Communication Studies

Graduate Degree Course Offerings

Required Core Classes: Graduate students are required to take both of the following courses:

COMS 600: Core Seminar in Communication Studies

Introduction to graduate study in communication theory; rhetorical theory; performance, language, and cultural studies. Must be taken at the student's first opportunity. This is a prerequisite or co-requisite to all 600-level courses.


COMS 601: Core Seminar in Communication Research Methods

This course is an introduction to the epistemological assumptions, design, and methods of analysis in Communication research. It provides a broad overview of humanistic, social scientific, rhetorical, and critical approaches to studying communication.

 

Additional Coursework to be selected from among the following:

COMS 603: Seminar in Performance Studies

Study of performance as communication. Examination of theory, practice, and criticism from aesthetic and sociocultural perspectives, with emphasis on contemporary research in performance, language, and cultural studies.


COMS 604: Seminar in Textual Studies

The study of performance implications of varying critical approaches to text.


COMS 610: Current Research in Performance Studies

Advanced study of new and current developments in Performance Studies. May be repeated once for credit. 

COMS 620: Seminar in Communication and Language   

Study of contemporary theories of language and linguistics as applied to principles of communication. Emphasis on language and social interaction, linguistic pragmatics, and systems of symbolic representation.


COMS 631: Studies in Classical Rhetoric

Advanced study in rhetorical theory, ancient Greece through the Renaissance.


COMS 632: Studies in Contemporary Rhetoric

Advanced study in contemporary rhetorical theory.


COMS 633: Studies in Postmodern Rhetoric

Advanced study in postmodern theories of rhetoric.

COMS 634: Applied Rhetorical Studies 

Advanced study of the application of rhetorical theories to situated discourse. Topics include rhetorical criticism, argumentation analysis and/or the application of critical and social theory.

COMS 635: Feminist Perspectives on Communication

Study of contemporary feminist theories applied to communication research.


COMS 640: Current Research in Rhetorical Studies

Advanced study of new and current developments in Rhetorical Studies. May be repeated once for credit.

COMS 650: Seminar in Communication Theory

Study of historical and contemporary trends in theory and research on communication and communication processes.


COMS 651: Seminar in Interpersonal Communication

Study of advanced principles of communication as applied to interpersonal communication theory. Special emphasis on research in the area of interpersonal communication.


COMS 652: Seminar in Group Communication

Study of advanced principles of communication as applied to small group communication theory and research.


COMS 653: Seminar in Organizational Communication Research

Study of advanced principles of communication as applied to the organizational setting, with special emphasis on research in organizational communication.


COMS 654: Seminar in Communication and Technology

Study of advanced principles of communication as applied to uses of communication technologies in organizational settings, with emphasis on theory and research.


COMS 656: Seminar in Intercultural Communication

Study of advanced principles of communication as applied to intercultural communication. Special emphasis on research in the area of intercultural communication.


COMS 660: Current Research in Communication Theory

Advanced study of new and current developments in Communication Theory. May be repeated once for credit.

COMS 680: Communication Education

Exploration of the communication dimensions of adult education and critical pedagogy. Application of theory in a wide range of instructional settings, including teaching college and university classrooms, training in non-profit and for-profit business environments, and facilitating educational programs for community organizations.

 

Culminating Experience: Each grad student will complete one of the following

COMS 697: Directed Comprehensive Studies

Enrollment is required in the semester in which the comprehensive examination is taken.


COMS 698: Thesis or Graduate Project

Prerequisites: Classified graduate status and the consent of the graduate advisor. Open by special permission to students electing to do a thesis or graduate project in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts.