2012-2013 Academic Catalog
| College: | Arts and Sciences |
COM 3404 Nonverbal Communication
3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
Prerequisite: SPC 3301
Provides a comprehensive introduction to the role of nonverbal communication in the communication process, including major principles, theories, and research trends. Emphasis on observing and analyzing the functions of nonverbal communication in a variety of work and personal contexts.
COM 3948 Service Learning Field Study II
1-3 sh (may be repeated for up to 4.0 sh of credit)
Placement in community agency or other social organizational setting related to field of study. Supervision by faculty and agency. Students and faculty "customize" courses to fit a full range of services that are available in the setting. Student must be able to draw correlations between the discipline and field study. Journal and reflective experience paper are required. With the agreement of the student's faculty sponsor, a minimum of 6-8 hours' work per week must be done at the field site per semester hour of credit.
COM 4014 Gender and Communication
3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
Examines the roles gender plays in managing diversity in the workplace, developing personal relationships and exploring mass media in contemporary culture. Comparative study of characteristics of masculine/feminine communication in conversation. Offered concurrently with COM 5015; graduate students will be assigned additional work. Meets Multicultural requirement.
COM 4022 Health Communication
3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
Provides an up-to-date overview of the health care industry, spotlighting communication issues in patient care, health care administration, public relations, human resources, health education, and the media. Includes coverage of diverse cultures and ethical considerations. A highly interdisciplinary course useful for students considering any type of career in the health care industry. Offered concurrently with COM 5025; graduate students will be assigned additional work.
COM 4103 Leadership Communication
3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
Promotes leadership development through study of leadership theory and concepts and practical application of leadership laboratory experience. Based on a servant leader philosophy, focuses on building leadership competencies in interpersonal communication, public presentations, team building, working in multicultural environments, mentoring, problem solving and influence strategies used in interpersonal and public forums to bring about community and organizational change. Leadership skill-building opportunity to all participants. Credit may not be received in both COM 4103 and COM 4103C.
COM 4110 Business and Professional Communication
3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
Practical understanding of communication practices affecting the work place. Emphasis on managing work relationships, listening, organizational interviews, professional presentations, communication technologies and multi-cultural diversity.
COM 4120 Organizational Communication
3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
Examines the dynamics of communicating within organizations and with stakeholders. Students analyze case studies of actual organizations and build skills related to teamwork, motivation, morale-building, leadership, decision-making, and more. Offered concurrently with COM 5121; graduate students will be assigned additional work.
COM 4465 Conflict Management
3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
Provides in-depth exposure to communication processes, strategies, and stages involved in conflict management and negotiation. Emphasis placed on application of competent communication behavior during conflict in personal and professional situations. Involves hands on, student learning project wherein students act as facilitators to help other students resolve conflicts.
COM 4620 Communication Ethics
3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
Guides students in examining ethical considerations in business and public life. Includes diverse ethical perspectives, critical methods of analysis, and greater awareness of the role ethics plays in everyday life. Offered concurrently with COM 5625; graduate students will be assigned additional work.
COM 4940 Internship in Communication
1-3 sh (may be repeated for up to 6.0 sh of credit)
Prerequisite: Senior standing, 2.7 overall GPA
Supervised field practicum in a communication-related position, to include advertising, broadcast and print journalism, telecommunications and film, organizational communication and public relations. Senior standing and a 2.7 overall GPA is required. Graded on a Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory basis only. Permission is required.
COM 5005 Introduction to Graduate Studies in Communication
1.5 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
Designed to introduce graduate students to critical elements of graduate studies in communication. Central topics include mastering the basics of APA style, honing analytic writing skills related to the study of communication, instructional resources, academic integrity issues unique to communication, and the history of the communication discipline.
COM 5025 Health Communication
3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
Provides an up-to-date overview of the health care industry, spotlighting communication issues in patient care, health care administration, public relations, human resources, health education and the media. Includes coverage of diverse cultures and ethical considerations. A highly interdisciplinary course useful for students considering any type of career in the health care industry. Offered concurrently with COM 4022; graduate students will be assigned additional work. Graduate standing is required.
COM 5206 Communication Training
3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
Prepares students to design and conduct communication skills training for professionals. Emphasizes adult learning, conducting needs assessments, establishing training objectives, using communication technology and evaluating training efforts. Involves a hands-on student learning project in which students conduct needs assessments and present two-hour workshops for local professional organizations. Offered concurrently with COM 4202; graduate students will be assigned additional work. Other majors must confer with instructor regarding comparable prerequisites. Offered Fall of every other year.
COM 5335C Computer Mediated Communication
1.5 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
A seminar-style course covering practical and theoretical issues associated with how people use computers in their business, social, political, cultural, educational, and person activities. The approach is socio-psychological in nature, examining how communication technology is used to establish and expand personal identity, create interpersonal relationships and manage the tide of information represented by the Internet.
