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.
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
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 »