Communication Studies
This is the first version of the 2026–27 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.
Undergraduate major: communication studies (BA)
Undergraduate minors: communication studies; rhetoric and persuasion
Graduate degrees: MA in communication studies; PhD in communication studies
Faculty: https://communicationstudies.uiowa.edu/people/faculty
Communication Studies examines how people create meaning, build relationships, solve problems, and shape communities through communication. The discipline draws from the social sciences and the humanities to help students understand how communication operates in personal interactions, organizations, media systems, and public culture. Students learn to analyze messages, navigate differences, and use communication strategically in a wide range of settings.
The major combines academic study with applied learning. Students gain experience with research, listening and dialogue, public speaking, interpersonal communication, media analysis, and message design. Courses encourage students to think critically, communicate ethically, and collaborate across perspectives—skills central to leadership, civic life, and professional success.
The program is highly flexible. Students can explore the field broadly or pursue one of several optional specializations aligned with career pathways such as interpersonal and family relationships; business and community leadership; media production and technology; identity, culture, and social impact; persuasion and political communication; and marketing and advertising. Many students complement the major with certificates, double majors, internships, and experiential learning opportunities that strengthen their preparation for life after graduation.
Graduates pursue careers in communication-intensive fields including media and creative industries, nonprofit and community organizations, business and marketing, public relations, advocacy, health communication, politics, and graduate or professional school. The department also offers a minor in communication studies for students in other programs who are interested in strengthening their communication skills.
Rhetoric
The Department of Communication Studies is also the home for rhetoric at the University of Iowa, including courses that fulfill the Rhetoric requirement of the GE CLAS Core, courses that apply toward other areas of the GE CLAS Core, and an undergraduate minor in rhetoric and persuasion. Rhetoric instructors also provide individual instruction in the Writing Center.
All rhetoric courses focus on the development of foundational skills in college-level communication: writing, speaking, listening, and critical reading. Rhetoric courses teach foundational compositional and presentational skills, such as thesis statements, introductions and conclusions, claim-evidence format, and proper citation formatting. Courses also build competence in analysis and persuasion, as well as in research and inquiry. Rhetoric is not a content course; it is skills-based and teaches students how to think, not what to think.
Once students have researched the breadth and depth of controversy-based issues that interest them, they are well-positioned to contribute to those discussions deliberately, persuasively, and with multiple interests in mind. While all rhetoric sections adhere to specific department requirements, focus primarily on responsible inquiry and analysis, and require comparable workloads in terms of formal and informal assignments, each instructor assigns a unique set of texts and contexts to teach rhetorical concepts.
Rhetoric aligns with the overall GE CLAS Core's mission to provide opportunities for individualized instruction and small class experiences by offering an intimate studio dynamic that is student- and process-centered. During their first year at the university, most students enroll in the rhetoric course indicated on their degree audit unless their English proficiency evaluation requires them to complete one or more prerequisite courses in English as a Second Language (ESL). Students planning to transfer to the University of Iowa should discuss rhetoric course equivalencies as soon as possible with University of Iowa Admissions.
Students who undergo formal evaluation by Student Disability Services and are found to have a learning disability in reading, writing, listening, or speaking should request reasonable accommodations in order to complete rhetoric. Accommodations may be arranged by Student Disability Services in consultation with the Department of Rhetoric and individual instructors.
Forensics/Debate
Students in the forensics/debate program have the opportunity to participate in on-campus debates, in developmental programs designed to improve speech activities in the state, and as members of competitive intercollegiate debate teams. Forensics scholarships are available. Students interested in debate should enroll in COMM:2813 Practicum in Debate.
Related Certificates
Certificate in Event Management
The departments of Health, Sport, and Human Physiology; Communication Studies; the School of Journalism and Mass Communication (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), and the Department of Marketing (Tippie College of Business) collaborate to offer the undergraduate Certificate in Event Management. Students who earn the certificate will know and be able to demonstrate the basic principles of organizing a successful event. They will gain a robust understanding of the diverse field of event management and careers in the event management industry. For more information, see the Certificate in Event Management in the catalog.
Certificate in Leadership Studies
The Certificate in Leadership Studies is an interdisciplinary program supported by the Tippie College of Business, the colleges of Education and Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership. The certificate provides a structure for involvement and commitment to leadership. It introduces students to leadership concepts and offers them hands-on leadership experiences. The certificate is coordinated by the Pomerantz Career Center and housed in University College. For more information, see the Certificate in Leadership Studies in the catalog.
The Samuel L. Becker Communication Studies Building is designed to meet the department's research and technological needs.
Communication studies students benefit from a range of research and production facilities that support inquiry, media creation, and collaborative learning. Departmental resources include research labs for studying interpersonal communication, dialogue, and media processes, as well as flexible project spaces used for applied communication work and student-led research.
The department maintains modern media production facilities, including digital video and audio studios, editing suites, and collaborative workstations. Students also have access to a professional podcast production studio equipped with industry-standard recording and mixing technology for course assignments, creative projects, and independent productions.
In addition to these departmental spaces, communication studies students have full access to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Production Unit, a comprehensive media and event production service that supports high-quality video, audio, podcasting, and livestream projects across campus. The Production Unit offers professional equipment, studio environments, and technical expertise—providing students with opportunities to learn production workflows, collaborate with media professionals, and gain experience with advanced production technologies.
Together, these facilities offer hands-on opportunities for students to apply communication theory, practice media production, conduct original research, and develop the creative and practical skills essential for communication-focused careers.
The Department of Communication Studies also maintains the Writing Center. Located in the English-Philosophy Building, the Writing Center is free and available to all University of Iowa students, faculty, and staff. Writing Center consultants can work with students on any kind of writing project, from course papers and creative writing assignments to speeches, presentations, and job application materials.
Communication Studies Courses
Courses numbered below 5000 are intended primarily for undergraduates; those numbered 5000 and above are for graduate students. Graduate students may take courses numbered 3000–4999 for credit, with their committee's approval.
Not all courses are offered each semester.
Registration in COMM:1000 First-Year Seminar is open to first- and second-semester students regardless of grade-point average.
COMM:1000 First-Year Seminar 1 s.h.
Small discussion class taught by a faculty member; topics chosen by instructor; may include outside activities (e.g., films, lectures, performances, readings, visits to research facilities). Requirements: first- or second-semester standing.
COMM:1112 Interpersonal Communication 3 s.h.
Introduction to face-to-face communication in social and personal relationships; maximizing communicative effectiveness in relationships with knowledge about how communication functions; analysis of one's own and others' communication practices and experiences.
COMM:1117 Advocacy and Argument 3 s.h.
Public arguments as practiced in law, politics, science, and other public arenas; improvement of skills in researching, constructing, organizing, and presenting arguments on disputed subjects; analyzing and refuting arguments of others; developing a better understanding of how scholars apply tools of formal and informal logic in a variety of disciplines to improve quality of academic argument. GE: Quantitative or Formal Reasoning.
