COMMUNICATION (COM) - Course Descriptions


COM 120. (1) Orientation to Communications and Theatre.
Description of basic academic terminology, professional oppor tunities, and requirements for the individual in the diverse areas of communications and theatre. Should be completed by all depar tmental majors as soon as pos- sible after the major is declared. Also listed as TH 120 but creditable only in field for which registered. (Fall, Spring)

COM 200. (3) Voice and Diction.
Practice in the development of a good speaking voice, with individual help in the correction of faulty speech habits. Also listed as TH 200 but creditable only in field for which registered. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

COM 201. (3) Fundamentals of Speech.
Practical training in speech, with emphasis on social and professional needs. (Fall, Spring, Summer) COM 201H. (3) Fundamentals of Speech, Honors. Accelerated training in public speaking, with emphasis on the evolution of rhetoric and speaking to a variety of audiences. This course utilizes class discussion and written responses to fur ther encourage critical thinking skills. This course is open to students in the Honors Program and other students with depar tmental approval. (Fall, Spring)

COM 210. (3) Business and Professional Speech.
Preparation and performance of specific speech forms appropriate to business and profes- sional forums, including conferences and inter views. (Spring) COMMUNICATION (COM)

COM 120. (1) Orientation to Communications and Theatre.
Description of basic academic terminology, professional oppor tunities, and requirements for the individual in the diverse areas of communications and theatre. Should be completed by all depar tmental majors as soon as pos- sible after the major is declared. Also listed as TH 120 but creditable only in field for which registered. (Fall, Spring)

COM 200. (3) Voice and Diction.
Practice in the development of a good speaking voice, with individual help in the correction of faulty speech habits. Also listed as TH 200 but creditable only in field for which registered. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

COM 201. (3) Fundamentals of Speech.
Practical training in speech, with emphasis on social and professional needs. (Fall, Spring, Summer) COM 201H. (3) Fundamentals of Speech, Honors. Accelerated training in public speaking, with emphasis on the evolution of rhetoric and speaking to a variety of audiences. This course utilizes class discussion and written responses to fur ther encourage critical thinking skills. This course is open to students in the Honors Program and other students with depar tmental approval. (Fall, Spring)

COM 210. (3) Business and Professional Speech.
Preparation and performance of specific speech forms appropriate to business and profes- sional forums, including conferences and inter views. (Spring)

COM 220. (3) Basic Reporting.
Fundamentals of news gathering and news writing. Two class periods; one 2-hour laboratory per week. (Fall, Spring)

COM 230. (3) Introduction to Public Relations.
The histor y, devel- opment, and professional practices of public relations in society, including the public relations process and standards. (Fall) COM 240. (3) Introduction to Radio-Television-Film Production. The basic techniques of equipment operation and production of motion pic- ture, visual, and sound messages in the appropriate format for cable, broadcasting, and film distribution. Students will learn the primar y respon- sibilities of operations personnel in all three areas and select one format type in which to concentrate for the production of a final class project. Students completing COM 241 and COM 242 cannot apply this class to meet UNA graduation requirements. Special fee: $30.00. (Fall, Spring)

COM 241. (3) Introduction to Radio Production and Performance.
The basic techniques of operation, production, and performance of radio and audio media. Special fee: $30.00. (Fall) COM 242. (3) Introduction to Television Production and Perfor- mance. The basic techniques of equipment operation, production, and per- formance of television and visual media. Special fee: $30.00. (Spring)

COM 250. (3) Communication Writing.
Introduction to writing appli- cable to communications study and professionals, including scripts and adver tising. Examination of representative samples. Prerequisites: EN 111, 112, or EN 121, 122. (Offered on sufficient demand)

COM 300. (3) History of Film.
The historical development of the motion picture and television film as an ar t form from earliest stages to the present, including the technical, social, economic, and cultural factors influ- encing development, and using films from the periods and genres. Also list- ed as TH 300 but creditable only in field for which registered. (Spring)

