Course Descriptions – Communication
CM 120 Introduction to Human Communication
3 hours
An introduction to the elements of the communication process in its personal and social aspects. Students will examine the breadth of the field of communication including intrapersonal, interpersonal, small group, mass media, intercultural, and public communication. Students will examine how humans use emerging media—websites, online channels, social media sites, etc.—to create a sense of self, express themselves to others, and to gain a fuller picture of the generalized other in society. Written communication skills will be emphasized through specific assignments. This course meets a general education requirement for interdisciplinary learning in the Humanities and Social Sciences. (Fall, Spring)
CM 121 Media Literacy
3 hours
This course explores the structure and functions of mass media in the United States to help students become more critical media consumers and more responsible, informed citizens. The course introduces students to the history and operation of various types of mass media including social media and generative AI, as well as the mass media’s roles, ethical responsibilities and First Amendment protections in a democratic society. Students will examine media’s cultural, political and economic influence, including the ways in which media producers and consumers can use the tools and technologies to address individual and collective issues. This course meets a general education requirement for critical thinking in the Humanities. (Fall, even years)
CM 125 Good Trouble: An Introduction to Social Justice & Advocacy
3 hours
Inspired by John Lewis’s call to make “good trouble,” students will learn to see how systems of power, privilege, and oppression shape people’s lives – and how individuals and communities can respond. This course creates a space to foster students’ critical consciousness and ability to analyze systems, policies, and practices that lead to inequitable and unjust experiences and outcomes. It invites students to explore the meaning of social justice through the lens of real-world issues like poverty, food insecurity, homelessness, immigration, child welfare, environmental concerns, gender inequality justice reform, and systemic inequalities in the contexts of healthcare, education, and government. Using play, reflection, discussion, storytelling, community exploration, and creative problem-solving, students will begin to develop their own voice as advocates and allies for change in their communities and beyond.
This course serves as the first step in the Social Justice and Advocacy major, equipping students with the vocabulary, frameworks, and habits of mind needed for deeper study in human services, sociology, communication, and political engagement. This course meets a general education requirement for human diversity or interdisciplinary learning in the Humanities. (Fall)
CM 130 Interpersonal Communication
3 hours
An oral communication course designed to acquaint students with the basic concepts of human communication as well as the more specialized skills needed to develop and maintain interpersonal relationships. Self-concept, self-disclosure, perception, relationship development, and mass media portrayals of interpersonal relationships are among the major units covered. This course meets a general education foundation requirement for oral communication. (Fall)
CM 135 Media Writing
3 hours
A study of contemporary media emphasizing information media literacy and reporting and writing the news for various media including web, broadcast media, and social media. (Spring, even years)
CM 140 Public Speaking
3 hours
Study and practice of a wide range of formal and informal public speaking activities. Students will focus on developing an extemporaneous delivery of speeches based on experience with and research of topics. Students will practice multiple types of speeches including speeches to inform, to persuade, and for special occasions. This course meets a general education foundation requirement for oral communication. (Fall, Spring)
CM 210 Podcasting
3 hours
An introduction to the use of digital technology for audio podcast and video podcast production. Students will use journalistic principles for telling compelling stories that will be edited and hosted on the world wide web. Prior completion of CM135 Media Writing is strongly recommended but not required. (Fall)
CM 218 Business and Professional Communication
3 hours
This course is designed to expose students to strategies for effective communication in a business environment. Students will learn skills to improve both oral and written communication. Topics include using technology to enhance presentations, nonverbal communication in the workplace, and communicating about discrimination. This course meets a general education foundation requirement for oral communication. (Fall, Spring)
CM 220 Special Topics in Popular Culture
3 hours
Students will learn about key theories, concepts, and communication research methods that will allow them to critically look at popular culture and understand how to read media at a deeper level. It will encourage students to consume media and understand the differing layers of different types of media: television, literature, video games, film photography, etc. Each course offering focuses on a different popular culture text. Students may repeat the course two times for credit. This course meets the requirements for a language intensive course. This course meets a general education requirement for interdisciplinary learning in the Humanities. (Spring, even years)
CM 221 Intercultural Communication
3 hours
This course provides a broad overview of the study in communication both between and within nations, cultures, and subcultures. Students will investigate issues related to communication between people of different cultural orientations and also examine how cultural others are misperceived in interpersonal interactions and misrepresented in the media. Students will examine tensions between cultures and discuss ways to approach them by delving into specific cultural and communication rituals different from our own. Films will be used to study different cultural elements and concepts. This course meets a general education requirement for human diversity or interdisciplinary learning in the Humanities. (Spring)
CM 235 Magazine and Feature Writing
3 hours
This course is a study of contemporary journalism emphasizing information media literacy and writing long-form journalism for magazines and other types of publications. Students will learn to create content for print and online media outlets including podcasting. (Spring, odd years)
CM 240 Gender Communication
3 hours
This course examines the influence of gender on communication in interpersonal, instructional, organizational and mass mediated contexts. Topics of examination include interpersonal violence, discrimination, and other contemporary social problems. Focus will be given to understanding gender as a cultural group. This course meets a general education requirement for human diversity in the Humanities. (Spring, even years.)
