Course Descriptions

 
CMST 100 Speech Communication [  1A  11 ] (3)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years        Summer: All Years
The theory and practice of oral communication in public and interpersonal situations, stressing both content and delivery.


CMST 101A Practicum (1)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Practical experience in a performance activity in Communication.


CMST 101B Practicum (1)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Practical experience in a performance activity in Communication.


CMST 101C Practicum (1)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Practical experience in a performance activity in Communication.


CMST 101D Practicum (1)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Practical experience in a performance activity in Communication.


CMST 102 Practicum (1)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Practical experience in a performance activity in Communication.


CMST 105 Beginning Oral Interpretation (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
The theory and practice of the oral presentation of literature, critical listening and constructive criticism; performances include poetry, prose and drama.


CMST 110 Introduction to Communication Studies [  5I  5 ] (3)
Spring: All Years       
This course provides an overview of many of the contexts, concepts, and areas of research in the field of Communication Studies. This course will provide students with opportunities to explore and apply various communication competencies.


CMST 111 Argumentation and Debate [  2 ] (3)
Fall: All Years       
This course introduces students to argumentation theory and provides the opportunity to practice skills in reasoning, argumentation, and critical thinking. The course focuses on multicultural arguments as they appear in politics, society, and the media.


CMST 161 Forensics Practicum (1)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Practical experience in public speaking, oral interpretation, and/or Lincoln-Douglas debate for inter-collegiate tournaments and on-campus activities. May be repeated for credit.


CMST 190 Topics in Communication (1-3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand        Summer: On Demand
This is a lower division topics course and may be repeated when the topic changes.


CMST 202 Practicum (1)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Practical experience in a performance activity in Communication.


CMST 210 Introduction to Communication Theory (3)
Fall: All Years       
Through lecture, writing, and discussion, students will explore the discipline of communication including basic theories of interpersonal, group, intercultural, and organizational communication.


CMST 215 Communication Research Methods (3)
Spring: All Years       
Research in communication studies employs a variety of empirical methods to generate theories about human communication phenomena. This class introduces students to social-scientific methodologies including quantitative and qualitative approaches. Students are expected to both critically evaluate research and perform original research related to the discipline.


CMST 290 Topics in Communication (1-3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand        Summer: On Demand
This is a lower division topical course and may be repeated when the topic changes.


CMST 300 Intercultural Communication (3)
Spring: Even Years       
Examines selected major theories of intercultural communication and applies them in analyzing, understanding and comparing the communication practices of different cultures and sub-cultures. Focuses upon how culture and society affect the specific rhetorical communication tactics and processes as well as non-verbal communication practices.


CMST 301 Business and Professional Communication [  W ] (3)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Focuses on the application and practice of both oral and written communication skills for a variety of business and professional situations including job interviews, team and group interactions, and public presentations. This course also provides opportunities for students to explore issues of diversity and technology as related to professional communication.
Prerequisite:  CMST 100 

CMST 302 Practicum (1)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Practical experience in a performance activity in Communication.


CMST 308 Group and Team Communication (3)
Spring: All Years       
Presents theories of group and team communication, group dynamics, communication patterns, and role norms. Class designed around two fundamental components: experiential and cognitive. A substantive group research and problem-solving assignment is included.
Prerequisite:  CMST 100 

CMST 309 Training and Development (3)
Spring: Even Years       
This course examines the application of communication theories in the context of training and development. Development, design, and presentation of training materials will be covered, along with facilitation of training sessions. Class includes significant experience in program development and implementation.
Prerequisite:  CMST 100 

CMST 310 Rhetorical Theory and Criticism [  6  6M  W ] (3)
Fall: All Years       
Examines the theory and criticism of rhetoric from its beginnings in classical times to its contemporary development. Discusses classical, British, contemporary, and postmodern theories of rhetoric and rhetorical criticism.


