500 Proseminar in Communication Theory and Research
Provides first-year graduate students with an overview of research foci in the field of communication. Students read exemplary research articles and learn different contexts of study in communication. Faculty and graduate student research is periodically presented to students for critical evaluation.
504 Research Methods
This course is designed to provide incoming communication graduate students with an understanding of the fundamentals of quantitative research methodologies—a necessary requirement for interpreting published research as well as designing quantitative research studies.
515 Communication Theories
This course is the first of two courses that introduce the graduate student to theory testing and theoretical development in communication. In addition to learning fundamentals of theory, students will be exposed to classic theories in communication and social science.
517 Applied Theory-Testing
This course emphasizes theory application and theory testing. By reviewing empirical studies that are based on key communication theories, students will develop the ability of critically analyzing published research. Students will also develop a theory-based research project on their own which reflects their research interests.
518 Statistics I
This course is designed to provide an understanding of the fundamentals of quantitative research analysis. The course deals with statistics from a conceptual/theoretical standpoint as well as a practical one. Therefore, students will learn data management, data analysis, basic statistical procedures, and how to report results. The main objective of this course is to give students the skills to be able to read and understand empirical research, analyze data, and report results.
520 Galileo Theory & Method
Galileo Theory is a body of thought about individual and collective perception, memory storage and retrieval, and individual and collective behavior. Useful for political campaigning, new product development, advertising and marketing research, and a variety of other applications, this theoretical and methodological perspective increases understanding of individual and collective communicative behaviors.
526 Mass Communication Theory
This course provides a survey of extant mass communication theories from a social scientific perspective. This survey will include discussion of the historical roots of these theories as well as their evolution to their present state.
538 Nonverbal Communication
This course examines the complexity, pervasiveness, and origins of nonverbal communication. Students will focus on the findings of contemporary research.
540 Persuasion and Social Influence
Studies in Persuasion provides graduate students with state-of-the-art research in the science of attitude change and persuasive communication. In addition to learning the principles of persuasion, students will review research studies testing the validity of persuasive concepts as well as empirical research designed to test theories of message design, reception, and effects.
543 Mass Communication Effects
The main emphasis in this course is to examine present day mass communication impact, with some regard to looking back and to looking ahead -- all the while assessing the accumulated evidence as to how media effects are either beginning to generate theory or support the theoretical homes in which they reside.
614 Diffusion of Innovations and Technology
This course introduces students to the process by which a new idea, practice, technique, or technology spreads through a social system. The course begins with an introduction to diffusion theory and follows with an examination of the factors that best predict diffusion. Students are exposed to the social-psychological research on adoption; the models, measures and methods used by diffusion researchers; and multidisciplinary applications of the theory in fields ranging from health care to management information systems.
616 Classic Communication Theories
This course focuses on the seminal social science theories that have informed, shaped, and guided the communication discipline, leading ultimately to the cutting-edge research examined elsewhere in the curriculum.
619 Interpersonal Communication
This course is a seminar devoted to an in-depth treatment of three aspects of interpersonal communication: history, contemporary, and future research. Students will develop the ability to critique, analyze and integrate theories and concepts in the field of interpersonal communication.
626 Political Communication
This course is focused on examination of the role of communication in politics, acquainting students with the research literature on political communication (especially, media and communication effects on important political outcomes) and stimulating ideas for original research in the field of political communication. Students are expected to thoroughly understand and develop their own positions on various issues related to political communication; on the role of media, communication, and information technologies in politics; and on how political communication research is conducted.
631 Technology Mis-utilization & Cybersecurity
This seminar is designed to enhance students' knowledge about how online technology is being misused and abused by hackers and terrorist groups. A special focus is on the intended victims of these attacks and on familiarizing students with the theories that explain why people fall victim and on the strategies that organizations and policy makers are utilizing to stop such abuses.
637 Communication Technology & Public Policy
The course examines the various models of used as a basis for communication policy and regulation, the historical development of communication policy in the U.S., and the relationship of new technology on public policy.
670-686 Special Topics
Content varies each semester and may cover a variety of mediated, health, organizational, intercultural, interpersonal or contemporary communication topics.
695 Supervised Teaching
Supervised teaching experience for communication students. Admission only by consent of the Director of Graduate Studies and the student's advisor.
696 Communication Internship
Supervised experience for advanced communication students in selected agencies. Externships may be available. May be repeated for credit. Admission only by consent of the individual instructor.
699 Independent Study
May be used for any special study requirments such as reading or research. May be repeated for credit. Admission only by consent of the individual professor.
700 Thesis Guidance
Supervised culminating research experience for the master's or doctoral program. May be repeated for credit. Admission only by consent of the major professor.