Courses

This course serves as an introduction to the exciting field of communication, journalism, and public relations and the value of a degree in the Communication Arts Department. Students will be exposed to the concepts related to the Communication Arts disciplines. The course has been designed to introduce communication, public relations, and journalism students to the skills needed for success in their chosen program and to provide an overview of their discipline as well as others in the department. Program requirements will be discussed for each major as well potential professions post-graduation. Pass/Fail. (1 unit; Fall)

This course is designed to introduce the process of public communication and to help develop and refine the skills of oral communication. (3 units; Fall, Spring, & Online)

This class introduces concepts in interpersonal communication. Students will learn communication theories and principles to apply to communicating in close relationships. Issues related to perception, verbal and nonverbal communication, listening, and conflict, among many others, will be explored. (3 units; Fall)

A participation class in forensics. Students compete in intercollegiate events. Majors may take a maximum of eight (8) units as part of the Communications Program. Communications minors may take a maximum of four (4) units. Students should consult their advisor in the Communication Arts Department to determine how many units per semester are allowed since the program is offered on a continuing basis. (1-3 units; Fall/Spring)

This course examines the dynamics in communication within small groups. Students will learn effective critical thinking and problem solving skills for use when working in small groups. (3 units; Fall & Online)

This course discusses how persuasion, social influence, and compliance function in both online and in-person contexts. The course examines how students not only can ethically persuade others but also identify and overcome unethical attempts at persuasion by others. Course emphases include topics such as sales, deception, visual persuasion, social media persuasion, and the measurement of persuasion in multiple contexts. (3 units; Spring & Online)

This course focuses on how to make and support arguments in both academic and applied settings as well as use verbal skills to resolve conflicts. The course employs role-playing debates and conflicts in class settings to help prepare students for real-world contexts. (3 units; Fall)

This course is designed to introduce theories in the academic field of communication studies. The focus of the course will be on recognizing human communication theories in everyday life, and being able to critically examine situations in multiple cultural contexts based on those theories. Connections will be made between these theories and the prominent theories of related fields. (3 units; Fall & Online)

This course is designed to develop advanced analysis of communication artifacts using rhetorical theory. The course discusses and makes use of rhetorical theorists from classical and contemporary traditions to better understand cultural artifacts from various contexts. Application to various non-communication related fields will be explored. (3 units; Spring & Online)

Examination of the nature and process of communication in modern organizations, including theories, change strategies, internal personnel relations, and conflict management, as they relate to organizational cultures. (3 units; Fall, Spring, & Online)

Explores basic methodologies of communication research, including experiments, surveys, focus groups, field observations, content analysis, and rhetorical and critical analyses. These methodologies and the theoretical and ethical assumptions underpinning them are examined as ways of posing questions and getting answers about human communication. Each student will write papers based on a research project including problem definition, literature review, data gathering and analysis and reporting. (3 units; Spring, even years & Online)

This class examines the dynamics of the two-person communication process. Students will study the development of self-concept, self-disclosure, perception, listening, and feedback as they affect the communication process. Non-verbal communication, attitudes, beliefs, and values will also be explored. (3 units; Fall, Spring, & Online)

Concentration upon a specific topic in the field of communication arts. Topic varies for different semesters. May be taken multiple times with change in topic. (3 units; Fall/Spring)

A participation class in forensics. Students compete in intercollegiate events. Majors may take a maximum of eight (8) units as part of the Communications Program. Communications minors may take a maximum of four (4) units. Students should consult their advisor in the Communication Arts Department to determine how many units per semester are allowed since the program is offered on a continuing basis. Prerequisite: COM 210. (1-3 units; Fall/Spring)

In this course students will analyze and evaluate the historical, economic, social, cultural, and political forces of globalization in the context of media. A strong focus will be on modern and contemporary world cultures and on current issues in the globalization of media forms and information technologies. Historical contexts and pressures at work within the contested terrain of globalism will be examined. Students will understand the development of global communication and media networks as these have evolved, expanded, and make up globalization. In addition, students will closely examine the role of digital media and global activism. (3 units; Fall, even years & Online)

This class analyzes our individual identities by examining culture and gender from both a secular and biblical perspective. We will examine rhetoric, interpersonal communication, and media and their impact on who we are and how we communicate. Students will learn the social and biological influences on culture and gender as well as analyze how language and discourse produce personal and social identities. (3 units; Fall)

Under faculty supervision, the student will be assigned to a position, utilizing principles of communication studies acquired and employed throughout their university experience. This internship provides an opportunity for investigating and participating in field experience with a practitioner of the trade, giving depth and breadth to their understanding of communication studies as a whole. Prerequisite: Permission of the Department Chair. (1-3 units; Fall/Spring)

This course will provide students with an introduction to electronic and traditional broadcasting principles. Students will analyze, synthesize, and evaluate online and traditional broadcasting principles in the form of podcasts. (3 units; Fall)

Online communication platforms are constantly changing. Due to this dynamic environment, communicators must understand the strategies behind online media. This course gives students an immersive experience in analyzing, creating, and developing communication plans to effectively reach a digital audience. In addition, students will analyze and produce content for current and emerging social media platforms. By the end of the course, students will have learned how to curate and develop a social media presence for both themselves as individuals and for corporate entities or small businesses. (3 units; Fall)

Principles, history and professional practice of public relations and the writing and production of materials for special events, newsletters, and brochures. (3 units; Fall, Spring, & Online)

This course will examine case studies and best practices in issues and crisis management in the field of public relations. Reputation management, effective management of issues and crisis will be taught based on practical application of various proven strategies and tactics including APR (Accreditation In Public Relations) standards for issues and crisis management. (3 units; Spring)