COMM:1130 The Art of Persuading Others 3 s.h.
Basic theoretical concepts of effective public communication; employ knowledge of concepts in analyzing texts; definition and influence of rhetorical situation, different elements of persuasion (message logic, appeal to feelings, character of speaker), ability of speakers to invent arguments; issues of judgment, public discourse, identity, and agency.
COMM:1168 Music and Social Change 3 s.h.
What makes popular music important for people; music's power to change culture; production, distribution, reception of popular music in cultural and historical contexts. GE: Understanding Cultural Perspectives.
COMM:1170 Communication Theory in Everyday Life 3 s.h.
General overview of everyday life communication, theories and research techniques used to understand it; sheer depth and complexity of processes in communication that occur in everyday lives and which appear to be trivial; how to observe conversations and identify what is really happening in them; ways in which scholars explain everyday communication and how it works; applications of theoretical thinking to explain processes of everyday communication. GE: Social Sciences.
COMM:1174 Media and Society 3 s.h.
Processes and effects of mass communication; how mass media operate in the United States; how mass communication scholars develop knowledge. GE: Social Sciences; Values and Society.
COMM:1302 Introduction to Civic Bridge-Building: Skills for Effective Dialogue 1 s.h.
Exploration of civic dialogue principles; focus on developing skills for peer-to-peer dialogue; emphasis on self-awareness, active listening, and empathy; application of conflict resolution techniques; reflection on personal growth and the role of dialogue in community-building.
COMM:1306 Understanding Communication: Humanistic Approaches 3 s.h.
Humanistic methods and theories used to generate knowledge about communication processes; basic tools necessary to conduct and evaluate communication research in humanities subdisciplines; epistemological perspectives, research procedures, and critical practices; readings and hands-on activities.
COMM:1816 Business and Professional Communication 3 s.h.
Introduction to business and professional communication at individual and corporate levels; individual-level topics cover organizational communication, business vocabulary, speaking and writing, professionalism and interviewing; corporate-level topics focus on marketing, advertising, public relations, corporate communications, crisis communication management, business and communication plans, proposals; guest speakers from for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.
COMM:1830 Communication Skills for Community Engagement 3 s.h.
Communication at the heart of public problems and solutions; critical 21st-century skills (writing for a general audience, facilitating dialogue); valuable community service experiences as an introduction to the interdisciplinary field of dialogue and deliberation; focus on a complex local issue, such as affordable housing, flood planning, or excessive drinking; partnering with local organizations to research a local problem, plan community-based solutions, and study the art of facilitating public discussions; topics include issue analysis, deliberative inquiry, convening meetings, and community organizing.
COMM:1840 Introduction to Media Production 3 s.h.
Foundation of electronic media and digital television production skills using industry-quality technology; high-definition camera operation, audio recording and editing, digital switcher operation, nonlinear editing, studio lighting techniques, and more; introduction to questions surrounding the impact of media production on artistic expression, audiences, and society.
COMM:1898 Introduction to Latina/o/x Communication and Culture 3 s.h.
Introduction to fundamentals of communication by and about Latina/o/x in the U.S.; Latina/o/x as one of the fastest growing demographics; how Latina/o/x history, politics, and culture remain little understood despite a longstanding and growing presence in Iowa and across the nation; historical orientation; Latina/o/x social movement and protest (e.g., Chicana/o/x movements, Young Lords Organization), institutional discourses (e.g., congressional, presidential, legal discourses), and Latina/o/x in popular culture (film, television, music, sports). GE: Understanding Cultural Perspectives. Same as LATS:1898.
COMM:2010 Communication and Organizational Culture 3 s.h.
Introduction to nature, construction, and deconstruction of organizational culture from a communication perspective; examination of different approaches for understanding and analyzing organizational culture, including the lens of symbolic performance, narrative reproduction, textual reproduction, management, power and politics, technology, and globalization; prepares students to be change agents in organizations as they learn how to conduct an organizational cultural audit and how to create and implement successful change.
COMM:2011 Group Communication 3 s.h.
Study of relevant theory, research, and application to increase understanding of communication in small groups; critical thinking and communication skills; individual roles in groups, creativity, leadership, decision-making, problem solving, and conflict resolution.
COMM:2012 African Americans in the Media 3 s.h.
Evolution of the popular image of African Americans as reflected in the visual media of television and film; examination of other media, including print (magazines, newspapers), music, and the Internet; focus on issues of representation (e.g., representations of whom, by whom, for whom) and power dynamics; exploration of the media's impact on African Americans as a cultural minority; emphasis on description, analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of historical and contemporary trends in American media.
COMM:2013 Media, Identity, and Reality TV 3 s.h.
Critical cultural analysis of reality television as a pervasive form of media; exploration of reality TV's role in shaping political, economic, and social meanings; examination of mediated representations and their influence on perceptions of marginalized communities; consideration of how narratives challenge or reinforce cultural beliefs regarding identity, body image, consumerism, and social differences such as race, gender, class, and sexuality.
COMM:2020 Health Communication 3 s.h.
How to better understand the intersections of health and communication; health communication is the study of how health information is generated and disseminated, and how that information affects and is affected by individuals, community groups, institutions, and public policy; people who understand the study of communication are in an important role, and their services are in high demand; health communication specialists work in hospital education departments, public relations, marketing, and human resource departments, in healthcare administration, in media organizations covering health issues, and in organizations that educate and support public policy and research.
COMM:2030 Sexual Communication in Personal Relationships 3 s.h.
Exploration of sexual communication as a foundational activity in the development and maintenance of relationships; examination of intersection of sexual communication and personal, relational, cultural, and institutional norms and values; translation of sexual communication research into practical skills.
COMM:2041 Gender, Communication, and Culture 3 s.h.
Social construction of gender and gendered identities across a range of communicative settings in contemporary U.S. society, including relationships, schools, organizations, media, and social movements; how communication creates, reproduces, sustains, and sometimes challenges and changes the meaning of gender and, with that, cultural structures and practices. Same as GWSS:2041.
COMM:2042 Intercultural Communication 3 s.h.
Culture defined as a system of taken-for-granted assumptions about the world that influence how people think and act; cultural differences that produce challenges and opportunities for understanding and communication; those differences from several theoretical perspectives; opportunities to examine culture and cultural differences in practical, experience-driven ways. Same as IS:2042, SSW:2042.
COMM:2044 Political Communication 3 s.h.
Relationship between media, cultural politics, and the American political system; focus on advertising, campaigns, and new media outlets; ways politicians, the press, and intermediaries create and disseminate messages into mainstream culture; how people generate their own discourses of political identity and dissent, creating a robust democratic practice that is both empowering and central to the contemporary political landscape.
COMM:2048 Transforming Media: From Telegraph to Internet 3 s.h.