COM 6024 Emerging Topics in Health Communication
1.5 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
Highlights how communication issues in health care are interwoven with community well-being, civic life, professional development, and opportunities for collaboration and mutual gain. Topics may include health care reform, leadership in health care settings, patient and family satisfaction, privacy issues, and burnout among health professionals. Utilizes current research, theoretical foundations, and local health care experts to explore relevant and emerging issues. Uses health care case studies to develop effective leadership and strategic communication strategies.
COM 6027 Health Communication Leadership Project
3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
Prerequisite: COM 6023, COM 6026, and COM 6029.
Guides participants through the completion and implementation of a final project, building on the knowledge and skills acquired in COM 6023, COM 6026, and COM 6029. Permission is required.
COM 6028 Health Communication Leadership Capstone
3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
Prerequisite: COM 5940, COM 6023, COM 6026, COM 6029, COM 6312, MAN 5047, MAN 6156, and MAN 6285.
A series of workshops aimed at helping students synthesize their experience in both the Health Communication Certificate courses and the Organizational Development Leadership courses. Permission is required.
COM 6129 Assessing Organizational Dynamics
3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
Applying systems thinking to analyze the dynamics of communication within an actual organization. Emphasis on deep-level analysis to reveal who talks to whom, when, why, and about what. Goals are (1) to reveal communication patterns and assumptions that make it either easy or difficult to achieve high quality organizational production and (2) to help organizational members design processes that foster the creation of high-performance, high-capacity teams.
COM 6207 Advanced Communication Leadership
3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
Based on a hands-on leadership project informed by the study of leadership communication theory, research, and case studies. Emphasis is on developing communication skills, strategy, and awareness to enhance leaders' effectiveness. Permission is required.
COM 6210 Emerging Topics in Nonprofit Organizational Communication
1.5 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
Exploration of current communication issues and challenges facing today's nonprofit organizations. Emphasizes the development of strategies to address these issues through case studies, course readings, and by studying the communication challenges of local nonprofit organizations.
COM 6312 Advanced Communication Research Methods
3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
This course addresses the philosophy of scientific research including the origins, nature, and effects of communication processes. Focuses on both theoretical and applied research. Primary emphasis is on quantitative investigation and applied research. Primary emphasis is on qualitative investigation with some consideration of qualitative methods. Focus is on achieving a solid understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different methodological approaches (i.e., experiments vs. surveys vs. interviews) in order to determine the most effective methods for research q questions or hypotheses. Students are expected to have completed at least one introductory college level statistics course preceding enrollment in th is course.
COM 6511 Emerging Topics in Political Communication
1.5 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
Advanced political communication theory and current practice that focuses on consultancy-based political campaigning, government advocacy and public relations. Particular emphasis is on the critical analysis of advocacy texts and development of strategic plans for campaign communication.
COM 6525 Strategic Communication
3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
Provides a conceptual framework for strategic communication, sharpens analytical and critical thinking, and provides a unifying function for the Strategic Communication & Leadership Program. Addresses all aspects of the development and execution of communication programs. Offers "real world" experience through the analysis of case studies. Case studies and coursework will be drawn from the profit, non-profit, product, and service sectors. Particular attention will be paid to sociopsychological, legal, and ethical issues as they relate to the decision-making process.
COM 6625 Emerging Topics in Communication Law and Ethics
1.5 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
An advanced seminar covering legal issues such as the First Amendment, political speech, defamation, emerging technologies, and access to information; and ethical issues such as taste and editorial content.
COM 6930 Organizational Communication Project
1-6 sh (may be repeated for up to 6.0 sh of credit)
Advanced research project for a major corporate or organizational client. Working with a client organization, students will identify a problem for study, perform an extensive review of issues related to the project, develop several testable research questions or hypotheses about the problem, gather and analyze qualitative and/or quantitative data, and write an extensive report, including summary conclusions based on the study. May enroll for more than one term, minimum of 6sh required for M.A. degree. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis only. Permission is required.
COM 6971 Thesis
1-6 sh (may be repeated for up to 6.0 sh of credit)
Students will identify a significant academically oriented communication research question. They will perform an extensive review of academic literature on the topic, develop several testable hypotheses or research questions, gather and analyze qualitative and/or quantitative data, and write a final conclusion based on results of the study. May enroll for more than one term, minimum of 6sh required for M.A. degree. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis only. Permission is required.
COM 8980 Dissertation
1-6 sh (may be repeated for up to 18.0 sh of credit)
Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy and permission is required.
Designed specifically for students pursuing a Doctorate of Education degree at UWF and specializing in Social Sciences/Communication Arts. Involves in-depth study of communication theory and research, as guided by a major professor and doctoral committee. Graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis only. Permission is required.