Communication Studies

COMM 1000. TCC Dual Admit. 0 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

COMM 1100. Transitioning to University Studies in Human Communication. 1 Credit Hour (Lecture: 1 Hour, Lab: 1 Hour).

Practical study designed to prepare the student for university life, aid in the development of skills for academic success, promote personal growth and responsibility, and encourage active involvement in the learning process from an individual college perspective. These skill sets are presented in the context of communication and languages disciplines.

COMM 1307. Introduction to Mass Communication. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Places mass media in a historical perspective; explores the relationships among media; examines the structure of the American communications system. Analyzes the social, economic, and political implications of modern society's reliance on mass communications. Explores the ways in which the mass media shapes our culture, both past and present.

COMM 1311. Introduction to Speech Communication. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course is designed to improve the individual's understanding of the human communication process. Classroom exercises involve the student in interpersonal, small group, and presentational speaking situations requiring critical thinking skills, teamwork, and personal responsibility. Special emphasis on developing communication skills needed to check and validate perceptions, control language usage, and analyze and improve reasoning processes.

COMM 1315. Public Speaking. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An introduction to the principles and practice of presentational communication. Methods of topic analysis, research, evidence evaluation, organization, and delivery are covered and assignments require critical thinking skills, teamwork, and personal responsibility. Students participate in several classroom presentations.

COMM 1316. Introduction to Photojournalism. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course introduces photojournalism in a multimedia context. Students will use a variety of devices to communicate stories visually while applying principles of effective photo composition.

COMM 2302. Business and Professional Speaking. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A study of communication in business and professional organizations. Special emphasis will be given to applying thinking skills, teamwork, and personal responsibility to development of speaking skills, interviewing, team-building skills, and a knowledge of organizational communication.

COMM 2308. Broadcast Production. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course will cover on-air performance for both radio and television, audio production, writing for broadcasting, and producing radio and television programming. This course covers media production and broadcasting techniques for radio, television, and podcasts. Students may also be expected to contribute to the programming of Tarleton’s campus radio station.

COMM 2311. News Gathering & Writing. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Fundamentals of news writing and reporting. Students will learn basic newspaper style, employ ethical journalism methods, and compose stories using traditional stylebook techniques. Students will learn how to write stories for print, broadcast and online media. Prerequisites: ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302.

COMM 2322. Survey of Social Media. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

In this course, students will look at the expansion of social media in the public relations field, learn basic strategies and theories of merging social channels with public relations through strategic planning, and practice the development of social media plans and infographics.

COMM 2325. Event Coordination. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Fundamentals for professional coordination of special events in various types and styles. Topics focus on event implementation as an essential element of public relations management. Activities center on event logistics, promotions, monitoring, and client liaison.

COMM 2333. Broadcast Journalism. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A study of broadcast news practices. The basic rules of broadcast news writing will be reviewed and stories will be written and delivered for both radio and television. Studio and newsroom procedures will be examined. Prerequisites: COMM 2311.

COMM 2358. Game Day Production. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This class introduces students to television production processes of a sporting event. Students study broadcast terms, the production planning process, remote location broadcast techniques, and gain experience with a variety of software used to broadcast sporting events. Students will attend a Tarleton sporting event and follow a member of the broadcast production team to better understand the skills needed to produce a live broadcast of a sporting event. Prerequisites: COMM 2308.

COMM 3303. Debate. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An introduction to the principles of argumentation and debate. Subject material will include research, evidence, reasoning, case construction, refutation, and delivery. Classroom debating will provide students with opportunities to observe and participate in competitive debating. This course is particularly applicable to those anticipating study in law or related professions. Special emphasis is given to developing communication abilities needed to check and validate perceptions, control language usage, and analyze and improve reasoning processes. Prerequisites: COMM 1311, or 1315, or 2302 or permission of the department head.

COMM 3304. Interpersonal Communication. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A course designed to improve individual communication skills relevant to human relationships. The development and maintenance of interpersonal (one-to-one) relations are examined, with special emphasis on identifying and correcting communication breakdowns. A portion of the course will be devoted to exercises designed to improve interpersonal skills. Prerequisite: COMM 1311, or 1315, or 2302 or permission of the department head.

COMM 3305. Environmental Communication. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course is designed to improve students’ understanding of the human communication process in shaping perceptions of and relationships with nature and environmental decision making. Prerequisites: COMM 1311,1315 or COMM 2302.

COMM 3308. Digital Video Production. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Introduces students to the collaborative process of narrative and non-narrative production while fostering the creation of an individual voice. Students learn the basic techniques and aesthetics of single-camera production, including shot composition, lighting and graphic effects. Students also learn techniques of digital post-production editing.

COMM 3310. Communication Law. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Examines First Amendment case law and state and federal regulations of speech and media. Provides historical and contemporary analyses of the laws of defamation; obscenity; fighting words; and time, place and manner restrictions. Issues such as copyright, privacy, and freedom of information will also be covered. Prerequisite: 3 hours of COMS or approval of department head.

