Communication
Communication
Britt 212
541-552-6424
Susan Walsh, Chair
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The Department of Communication helps students develop their verbal and nonverbal communication knowledge and skills through the exploration of human communication, media studies, and journalism.
To suit a variety of goals, the Communication Department also offers optional minors in its three areas, as well as in public relations, film studies, and video production.
The faculty bring a broad range of academic and professional training and accomplishments to the classroom, and the department’s student-centered program emphasizes skill-building, critical thinking, research, and writing.
Students may earn credit for on-campus practical experience with such organizations as the University’s student newspaper, student-run radio station, community access television, public radio facilities, and public relations operations.
Communication majors intern throughout and beyond the immediate region at newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations, social service organizations, government agencies, advertising and public relations firms, and other businesses and organizations.
Degrees
BA or BS in Communication with options in Human Communication, Media Studies, and JournalismMinors
Human Communication, Media Studies, Journalism, Public Relations, Film Studies, Video ProductionCertificate
Human Resource Management
Requirements for Major
- Fulfill baccalaureate degree requirements as stated beginning on page 21.
- Choose one of three options: human communication, media studies, or journalism.
- Complete a minimum of 60 credits of approved courses, including the premajor courses; 28 of these credits must be upper division, not including Comm/Jrn 377 activity credits, which may be applied to the 60-credit total.
- At least 20 credits must be completed in the SOU Communication Department.
- To graduate, each communication major must have a minimum 2.75 GPA for all coursework in the department. All courses must be taken for a letter grade unless instructor permission is obtained.
- Complete a capstone experience (Comm 410 or Jrn 410) during the senior year.
- Each journalism student must complete 3 practicum credits. The credits may be in the student’s declared option or related areas, as approved by the faculty advisor. Those in human communication and media studies are encouraged to complete activity and practicum credits.
- The human communication option requires that at least 40 of the 60 total communication credits applicable toward the major be in formal courses (i.e., courses other than Comm 199, 377, 401, 403, 405, 408, 409, and 410).
Writing Component
Students demonstrate writing proficiency by completing Core 101, 102, 103 or equivalent and Comm 300, and by taking any of the upper division communication courses with a writing component. Students in the human communication and media studies options are required to complete a Comm 460 topics course to further demonstrate their writing competency.
Capstone
The required capstone experience is designed to synthesize four years of learning in one project. The course experience or project, completed in the senior year and supervised or taught by a faculty member, culminates in an oral presentation. The student must have 1–4 capstone credits and earn a passing grade to meet major and SOU graduation requirements. Although students may have completed a previous internship or practicum in a similar situation, the capstone experience is expected to be of greater depth, scope, and quality.
While students may choose to complete their capstone experience in a public or private agency, they may also write a research paper to meet the capstone requirement. In any case, the project must be an example of the student’s best work. Capstone experience credits may be earned under Comm 410 or Jrn 410.
Accelerated Baccalaureate Degree Program
Communication majors may participate in the Accelerated Baccalaureate Degree Program. For information on this program, see page 157.
Options
Human Communication
(60 credits)
Major Requirments