CM 305 Editing
3 hours
An introduction to editing. Students learn how to correct, tighten and clarify texts and how to apply design principles to a variety of documents and publications. (Fall, odd years)
CM 310 Public Relations
3 hours
A service-learning course that allows the study of the fundamental principles, strategies, and skills used in contemporary public relations. The course aims to give students practice in analyzing and responding ethically to PR issues and in researching, planning, writing, and designing a variety of PR materials. Students will examine how PR professionals use social media to send campaign messages to various publics. Students will work as a class on a PR campaign for a non-profit organization. Prerequisite of Junior standing or instructor permission. (Spring, odd years)
CM 315 Media Production
1 hour
Experience for students on the campus newspaper or other student media. Students will learn the process for creating publishable media and will participate in creating campus media. Students will attend weekly sessions to receive assignments and instruction and complete work as homework with guidance as needed. Students will negotiate with the instructor what emphasis they will take for the semester: reporting, photojournalism, editing, layout and design, advertising, multimedia, video, or audio. May be repeated each semester student is enrolled on campus. May take for zero or one credit. (Fall, spring)
CM 320 Being Human: Building Empathy and Resilience
3 hours
This junior-level course explores two interrelated capacities essential to effective social justice work: empathy-the ability to deeply understand and connect with others’ experiences-and resilience-the capacity to withstand, adapt, and grow in the face of adversity. Through research-based texts, carefully selected literature, reflection, creative activities, and community engagement, students will build their own empathy and resilience muscles, examine social justice issues (such as homelessness, food insecurity, aging, immigration, racism, and more), and envision how to apply these capacities in real-world contexts. The course uses bibliotherapy (reading & writing) as a key tool for learning, and emphasizes inclusive, reflective, and active learning. This course serves as part of the Social Justice & Advocacy major and meets a general education requirement for human diversity or critical thinking in the Humanities.
CM 325 Conflict Communication
3 hours
This course examines issues related to sources of conflict in communication. Orientations to conflict and the management of conflict will be examined. A critique and synthesis of conceptual approaches and research is covered that pertains to conflict in interpersonal, organizational, and public communication settings. (Spring, odd years)
CM 330 Persuasion and Social Influence
3 hours
An examination of theories of persuasion, persuasion variables, principles of effective persuasion, and persuasion in interpersonal, small group, organizational and mediated contexts. In addition to studying verbal persuasion, students will examine the nature of visual persuasion in everyday life, discover how visual imagery influences behavior, develop strategies to protect themselves from the unwanted messages images convey, and learn how to use persuasion wisely in their own creations. This course meets a general education requirement for critical thinking in the Humanities. (Fall)
CM 340 Web Design I (Cross-Listed with AR 340 Web Design I)
3 hours
An introduction to web design, web usability, and standards-compliant web sites built with HTML and CSS. Prerequisite: AR 130 Design Software. AR 230 Graphic Design I recommended but not required. (Fall)
CM 360 Videography I
3 hours
Video production for promotional videos, title sequences, and commercials, with a duration up to 2 minutes. Students will practice shooting and editing video, and producing graphics, for creative sequences that promote different subjects. Prerequisite: AR 205 Video Editing and Production. Students may elect to take a special four-hour section of this class in which they will work on a real-world, client-centered project under the direction of the professor. Professor permission required and prerequisite of CM210 Podcasting. (Spring, odd)
CM 375 Junior Seminar in Communication
1 hour
This course will cover an in-depth study of media theory and ethics. Students will consider how media impact their audiences. Case studies will be examined to enhance the understanding of ethical decision-making. (Fall)
CM 410 Videography II
3 hours
Short-form video production for news items, short films, and documentaries. Includes the use of photography, video, audio, and graphics for telling compelling video stories with a duration between 4 and 10 minutes. Students will practice shooting and editing video for various situations with a focus on creativity in film-making. Prerequisite: CM 210 Multimedia Storytelling. (Spring, even)
CM/AR 410L B Videography I Client Experience
4 hours
CM 440 Web Design II (Cross-Listed with AR 440)
3 hours
A recap of HTML and CSS and a more detailed exploration of responsive design. Students will utilize grids for layout and explore advanced styling for building dynamic web pages. Focuses on the skills students need to competently create and maintain their work, using best practices advocated by professional web designers. Prerequisite: CM 340 Web Design I. (Spring)
CM 475A Senior Seminar: Service in the Community
2 hours
Each student will complete a service-learning thesis project using communication skills learned throughout the program. Projects may be individual or group work in nature, depending on the semester enrolled. (Fall)
CM475B Senior Seminar: Career Exploration
1 hour
This course will be devoted to the exploration of post college plans including job searching, resume writing, cover letter creation, and interviewing practice. The goal of the course is to help students find a job placement prior to graduation. (Spring)
CM 388 Career Connections in Communication
4-8 hours
An internship in a career-related position. For communication majors and minors and Social Justice & Advocacy majors and minors only.
Special Course Options
295/495 Field Experience (1-4 hours)
297 Study Abroad (12-16 hours)
299/499 Independent Study (1-4 hours)
388 Career Connections (3-10 hours)
445 Readings and Research (1-4 hours)