For major requirements, see the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of this Catalog.
102. The Process of Communication
Either semester. Three credits. Fridy
A study of modern communication theories and principles useful in understanding how people affect and are affected by others through communication.
105. Principles of Public Speaking
Either semester. Three credits.
Theory and performance in public speaking: overcoming apprehension; audience analysis; development of concepts; maximizing message impact; professional presentation skills; group projects; evidence; listening and speech evaluation.
135. Mass Communication Systems
Either semester. Three credits.
The history, organizational structure, economics and functioning of technologically-based communication systems and the relationship of these factors to mass communication issues and effects.
201. Speech Science
First semester. Three credits. Three class periods. Robb
Acoustic, anatomical, neurological and physiological principles fundamental to the understanding of voice and speech production.
202. Speech and Language Acquisition
Either semester. Three credits.
How children learn their first language; the effects of language on their thinking and behavior.
204. Methods and Issues in Child Language Research
Second semester. Three credits. Two class periods, and child observations and individual conferences by arrangement. Prerequisite: COMS 202. Open only with consent of instructor.
Critical discussion of recent research in child language, and supervised individual research projects.
205. Interpersonal Communications
Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMS 102 or consent of instructor. VanLear
An introduction, analysis and critique of recent theories of interpersonal communication. Topics include person perception, theories of communication management, and the structural analysis of face to face communication behavior.
206W. Global Communication
Either semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: COMS 135. Mahan
International communication patterns; globalization of media industries; new technologies; communication in war and peace; political, economic, social and cultural effects.
207. Nonverbal Communication
First semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: COMS 231Q. Buck
Facial expression, body movement, spatial behavior and para-language, with a consideration of applications for information theory.
208. Communication and Change
First semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: COMS 235 and 210. Snyder
The role of communication and communication technologies in social change, diffusion of new ideas,
209. Cross-Cultural Communication
Either semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: COMS 205.
Communication behavior within and across cultures and subcultures.
210. Persuasion
Either semester. Three credits. Three class periods or two class periods with one discussion period. Prerequisite: COMS 102 or consent of instructor. Hamilton
Introduction to theories of attitude formation, change and reinforcement. Research is used to evaluate past and present models of persuasion.
211. Research Practicum in Communication
Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement, with a maximum of three credits per semester. Prerequisite: At least 12 credits of 200-level Communication Sciences courses which must include COMS 231Q and consent of instructor. Should be taken during the senior year. May be repeated once for credit.
This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to participate in a variety of supervised research activities in communication.
=212. Internship in Communication
Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement, with a maximum of three credits per semester. Prerequisite: At least 12 credits of 200-level Communication Sciences courses and consent of instructor. Should be taken during the senior year. May be repeated once for credit.
This course is designed to provide students with opportunity for supervised field work in a professional communication organization. Student's performance will be evaluated both by the field supervisor and course instructor.
213W. Media, State, and Society
Either semester. Three credits. Required preparation: COMS 135 and 235. Mahan
Forms of, rationales for, and effects of state involvement in mass media. The development of alternative media. Cultural implications of transnational media influences.
214W. Advanced Nonverbal Communication
Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMS 207 or consent of instructor. Recommended preparation: COMS 205. Buck
Selected issues and research techniques current in the literature. Research projects of kinetic proxomic, and/or paralinguistic behaviors involved in communication.
215. Public Relations
Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMS 135. Required preparation: COMS 231Q, and 235 or consent of instructor.
Practical applications of major theories of communication and mass media to public relations practiced by organizations. Based on readings, student research, and case histories.
216W. Small Group Communication
Either semester. Three credits. Required preparation: COMS 205 or consent of instructor. Recommended preparation: COMS 210. VanLear
Approaches, methods, and findings of research in small group communication and development of an ability to engage effectively in small group situations.
217. Organizational Communication
Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMS 205 and 231Q or consent of instructor. van den Berg
Communication in formal organizations; horizontal and vertical communication; effectiveness of different organizational structures and channels; feedback; networks; norms and roles.
218. Communication Campaigns and Applied Research
Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMS 231Q, or STAT 100V or 110V. Recommended preparation: COMS 135, 235, and 210. Snyder
Application of media, persuasion, and social change theories to the design of communication campaigns, including focus groups, interviews and other background research. Students will work with community organizations.
219. Advanced Persuasion and Communication
Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMS 210 or consent of instructor. Recommended preparation: COMS 231Q and COMS 235.
Advanced consideration and criticism of selected modern persuasion theories and research in communications.
220. Communication Processes in Advertising
Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMS 135. Required preparation: COMS 235 and 210 or consent of instructor.