Complete the following courses:
| Communication Across Cultures (Comm 200) | 4 |
| Media Across Cultures (Comm 201) | 4 |
| Interpersonal Communication (Comm 125) | 4 |
| Public Speaking (Comm 210) | 4 |
| Small Group Communication (Comm 225) | 4 |
| Research Strategies (Comm 300) | 4 |
| Persuasion (Comm 342) | 4 |
| Capstone (Comm 410) | 1–4 |
| Topics in Communication (Comm 460) | 4 |
Complete 12 or more credits from the following courses:
| Communication Theory (Comm 301) | 4 |
| Advanced Public Speaking (Comm 310) | 4 |
| Nonverbal Communication (Comm 324) | 4 |
| Advanced Interpersonal Communication (Comm 325) | 4 |
| Oral Interpretation and Manuscript Speaking (Comm 329) | 4 |
| Interviewing and Listening (Comm 330) | 4 |
| Argumentation, Debate, and Critical Thinking (Comm 343) | 4 |
| Activities (Comm 377) | 1–6 |
Complete 12 or more credits from the following courses:
| Evaluation of Public Communication (Comm 412) | 4 |
| Gender and Human Communication (Comm 425) | 4 |
| Negotiation and Conflict (Comm 455) | 4 |
| Topics in Communication (Comm 460) | 4–8 |
| Gender, Race, and Media (Comm 470) | 4 |
| Freedom of Speech (Comm 472) | 4 |
| Organizational Communication (Comm 475) | 4 |
Media Studies
(60 credits)
Major Requirments
Complete the following courses:
| Communication Across Cultures (Comm 200) | 4 |
| Media Across Cultures (Comm 201) | 4 |
| Research Strategies (Comm 300) | 4 |
| Mass Communication Theory (Comm 370) | 4 |
| Capstone (Comm 410) | 1–4 |
| Topics in Communication (Comm 460) | 4 |
| History of Mass Media (Comm 471) | 4 |
| Mass Media Ethics (Comm 491) | 4 |
Complete at least 16 credits from the following courses:
| Persuasion (Comm 342) | 4 |
| International Communication (Comm 441) | 4 |
| Gender, Race, and Media (Comm 470) | 4 |
| Freedom of Speech (Comm 472) | 4 |
| Mass Media Law (Comm 481) | 4 |
Complete at least 15 credits from the following courses:
| Principles of Public Relations (PR 331) | 4 |
| Basic Production Theory (Comm 340) | 4 |
| Activities (Comm 377) | 1–6 |
| Practicum (Comm 409) | 1–6 |
| Topics in Communication (Comm 460) | 4 |
| Masterpieces of Film (Flm 295) | 4 |
| Film Genres (Flm 296) | 4 |
| Major Film Directors (Flm 297) | 4 |
| Promotion Policy (BA 332) | 4 |
| Global Culture and Media (Soc 333) | 4 |
| The Politics of Mass Media (PS 310) | 4 |
| Public Opinion and Survey Research (PS 311) | 4 |
| Topics in Film (Eng 495) | 4 |
Journalism
(60 credits)
Students who want to earn the bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree in communication: journalism may choose from news-editorial or photojournalism emphases.
News-Editorial
Complete the following courses:
| Communication Across Cultures (Comm 200) | 4 |
| Media Across Cultures (Comm 201) | 4 |
| Journalistic Writing (JRN 251) | 4 |
| Newswriting (JRN 261) | 4 |
| Research Strategies (Comm 300) | 4 |
| Copyediting and Design (JRN 341) | 4 |
| Reporting (JRN 361) | 4 |
| Feature Writing (JRN 381) | 4 |
| Journalism Practicum (JRN 409) | 3 |
| Journalism Capstone (JRN 410) | 3 |
| History of Mass Media (Comm 471) | 4 |
| Mass Media Law (Comm 481) | 4 |
| Mass Media Ethics (Comm 491) | 4 |
Complete at least 10 credits from the following courses:
| Photojournalism (JRN 321) | 4 |
| Interviewing and Listening (Comm 330) | 4 |
| Principles of Public Relations (PR 331) | 4 |
| Broadcast Journalism: Newswriting (JRN 362) | 4 |
| Mass Communication Theory (Comm 370) | 4 |
| Opinion Writing (JRN 371) | 4 |
| Broadcast Journalism: Field Production (JRN 372) | 4 |
| Activities (JRN 377) | 1–6 |
| Journalism Practicum (JRN 409) | 1–4 |
| International Communication (Comm 441) | 4 |
| Topics in Communication (Comm 460) | 4–8 |
| Literary Journalism Workshop (JRN 461) | 4 |
| Gender, Race, and Media (Comm 470) | 4 |
| Freedom of Speech (Comm 472) | 4 |
| Photography I (Art 240) | 4 |
Photojournalism
Complete the following courses:
| Communication Across Cultures (Comm 200) | 4 |
| Media Across Cultures (Comm 201) | 4 |
| Photography I (Art 240) | 4 |
| Journalistic Writing (JRN 251) | 4 |
| Newswriting (JRN 261) | 4 |
| Research Strategies (Comm 300) | 4 |
| Photojournalism (JRN 321) | 4 |
