Communication Studies

Mission Statement: The communication studies major introduces students to the process of communicating, including the symbolic and informational nature of messages themselves and the cultural and experiential process by which people learn to share meaning in the communicative situation. The major encourages students to learn to think critically about communication in a variety of organizational, group, interpersonal and mediated contexts through coursework designed to move them toward practical engagement with real-world problems of culture, identity, conflict and technological change. All courses involve some element of public speaking and small group communication experience.

Goals: The communication studies major teaches students the oral, written and visual communication skills employers desire while emphasizing argument, theory, research and collaborative work. The major teaches students a variety of theories of communication and insists that the students be able to apply those theories to the analysis and practice of everyday communication situations from the family to the international arena, from the Internet to the silver screen and from the corporation to the classroom. A communication studies major will be able to not only understand, but also to skillfully adapt to these diverse communication environments.

Career opportunities: Students planning to enter the following fields may wish to consider a major in communication studies: management, law, journalism, the web, counseling, international business, media production, teaching, politics, advertising, public relations, film and mediation. Students who decide to pursue graduate study will be well prepared to enter programs in communication, cultural studies, law, business, film, the humanities and most social sciences, including anthropology, sociology, folklore, psychology, and mass communication.

Major in communication studies: 31 semester hours, including COM 131, 132, 132L, six hours from 271, 272, 273; three hours from 372, 373, 375; 374; 433; 434; 479; 439 or another three hours of 479. Students may substitute the Washington Semester (COM 440, 441, 442, 449) for six hours at the 400 level.
Supporting courses: 15 semester hours, including 3 hours of any 200-level literature course; ENG 371; 3 hours of any other 300- or 400-level ENG course; 6 hours of a modern or classical language through 232 or its equivalent.

Minor in communication studies: 18 semester hours, including COM 131, six hours of 200-level COM courses, and nine hours of upper division COM courses.

COMMUNICATION

COM 131. Introduction to Communication Studies (3:3:0)
An introduction to the history and breadth of the field of communication studies, including a philosophical grounding in perception and semiotics and a practical focus on verbal and nonverbal messages in a variety of contexts. APA style will also be covered.

COM 132. Writing for the Media (3:3:0)
An introduction to journalistic practice across various media: print, television, radio and the internet. The course includes units on press releases, AP style, copyediting, interviewing, and journalistic law and ethics. Co-requisite: COM132L

COM 132L. Media Practicum (1:1:X)
This laboratory course, taken in conjunction with COM 132, provides students with the opportunity for practical experience in working with media: in the student newspaper, the yearbook, Ethos, or with the University’s publications office.

COM 271. Communication and Identity (3:3:0)
An examination of theories of interpersonal communication and intercultural communication through a practical focus on identity issues, including gender, nationality, race and ethnicity.

COM 272. Applied Communication (3:3:0)
An examination of theories of organizational/corporate communication, public relations, and small group communication. Questions of leadership, corporate culture and organizational change and development will be addressed with a focus on specific types of professional settings. Prerequisite: COM 131.

COM 273. Media and Popular Culture (3:3:0)
An introduction to the critical analysis of popular culture from the cultural studies and rhetorical perspectives. Textual analysis skills will be supplemented with a focus on institutional and audience analysis. Prerequisite: ENG 132.

COM 309/319. Mock Trial (1:1:X)
Classroom instruction on history and theory of debate and forensics. Required in order to participate in the TLU Mock Trial program. (Also listed as POLS 319).

COM 372. Communication Technology (3:3:0)
An exploration of contemporary theories and developments in communication and information technology, primarily in terms of the internet and computer-mediated communication. Advanced web design, HTML and beginning JavaScript will also be covered.

COM 373. Film Studies (3:3:0)
An introduction to film, with emphasis on film theory, criticism and history, and on the technical aspects of filmmaking.

COM 374. Professional Speaking (3:3:0)
A pragmatic approach to public speaking, emphasizing the skills necessary to adapt to diverse audiences in a variety of professional settings. Both persuasive and informative speaking are emphasized, as are research-based argument construction and collaborative projects. Prerequisite: ENG 132.

COM 375. Media Law and Ethics (3:3:0)
This course is designed to introduce students to First Amendment doctrines and issues concerning freedom of expression, explain applications of the law to the work of communication professionals, and engage students in a conversation about the ethical and political issues facing professional communicators.

COM 433. Communication Research Methods (3:3:0)
An in-depth survey of communication research methods from the critical, rhetorical, quantitative and ethnographic perspectives, including substantive focus on both face-to-face and media communication issues. Students will learn research design, argument, and literature review construction. Students will complete research projects in each of the four research areas. Prerequisite: COM 131, senior standing.

COM 434. Senior Thesis (3:3:0)
An advanced study of different kinds of research traditions in communication studies. Students work toward creation of a thesis project advised by a member of the English and communication studies department faculty. Results of this research will be presented to the full faculty. Prerequisite: senior standing, COM 433, ENG 371.

COM 439. Internship (3:X:X)
Students work with an advisor in the department of English and communication studies to design and organize the internship prior to enrolling in the course. Students are placed in positions both on and off campus. Prerequisite: COM 131, 132.

COM 440. Washington Semester Research (4:0:0)
Supervised, individual research in Washington, D.C. designed in consultation with Texas Lutheran and American University. Required as part of the Washington semester program.

COM 441. Washington Semester Seminar in Journalism (4:2:2)
An intense study of gathering, writing, and presenting the news. The course includes seminar meetings with reporters, news executives, news sources, and informed observers of news in Washington, D.C. The seminar provides a thorough background in the practices, problems, and promises of the profession. Students will learn the workings of large and small newspaper, and broadcast news bureaus. Prerequisite: Junior standing and approval of Texas Lutheran’s Washington Semester Committee.

COM 442. Washington Semester Seminar in Journalism II (4:2:2)
A continuation of COM 441.

COM 449. Washington Semester Internship in Journalism (4:0:8)
This course helps the student gain accurate insight into journalism through “real world” experience. Participation is required in the daily operation of news and public affairs organizations. Internships are available at newspapers, newspaper bureaus, newsletters and bureaus for other publications, broadcast stations, and broadcast news bureaus. Academic requirements and office supervisor’s evaluation determine final grading credit.

COM 479. Special Topics (3:3:0)
A seminar devoted to exploring a range of topics within the diverse field of communication studies. Representative courses include: Visual Culture, Social Movements, Conflict Management, Media Fandom, Presidential Rhetoric, Hitchcock, Corporate Consulting, Screenwriting, The Rhetoric of the Stock Market, and Freedom of Speech. May be taken multiple times for credit.