Covers communications theory relevant to advertising, with specific application to the creative elements of art and copy. Students create actual print advertisements and radio commercials.
222W. Government Communication
Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMS 102. Fridy
Communication in government processes. Communication theory and practical applications. Issue management, lobbying, interest-group strategies, government relations, grassroots action, and coalition building. Students may not pass this course without passing the written work.
224. Introduction to Semantics
Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMS 102 or consent of instructor.
The relationship among people, words, and meaning.
226. Gender and Communication
Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMS 102. Mineo
Differences in male/female communication, and the role of discourse in the production of those differences. The politics of gender and communication.
230. Introduction to Research Literature in Communication
First semester. Three credits. Required preparation: COMS 205, 231Q, 235, and 210 or consent of instructor.
A survey of research in major sub-areas of communication.
231Q. Research Methods in Communication
Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMS 102 or consent of instructor. van den Berg
The scientific approach as it specifically applies to communication.
233. Television Production
Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMS 102 and 135 and consent of instructor.
This course provides the student with hands-on broadcast and industrial
video production. The students will rotate through all studio positions
for a televised
production and complete field shoots and editing for an electronic
field production project. Preproduction skills such as proposal and script
writing, storyboarding and budgeting will be included in each class project.
234. Information and Communication
Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMS 231Q or consent of instructor. Watt
Approaches to studying communication including cybernetics, general systems theory, information theory, and human information processing.
235. Effects of Mass Media
Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMS 102 or consent of instructor.
An analysis of the roles of the mass media and of the effects they exert on individuals and society.
236. Protest and Communication
Either semester. Three credits. Required preparation: COMS 235 or consent of instructor. With a change in content, this course may be repeated once for credit.
Protest movement _ past and current _ in light of principles, models, and theories of communication.
237. Design of Human Communication Systems
Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. Required preparation: COMS 135, 235 or consent of instructor. With a change in content, this course may be repeated once for credit.
Application of communication theory and principles of information science to the design of modern systems of communication, with consideration given to the physical and social settings in which they will be used.
238. Mass Media and Political Process
Either semester. Three credits. Required preparation: COMS 135, 235 and 210 or consent of instructor. Gaztambide-Geigel, Zhu
An introduction to the role of the mass media in the American political process. Topics include the relationships among the media, major political institutions, and citizenry; the interplay of the media, interest groups, and policymaking process; and the role of the media in elections and international crises.
239. New Communication Technologies
Second semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: COMS 135 and 235. Watt
An overview of new communication technologies, their operation, future potential, dangers, and effects on social structure.
241. Sign Language: Theory and Practice
Second semester. Three credits.
Information about the history, structure and use of sign languages, and instruction in the basics of American Sign Language (ASL) and Signed English.
243. Introduction to Speech Pathology
First semester. Three credits.
A survey of the field of speech pathology and audiology.
245. Speech Pathology I
First semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 2-hour laboratory period. Prerequisite: COMS 201, 243, and 247. Coelho
The nature, etiology, and assessment of communication disorders.
246. Speech Pathology II
Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMS 245.
Clinical approaches to the treatment of articulation disorders, the clinical process, and the public school speech and hearing program.
Students taking this course will be assigned a final grade of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory).
University of connecticut
247. Introduction to Phonetic Principles
Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMS 201. Robb
The analysis of speech through the application of phonetic theory.
248. Introduction to Audiology
Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMS 250.
An Introduction to the nature, causation, assessment and management of hearing impairment and the principles and techniques of public school conservation programs.
249. Introduction to Aural Rehabilitation
First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMS 248. Maxon
An introduction to the effects of hearing impairment on communication. Communication strategies for adults and children with impaired hearing are discussed.
250. Audition
First semester. Three credits. Cohen
The response to acoustic stimuli including methodology and instrumentation.
252. Introduction to Language Pathologies
First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: COMS 202.
A review of the development, measurement, and function of language and a survey of language disorders and their causes.
293. Foreign Study
Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. May be repeated for credit. Consent of Department Head required, normally granted prior to the student's departure. May count toward the major with consent of the advisor.
Special topics taken in foreign study program.
296W. Senior Thesis
Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of instructor.
Preparation of a thesis and its presentation to the department.
297. Variable Topics
Either semester. Three credits. With a change in topic, may be repeated for credit. Prerequisites, recommended preparation, and recommended preparation vary.
298. Special Topics
Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. With a change in content, may be repeated for credit. Prerequisites, recommended preparation, and recommended preparation vary.
299. Independent Study
Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of instructor. With a change of content, may be repeated for credit.
The course, for superior students, includes independent reading, periodic conferences, and such other work as desired by the instructor.