| Journalism Practicum (JRN 409) | 3 |
| Journalism Capstone (JRN 410) | 3 |
| Mass Media Ethics (Comm 491) | 4 |
| Digital Studio (Art 250) | 4 |
| Photography II (Art 340) | 4 |
| Digital Print Studio (Art 350) | 4 |
| History of Mass Media (Comm 471) or History of American Photography (ArtH 452) | 4 |
| Introduction to Multimedia (AM 233) | 4 |
Complete at least 6 credits from the following courses:
| Copyediting and Design (JRN 341) | 4 |
| Journalism Activities (JRN 377) | 1–6 |
| Mass Media Law (Comm 481) | 4 |
| Photo Printmaking (Art 311) | 4 |
| Photography III (Art 341) | 4 |
| Color Photography (Art 342) | 4 |
| Photo Mixed Media (Art 343) | 4 |
| Journalism Practicum (JRN 409) | 1–3 |
| Photography Seminar (Art 441) | 4 |
| Special Projects in Photography (Art 443) | 4 |
| Art, Culture, and Technological Change (ArtH 330) | 4 |
Minors
Students must achieve a 2.75 GPA in 28 credits of communication coursework listed below to earn a minor in communication. All courses must be taken for a letter grade unless instructor permission is obtained.Human Communication
Required Courses (28 credits)
Complete the following courses:
| Communication Across Cultures (Comm 200) | 4 |
| Media Across Cultures (Comm 201) | 4 |
Complete 4 credits from the following:
| Interpersonal Communication (Comm 125) | 4 |
| Public Speaking (Comm 210) | 4 |
| Small Group Communication (Comm 225) | 4 |
| Advanced Public Speaking (Comm 310) | 4 |
Complete 16 credits from the following:
Electives
| Research Strategies (Comm 300) | 4 |
| Communication Theory (Comm 301) | 4 |
| Nonverbal Communication (Comm 324) | 4 |
| Advanced Interpersonal Communication (Comm 325) | 4 |
| Oral Interpretation and Manuscript Speaking (Comm 329) | 4 |
| Interviewing and Listening (Comm 330) | 4 |
| Persuasion (Comm 342) | 4 |
| Argumentation, Debate, and Critical Thinking (Comm 343) | 4 |
| Gender and Human Communication (Comm 425) | 4 |
| Negotiation and Conflict (Comm 455) | 4 |
| Topics in Communication (Comm 460) | 4 |
| Gender, Race, and Media (Comm 470) | 4 |
| Freedom of Speech (Comm 472) | 4 |
| Organizational Communication (Comm 475) | 4 |
Media Studies
Required Courses (28 credits)
| Communication Across Cultures (Comm 200) | 4 |
| Media Across Cultures (Comm 201) | 4 |
| Mass Communication Theory (Comm 370) | 4 |
| International Commmunication (Comm 441) | 4 |
| History of Mass Media (Comm 471) | 4 |
| Mass Media Ethics (Comm 491) | 4 |
| Gender, Race, and Media (Comm 470) or Mass Media Law (Comm 481) | 4 |
Journalism
Required Courses (20 credits)
| Communication Across Cultures (Comm 200) | 4 |
| Media Across Cultures (Comm 201) | 4 |
| Journalistic Writing (JRN 251) | 4 |
| Newswriting (JRN 261) | 4 |
| Mass Media Ethics (Comm 491) | 4 |
Choose 8 credits from the following:
Electives
| Photography I (Art 240) | 4 |
| Photojournalism (JRN 321) | 4 |
| Copyediting and Design (JRN 341) | 4 |
| Reporting (JRN 361) | 4 |
| Opinion Writing (JRN 371) | 4 |
| Feature Writing (JRN 381) | 4 |
| Practicum (JRN 409) | 3 |
| Literary Journalism Workshop (JRN 461) | 4 |
| Mass Media Law (Comm 481) | 4 |
Public Relations
Required Courses (28 credits)
| Communication Across Cultures (Comm 200) | 4 |
| Media Across Cultures (Comm 201) | 4 |
| Principles of Public Relations (PR 331) | 4 |
| Persuasion (Comm 342) | 4 |
| Public Relations Writing (PR 391) | 4 |
| Public Relations Problems (PR 431) | 4 |
| Mass Media Ethics (Comm 491) | 4 |
Film Studies
The film studies minor is an interdisciplinary minor with an emphasis on theory, criticism, history, and analysis of film, rather than on the how-to component of film production. The minor spans various departments, including anthropology, art history, communication, English, foreign languages and literatures, political science, psychology, and sociology. Students are required to earn at least 24 credits in the following manner.
Required Courses (8 credits)
Choose two of the following three courses:
| Masterpieces of Film (Flm 295) | 4 |
| Film Genres (Flm 296) | 4 |
| Major Film Directors (Flm 297) | 4 |
Note: Students may use the third course as an elective to fulfill the additional 16 required credits.
