Communication (COM)

COM 101. Health Communication, Identity and Sport. 3 Credit Hours.

This course will focus on the relationships between health communication and public health concepts surrounding athletes, mental health and identity. Topics that will be focused on include the unique aspects in sport that impact the health/identity issues amongst college athletes, the challenges and opportunities to communicate mental health, how sport impacts perceptions, how identity is impacted by collegiate athletics, and how health and wellness is represented in the communication, participation and promotion of sport.
Prerequisites: Instructor permission and first year student standing only
Session Cycle: Summer.

COM 202. Public Speaking. 3 Credit Hours.

This “soft skills” course is designed to help students learn how to communicate in public and digital contexts. By the completion of the course, students should be able to: research, outline, and organize public messages including those that are informative, persuasive, and entertaining; analyze an audience; understand how verbal and nonverbal components of delivery influence speaker credibility; develop strategies to reduce and manage fears about communicating in public contexts; create and use visual aids appropriate to the message; respond to questions effectively and substantively; utilize critical and creative thinking skills. Because speakers and audiences live and interact in a multicultural society, this course will also consider the composition of the audience in crafting ethical, empathetic speeches which consider both the speaker and audience as members of various co-cultures.
Session Cycle: Fall, Spring
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

COM 203. Introduction to Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

The purpose of this course is to explore various topics related to communication. Students will learn how communication is defined and how research in the field is performed and evaluated. Furthermore, students will be introduced to various theories in communication as well as some of the common areas within the field (interpersonal, mass, health, intercultural, small group, etc.) Students taking this course can expect to apply the knowledge they gain to various aspects of their personal and professional lives, engage in critical thinking skills, and become familiar with the many options and career choices that study in communication can provide.
Session Cycle: Fall, Spring
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

COM 205. Foundations in Digital Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

As an introduction course students will examine the evolution and evolving nature of digital communication. Through lecture and activities students will survey the technologies that have been adapted and reframed for industries, look at how digital culture has affected our human interactions and explore how we use mobile, web, streaming and browsing of audio and video in our everyday lives. Students focus on technologies as both the consumer and the creator and deciphering factors affecting both, including internet governance, ethics, free speech and privacy. The course will examine industries impacted by digital technologies and explore the current and future issues they face.
Session Cycle: Fall
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

COM 206. Foundations in Sports Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

This is an introduction and overview of the field of sport communication with specific topics including models of sport communication, print and electronic media, sport advertising, public relations, media relations, and employment opportunities. Students will have the opportunity to critically assess the communication efforts of sports organizations as well as construct their own communications in the field of sport. This course provides an exploration into the theory and practice of communication across specialized contexts sports professionals face and the development of strategic communication skills needed to succeed in them, including areas such as the press conference, sports feature content, sports promotion, sports branding, athletic administration, and sports reporting.
Session Cycle: Every Spring Semester.

COM 208. Esports Communication and Media Studies. 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces students to the role of communication in the esports industry, including media relations, broadcasting, content creation, and branding. Students will analyze how digital platforms, social media, and journalism influence the perception and growth of esports. The course will also cover ethical and cultural considerations in esports communication.
Session Cycle: Every Fall Semester
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

COM 209. Principles of Visual Communication in the Digital Space. 3 Credit Hours.

This course explores the foundational principles of visual communication and their application in the digital realm. Students will examine key design theories, including composition, color theory, typography, and visual hierarchy, and learn how these principles shape effective digital messaging. Through a focus on digital media students will gain a deeper understanding of how visual elements influence audience perception, engagement, and communication effectiveness in various digital formats. The course emphasizes the role of design in enhancing clarity, fostering engagement, and conveying messages across diverse digital platforms.
Session Cycle: Every Fall Semester.

COM 230. Introduction to Film Studies. 3 Credit Hours.

