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COMM 1306- Introduction to Communication

This course serves as the prelude to the Communication major. Students are introduced to definitions, concepts, and contexts crucial to the discipline of communication as well as to the origins and development of the pedagogical study of communication. Course includes visits from faculty and/or guest to discuss their specific area of study (e.g., organizational, cultural, media, rhetoric, etc.) and serves to guide new majors into the core curriculum and various tracks. Fall, Spring.  Prerequisite: Freshman or sophomore standing only or permission of instructor. 3 hours.

COMM 1317- Presentational Speaking

This course is an introduction to public speaking both in large and small group situations. It provides practice in a variety of speech styles and purposes, with emphasis on the more commonly used speech forms. Fall, Spring, Summer.  3 hours.

COMM 2302- Communication Theory

This course is a survey of the major theoretical approaches, concepts, and terms used in communication studies. Theories covered in the course provide a framework for more advanced classes in communication. Course objectives are accomplished through text readings, lectures, discussions, group presentations, research, and written analysis. Replaces COMM 3302. Fall, Spring.  3 hours.

COMM 2307- Media Communication

With an emphasis on visual communication, the course explores various theories, historical development and current media practices and their effect on the lives of individuals and on society. Includes studies of objectivity, persuasion, censorship and legal problems. Replaces COMM 1307. Fall, Spring. 3 hours.

COMM 2312- Interpersonal Communication

This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of interpersonal communication. In this course students will study notions self, other, and relationships by focusing on how interpersonal communication intersects the development of these constructs.  Students will use theory to assess communication in family, personal, romantic, and social relationships in order to improve the communication in such relationships. Replaces COMM 1312. Fall, Spring. 3 hours.

COMM 2320- Media and Prof Presentations

Students design and deliver presentations as they study audio/visual communication theory, audience identification, appropriate media selection, presentation settings, and different speaking styles. Students learn effective use of multimedia and computer-aided presentations. 3 hours.

COMM 2321- Gender Communication

Students in this course will explore the interactive relationship between gender and communication in three major areas: 1) the creation and perpetuation of gender roles in families, schools, media, and society in general; 2) the way these socially created gender differences affect our feelings of personal success, satisfaction and self-esteem; and 3) specific social issues highlighting the transition of gender roles in our culture.  Through an understanding of how gender roles are formed and maintained in our society, students will also consider how they can act to influence gender expectations. Spring.  3 hours.

COMM 2322- Nonverbal Communication

Students in this course will study nonverbal behaviors and how they repeat, underscore, substitute for, and regulate verbal communication in the communication environment and between communicators.  Students will participate in a group service learning experience. Fall, even-numbered years. 3 hours.

COMM 2326- Persuasion

In this course, students will study and analyze the forms and strategies of persuasive discourse from both rhetorical and psychological perspectives. This course will focus on political persuasion in the media.  3 hours.

COMM 2327- Organizational Communication

This course will analyze the role of communication in the context of modern global complex organizations (government, business, industry, education, non-profits, etc.). In addition to a review of theory, methodology, and application of communication research in organizational settings, the course will focus on communication networks, styles, and culture in organizations. The role of communication professionals in organizational structures will be emphasized. Same as SOCI 2342.  Fall, Spring. 3 hours.

COMM 3301- Communication Research Methods

This course introduces students to the designs, uses and limitation of communication research. Traditional statistical methods (e.g., correlations, t-tests, ANOVA, etc.) are covered as well as more recent, qualitative approaches (e.g., narrative, self-reflexive, auto/biography, etc.) in order to provide students with a well-rounded insight into the various methodological perspectives that currently govern research in the field of communication. Students will collect and analyze data for a final research project. Replaces COMM 2329.  Junior or Senior standing.  Fall, Spring.  3 hours.

COMM 3328- Broadcast Journalism

Students will learn the critical thinking and creative skills needed to produce responsible digital journalism in the global community. Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of instructor.  Fall.  3 hours.

COMM 3330- Media Ethics

This course will take students through current and engaging case studies in media as they investigate topics and issues in broadcasting, advertising, public relations, and journalism that are relevant in today's society. Students will gain insight into real-world situations as well as understand how professionals handle ethical dilemmas in contemporary media, both successfully and unsuccessfully. Does not fulfill the general education requirement for ethics. Prerequisite: COMM 2307. Spring, even numbered years. 3 hours.