How U.S. electronic media have shaped, and been shaped by, social and cultural transformations since the mid-19th century; examination of public responses to communication revolutions; exploration of questions about media power and influence in specific historical contexts including the emergence and expansion of telegraph, telephone, broadcasting, cable, and internet; readings, discussions, and assignments investigate role of communication media in the rise of the United States as a global power and consumer culture.
COMM:2050 Politics of Popular Culture 3 s.h.
Overview of theories of culture and critical approaches to the study of popular culture; topics include broadcast television, streaming media, advertising, film, news media, video games, popular music, celebrity culture and how they intersect with race, gender, class, sexuality, and other social categories.
COMM:2057 Introduction to Computer-Mediated Communication 3 s.h.
Theoretical and practical introduction to concepts and research in computer-mediated communication; emphasis on study of social effects of communication and information technology; factors that distinguish mediated from face-to-face interaction, theories of mediated communication, self-presentation online; internet-based relationships, online supportive communication, online communities; how the internet influences communication and how to use computer-mediated communication for self-presentation.
COMM:2059 Games, Culture, and Society 3 s.h.
Survey of the history and social implications of games, primarily digital, for society. Topics include the historical origins of the game industry; game marketing and gamification; the politics of identity and representation in game design; the advent of online networked gaming, networked toxicity, and community moderation; best practices for conceiving of and pitching prosocial games; and issues of meaning, accessibility, and rhetoric in modern game design.
COMM:2064 Media, Advertising, and Society 3 s.h.
Introduction to the critical study of advertising in the United States; advertising contextualized as an industry and as a key part of media and culture; advertising as an institution and as a series of symbols, ideas, and fantasies; how advertising works, role and function of advertising in culture and society.
COMM:2065 Television Criticism 3 s.h.
Introduction to scholarly study of television as a social institution; nature of television form and content; role of industry in creation, selection, and presentation of television programs; production conventions and textual conventions in defining the medium; application of genre and narrative theory, semiotics, political economy of media industries, and audience reception study.
COMM:2069 Black Television Culture 3 s.h.
Social and political impact of television dramas featuring people of African descent in the West; examination of production, reception, representation, and industry as it relates to the African American images that are granted tenure on television screens. GE: Understanding Cultural Perspectives. Same as AFAM:2070.
COMM:2070 Social Media and Society 3 s.h.
Introduction to theoretical and critical issues raised by social media for communication; particular emphasis on cultural and political phenomena; topics include various understandings of social media, forms of digital communication, individual and collective identity formations via social media, online communities, and global cultural exchange; recent examples of the "viral" phenomenon and internet-born activism.
COMM:2072 African American Popular Culture 3 s.h.
Examination of global popularity and impact of African American popular culture. Same as AFAM:2072.
COMM:2073 Persuasive Stories 3 s.h.
Examination of the persuasive dimension of stories; students master the skill of storytelling by examining stories circulating within their culture and exploring the effects these stories have on thinking about their identities and discovering their own voices; integration of speaking and writing skills with persuasive storytelling skills through short oral and written assignments that lead to a final multimodal project of two interrelated storytelling assignments—production of a website and a podcast. Prerequisites: RHET:1030 or RHET:1040 or RHET:1060. GE: Values and Society. Same as RHET:2070.
COMM:2075 Gender, Sexuality, and Media 3 s.h.
Mediated representations of gender and sexuality (television, film, and internet) to understand how these complex and complicated codes influence meaning of sex, sexuality, and gender; contemporary and historical examples used to engage texts that illuminate cultural conceptions of femininity, masculinity, heterosexuality, and homosexuality; cases that confuse and trouble the stability of these categories. Same as GWSS:2075.
COMM:2076 Race, Ethnicity, and Media 3 s.h.
Introduction to debates about media portrayals of race and ethnicity; focus primarily on entertainment media; use of general analytic perspectives (stereotype analysis, aesthetic analysis, history) applied to real-world examples; address one or more racial/ethnic groups in the United States. Same as AFAM:2076.
COMM:2079 Digital Media and Religion 3 s.h.
Influences of digital media on religion and spirituality today. GE: Historical Perspectives. Same as RELS:2930.
COMM:2080 Public Life in the U.S.: Religion and Media 3 s.h.
Examination of how the U.S. came into being through specific communication practices, how religion has helped and hindered that process; religious roots of the idea of the U.S., intertwined histories of print media and religion, role of religion and secularism in public discourse; U.S. pride as a nation in which diversity thrives in public discourse; communicative acts that created and sustained this country and also mark sites of discord, conflict, and confusion from the very beginnings of the U.S. to today; how religion has been a source of national identity and national division. Same as RELS:2080.
COMM:2083 Privacy and Anonymity on the Internet 3 s.h.
Exploration of the influence of new communication technologies on privacy and anonymity; engagement with historical and contemporary readings; reaction papers, comprehensive essay, and group project.
COMM:2085 Media Industries and Organizations 3 s.h.
Trends in media industries as reflected in changes of ownership, different work conditions, media convergence, and globalization generally; focus on local, network, and cable television; examination of industry structures, business practices, economic fundamentals, and theoretical explanations of media industries in society.
COMM:2086 Global Media Studies 3 s.h.
Key developments in contemporary international communication; impact of deregulation and privatization on ownership and control of global communication infrastructure; spread of American television abroad in terms of production, texts, and reception; cultural concerns surrounding the phenomenon.
COMM:2088 Media and Democracy 3 s.h.
Exploration of relationship between democracy and mass communication; why controversies regarding mass communication are also controversies about democracy; logical relationship between democracy and mass media; roots and history of ideas of democracy, contemporary obstacles to realization of these ideas, and varied issues of present; latest developments in world of politics and media.
COMM:2089 Nonverbal Communication 3 s.h.
Introduction to theoretical study of nonverbal communication; focus on major principles and research trends; examination of role of nonverbal communication in communication as a whole; perception and interpretation of nonverbal communication (i.e., posture, eye movements, tone of voice); nonverbal behaviors (i.e., facial expression, eye movement) as used to persuade, impress, or deceive someone.
COMM:2090 Topics in Communication Studies 3 s.h.
Topics vary.
COMM:2091 Organizational Communication 3 s.h.
Explores nature and function of communication in organizations; theories of organizational communication and scholarly research related to communicating effectively in organizational settings; course will strengthen critical thinking and research skills, deepen understanding of topics related to organizing, and improve ability to communicate successfully as members and leaders of organizations.
COMM:2248 The Invention of Writing: From Cuneiform to Computers 3 s.h.
Invention of writing as one of the most momentous events in the history of human civilizations; how the use of written sign systems, notations, maps, graphs, encryptions, and most recently, computer programs have consequences that reach deeply into all aspects of people's lives; how writing fascinates and delights, fosters reflexive thinking and facilitates development of complex societies, and gives rise to institutions of social power and control; students explore the invention of writing and its consequences in broad international and interdisciplinary context. Taught in English. Same as ANTH:2248, ASIA:2248, CLSA:2048, GRMN:2248, HIST:2148, IS:2248, LING:2248, TRNS:2248, WLLC:2248.
COMM:2305 Understanding Communication Research in Real Life 3 s.h.
Social scientific methods used to generate knowledge about communication processes; basic tools necessary to conduct and evaluate communication research; epistemological perspectives, research procedures, and data analysis; readings and hands-on activities.
COMM:2550 Sacred Water: Tools for Climate 3 s.h.
Tools from religion/spirituality, art, literature, and history foster sustainability and resilience in time of water crisis; explore new ways to understand and repair relationships to water and environment amid intense storms, flooding, high water usage, and uneven drinking water access; introduction to religious/spiritual ways to know and relate to nature as a vital part of the community; experiential learning component focused on the Iowa River. Same as RELS:2550.
COMM:2813 Practicum in Debate 1 s.h.
Practice of skills in research, reasoning, argument development, and argumentative performance in debate undertaken by members of the A. Craig Baird Debate Forum in preparation for and participation in intercollegiate debate competition. Requirements: participation in A. Craig Baird Debate Forum.
COMM:2818 Communication Skills for Leadership 3 s.h.
Practice and understanding of essential communication skills for leadership; skills-based curriculum promoting application of knowledge; topics include relationship skills, collaboration skills, presentation skills, and writing skills; emphasis on leadership throughout each section of the course.
COMM:2819 Organizational Leadership 3 s.h.
Introduction to nature of leadership, styles of leadership that are most effective, and ways in which obstacles may be overcome in groups or organizations; different approaches to qualities of leadership, role of visions and motivation, interpersonal and decision-making skills, meeting preparation and evaluation, and related communication skills.
COMM:2821 Oral Interpretation 3 s.h.
Weekly performances to develop and define communication skills for professional careers in teaching and business; poetry, prose, monologue, storytelling, duo interpretation, reader's theatre, and demonstration speeches. Same as EDTL:2821.
COMM:2828 Experiential Learning in Communication Studies 1-3 s.h.
Structured coursework while student completes a semester-long professional work experience (paid or unpaid, part time or full time, on- or off- campus); professionalization and application of classroom learning to real-world contexts; requires professional supervision and evaluation by a manager in the organization. Requirements: GPA of at least 2.00, communication studies major, and minimum of 12 s.h. of communication studies coursework.
COMM:2841 Podcasting and Audio Production 3 s.h.
Foundation of podcasting and other audio-related media productions; industry-quality technology; studio and field recording, nonlinear editing, radio technology, and more; introduction to questions surrounding the impact of podcasts and radio on artistic expression.
COMM:2845 Writing and Producing Commercials 3 s.h.
Basics of writing and producing commercials and other short-form television productions including public service announcements, promotional videos, and more; entire production process from creation to production to post-production; assumes basic knowledge of studio and field production techniques, nonlinear editing. Prerequisites: COMM:1840.
COMM:3015 Communication and Resilience 3 s.h.
How resilience can be built via communication (conversation, storytelling, art, media, etc.) throughout the life course; considers factors that hinder and facilitate resilience efforts and provides strategies for encouraging resilience personally and professionally; includes practical application, research, and theory.
COMM:3040 Communication and Conflict 3 s.h.
Conflict and its management as critical issues that pervade people's personal and professional lives; complexities of conflict; forces that make conflict challenging; skills for thinking about and managing conflict more effectively; central features that define conflict; behaviors, attributions, and emotions that are manifest during conflict; formal models of conflict management and their corresponding recommendations for handling conflict.
COMM:3045 Cultural Politics of the Environment in the US 3 s.h.
Introduction to feminist and queer theories of social space; material and symbolic construction of gender and sexuality; communicating gender and sexuality in different social spaces and scales in historical and contemporary contexts. Same as GWSS:3045.
COMM:3054 Movements, Protest, Resistance 3 s.h.
Historical and contemporary study of social movements from a symbolic perspective (e.g., speeches, protests, propaganda, media events); social movements as interpersonal and group communication; relationships between media and social change: efficacy of individual and larger-scale forms of resistance.
COMM:3070 From Xbox to Instagram: Living and Working in the Platform Society 3 s.h.
Theoretical and practical insights into surviving and thriving in a society dependent on massive digital platforms for every aspect of life. Topics include what digital platforms are and where they came from; predicaments and possibilities of gig labor; how to navigate and brand oneself in the platformized attention economy; the rentier economics of platforms; how to form political stances on different forms of platform governance; and the ambivalent societal effects of virtualizing human socialization in the forms of social media and AI.
COMM:3077 Writing and Producing Sitcoms 3 s.h.
Introduction to basics of writing and producing a conventional, three-camera television sitcom; hands-on experience with production equipment and workshopping television scripts; students create one or more episodes of an original television series.
COMM:3090 Advanced Topics in Communication Studies 3 s.h.
Issues or problems in particular communication contexts.
COMM:3118 Politics of Reproduction 3 s.h.
Examination of reproductive politics from historical, sociological, anthropological, and communicative perspectives; reproductive justice and bodily autonomy as key sites of feminist struggle in the United States and in global contexts; topical issues include abortion and birth control, assisted reproductive technologies, commercial surrogacy industries, LGBTQ family formation, and systems of reproductive violence. Same as ANTH:3118, GWSS:3118.
COMM:3200 Relationships 101: The Importance of Communication in Romantic Relationships 3 s.h.
Explore the importance of communication for developing and maintaining romantic relationships; understand theory’s role in explaining, predicting, and controlling communication in romantic relationships; leverage theory and research to develop, maintain, and enhance communication in romantic relationships across the lifespan.
COMM:3700 Advocacy and Sustainability: Crafting Stories of People, Place, and Resilience 3 s.h.
How sustainable approaches to meeting critical social needs (food, water, shelter, air, work) have influenced food systems, policies on development, environmental problems, social justice, and policy both local and global in scope; readings and field research activities leading to creation of work of multimodal advocacy. Prerequisites: RHET:1030 or RHET:1040 or RHET:1060. Requirements: fulfillment of GE CLAS Core Rhetoric. Same as RHET:3700.
COMM:3702 Netflix and Global Media 3 s.h.
Critical approach to understanding relationships between streaming platforms, especially Netflix, and globalization; disruption of international trade and investment, production, distribution, audiences, and representational or textual elements of television by Netflix; cultural implications of these disruptions.
COMM:3829 Leadership for Civic Dialogue 1-3 s.h.
Prepares students to facilitate complex or controversial civic dialogues; contributes to leadership development; covers self-awareness, interpersonal interaction, and communication techniques; emphasizes empathy, active listening, and conflict resolution; explores learning and reasoning through "both/and" thinking, acknowledging complexities, and suspending judgment; fosters intellectual humility and dichotomous thinking; aims at enhancing civic life and collaborative problem-solving skills.
COMM:3897 Independent Study arr.
Creative or research project under faculty supervision.
COMM:3899 Honors Thesis 3 s.h.