This course has three major aims: to introduce students to what might be called the language of film, to investigate the relationship between movies and culture, and to consider film as both an art form and a social practice. Students will examine the tools filmmakers employ to bring their works to the screen, including cinematography, production design, acting, editing, music, sound design, and narrative structure. Students will also focus on how the cinema both reflects and perpetuates aspects of culture, investigating images of masculinity, femininity, class, and race relations. By semester's end students should have a much clearer sense of what goes into the making of movies, and should have become more active, critical viewers of film. This course is cross-listed with LCS 230.
Session Cycle: Fall, Spring
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

COM 242. Basic Studio Production. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is an introduction to television production in which, through basic studio exercises and productions, students become familiar with the tools of the medium and the processes involved in the creation of completed video content. Emphasis is placed on understanding the role played by software and hardware in the structuring of visual, auditory, and motion elements to communicate through television.
Session Cycle: Varies
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

COM 243. Digital Media Production. 3 Credit Hours.

This course offers an introduction to single-camera video production and editing. In a series of short film assignments, covering a variety of formats/styles, you will learn how to shoot digital media content (outside of the studio environment) and edit your video using Adobe Premiere. This is a hands-on, workshop style course, in which students share and discuss their ideas, raw footage and “rough cut” edits as they go. Technical training will be gradual, with a gently sloped learning curve, so the focus remains where it should be – on expressing your creativity while learning to use shot composition, camera movement, and editing techniques to inform and entertain the viewer.
Session Cycle: Varies
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

COM 260. Media Literacy. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides students with the necessary tools for examining mass media content from a critical perspective. Students will be able to discuss the literacies (print, media, information, etc.), and the societal importance of both on personal and cultural levels. Students will "read" advertisements, observe TV programming genres such as "reality TV" and news, examine the impact of media on children, study the effects of production values on film content, understand the accelerating proliferation of misinformation and “fake news” and their long-term macro-level ramifications on our culture, and deal with assessing texts and narratives in other media such as the Internet, video games, radio, magazines, and newspapers. Once students learn to read, interpret, critically examine, and productively use media, they will be able to apply those skills to various situations and audiences.
Session Cycle: Every Fall Semester
Yearly Cycle: Alternate Years.

COM 265. Public Relations and Social Media. 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces traditional public relations and social media concepts and tools, building students’ strategic ability to create communications plans that connect both concepts to meet an organization’s objectives effectively. Through instruction, hands-on exercises, a client project and guest speakers, students will learn how to create a communications plan, write for the most popular digital communication channels, manage an always-on environment, interview clients effectively, drive social engagement, curate content and finally, create, present, defend and critique a communications plan. Students will gain strategic and tactical proficiency for building and managing a communications program in today’s media/social media environment.
Session Cycle: Spring
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

COM 272. Foundations in Mass Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

This course familiarizes students with mass media industries by developing an understanding of industry structures, trends, economics, organization, and the impact of these on content, culture, and agency. Media industries examined include television/cable/streaming services, radio/music, advertising, public relations, Internet, print media, and video games. Media literacy is a major theme embedded throughout the course as students navigate social responsibility by examining media content from a critical perspective. Finally, students will acquaint themselves with industry-related concepts including, but not limited to concentration of ownership, conglomeration, media literacy, synergy, mass communication theories, digitization, convergence, fragmentation, deregulation, media effects, hyper commercialism, deregulation, mass communication theory, globalization, agenda setting, First Amendment issues, censorship, cultivation, and media ethics.
Session Cycle: Fall, Spring
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

COM 280. Foundations in Health Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides students with an introduction to the area of health communication, an area that is large and multifaceted. Students taking this course will learn about a variety of topics that provide the foundation for work in health and health communication. Topics include (but are not limited to): patient-provider interactions, social support, health literacy, health campaigns and promotion, the influence of technology on health, and the role of culture in health.
Session Cycle: Varies
Yearly Cycle: Varies.

COM 301. Esports Governance and Policy. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides an in-depth look at the governance and structure of esports. Students will examine esports leagues, teams, gaming publishers, and current events happening in esports with a focus on the law and ethical adherence to rules governing these competitions. The course will also explore the different roles of the developer, publisher, esports organizations, and the esports teams, what kinds of investments are relevant to each of those stakeholders, and their concerns.
Session Cycle: Every Spring
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

COM 331. Sports Broadcasting and Analysis. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides students with the practical skills, industry knowledge, and confidence necessary to succeed in the dynamic field of sports media. Blending academic learning with real-world experience, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the sports broadcasting landscape, develop compelling commentary techniques, and refine their on-air presence. Through hands-on projects and industry insights, students will learn to navigate the fast-paced challenges of sports media, preparing them for careers as on-air talent, producers, or media executives. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the essential tools to excel in sports broadcasting.
Prerequisites: Sophomore Standing
Session Cycle: Every Semester
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

COM 332. Writing and Reporting for Broadcast and Digital Media. 3 Credit Hours.