Electives (16 credits)
| Anthropological Film (Anth 455) | 4 |
| Race, Gender, and Ethnicity in Art (ArtH 450/550) | 4 |
| Media Across Cultures (Comm 201) | 4 |
| Contemporary Production Theory (Comm 363) | 4 |
| Nonwestern Literature (Eng 455): Contemporary Chinese Fiction and Film; Contemporary West African Literature and Film | 4 |
| Topics in Film (Eng 495) | 4 |
| Shakespeare on Film (Flm 237) | 4 |
| Seminar: Topics in Film (Flm 407) | 4 |
| Topics in Spanish Film (Flm 320) | 4 |
| Topics in French Film (Fr 350/Flm 350) | 3–4 |
| Politics and Film (PS 260) | 3 |
| SS/Psychology and Film (Psy 313) | 2–4 |
| Global Culture and the Media (Soc 333) | 4 |
| SS/Introduction to Spanish Film (Span 199/399) | 4 |
| Hispanic Film as Literature (Span 421) | 1–6 |
Note: Other film courses may be offered that qualify as film studies minor electives with advisor consent.
Video Production
The video production minor is useful to students in a variety of fields, including art, business, applied multimedia, film studies, theatre, communication, social sciences, English, and foreign language and literatures. The emphasis is on aesthetics, remote video and studio production and activities, digital editing, and design. While students may choose the video production track, they are required to take courses in other areas.
The minor is divided into four specific areas: applied multimedia, video production, art, and computer science. Students must work closely with their departmental advisor and the video production coordinator to ensure that all requirements are met.
(26 credits, 12 of which must be upper division)
Required Courses
| Video Production Aesthetics (VP 115) | 4 |
| Studio Techniques for Video Production (VP 172) | 4 |
| Introduction to Field Production (VP 215) | 4 |
| At least 2 credits of Advanced Activities for Video Production (VP 372) | 2 |
(4 credits)
Select one of the following required courses:
| Script Writing (VP 312) | 4 |
| Advanced Field Production (VP 315) | 4 |
| Applied Editing Techniques for Field and Studio Production (VP 375) | 4 |
Electives (8 additional credits)
Select two additional courses from any one of the following areas:
Video Production Electives
| Script Writing (VP 312) | 4 |
| Advanced Field Production (VP 315) | 4–12 |
| Advanced Activities for Video Production (VP 372) | 2–8 |
| Applied Editing Techniques for Field and Studio Production (VP 375) | 4 |
| Practicum (VP 409) | TBA |
| Projects for RVTV/SOU (VP 410) | 4–12 |
Note: Between 4 and 20 additional credits are required to meet prerequisites for the following courses:
Applied Multimedia Electives
| Introduction to Multimedia (AM 233) | 4 |
| Design for Multimedia (AM 334) | 4 |
| Digital Video (AM 335) | 4 |
| Multimedia Authoring (AM 336) | 4 |
| Web Authoring (AM 337) | 4 |
| Careers in Multimedia (AM 343) | 4 |
Art Electives
| Digital Studio (Art 250) | 4 |
| Digital Print Studio (Art 350) | 4 |
| Digital Interactive Studio (Art 351) | 4 |
| Digital Animation Studio (Art 352) | 4 |
| Special Projects in Digital Media (Art 450) | 4 |
Computer Science Electives
| Computer Imaging (CS 420) | 4 |
| Computer Graphics I (CS 316) | 4 |
| Computer Graphics II (CS 416) | 4 |
Certificate in Management of Human Resources (CMHR)
The Certificate in Management of Human Resources (CMHR) is offered jointly by the School of Business, the Psychology Department, and the Communication Department. The program is open to current upper division undergraduate, graduate, and postbaccalaureate and professional development students.
To receive this certificate, students must meet the 36-credit course requirements listed in the Certificates section of this catalog on page 151.
Academic Credit Policies
Activities, Practica, and Internships
The Communication Department has adopted the following policies regarding academic credit for activities, internships, and practica. The total number of activity courses, internships, and practica credits applied to the major may not exceed 12. Additional credits may count toward graduation as electives, but not toward the major. The remaining credits must be earned through completion of regular classroom courses not listed below.
Activity Courses
Activity courses involve an on-campus communication activity approved by the Communication Department chair. Such activities include, but are not limited to, working for the University’s student newspaper or radio station; aiding a departmental faculty member as a teaching or research assistant; judging high school or SOU forensics tournaments; working on departmental and University publications; helping with Relationships Week; and serving as a member of the SOU Orientation Team. Activity credits may be earned under Comm 377 or Jrn 377. All of these courses may be repeated for credit. Journalism majors are required to complete a minimum of 6 activity, project, or practicum credits. Activity credits are recommended, but not required, of human communication majors. No more than 6 activity credits may be applied to the major. Activity courses may not be taken for a letter grade without prior instructor approval.