CMST 311 Principles of Persuasion (3)
Spring: Odd Years       
This course will explore the logical and psychological theories of persuasion as they occur in a range of communication situations.
Prerequisite:  CMST 100 

CMST 313 Communication, Technology, and Culture (3)
Spring: Odd Years       
Advancements in communication technology, including the Internet, have transformed the ways in which individuals communicate and form communities and has become a hallmark of contemporary Western culture. This course explores the dramatic changes in human communication as a result of such technology. Particular emphasis is given to epistemological and ontological implications of the move to a digital culture.


CMST 315 Interpersonal Communication (3)
Fall: Even Years       
This course is designed to explore various communication theories, based on the development of self and the development and maintenance of relationships with others.
Prerequisite:  CMST 100  OR CMST 210 

CMST 390 Topics in Communication (1-3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand        Summer: On Demand
This is an upper division topical course and may be repeated when the topic changes.


CMST 401 Organizational Communication (3)
Fall: Odd Years       
Focuses on the study of communication processes, the management of meaning through symbolic interactions, within organizational contexts. To study symbolism is to explore how meanings on which people base action are constructed, communicated, contested, and changed. The first part of the class examines perspectives/theories of organizing and communication. The second part of the class investigates specific topics of organizational communication research (e.g., power, technology, democracy).
Prerequisite:  CMST 210 

CMST 402 Practicum (1)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Practical experience in a performance activity in Communication.


CMST 405 Research Practicum (1)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Provides opportunity for students to conduct research. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite:  CMST 215  OR CMST 310  OR CMST 410 

CMST 406 Academic Service-Learning Practicum (1)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Provides opportunity for students to apply classroom concepts and theories to an academic service-learning project. May be repeated for credit.


CMST 410 The Rhetoric of Popular Culture (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Examines how popular culture artifacts generate meanings in contemporary society. Surveys various rhetorical approaches to understanding popular culture including dramatistic, Marxist, feminist, media-centered, and cultural.


CMST 411 Political Campaign Communication [  9 ] (3)
Fall: Even Years       
This class explores political campaign rhetoric by looking at the theories and research that contribute to our understanding of the process. The course discusses the current campaign in light of these theories and research, but also takes a broader view towards political campaigning in general.


CMST 414 Health Communication (3)
Fall: Even Years       
Focuses on how health, illness, and healing acquire meaning through symbolic interactions located within social, political, economic, and cultural structures. This course explores various arenas in which health is socially constructed including interpersonal interactions, small group and organizational settings, public discourse and popular culture. Across contexts, there is an emphasis on exploring current issues facing the health care industry including telemedicine, financial reform, the patients' rights movement, and other factors influencing health communication.
Prerequisite:  CMST 210 

CMST 415 Teaching Methods: Communication Studies (3)
Spring: All Years       
Methods of conducting high school communication studies courses and activities, structuring of curriculum, selecting and developing course materials, and methods of evaluation.


CMST 416 Special Projects in Speech Communication (1-3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Advanced individualized creative or investigative work in a particular phase of communication studies. May be taken more than once if content is substantially different.


CMST 469 Internship (1-12)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand        Summer: On Demand
A supervised, practical experience in communication studies. A maximum of 12 internship credits may be applied to the degree.


CMST 490 Topics in Communication (1-3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand        Summer: On Demand
This is an upper division topical course and may be repeated when the topic changes.


CMST 496 Senior Seminar (3)
Spring: All Years       
Capstone course for Communication Studies majors; proposal, completion, and presentation of projects; pre-professional skills; written exam integrating and applying knowledge from separate courses. Grade of "C-" or higher is required for graduation.


CMST 516 Special Projects: Speech (1-3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Advanced individualized creative or investigative work in a particular phase of communication studies. May be taken more than once if content is substantially different.


CMST 590 Topics in Communication (1-3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand        Summer: On Demand
This is a graduate level topical course and may be repeated when the topic changes.