This course gives students hands-on learning and experience creating broadcast and digital news content. Course assignments are filmed in the television studio, but with an emphasis on the “nontechnical” aspects of electronic journalism. Specifically, students learn the communication skills that producers and reporters use when researching and writing news stories, conducting interviews, and delivering news live on the air or via the Internet. This course is also recommended for those with an interest in public relations, or for those who simply want to sharpen their writing and presentation skills.
Prerequisites: Sophomore Standing
Session Cycle: Fall, Spring
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

COM 333. Public Health Communication: Advocacy and Action. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is designed to familiarize students with the history and current issues in public health, the application of health communication theory and strategies to public health practice and research, and how to use knowledge in public health to advocate for policy changes. This course examines how to structure, develop and evaluate social marketing, media advocacy, risk communication and advocacy skills for change. In addition, systematic qualitative data collection processes such as interviewing skills, participant observation and focus groups will be developed. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking skills to help students analyze and utilize these skills in research and practice.
Session Cycle: Varies.

COM 344. Sports Media Production. 3 Credit Hours.

Covering a live sporting event is one of the most dynamic forms of video-mediated communication. The pace is fast, the narrative largely unscripted, and creative and editorial decisions must be made rapidly. This course uses sports broadcasting as a platform for confronting the challenges of live, remote production. Classroom instruction is reinforced by hands-on experience, as students work in production groups to create network-style, multi-camera broadcasts of Bryant athletic events. Rotating through various roles and responsibilities, students develop skills in multi-camera directing, field production, video editing, writing, reporting, announcing, and special effects. Also, students learn how to identify, shape and present the narrative (story) elements of public events as they unfold. (Note: Students must be available for the broadcast of three Saturday afternoon games during the semester).
Session Cycle: Varies
Yearly Cycle: Alternate Years.

COM 345. Documentary Filmmaking. 3 Credit Hours.

In this course students learn how to create films using nonfictional "real" content as source material. The course covers all the creative aspects of documentary production: choosing a topic, creating a quasi-narrative framework, directing, writing and editing. Lectures, screenings and film assignments also explore how the filmmaker's communicative goal and point of view are expressed in a variety of modern documentary styles. And on the most practical level, students learn how to meet the challenge of scheduling a production based on "real" events that are often beyond the filmmaker's control. This course is also recommended for those who have an interest in journalism (both TV and print) or public relations for the non-profit sector.
Prerequisites: COM 242 or COM 243 or COM 357 or have prior production experience with instructor approval. Sophomore standing
Session Cycle: Varies
Yearly Cycle: Alternate Years.

COM 346. Talk Radio: Sports, Politics and Podcasting. 3 Credit Hours.

This course focuses on the skills needed to become a talk radio or podcast host. Special attention is given to the main functions of talk radio or podcast host as a researcher, interviewer, and storyteller. This course focuses on developing and planning live or taped talk show and podcast segments including researching topics, setting up interviews, writing interview questions, interviewing guests, and interacting with guests and other hosts. This course will also focus on integrating developing technologies in the broadcast field utilized by the talk radio and podcast hosts.
Session Cycle: Fall
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

COM 352. Strategic Content Planning and Creation. 3 Credit Hours.

This course will explore strategies for building relationships between audiences and organizations by assessing trends in writing for major social media platforms. Students will focus on conducting audits, creating style guides, constructing strategic briefs, and curating content to develop authentic connections and build trust on social media through strategic, active writing assignments across a variety of platforms.
Session Cycle: Varies
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

COM 353. Writing for Digital Media. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is designed to help students gain an understanding of how digital writing addresses multiple genres, tools, platforms, and audiences. Students will effectively create digital content, analyze, and compose digital texts, and learn the multimodal writing processes of digital communication for audiences across a variety of digital mediums.
Session Cycle: Fall
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

COM 357. Digital Video and Media Narrative Design. 3 Credit Hours.