Individual research, writing, or creative production under faculty supervision. Requirements: GPA of at least 3.33, honors standing, completion of Foundations of Communication requirement, and 6 s.h. of intermediate-level coursework.
COMM:3900 Research for Public Engagement 3 s.h.
Emphasis on interdisciplinary reading, writing, research, and oral presentation skills necessary for pursuing socially engaged scholarship at a high level; students practice how to read for an argument, summarize and evaluate the ideas of others, and formulate their own positions within critical controversies. Same as GWSS:3900.
COMM:4040 Practical Research Applications: Communication and Community 3 s.h.
Apply research methods, design, and analysis to everyday, real-world problems through serving a community, partnering to determine a problem that will be ameliorated using research skills, including asking and answering questions, collecting and analyzing data, and, ideally, using these results to produce a product. Hone oral and written communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills, and build a portfolio that demonstrates practical, real-world experience to potential employers. Prerequisites: 2 of the following are required: (COMM:1112 or COMM:1170), (COMM:1117 or COMM:1130), (COMM:1168 or COMM:1174). Requirements: completion of two intermediate-level communication studies courses (prefix COMM) numbered 2000-2999.
COMM:4044 Political Marketing: Media, Campaigns, and Persuasion 3 s.h.
Relationship between media, politics, and professional marketing in American political system; representative topics include U.S. presidential campaigns, communication strategies, social media, issue framing, rhetoric, and campaign narratives; focus on critical marketing and how citizens contest efforts at marketing and generate discourses of political identity. Prerequisites: 2 of the following are required: (COMM:1112 or COMM:1170), (COMM:1117 or COMM:1130), (COMM:1168 or COMM:1174). Requirements: completion of two intermediate-level communication studies courses (prefix COMM) numbered 2000-2999.
COMM:4090 Capstone Seminar in Communication Research and Practice 3 s.h.
Guidance in synthesizing knowledge from across the major through advanced readings, discussion, and inquiry; variation of topics by instructor, with emphasis on interpersonal, organizational, media, cultural, or political communication; completion of an independent capstone project demonstrating ability in research, application of communication theory, and presentation of original work in written, oral, or multimodal forms. Prerequisites: 2 of the following are required: (COMM:1112 or COMM:1170), (COMM:1117 or COMM:1130), (COMM:1168 or COMM:1174). Requirements: completion of two intermediate-level communication studies courses (prefix COMM) numbered 2000-2999.
COMM:4111 360 Radio Experience 3 s.h.
Comprehensive 360-degree survey of radio; history and current cultural and business contexts; hands-on experiential learning at the student-run campus radio station to gain a better understanding of different elements that are part of a radio station (e.g., management, programming, production, music, news, marketing, sports, communications, community engagement) and the ins-and-outs of terrestrial broadcasting, online streaming, and web publishing. Prerequisites: 2 of the following are required: (COMM:1112 or COMM:1170), (COMM:1117 or COMM:1130), (COMM:1168 or COMM:1174). Requirements: completion of two intermediate-level communication studies courses (prefix COMM) numbered 2000-2999.
COMM:4131 Globalization and Culture 3 s.h.
How context for everyday experience has increasingly become globally determined (e.g., ever-increasing transnational migration of people, spread of American culture, growth of international corporations and trade, rise of international conflict and transnational activism); range of theoretical and critical readings on globalization; various phenomena and perspectives regarding topic; themes directly relevant to lives of modern youth; how globalization affects opportunities and risks, identities and relationships. Prerequisites: 2 of the following are required: (COMM:1112 or COMM:1170), (COMM:1117 or COMM:1130), (COMM:1168 or COMM:1174). Requirements: completion of two intermediate-level communication studies courses (prefix COMM) numbered 2000-2999. Same as IS:4131.
COMM:4140 Communication and Relationships 3 s.h.
Communication process in personal relationships; how communication functions to initiate, sustain, and dissolve a variety of relationships including friendships, romantic couples, marital pairs, and family relationships. Prerequisites: 2 of the following are required: (COMM:1112 or COMM:1170), (COMM:1117 or COMM:1130), (COMM:1168 or COMM:1174). Requirements: completion of two intermediate-level communication studies courses (prefix COMM) numbered 2000-2999.
COMM:4147 Family Communication 3 s.h.
Family relationships and various ways they develop and change, how they affect those who participate in them; theory and research on family communication; family conceived as a group of persons who share their lives over an extended period of time bound by ties of marriage, blood, or commitment. Prerequisites: 2 of the following are required: (COMM:1112 or COMM:1170), (COMM:1117 or COMM:1130), (COMM:1168 or COMM:1174). Requirements: completion of two intermediate-level communication studies courses (prefix COMM) numbered 2000-2999.
COMM:4148 Advanced Health Communication 3 s.h.
How health information is communicated across a range of levels and relationships, including doctor to patient and through interpersonal relationships, social media, entertainment, and campaigns. Explores both ways to effectively communicate about health and to critically examine health communication. Prerequisites: 2 of the following are required: (COMM:1112 or COMM:1170), (COMM:1117 or COMM:1130), (COMM:1168 or COMM:1174). Requirements: completion of two intermediate-level communication studies courses (prefix COMM) numbered 2000-2999.
COMM:4154 Magic Machines: Technology and Social Change 3 s.h.
How media has altered culture, society, and human consciousness throughout history with focus on last two centuries (or modernity); how communication has been shaped by a variety of media (i.e., gesture, language, writing, printing, calendars, clocks, photography, telegraph, telephone, phonograph, film, radio, television, computers); 21st-century questions concerning technology and how few communicate today without aid of some kind of machine or technique. Prerequisites: 2 of the following are required: (COMM:1112 or COMM:1170), (COMM:1117 or COMM:1130), (COMM:1168 or COMM:1174). Requirements: completion of two intermediate-level communication studies courses (prefix COMM) numbered 2000-2999. Same as RELS:4154.
COMM:4163 The Dark Side of Interpersonal Communication 3 s.h.
Review of advanced communication theories and research; focus on dark side of interpersonal communication and close relationships; negative or difficult elements of developing and maintaining relationships; expression of difficult emotions; mundane communication that can function in destructive or negative ways. Prerequisites: 2 of the following are required: (COMM:1112 or COMM:1170), (COMM:1117 or COMM:1130), (COMM:1168 or COMM:1174). Requirements: completion of two intermediate-level communication studies courses (prefix COMM) numbered 2000-2999.
COMM:4168 Rhetoric of the Body 3 s.h.
Students survey theories of the body as vehicle for communication of social norms; the philosophy, historical, and contemporary practices of productivity culture; discourses of burnout and overwhelm; theories of care from feminist, disability, LGBTQ, and environmental communities. Prerequisites: 2 of the following are required: (COMM:1112 or COMM:1170), (COMM:1117 or COMM:1130), (COMM:1168 or COMM:1174). Requirements: completion of two intermediate-level communication studies courses (prefix COMM) numbered 2000-2999.