COM 306. (3) Interpersonal Communication.
Provides a functional interpretation of inter personal communication in societal, educational, and vocational relationships. Appropriate readings and research regarding the influence of communication between two individuals is a primar y focus of the course. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

COM 308. (3) Nonverbal Communication.
This course studies the use of symbolic transmissions outside verbal contexts. Specific topics include the influences of gestures, dress, posture, and facial expressions on both senders and receivers. (Fall, even-numbered years)

COM 310. (3) Foundations and Ethics.
Classical foundations of communication study, including study of representative Philosophers and Sophists. Examination of the ethical responsibilities of the communicator. (Spring, Summer)

COM 314. (3) Mass Communication Theory.
Modern theories of mass communication messages and effects. (Fall, Summer)

COM 316. (3) Fundamentals of Electronic Media.
A lecture course emphasizing the functions and responsibilities of electronic and film com- munication systems, including such areas as history, operations, regulation, economics, programming, and social responsibilities and effects. (Fall)

COM 317. (3) Multimedia and Internet Authoring.
An introductor y course in the process of creating and distributing Multimedia productions and Internet web pages. Prerequisite: COM 240 or 241 and 242. (Offered on sufficient demand)

COM 320. (3) Political Communication.
Current topics in political communication and political campaign, including appropriate research and readings. (Fall, even-numbered years)

COM 328. (3) Program Research.
An introduction to the research methods and findings used to evaluate telecommunication programs, with emphasis on the application of the research in decisions on program use and placement; techniques of rating ser vices, program and commercial testing, profiling, and economic measure for both immediate and delayed feedback. Prerequisite: COM 316. (Spring)

COM 330. (3) Group Communication.
Deals with communication theory and its applications to small groups within a variety of settings. Attention is given to the roles of the discussants and the emergence of group leaders as well as the influence communication variables have on each. (Fall, Spring) COM 335. (3) Television Appreciation: Programs and Perspectives. Examination of the development of television programming content from 214 Courses of Instruction 1948 to present. Students must have access to cable or satellite services for home viewing of classic television programs. (Offered on sufficient demand)

COM 340. (4) Television Criticism.
Fundamentals of television criti- cism with emphasis on television content, visual literacy, programming gen- res, and social impact. Coursework will involve viewing and analysis of various types of television content including commercials, news, and some home programming. Three class periods; one 2-hour laborator y period. Prerequisite: COM 316. (Spring, even-numbered years)

COM 350. (3) Argumentation and Debate.
An introduction to the the- ory and practice of argumentation and debate as they are employed by our society. This course includes a study of basic argumentative theor y, burden of proof, and reasoning within both public address and debate contents. (Fall, odd-numbered years)

COM 356. (3) Advanced Reporting.
A continuation of COM 220 with emphasis on the development of repor torial skills necessar y for advanced news gathering and news writing. May include field trip. Two class periods; one 2-hour laborator y per week. Prerequisite: COM 220. (Spring)

COM 360. (2) Speech Criticism and Analysis.
Methods of critiquing formal speeches, description of forms and styles. Permission of depar t- ment and completion of COM 201 are required prior to enrollment. (Offered on sufficient demand)

COM 368. (3) Editing.
The processes of copy editing, proofreading, headline writing, and newspaper layout. Two class periods; one 2-hour lab- orator y per week. Prerequisite: COM 220. (Fall)

COM 370. (3) Feature Writing.
Theories, techniques, and practice in writing feature ar ticles for newspapers and magazines. Two class periods; one 2-hour laborator y per week. Prerequisite: COM 220. (Fall)

COM 374. (3) Public Relations Cases.
Study of individual cases in the practice of public relations. May include field trip. Prerequisite: COM 230. (Spring)

COM 380. (3) Announcing.
A l ecture-demonstrati on-perfor mance course in effective oral and visual communications for radio and television, including techniques for delivering commercials, news, spor ts, inter views, features, and dramatic presentations. May include field trip. Prerequisites: COM 200, 240 or 241 and 242, 316. Special fee: $30.00. (Spring, odd-num- bered years)