Digital storytelling has changed the way media is gathered and delivered to an audience across a broad range of industries. You may be asked to explain a concept, make an argument or profile an individual or event as a digital storyteller. This course focuses on the skills needed to become an effective digital storyteller no matter what your major or chosen career field. You will learn to plan and develop live and recorded content for a variety of purposes and platforms. Special attention is given to the four main functions of a digital storyteller including: producing, writing, capturing and editing.
Session Cycle: Spring
Yearly Cycle: Alternate.

COM 360. Crisis and Risk Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

The need to assess, understand and implement an effective communication strategy following a crisis or risk event is becoming increasingly important. Whether dealing with the fallout from an environmental disaster, warning the public about a health hazard, interacting with the public on issues of terrorism, dealing with fallout from a public scandal, or addressing an organizational crisis, the need for effective communication management and its successful implementation is high. This course will focus on examining the intricate parts to the crisis/risk communication process, risk/crisis plans and public implementation.
Session Cycle: Spring
Yearly Cycle: Alternate.

COM 361. Public Relations. 3 Credit Hours.

Students in this course consider the public relations process with emphasis on how corporations and other institutions relate to their various publics. Readings and discussions center on methods of conducting effective public relations and on legal and ethical issues. Students plan programs and copy for various media.
Session Cycle: Varies
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

COM 363. Conflict Management and Negotiation. 3 Credit Hours.

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the study of conflict and the role that communication plays in causing, escalating, and/or managing the conflict process. Additionally, the concept of negotiation and how it fits within this framework, will also be explored. After exploring basic elements of the conflict process (e.g., attributions, goals, power, tactics, etc.), the class will examine ways of altering negative conflict cycles, and the nature and effects of conflict in various situations such as intimate relationships, work relationships, public discourse, team settings, etc. This course is appropriate for anyone wishing to gain a better understanding of the complexities of conflict as well as better and worse ways of managing and or negotiating the process.

COM 367. Small Group Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is designed to (a) give students a better understanding of the communicative practices that make a small group successful, and (b) provide students with the tools to diagnose and rectify potential obstacles to good group work. Students will accomplish these objectives by surveying theory and research in key areas of small group communication including cohesiveness, conflict, power, conformity and deviance, social influence, group roles and processes, group structures, leadership, and decision-making skills. In addition, students will have the opportunity to apply such theory and research by interacting in a small group environment to solve a problem, and then analyzing what their group did right and what their group did wrong.
Session Cycle: Varies
Yearly Cycle: Varies.

COM 370. Media Organizations. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is designed to introduce students to major issues involved in the management, production, and distribution of the mass media. Topics include the technical side of media production, the history and development of media organizations, business aspects of broadcasting and cable, media regulation, societal effects and the impact of new technology on traditional broadcast media. The focus will be on the history and development of media organizations and how they have helped shape American culture. Students will also discuss the impact of new technology such as HDTV and internet television. This class will examine how the media are both products of social forces as well as social forces in their own right.
Session Cycle: Varies
Yearly Cycle: Alternate Years.

COM 381. Message Design and Content Creation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. 3 Credit Hours.

This course explores the transformative role of artificial intelligence in communication, emphasizing the design and delivery of effective messages. Students will examine foundational communication theories, principles of audience analysis, and strategies for crafting compelling narratives. Through hands-on practice and using state of the art tools, students will create written, visual, and video content that integrates AI-enhanced techniques with strategic message design. Ethical considerations, including authenticity, transparency, and the balance between human creativity and AI-generated content, are interwoven throughout, preparing students to navigate and innovate in the evolving landscape of AI-driven communication.
Prerequisites: Sophomore Standing
Session Cycle: Every Fall Semester.