COMM:4169 Black Feminist Rhetorics 3 s.h.
Exploration of multiple, varied, and complex histories of U.S. Black feminisms from rhetorical perspectives; focus on primary documents, speeches, essays, and manifesto/as that shaped Black women's feminist organizations and inspire social change from late 19th century to present; social, political, and personal issues that Black feminists sought to address and transform, communicative and rhetorical methods utilized, and implications of these efforts for Black women's lives and broader U.S. American culture. Prerequisites: 2 of the following are required: (COMM:1112 or COMM:1170), (COMM:1117 or COMM:1130), (COMM:1168 or COMM:1174). Requirements: completion of two intermediate-level communication studies courses (prefix COMM) numbered 2000-2999. Same as GWSS:4169.
COMM:4171 Community Media 3 s.h.
Theory and history of community media as means of cultural expression, political participation, and social change; focus on case studies from Latin America and other global contexts. Prerequisites: 2 of the following are required: (COMM:1112 or COMM:1170), (COMM:1117 or COMM:1130), (COMM:1168 or COMM:1174). Requirements: completion of two intermediate-level communication studies courses (prefix COMM) numbered 2000-2999. Same as LATS:4171.
COMM:4174 Communication, Technology, and National Security 3 s.h.
What is the best way to balance the democratic values of the United States and its national security objectives? To answer this question, students consider discussions in three distinct, but overlapping areas of inquiry: surveillance and privacy, cyber war, and Internet governance. Prerequisites: 2 of the following are required: (COMM:1112 or COMM:1170), (COMM:1117 or COMM:1130), (COMM:1168 or COMM:1174). Requirements: completion of two intermediate-level communication studies courses (prefix COMM) numbered 2000-2999.
COMM:4183 Networking America: The Cultural History of Broadcasting 3 s.h.
Exposure to different interpretations of cultural impact and legacy of U.S. broadcasting in 20th century; institutional practices, program genres, and audience formations of 1920s through the 1970s radio and television network eras; how historical contexts shape, and are shaped by, production and reception of broadcasting texts. Prerequisites: 2 of the following are required: (COMM:1112 or COMM:1170), (COMM:1117 or COMM:1130), (COMM:1168 or COMM:1174). Requirements: completion of two intermediate-level communication studies courses (prefix COMM) numbered 2000-2999.
COMM:4800 Latina/o/x Popular Culture 3 s.h.
Role of Latina/o/x popular culture as a site of contemporary social practice and cultural politics in both local and global contexts; specific attention to notions of citizenship, identity, and culture. Taught in English. Same as AMST:4800, LATS:4800.
COMM:5200 Introduction to Research and Teaching 1-2 s.h.
Introduction to communication studies as a field of scholarship; selection of research problems, major lines of research represented in the department, bibliographical tools for scholarship in the field; issues, practical tasks, and concerns relevant to effective college or university classroom teaching.
COMM:5230 Introduction to Rhetorical Studies 3 s.h.
Introduction to major theories, principles, and practices of rhetorical theory and rhetorical criticism.
COMM:5241 Theories of Mass Communication 3 s.h.
Major concepts, theories, schools of thought in media studies, mass communication.
COMM:5297 MA Research 3 s.h.
Preparation for master's final exam; reading and writing under the supervision of a faculty member.
COMM:5298 MA Thesis 3 s.h.
Research and writing under direction of a faculty member; leads to completion of a master's thesis.
COMM:5299 Graduate Independent Study arr.
COMM:5300 Proseminar: Preparing for the Academic Job Market 1-3 s.h.
Preparation for academic job market; development of a full academic portfolio including cover letter, curriculum vitae, research statement, teaching portfolio, job talk, strong skill set for interviewing, and statement on diversity, equity, and inclusion; includes multiple weeks dedicated to bringing a journal article to publication in an academic outlet; capstone seminar for ABD doctoral students. Requirements: successful completion of comprehensive exams and prospectus, or defense of comprehensive exams completed and prospectus defense scheduled.
COMM:6100 Communication and Media Colloquium 1 s.h.
Forum on theoretical or methodological problems in mass communication. Same as JMC:6100.
COMM:6220 Health Communication Campaigns 3 s.h.
Intervention design and analysis of health campaigns; theory, practice, methods; mass media, community, organization, and interpersonal approaches. Same as CBH:6220.
COMM:6222 Relating to Nature 3 s.h.
Interdisciplinary introduction to the role of communication in environmental humanities; exploration of communication as foundational to relationship with nature, including theories of animal, plant, and elemental communication; examination of scientific, arts, and humanities approaches to relating to nature; critical cultural theories of communication, with attention to questions of legibility and embodiment, and to approaches that foreground creative experimentation.
COMM:6319 Criticism and Public Culture 3 s.h.
Fundamentals of criticism; practice of critical reading to engage various cultural texts (i.e., pop culture, national memorials, social movements, visual rhetoric); contemporary theories/debates that inform the art of critique (i.e., feminist theory, queer theory, critical theory).
COMM:6324 Black Feminist Thought 3 s.h.
Relationships between rhetoric and race/racism; theoretical, critical, and historical perspectives on race/racism with special emphasis on rhetoric and discourse.
COMM:6335 Proseminar: Contemporary Rhetorical Studies 2-4 s.h.
Problems in contemporary rhetorical studies; may include works of Kenneth Burke, Wayne Booth, deconstructionists, feminist theorists and critics, critics of communication technologies.
COMM:6336 Seminar in Rhetorical Theory 1-4 s.h.
Topics in history and development of rhetorical theory; theory construction and application to critical practice.
COMM:6339 Seminar: Rhetoric and Culture 1-4 s.h.
Cultural theories, their utility in accounting for communication practices.
COMM:6342 Critical Television Studies 3 s.h.
Introduction to canonical and contemporary readings in critical television studies; primary questions and theories associated with textual, industrial, ethnographic, and integrated approaches to studying television; how technological, economic, and cultural changes have altered television and how it is studied.
COMM:6343 Feminist Criticism 3 s.h.
Explore the rich terrain of feminist criticism within contemporary rhetorical and cultural studies; survey key interdisciplinary debates within contemporary feminist theory and criticism, trace significant trajectories within the history of feminist criticism, and consider how interdisciplinary feminist perspectives continue to shape humanities scholarship, including in communication studies and religious studies. Provides a strong foundation for exploring how feminism might meaningfully inform the art of academic inquiry and critical practice. Same as GWSS:6343, RELS:6343.
COMM:6345 New Materialisms 3 s.h.
Exploration of new strategies for rupturing persistent dichotomies of subject/object, representation/real, culture/nature, and active humans/passive things offered by theories of the vitality and agency of matter; introduction to origins of and developments in new materialisms; oriented to interdisciplinary inquiry and application to research in the humanities, broadly conceived; particular attention to actor-network theory, feminism, queer theory, infrastructuralism, and materialist theories of media. Same as GWSS:6345, RELS:6345.