COMM 3331- Contemporary Theories of Rhetoric

This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of rhetorical communication proposed by rhetorical theorists from classical through contemporary times. We will focus on contemporary theorists, including Foucault, Habermas, and Burke, and discuss feminist, Afrocentric, and Asian challenges to the Western tradition of rhetoric. As theories of rhetoric reflect our culture, issues concerning contemporary American culture and society will be central to our discussion. Prerequisite: COMM 1306, junior or senior standing or permission of instructor. Spring odd-numbered years. 3 hours.

COMM 3332- Advertising

Advertising is one of the most pervasive aspects of our lives: Ads are everywhere. As communication scholar Leo Bogart noted, "Advertising is one of modern society's most visible aspects...and its values are interwoven with the whole fabric of society." This course will survey the background and evolution of advertising, the structure of the advertising industry, the planning of ad campaigns, the construction of advertising messages, and the ethical considerations of advertising. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. Fall odd-numbered years, Spring.  3 hours.

COMM 3333- Rhetorical Criticism

This course is designed to acquaint students with rhetorical criticism as a method for answering research questions in communication. Students will be provided with opportunities to apply critical methods in the writing of essays analyzing various kinds of data. Prerequisite: Junior standing.  Fall, Spring. 3 hours.

COMM 3336- Argumentation and Advocacy

This course will be an introduction to basic concepts of argumentation theory, such as problems of evidence or inference, induction, deduction, logical fallacies in arguments, persuasive campaigns, arguments from authority, rhetorical terms, and audience.  Students will develop the ability to analyze as well as construct arguments. Prerequisite: Junior standing.  3 hours.

COMM 3337- Public Relations

In this course students will examine the definitions and history of public relations; its evolution from press agentry to top-level management function; the relationship of PR practitioner and the media; the differences between public relations, advertising, and marketing; the myths about what public relations people do and don't do; and the importance of strategic planning, research, and measurement techniques. Prerequisite: COMM 1306 and sophomore standing. Fall, Spring odd-numbered years. 3 hours.

COMM 3339- Group Communication

This course will demonstrate communication processes in small group situations as students actively participate in task-oriented, problem-solving groups. As part of the course, students will work with other group members to solve "problems" identified by a local nonprofit organization. Through a service-learning activity, students will understand group development, understand the role communication plays in that development, and demonstrate the communication skills needed to thrive in a group setting. Same as PSYC 3339 and SOCI 3339. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing or permission of instructor.  3 hours.

COMM 3340- Political Communication

Politicians teach, preach and activate. This course takes their talk seriously, studying speeches, debates, and use of mediated communication as they enact the process of American democracy. Study will be guided by two questions: Are political campaigns good for us? and Why is everything we think we know about politics wrong? Through analysis of both presidential and local political campaigns, as well as comparative analysis with campaigns in other countries, students will develop insights into the role political communication plays in shaping their lives as citizens in a democracy. Fall, even-numbered years. 3 hours.

COMM 3344- Communication and Culture

This course will focus on the dynamic relationship between communication and culture. Students will survey intercultural, international, cross-cultural, multicultural, and cultural studies approaches in order to advance awareness of the ways in which culture shapes how individuals and groups communicate and how that communication also sustains, expresses, and affects culture.  Distinct patterns and styles of communication as well as shared values and goals within, between, among, and across national, ethnic, racial, and social groups will be examined. Same as SOCI 3344. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing or permission of instructor.  3 hours.

COMM 3345 Native American & Chicana/o Commuication

Students will make a systematic inquiry about the communicative contributions made by America's indigenous peoples through primary and secondary reading of speeches, treaties, poetry, memoirs, and journal and text articles. In particular, this course will survey the role of language, discourse, and media in past and contemporary historical, political, and social issues, including citizenship; and human, civil, religious, labor, and land rights. In addition, students will be introduced to other mediums of communication, such as pow-wow songs, corridos, performance art, film, videos, documentaries and oral history. Students will have opportunities to participate in Austin's Native-American and Chicana/o events. Prerequisites: COMM 2302, or permission of instructor. Fall, even-numbered years. 3 hours.

COMM 3346- Family Communication

In this course, students will examine communication structures, systems, dynamics and patterns particular to families. Students will be encouraged to examine family structures in order to see how internalized family patterns impact their relational lives. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing or permission of instructor.  Fall, odd numbered years.  3 hours.