COM 390. Research Methods in Communication/Digital Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

The purpose of this course is to introduce students in Communication and Digital Communication to research methods and concepts used in the field. During the semester, students will learn about ethical implications, sampling, variables, hypothesis testing and research design. They will also explore several different research techniques (e.g., surveys, experiments, content analysis, social network analysis, etc.). In addition, students will also be introduced to some basic statistical techniques used in the analysis of research data. The goal is to not only provide students with the groundwork for understanding and conducting research in these fields, but to also be able to be critical consumers of the research they will encounter in their future careers.
Prerequisites: COM 203 and MATH 201
Session Cycle: Fall, Spring
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

COM 401. Advanced Intercultural Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

This course explores the complexity and uniqueness of intercultural communication by focusing on the various theoretical and practical aspects of how culture influences the way we communicate. By examining the various approaches to the study of intercultural communication, we will come to appreciate the complexity and dialectical tensions involved in intercultural interactions. We will examine the important role of context (social, cultural, and historical) in intercultural interactions and apply intercultural theories to practical situations such as education, healthcare, and business. This learning process will enhance self-reflection, flexibility, and sensitivity in intercultural interactions.
Prerequisites: COM 203 and Sophomore Standing.

COM 402. Digital Literacy, Digital Lives. 3 Credit Hours.

Digital literacy refers to the ability to use, understand, and navigate digital technologies effectively. Given the impact and constant presence that digital media has in our lives, becoming critical consumers, rather than just users, is becoming an ever increasing imperative. As digital technologies continue to evolve, and new ones emerge (such as Artificial Intelligence), engaging with digital devices, applications, and information sources in a meaningful way is important. This course will focus on the cognitive and critical thinking skills required to assess, analyze, and create content in the digital realm, as well as the impact that it has on our interactions, society, and relationships.
Prerequisites: COM 203 or COM 205 and Sophomore Standing
Session Cycle: Every Fall Semester.

COM 403. Organization, Leadership, and Communication in the Sports Industry. 3 Credit Hours.

Students will focus on the organizational structure and communication requirements needed to organize and run various types of organizations within the sports field. Focus will be on international, national, professional, and collegiate sports organizations as well as the multiple departments and specializations that exist within each. Particular attention will be paid to role determination, communication, interdependence, specialization, and coordination required of the multiple structures that make up these sports companies and organizations.
Prerequisites: COM 203 or COM 206, Sophomore Standing
Session Cycle: Every Semester.

COM 404. Esports Event Planning and Organization. 3 Credit Hours.

This course explores the fundamentals of planning, organizing, and managing esports events, from grassroots tournaments to large-scale international competitions. Students will learn about event logistics, sponsorship acquisition, audience engagement, and the use of technology in tournament operations. The course will provide hands-on experience in conceptualizing and structuring an esports event.
Prerequisites: COM 203 or COM 206 or COM 208 and Sophomore Standing
Session Cycle: Every Spring Semester
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

COM 405. Advanced Sports Broadcasting: Road to "Radio Row. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides students with an immersive experience in advanced sports media production, focusing on live event coverage, broadcasting, and content creation. Students will gain hands-on experience in producing, directing, and reporting for live sports programming, with a special emphasis on the organization and execution of professional sports media events. The culminating project for this course will involve active participation in "Radio Row" at the Super Bowl, where students will engage with industry professionals, produce content, and contribute to media coverage of one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
Pre/Corequisites: COM 331 can be taken as a corequisite
Prerequisites: COM 203 and COM 331 OR COM 346 and approval by instructor, Sophomore Standing
Session Cycle: Fall/Winter Semester - Course Will Run Longer Than Regular Term
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

COM 406. Voices of the Game: Expert Perspectives on Sports Communication, Promotion and Industry. 3 Credit Hours.

This course explores the dynamic landscape of sports industries by engaging directly with experts from professional athletics, sports organizations, and leading sports companies. Designed to bridge academic concepts with real-world expertise, the course features accomplished athletes, industry executives, and leaders from sports organizations and technology who share their knowledge and experiences. Students will delve into the inner workings of the sports industry, focusing on topics such as sports communication, sports media, brand promotion, sponsorship activation, fan engagement, and organizational leadership. Through expert-led discussions, interactive projects, and coursework, participants will develop practical skills and gain insider perspectives on the trends shaping the future of sports and the evolving fan experience Specific course focus will be dependent on resident expert teaching the course for that semester and their area of expertise.
Prerequisites: COM 203 or COM 206 and approval by chair, Sophomore Standing
Session Cycle: Varies.