COMM:6346 The Public Sphere 3 s.h.
Theories, intellectual history, critics, contemporary issues of the public sphere.
COMM:6348 Critical Approaches to the Archive 3 s.h.
Introduction to cultural studies and archival research, including the archive as an institutional, national, colonial, and bureaucratic form; counter culture archives and politics; technologies of media storage and preservation and questions of "evidence"; environmental and/or non-representational archive forms; archive as a cultural process; digital archives; archiving and everyday life; methodologies and foundational archive habits, including note keeping, indexes, creating one's archive, and tools for organizing materials; substantial engagement with archival materials related to gender, sexuality, disability, race, and Indigeneity; grant writing practice for research funding.
COMM:6350 Seminar: Mass Communication 1-4 s.h.
Topics vary.
COMM:6352 Seminar: Media Theory 3 s.h.
Topics vary.
COMM:6356 Global Media Seminar 3 s.h.
Theories and processes of globalization and cultural implications of media globalization; local responses to globalizing processes with reference to questions of modernity and national/transnational identity.
COMM:6357 Automating Exploitation: Digital Labor in Global Media Industries 3 s.h.
Explore the ways that digital technologies shape and are shaped by labor politics; examine theories of social and technological change from the fields of media studies, sociology, philosophy, and science and technology studies; consider the blurring of work, play, and everyday life through digital surveillance; debate the historical uniqueness of labor dynamics under digital capitalism; project how changing sociotechnical conditions may produce future crises for labor and laborers; and discuss the challenges facing labor organization and political action under digital capitalism.
COMM:6358 Research Design and Data Analysis Using SPSS 3 s.h.
Using concepts, data, and hypotheses to produce research, including psychometrics, using SPSS. Immersive, applied experience in data analysis. Applied methods course emphasizing conceptual and practical understanding of methods and analyses. Focus on decision-making about the relationship among theory, design, measurement and statistics, as well as practical applications of data analysis, and how to plan, submit, and execute research and publication after the point of data collection.
COMM:6359 Interpersonal Communication Theory in a Diverse World 3 s.h.
Examination of classic, contemporary, and emerging interpersonal communication theories with attention to social difference, relational dynamics, and patterns of participation; emphasis on how theories have been applied in recent scholarship and how they can be adapted for use with historically underrepresented populations; address of theoretical assumptions, methodological choices, and ethical considerations in studying interpersonal communication across social, cultural, and relational contexts.
COMM:6365 The Communication of Social Support 3 s.h.
Substantial knowledge base developed by scholars about types, processes, and mechanisms of social support used by humans to comfort one another; in-depth examination of theory and empirical research related to communication of social support; emphasis on types of support, verbal person-centered messages, and various strategies for social support; gender differences and social skills related to comforting; online supportive communication; development of detailed knowledge of this topic, critical assessment of extant research, and synthesis of class readings in written format.
COMM:6371 Communication Theory 3 s.h.
Survey of primary theories of interpersonal, cultural, group, and organizational communication.
COMM:6376 Family Communication 3 s.h.
Theory and research on communication among and between family members (parents, children, marital partners, siblings); quantitative and qualitative research.
COMM:6381 Seminar: Topics in Communication Research 3 s.h.
Topics vary.
COMM:6385 Communication in Health Contexts 3 s.h.
Communication theory and social scientific communication research (quantitative and qualitative) in health contexts; implications of communication on health, broadly defined; communication in personal relationships, patient-provider, and health messaging.
COMM:6387 Communication, Cognition, and Emotion 3 s.h.
Theoretical and empirical work that integrates communication, cognition, emotion; role of social cognition in communication, theories of emotion, types of emotional experiences; approaches to understanding emotion from perspectives in psychology, social cognition, communication; emotion-related issues such as influence of gender, effects of mood.
COMM:6399 PhD Dissertation arr.
Rhetoric Courses
RHET:1000 First-Year Seminar 1-2 s.h.
Small discussion class taught by a faculty member; topics chosen by instructor; may include outside activities (e.g., films, lectures, performances, readings, visits to research facilities). Requirements: first- or second-semester standing.
RHET:1010 Writing for Academic Success 1 s.h.
Individualized instruction in the Writing Center; in conjunction with GE CLAS Core Rhetoric courses.
RHET:1030 Rhetoric: Writing and Communication 4-5 s.h.
Analysis and critique to discover, question, explain, and justify positions and claims made in writing and speaking; reading and listening to comprehend and assess arguments; employment of rhetorical concepts (e.g., purpose, audience); understanding research as responsible inquiry for speaking and writing; special topics, activities. Requirements: completion of any required ESL courses. GE: Rhetoric.
RHET:1040 College Writing and Reading 3 s.h.
Introductory course in writing required of students who have completed a college-level public speaking course, but have not otherwise satisfied the rhetoric requirement. Requirements: completion of GE CLAS Core speaking requirement and any required ESL courses. GE: Rhetoric - Writing.
RHET:1060 College Communication and Reading 3 s.h.
Introductory course in speaking required of students who have completed 6 s.h. of college writing instruction, but have not completed a 3 s.h. college-level speaking course; intended to improve speaking, listening, critical, analytical, and advocacy skills. Requirements: completion of GE CLAS Core writing requirement and any required ESL courses. GE: Rhetoric - Speech.
RHET:2000 Big Ideas: Creativity for a Lifetime 3 s.h.
Exploration of what senior artists can teach about creativity and aging; interdisciplinary project-based collaborative learning opportunities that consider role of arts and creativity across a lifespan; essential skills necessary to be professionals in numerous careers including health, social work, education, humanities, and the arts; identification of ways for students to be more creative in their own lives and work. GE: Values and Society. Same as ARTS:2000, ASP:2000, EDTL:2000.
RHET:2055 Persuasion and Advocacy 3 s.h.
Maya Angelou said, "The wisest thing I can do is be on my own side, be an advocate for myself and others like me"; how to craft a powerful voice that aligns intellect with passions, shape audience impressions, and gain acceptance and recognition from others when advocating for yourself and for things you believe in; assignments tailored to student's interests and goals.
RHET:2065 Persuading Different Audiences: Launching a Successful Career 3 s.h.
Preparation for student's future persuasive demands as they start their careers; creation of several short projects addressing a variety of audiences, context, and situations with the goal of developing a professional and personable style; assignments reflect challenging circumstances in the workplace.
RHET:2070 Persuasive Stories 3 s.h.
Examination of the persuasive dimension of stories; students master the skill of storytelling by examining stories circulating within their culture and exploring the effects these stories have on thinking about their identities and discovering their own voices; integration of speaking and writing skills with persuasive storytelling skills through short oral and written assignments that lead to a final multimodal project of two interrelated storytelling assignments—production of a website and a podcast. Prerequisites: RHET:1030 or RHET:1040 or RHET:1060. GE: Values and Society. Same as COMM:2073.
RHET:2085 Speaking Skills 3 s.h.