COM 386. (3) Gender Communication.
Examines multiple relation- ships between communication and gender. Emphasizes how communica- tion creates gender and power roles and how communicative patterns reflect, sustain, and alter social conceptions of gender. Also listed as WS 386 but creditable only in field for which registered. (Fall, odd-numbered years)

COM 390. (3) Public Relations Writing and Research.
Theories, techniques, and practice in research and writing for public relations. Coursework will involve research for and writing of news releases, public service announcements, video news releases, feature stories for a variety of mediums and brochures. Prerequisites: COM 220, 230. (Fall, even-num- bered years) Courses of Instruction 215

COM 400. (3) Communication Law and Regulation.
An introduction to laws and regulations affecting the media in the United States. Topics include constitutional rights including speech, press, and privacy, relevant cour t decisions, and current regulation of electronic media. Prerequisites: COM 310, 314. (Spring)

COM 402. (3) Persuasion.
An analysis of the principles and tech- niques used in all forms of persuasive communication. The course includes both theoretical and applied work concerning the use of communication to produce specific attitudes within receivers. (Spring, even-numbered years) COM 410. (3) Desk-Top Publishing in Communications. Preparation of newsletters, brochures, and small publications using current desktop publishing software. Two class periods; one 2-hour laborator y period per week. (Fall)

COM 420. (1) Portfolio Preparation.
Issues faced by graduates upon entering graduate school or the professional world. Topics include prepara- tion of the professional por tfoio, current market trends, and long-term pro- fessional prospects. Should be completed by all depar tmental majors in the last semester prior to graduation. Also listed as TH 420 but creditable only in field for which registered. (Fall, Spring) COM 430. (3) Advanced Radio-Television-Film Production I. Theories and practice of the production of programs and films in the telecom- munications industry. A final product suitable to the focus of the course will be required. Prerequisites: COM 240 or 241 and 242, 316, 340. Special fee: $30.00. (Fall)

COM 440. (4) Organizational Communication.
An analysis of com- munication within complex organizations. Areas covered include communi- cation auditing, inter views, decision-making, communication networks, and problem solving. Three class periods; one 2-hour laborator y period per week. (Spring, odd-numbered years)

COM 442. (3) Public Relations Campaigns.
Research, planning, management, and evaluation of public relations campaigns. Prerequisites: COM 220, 374. (Fall) COM 450W. (3) Senior Seminar. Discussion of a par ticular topic in the field of communications and theatre and preparation of an academic paper on a subject relevant to the topic. Also listed as TH 450 but creditable only in field for which registered. (Fall, Spring) COM 460. (3) Advanced Radio-Television-Film Production II. A continuation of Radio-Television-Film 430. Prerequisite: COM 430. Special fee: $30.00. (Spring)

COM 470. (3) Electronic Media Management and Operations.
Problems of operating a facility involved in electronic media operations, including the social, legal, and economic responsibilities of the profession- al manager. May include field trip. Prerequisite: COM 316. (Fall) COM 472W. (3) Rhetoric: Argument and Style. An examination of the ideas in writing and speech from classical Greek origins to modern times, with a focus on composition and on analysis of essays and speeches. Also listed as EN 472W but creditable only in field for which registered. (Spring, odd-numbered years) 216 Courses of Instruction

COM 480. (3) Topics in Communication.
Detailed examination of a specific topic in the field of communication. Topic will be announced prior to scheduling of the class. May include field trip. A $30.00 special fee may be required according to the topic. (Fall, Spring)

COM 485. (3) Agency Public Relations.
Accelerated training in agency public relations. This course will utilize class discussion and written responses to fur ther encourage critical thinking skills. May require a field trip. Prerequisite: depar tmental approval required. (Spring) COM 499. (3) Independent Study-Internship. Independent study and research under depar tmental supervision or special field experience under depar tmental determination and evaluation. Prerequisite: depar tmental approval required prior to registration. (Offered on sufficient demand) Courses of Instruction 217