COMM 4310- Communication & Popular Culture

This course examines popular culture and the complex history, debates, and controversies surrounding it. Students will learn critical, cultural and rhetorical approaches to analyzing popular culture artifacts, texts, and performances, and will have the opportunity to conduct an extensive analysis of a popular culture event occurring in the Austin community.   Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing or permission of instructor.  Spring odd-numbered years.  3 hours.

COMM 4316-Advanced Organizational Communication

This course is an intensive study of current organizational communication issues with an emphasis on decision-making and problem solving. Students learn and apply advanced critical thinking and analytical skills to organizational case studies. Prerequisite: COMM 2327 and junior or senior standing or permission of instructor.  Spring, even-numbered years. 3 hours.

COMM 4319- Rhetoric and Cultural Studies

The interdisciplinary and critical initiatives of cultural studies are introduced in this course. Students will examine social and political intersections among everyday discursive practices, popular culture, social institutions and media and also how determining factors such as race, gender, sexuality, age, and ability contribute to the ways in which culture is produced, reproduced, negotiated, and changed. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing, or permission of instructor. Fall, odd-numbered years. 3 hours.

COMM 4323- Feminist Perspectives- Social Change

Students will examine current work by feminist theorists on issues related to gender, feminism, rhetoric, and communication. Students gain interdisciplinary study in feminist perspectives by engaging in issues such as audiences, co-cultures, power, race, and feminist popular culture. Fall, even-numbered years.  3 hours.

COMM 4324- Documentary

Students will write, shoot, edit, and produce a short-form documentary for television on a relevant social issue. Prerequisite: PHCO 3331 or COMM 3328 or permission of instructor. Spring, odd-numbered years. 3 hours.

COMM 4326- PR in Non-Profit Organizations

The process and the practice of public relations will be explored through the review and analysis of actual case studies. Students will also learn the public relations process by planning and preparing their own projects for an Austin client or organization. Prerequisite: COMM 3337 and junior or senior standing or permission of instructor. Spring, odd-numbered years.  3 hours.

COMM 4334- Advertising Campaigns

In this course, theory, strategy, and techniques are applied to advertising campaigns. Advanced projects in advertising and corporate communication are completed through analysis, planning, financing, and execution of an advertising campaign. Prerequisite: COMM 3332 and junior or senior standing or permission of instructor. Fall, even-numbered years.  3 hours.

COMM 4338- Native American & Chicana/o Film

This course will investigate the historic portrayal and (mis)representation of Native American and Chicanas/os in film along with the communication strategies used by Native American and Chicana/o filmmakers for self-empowerment. Students will gain an appreciation of alternative approaches to film narrative, genres, visual communication, representation, production, etc. Students will have the opportunity to produce a short film, screenplay, storyboard, or critique. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing, or permission of instructor. Fall, odd-numbered years.  3 hours.

COMM 4350- Internship for the Communication Major

The internship will be a real-world experience for the communication major in which the student will work in a communication setting that involves the practical use of the theories and skills that have been introduced in the previous courses. This work may be on or off campus and will involve the opportunity for the student to practice the skills and knowledge involved in a communication career. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Sophomore, junior or senior level and consent of the instructor.  3 hours.

COMM 4351- Special Topics in Communication and Culture

This upper-division course will be offered on occasion to introduce new topics or to allow students to explore familiar topics in communication and culture in greater depth. May be repeated for credit when topic varies. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing or permission of the instructor. 3 hours.

COMM 4352- Topics- Media Arts/PR/Advertising

This upper-division course will be offered on occasion to introduce new topics or to allow students to explore familiar topics in media arts, public relations, and advertising in greater depth. May be repeated for credit when topic varies. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing or permission of instructor. 3 hours.

COMM 4353- Special Topics in Organizational Communication

This upper-division course will be offered on occasion to introduce new topics or to allow students to explore familiar organizational communications topics in greater depth. May be repeated for credit when topic varies. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing or permission of instructor. 3 hours.

COMM 4399- Special Topics in in Communication

This upper-division course will be offered on occasion to introduce new topics or to allow students to explore, in greater depth, topics or special projects within the field of communication that are relevant to students in all specializations. May be repeated for credit when topic varies. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing or permission of instructor. 3 hours.