How to become confident and effective speakers; assignments include formal presentations and shorter, informal speaking activities; peer and instructor feedback help improve the impression students create as speakers; strengths developed include earning credibility, capturing and maintaining audience interest, and coming across as personable, professional, and confident. Prerequisites: RHET:1030 or RHET:1040 or RHET:1060.
RHET:2095 Fundamental Strategies of Persuasion 3 s.h.
Strategies of approaching persuasion in a variety of personal, professional, and communal contexts; fundamentals of persuasion including audience adaptation, creating reasoned and passionate appeals, conveying character, and enabling identification. Prerequisites: RHET:1030 or RHET:1040 or RHET:1060. Requirements: completion of GE CLAS Core Rhetoric.
RHET:2135 Decoding Disability: Rhetoric of Access and Accommodations 3 s.h.
Explores how language shapes perceptions of disability, access, and accommodations—acting both as a barrier to and a means of challenging societal norms. Students examine the role of rhetoric in defining ability and how communication practices impact accessibility. Through written, spoken, signed, and digital expression, they analyze how cultural frameworks value or marginalize different bodies and minds. Emphasizing practical strategies, the course equips students to foster accessibility and opportunity in academic, professional, and public spaces. GE: Understanding Cultural Perspectives. Same as SJUS:2135.
RHET:2350 Forensic Rhetoric 3 s.h.
Students strengthen argumentation, communication, and research skills while discussing the cultural phenomenon of forensic rhetoric (i.e., using the past to make arguments); rhetorical analysis of autobiographical stories, development of podcasts related to readings, and a multimodal project involving archival research.
RHET:2610 Acting for Success 3 s.h.
How skills learned by actors in the theatre world can be applied to presentations and interactions in business, education, and beyond; how to connect with others on a personal level; ability to stand out as a team player and a leader; acting techniques traditionally used in theatre to open up communication dynamics; how to display an authentic self in everyday situations. Corequisites: RHET:1030 or RHET:1040 or RHET:1060. GE: Engineering Be Creative. Same as THTR:2610.
RHET:3220 Honors Writing Fellows: Writing Theory and Practice 3 s.h.
Preparation of honors students selected as writing fellows to serve as peer tutors in writing-intensive courses; theories of writing, evaluation of drafts, peer tutoring with students.
RHET:3350 Gaming (the) Systems 3 s.h.
Knowing that Rhetoric is the art and study of persuasion and meaning making, students examine how games—one of the newest and most important forms of modern media—participate in these rhetorical practices; students play, discuss, and read about games and how games interact with the cultural discourses surrounding us on their way toward crafting their own rhetorical contributions to the world of games and gaming media; students play small, indie titles and a few major games as they produce an argumentative article, a game review, a video blog, and finally a game itself; beginner friendly, no prior knowledge of games or design programs required. Prerequisites: RHET:1030 or RHET:1040 or RHET:1060.
RHET:3560 Public Policy and Persuasion 3 s.h.
Students build their skill set in policy analysis, formation, and communication through a social justice lens; engagement in service learning projects in one Iowa community, where work done directly impacts that community's ability to make changes; development of effective writing and oral presentation styles that can be adapted to different audiences; focus on homelessness policy using social policy and social justice concepts to explore work of policy makers who have "right-sized" existing systems to serve communities in crisis and propose solutions to systemic problems that disadvantage marginalized populations. Prerequisites: RHET:1030 or RHET:1040 or RHET:1060. Same as PBAF:3560, POLI:3560, SJUS:3560.
RHET:3700 Advocacy and Sustainability: Crafting Stories of People, Place, and Resilience 3 s.h.
How sustainable approaches to meeting critical social needs (food, water, shelter, air, work) have influenced food systems, policies on development, environmental problems, social justice, and policy both local and global in scope; readings and field research activities leading to creation of work of multimodal advocacy. Prerequisites: RHET:1030 or RHET:1040 or RHET:1060. Requirements: fulfillment of GE CLAS Core Rhetoric. Same as COMM:3700.
RHET:4980 Special Projects for Undergraduates arr.
RHET:5100 Practicum: College Teaching and Professional Development for Teaching Assistants arr.
Guidance for teaching assistants seeking introduction to teaching at college level; focus on practical pedagogical concerns, including how to structure a course, devise learning outcomes, develop a syllabus and a calendar of assignments, evaluate student work, and create a student-centered classroom with collaborate learning experiences; pre-semester intensive training session, weekly meetings during first month of semester, periodic meetings to address midterm and late-semester issues; concurrent with TA teaching assistantships. Recommendations: interest in teacher training and preparation. Same as CLAS:5100.
RHET:5350 Colloquium: Teaching Rhetoric 3 s.h.
Professional development program for new rhetoric teachers; includes three-day workshop.
RHET:5352 Seminar: Topics in Teaching and Professional Development 3 s.h.
Professional development and advanced study of pedagogical theories and practices; focus on teaching as a rhetorical act; readings on pedagogy, composition theories, and learning process; academic and alt-ac career options; teaching philosophy statement, teaching portfolio, peer classroom observations, and research project; for experienced rhetoric instructors and others teaching writing-intensive, process-oriented courses. Recommendations: previous or current teaching experience in composition-intensive courses.
RHET:5375 Teaching in a Writing Center 3 s.h.
Seminar/practicum to prepare graduate students to teach in the University of Iowa Writing Center or similar settings; seminar component on writing and reading processes, tutoring strategies, English-as-a-second-language issues; practicum experience tutoring in the Writing Center. Same as CNW:5375.
RHET:6330 Writing for Learned Journals 1-4 s.h.
Seminar that supports graduate students in bringing written work to publishable form; analysis of target journals' audiences, interests, and citation politics; submission and the publication process; response to reader reports and criticism; best writing and research practices; discussion of knowledge cultures and discourses in disciplines and the contemporary academy. Same as AMST:6300, GRAD:6300, GWSS:6300.
RHET:6980 Graduate Independent Study arr.
Exploration of advanced topics in the field of Rhetoric; pre-arranged and agreed upon by student and faculty member.
RHET:7500 Science Communication in the Digital Age 2-3 s.h.
Preparation for communicating scientific discoveries and importance of scientific endeavors in digital media; focus on adaptable and transferable skills; relevant preparation for digital communication in academic and nonacademic career paths; develop aptitude with speaking and performance skills relevant to video presentation; develop familiarity with video composition and editing processes.
RHET:7930 Writing in the Disciplines arr.
Writing instruction.
RHET:7940 Public Speaking for Academics 3 s.h.
Prepares graduate students for the public speaking occasions germane in their home disciplines and in their future professions; students gain experience moving between different rhetorical registers in public speaking through engaging in cross-disciplinary conversations about performance and speaking practices while refining discipline-specific speaking strategies; honing the ability to communicate the same information in different forms and styles (along with understanding the corresponding advantages and limitations of such) will contribute to students' teaching and scholarly skill sets.