COM 407. Storytelling for Media: Creating and Selling Ideas for Entertainment. 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces students to the creative and industry practices of developing unscripted and factual television projects for today’s media landscape. Students learn the essentials of ideation, storytelling, and structuring concepts while exploring the television and streaming development process. Emphasis will be placed on tailoring ideas for specific production companies and crafting professional pitches that resonate with stakeholders and decision-makers. Through collaborative workshops and market analysis, students gain hands-on experience generating original projects, refining ideas, and presenting them through written, visual, and live pitch formats. The course culminates in participation at the Monte Carlo Television Festival, where students present projects and engage directly with international media professionals and the global entertainment industry.
Prerequisites: COM 203 and Sophomore Standing
Session Cycle: Every Spring Semester.

COM 408. Communication in Action: Evolving Media and Message Landscapes. 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines the rapidly evolving fields of Communication and Digital Communication through engagement with current issues and professionals in television, film, public relations, social media, and digital media. It bridges academic theory with industry practice, featuring guest experts and practitioners who share their insights and experiences. With a rotating focus based on the resident expert’s specialization or emerging trends, each offering adapts to explore emerging developments in the field. Topics will vary according to student interest and timely developments in Communication and Digital Communication. Refer to Banner for semester-specific course titles and descriptions.
Prerequisites: COM 203 and Approval by Instructor. Sophomore Standing
Session Cycle: Varies.

COM 442. Advanced Digital Media. 3 Credit Hours.

With the advent of digital platforms including web sites, streaming networks, and social media platforms, it is no longer sufficient to think solely in the context of traditional broadcast and streaming media. Platforms such as Youtube, Roku and Tik Tok have changed all manner of content creation. This course will give you an understanding of how all areas of digital media production, both behind the scenes and in front of the camera, come together and are practiced at various stages, from preproduction through distribution, to create programming for both traditional and digital platforms. You will create high-end content in a simulated, professional environment taking on the roles of production personnel, from showrunner to craft service, with the ultimate goal of seeing your programming “air” on the chosen distribution platform for the semester.
Prerequisites: COM 203 and Sophomore Standing
Session Cycle: Spring
Yearly Cycle: Alternate Years.

COM 444. Sports Journalism. 3 Credit Hours.

Sports Journalism is the foundation of all sports coverage from play-by-play to podcasting, to sports promotion. This hands-on course prepares you to write, report, and analyze sports across print, radio, television, the web and social media. Students will learn to develop their own unique voice using journalistic principles such as researching, interviewing, and writing as they apply to sports, athletes, and coaches. Students will also learn sports journalism from the perspective of the athlete.
Prerequisites: COM 203, Sophomore Standing
Session Cycle: Every Spring.

COM 450. Media Genre Studies. 3 Credit Hours.

A genre approach to media study (one which takes the way we might categorize media as its point of departure) provides the most effective means for understanding, analyzing, and appreciating forms of media because it sees it as a dynamic process of exchange between the media industry and its audience. This allows us to think about media not just as an aesthetic object, but also as a consumer item molded in part by the shifting demands of the mass market. A particular piece of media, then, can tell us as much about the audience for which it's intended and the moment in history to which it belongs as it can about the institutions that produced it. This course examines the way this "dynamic process of exchange" works by looking critically at examples of media genre of the last several decades.
Prerequisites: COM 203, Sophomore Standing
Session Cycle: Fall
Yearly Cycle: Varies.

COM 452. Personal Branding in Digital Media. 3 Credit Hours.

In digital communication, tools and methods are available for people to share ideas, thoughts, and content online, providing key opportunities for product and personal marketing to support a brand image. This course is a practical, hands-on class where students explore the history and concept of branding and how it applies to aspects of self-presentation and self-promotion in digital media. Students will focus on developing and strengthening their own brand with an emphasis on the use of creating content for use on digital platforms.
Session Cycle: Fall
Yearly Cycle: Alternate Years.

COM 463. The Impact of Digital Addiction on Individuals and Social Interactions. 3 Credit Hours.

