Major Courses

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, and Online)

An introduction to the basic concepts of communication and skills necessary to communicate in a variety of contexts. Emphasis on communication traditions, views and techniques are used in interpersonal, group, public, intercultural and mass communication situations. (3 units; Online)

Functions, responsibilities, and influence of various mass media and emerging forms of niche media in society. Students review the theories, structures, functions, practices, economics, critical analyses, and historical aspects of mass media and its social responsibility in society. (3 units; Fall, Spring, and 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, and 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 and Online)

Explores philosophical and theoretical foundations of ethics in communication and public relations. Emphasis is placed on rhetorical, cultural, interpersonal and organizational contexts of communication studies. Ethical dilemmas in communication studies and public relations are analyzed from a Christian worldview and theoretical perspective. (3 units; Online)

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 and Online)

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 and 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, and 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 and Online)

Exploration of emerging trends in digital media, providing an opportunity for students to understand, deploy, and reflect upon digital communication trends. A theoretical survey of past, current, and predicted future trends and research on the impact of these communication technologies. (3 units; Online)

This course provides students with an understanding of the communication management and decision-making process in strategic communication. Principles of leadership and management are explored to deepen the understanding of communication practitioner's role in various organizations to create comprehensive communication programming. (3 units; Online)

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, and Online)

This course will provide students with the basic skills and practical experience to plan, develop, execute and evaluate public relations campaigns through case study analysis and actual campaign development. This will be achieved through case study analysis and team-based campaign development. (3 units; Online)