Course Descriptions

Review the courses within the MCOM program, including Capstone course descriptions.

COMM 501 Quantitative Research Methods (3)
Quantitative methods employed in communication research, including experiments and surveys. Students will design quantitative research projects, learn to analyze data and write research reports.

COMM 510 Communication Theory (3)
This course focuses on three epistemological approaches to the study of communication – empirical, interpretive and critical. The student will learn to consider each of these approaches, and in particular, what constitutes ways of knowing from each of the three perspectives, leading to an advanced understanding of the main theories of human and mediated communication.

COMM 514 Social Media (3)
This course examines the role and influence of social media on communication processes, effects, and other forms of interpersonal and mediated messages. Students will conduct original research that explores contemporary theories of communication as applied to social media.

COMM 520 Communication Campaigns (3)
This class will introduce students to communication theory, research, and practice in relation to campaign development. The primary course objective is to provide a solid framework for critiquing and/or conducting communication campaigns including planning, implementation, and evaluation. The course may focus on the health, political, or strategic communication process.

COMM 522 International and Intercultural Communication (3)
A review of intercultural, cross-cultural, and international communication theories and issues. Implications for culturally diverse organizations.

COMM 530 Race, Gender, Class and Media (3)
Students consider how gendered identities intersect with other social categories such as race, class, sexuality and nationality. Highlighting a cultural studies approach to media, students analyze such social categories across various media texts, how these representations are shaped by issues of media production, and the various ways diverse audiences interpret media messages.

COMM 540 Uses and Effects of Media (3)
The study of complex interrelationships between consumption of various types of media content and the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of democratic citizens, with implications of such relationships in our civic and political lives. Students develop understanding of key theoretical ideas, hone critical skills to review and critique empirical research, and propose a research design.

COMM 561 Identity and Impression Management (3)
This course surveys theories and research regarding how individuals, groups, and organizations attempt to manage the ways they are perceived by others through the strategic manipulation of communication practices and cues.

COMM 569 Leadership Communication (3)
A survey of theories and research in leadership communication, including interpersonal, group, organizational, and mediated contexts.

COMM 580 Seminar in Communication (3)
This course offers graduate students advanced understanding of theory and research in special topics areas.

COMM 584 Ethics in Communication (3)
This course applies classical and contemporary philosophical and social scientific theories to ethical issues associated with interpersonal, group, organizational, and other communication contexts.

COMM 680 Seminar in Rhetoric (3)
A topical seminar that evaluates research in rhetorical theory, method, and textual analysis criticism and culminates in an original research project. This course may be repeated for additional credit if the content is different. [Prerequisites: COMM 500 and COMM 510]

Capstone Information

The MCOM program includes 30 total credit hours, 24 of which are through focused coursework. All students then conclude a six-hour capstone sequence that is highly self-directed and specialized around your specific interests. To complete this sequence, you’ll select two of the following courses to take.

COMM 690 Communication Pedagogy - Under the supervision of a graduate faculty member, the communication pedagogy course provides students interested in the teaching and/or coaching profession to develop a greater understanding of and appreciation for the teaching experience. The pedagogy course typically includes five elements: teaching observation, reflection/critique, class management, and investigation of the communication discipline.

COMM 699 Independent Study - Individual study of an agreed-upon topic under the direction of a faculty member, following a course of reading and other requirements proposed by the student and established by negotiation with the graduate faculty member.

COMM 701 Master’s Thesis - Credit hours for completion of a formal master's thesis under faculty direction. A successful oral defense of the thesis is required.

COMM 795 Internship - A supervised field experience in which the student observes and participates in work related to the communication degree. The internship requires 120 or more hours of work and completion of a formal report. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.