar and Directed Research in Communication

3.00 - 6.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 6 credits.

Prerequisites: Open to graduate students in the Communication Program.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Completion and presentation of directed research projects to advance the scholarship of communication graduate students. Students taking this course will be assigned a grade of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory).

View Classes »

6850. Seminar in Marketing Communication Research

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Theories of emotional and cognitive processing of communications; cognitive mapping and message construction; design, implementation and evaluation of information campaigns.

View Classes »

6895. Topics in Applied Communication Research

3.00 credits

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Graded

Investigation of special research techniques and findings in selected areas of applied communication research.

View Classes »

6986. Directed Research Practicum

1.00 - 6.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 24 credits.

Prerequisites: None.

Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Students work on projects under the supervision of faculty members. Projects will generally be faculty-led. Students may be involved with study design, data collection, data analysis, and/or the reporting of the results. Examples of projects that students may assist with include lab-based studies taking place in the Department of Communication lab spaces, studies involving online or remote data collection, and field work. Provides an opportunity for students to gain experience conducting Communication research. At the end of this course, students will be able to distinguish key aspects of the research process, contribute to the design and/or implementation of a research project, and understand the benefits of team science.

View Classes »