This course explores the impact that digital communication has on us as individuals as well as how it serves to create a digital culture. Students examine topics such as digital communication's impact on cognitive processes, digital addiction, and digital literacy. How does software programming and engineered behavior addiction lead us to spending massive amounts of time on the devices and online? Students also dive into the implications of spending so much time online as it relates to topics such as memes, online relationships, identity presentation via things such as selfies, online humor, mental health, linguistics, influencers, trolls and more.
Prerequisites: COM 203 or COM 205 and Sophomore Standing.

COM 470. Persuasion and Social Influence. 3 Credit Hours.

Communicative efforts to influence us and our efforts to influence others are so common that we rarely give them a second thought--that is, until they do not work the way we intended. This course is designed to introduce you to theoretical and applied issues in the study of social influence. It presents a broad overview of the area with an emphasis on the creation and consumption of persuasive messages in a variety of contexts including advertising, politics, health, and even our own interpersonal relationships.
Prerequisites: COM 203 or COM 204 and Sophomore standing
Session Cycle: Varies
Yearly Cycle: Alternate Years.

COM 472. Media Effects. 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines the impact of mass media on individuals and contemporary culture. Areas of examination include media cultivation, desensitization, priming, violence, agenda-setting, media framing, hypersexualization, gender portrayals, commercialism content, persuasion, the empathetic audience, entertainment education, media discourse, numerous media theories, and digital communication, to name a few. Students in this course will complete semester-long research on a media effects topic of their choosing and will deliver presentations on a number of mass communication theories.
Prerequisites: COM 203 or COM 204 and Sophomore Standing
Session Cycle: Varies
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

COM 478. Global Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

This course focuses on cross-national comparative approaches to the study of communication policy and practice. It illustrates the value of comparative study through discussions of broadcasting, cable, telecommunications, culture and new media policies and practices such as those surrounding the Internet. This course focuses on the history, development, implementation and effects of global communication systems. There is an emphasis on how culture is a shaping force in the development of communication policy and practices in each country.
Prerequisites: COM 203 or COM 204 and Sophomore Standing
Session Cycle: Varies
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

COM 480. Advanced Health Communication Health Campaigns. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides students with an in-depth look into the area of health communication and the specific context of health message design, health promotion, and health behavior change. Building upon knowledge gained in Introduction to Health Communication, students will be presented with various theories and models that are used in the field as well as strategies and campaigns that are currently being enacted in society. Students will gain practice in applying knowledge gained in this course as they select, research, and design a health campaign of their own.
Prerequisites: COM 203 or COM 204 or COM 280 and Sophomore Standing
Session Cycle: Varies
Yearly Cycle: Alternate Years.

COM 491. Senior Capstone for Communication/Digital Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

In this capstone course, students will build on knowledge from prior classes to examine and apply the major theories used in the study of communication/digital communication. Through course discussion and application to real world situations, students will synthesize their understanding of communication and how it impacts human behavior and attitudes. Students will develop the ability to articulate opinions, translate concepts, and formulate solutions on current topics through the lens of both theory and ethics. Then, students will apply their knowledge of communication and/or digital communication to gain real world experience by solving problems that exist within a nonprofit organization and/or between its members and target audience.
Prerequisites: COM 203 or COM 204, senior standing, and Communication or Digital Communication major
Session Cycle: Fall, Spring
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

COM 492. Senior Capstone in Sports Industries, Media, and Promotion. 3 Credit Hours.

In this capstone course, students will build on knowledge from prior classes to examine and apply the major theories and concepts used in the study of sports industries and sports communication. Through course discussions and application to real-world situations, students will synthesize their understanding of communication and its impact on human behavior, attitudes, and decision-making within the athletic industry. Students will develop the ability to articulate opinions, translate concepts, and formulate solutions on current topics through the lens of both theory and ethics. Students will apply their knowledge of sports industries and sports communication to gain real-world experience by solving problems that exist within an existing sports industry or organization and/or between its members and target audience(s).
Prerequisites: Senior Standing and Majors Only
Session Cycle: Every Spring.

COM 497. Directed Study in Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

This course permits the student to pursue a communication area of interest and relevancy. The work will be performed under the supervision of a faculty member who will help design the program of study and the requirements to be met by the student.
Prerequisites: This course requires departmental permission on the basis of the agreed - upon plan of study.