Practica and Internships
Practicum credits are earned for off-campus communication internships. Students may earn practicum credits by working at radio and television stations, newspapers, or advertising and public relations agencies; volunteering at a variety of social service agencies (e.g., HelpLine, the Rape Crisis Center, and Dunn House); or working with youth organizations, health care facilities, charitable organizations, political campaigns, governmental offices, magazines, chambers of commerce, or arts organizations. Practicum credits may be earned under Comm 409/509 or Jrn 409/509. Letter grades will not be awarded for practicum credits without prior instructor approval.
Graduate Study
Graduate students may choose communication as the secondary emphasis in the school area degree (see Graduate Programs on page 164). This requires students to have previously finished three of the following courses: Comm 125, 210, 225, or 342. Graduate work must include Communication Theory (Comm 560) and two additional graduate courses in communication. Exceptions may be made on rare occasions with the approval of the student’s advisor.
Communication Courses
See Course Prerequisites PolicyLower Division Courses
| Comm 125 Interpersonal Communication |
| 4 credits |
| Focuses on message exchange in dyadic interaction. Emphasizes development of various communication skills in interpersonal contexts. |
| Comm 199 Special Studies |
| Credits to be arranged |
| Comm 225 Small Group Communication |
| 4 credits |
| Examines the communication variables within the small, task-oriented group. Emphasizes the decision-making process. |
Upper Division Courses
| Comm 325 Advanced Interpersonal Communication |
| 4 credits |
| Focuses on how communication affects interpersonal relationships during relationship development, maintenance, and decay. Prerequisite: Comm 125. |
| Comm 330 Interviewing and Listening |
| 4 credits |
| Examines and develops interviewee and interviewer skills in job selection interviews, as well as social scientific interviewing techniques. |
| Comm 340 Basic Production Theory |
| 4 credits |
| Involves study and application of the primary aesthetic movements that have impacted film production practices. |
| Comm 363 Contemporary Production Theory |
| 4 credits |
| Applies contemporary theory and criticism in film and video. Prerequisite: Comm 340. |
| Comm 399 Special Studies |
| Credits to be arranged |
| Comm 401/501 Research* |
| Credits to be arranged |
| Comm 403/503 Thesis |
| Credits to be arranged |
| Comm 405/505 Reading and Conference* |
| Credits to be arranged |
| Comm 407/507 Seminar* |
| Credits to be arranged |
| Comm 408/508 Workshop |
| Credits to be arranged |
| Comm 451/551 Advising School Publications |
| 2 credits |
| Five-week course examining the teachers role in advising secondary school newspapers and yearbooks. Prerequisites: Comm 300 and Comm 361. |
Film Courses
See Course Prerequisites PolicyLower Division Courses
Upper Division Courses
| Flm 399 Special Studies |
| Credits to be arranged |
| Flm 407/507 Seminar: Topics in Film |
| 1 to 2 credits |
Journalism Courses
See Course Prerequisites PolicyLower Division Courses
| Jrn 251 Journalistic Writing |
| 4 credits |
| Emphasizes newspaper style and structures: the inverted pyramid; grammar; punctuation; spelling; and principles of clear, concise writing. |
Upper Division Courses
| Jrn 361 Reporting |
| 4 credits |
| Focuses on reporting governmental affairs, specialized reporting, and investigative reporting. Analyzes budgets and information-gathering techniques. Prerequisite: Jrn 261. |
| Jrn 371 Opinion Writing |
| 4 credits |
| Examines the theory and practice of writing editorials, commentaries, and reviews, including gathering information and establishing structure. Prerequisite: Jrn 261. |
| Jrn 381 Feature Writing |
| 4 credits |
| Students examine marketing manuscripts and write feature stories for newspapers and magazines. Prerequisite: Jrn 261. |
| Jrn 399 Special Studies |
| Credits to be arranged |
Public Relations Courses
See Course Prerequisites PolicyUpper Division Courses
Video Production Courses
See Course Prerequisites PolicyLower Division Courses
Upper Division Courses
| VP 312 Script Writing |
| 4 credits |
| Introduction to and application of the unique techniques and practices of script writing for film and video production. |
| VP 372 Advanced Activities for Video Production |
| 1 to 2 credits |
| Offers supervised video experience using University television production facilities. Prerequisite: VP 172. |
| VP 375 Applied Editing Techniques for Field and Studio Production |
| 4 credits |
| Prerequisites: VP 115; VP 172; and VP 215. |
| VP 409 Practicum |
| Credits to be arranged |
| VP 410 Projects for RVTV/SOU |
| Credits to be arranged |
| Involves professional application of acquired skills to course projects for RVTV or other campus organizations. Producer certification required. |