COMM 3311. Feature Writing. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours). [WI]

This course is a course in our journalism sequence. The class focuses on magazine writing, feature writing, editorial and review writing. The course also focuses on free lance and professional writing and reporting skills. Prerequisites: COMM 2311 or approval of department head.

COMM 3312. Travel Writing and Blogging. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course examines writing about travel and tourist destinations for different media. The course examines how traveling writing and blogging is done from different perspectives and examines the ethical and practical issues that guide the process. Prerequisite: COMM 2311.

COMM 3318. News and Magazine Editing. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

The basics of story placement and layout, copy and style editing. This course would emphasize the role and responsibilities of different editorial departments as well as the overall responsibility of editorial management. Prerequisites: ENGL 3310 or consent of the instructor.

COMM 3320. Public Relations. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An introduction to the theory, history, and principles of public relations programs for profit and nonprofit organizations, including media relations, crisis management, ethics, social responsibility, and related topics. Critical analysis of public relations is an integral part of the course as is extensive hands-on volunteer work.

COMM 3321. Advertising. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Analysis of advertising in modern society, including history, design and effects of advertising. Students will study the uses of different media for advertising purposes, working in teams to achieve common goals.

COMM 3323. Political Communication. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Analysis of political campaigns in modern society, including history, design and effects of campaigns. Students will study the uses of different media for campaign purposes, working in teams to achieve common goals.

COMM 3325. Media Relations. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This class offers an analysis of organizational spokespeople in society, including history, ghost writing, and effects of their roles and statements. Students will study the uses of different media for spokesperson purposes, working in teams to achieve common goals. The course allows opportunities for students to think critically about the concepts, implications, and practices of organizational spokespeople. Specifically, students will apply readings and class discussion to participate in team assignments.

COMM 3328. Public Relations Writing. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours). [WI]

Study and practice in the techniques of writing and producing public relations materials with an emphasis on creativity and aligning work to targeted publics. Teamwork and portfolio development are integral learning components of the course. Prerequisites: Have a C or better in COMM 2311 and COMM 3320 or permission of instructor.

COMM 3329. Travel & Tourism. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This class covers the way travel and tourism affects the local economy and how Convention & Visitor Bureaus (CVBs) and other local entities "sell" locals and properties to potential customers.

COMM 3332. Intercultural Communication. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A study of intercultural communication theories and how the impact of culture shapes interpersonal, small group, and public interactions. Students will observe, reflect upon, and analyze intercultural interactions from research and society.

COMM 3340. Persuasion. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A study of persuasive communication theory in interpersonal, small group, and public settings. Emphasis on audience analysis, ethics, motivational factors, source credibility, compliance gaining and theories of attitude change. Prerequisites: COMM 1311, 1315 or 2302.

COMM 3350. Sports Communication. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course focuses on the role of communication in the sports industry. The class will examine the history of sports journalism and the role of mass media as well as some of the common conceptual models and theories used in sports communication studies. Additionally, the influence of digital, mobile, and social media platforms will be considered, as well as the functions of marketing and public relations. Students will be exposed to a number of issues relating to sports media, careers, legal issues, digital media, and more.

COMM 3358. Sports Media Production. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This class will introduce students to the process of producing digital elements commonly used in sports production. Students learn the Associated Press Broadcast Style, digital graphic preparation, interviewing techniques, and editing styles. Multiple commercial productions will be studied and analyzed. Students will utilize both audio and video digital post-production industry standard software throughout the semester. Prerequisite: COMM 3308.

COMM 3384. Documentary Film. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course will examine the history of the international documentary film movement from 1923 to the present. Students will examine a variety of different documentary films from different cultures and time periods.

COMM 3508. Sports Media Production. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This class will introduce students to the process of producing digital elements commonly used in sports production. Students learn the Associated Press Broadcast Style, digital graphic preparation, interviewing techniques, and editing styles. Multiple commercial productions will be studied and analyzed. Students will utilize both audio and video digital post-production industry standard software throughout the semester. Prerequisite: COMM 3308 Digital Video Production.

COMM 4085. Communication Seminar. 1-3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 1-3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Content varies according to the needs and desires of the students. When topic varies, course may be taken for credit more than once. Prerequisite: Junior classification or approval of department head.

COMM 4086. Communication Problems. 1-3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 1-3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A course featuring independent reading, research, and discussion under the personal direction of an instructor, topics vary according to student need. Open to students of senior classification with department head approval.

COMM 4301. Media Management. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

The course will cover business and sales in a comprehensive media environment, as well as issues such as advertising sales, personnel and budget management, and planning and executing of media programming including documentaries.

COMM 4304. Organizational Communication. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An advanced study of communication as it takes place in diverse business and industrial settings. Special attention will be given to managerial communication, communicator style, channels and networks, analytical/organizational decision-making, and organizational culture. Prerequisite: COMM 1311 or COMM 1315 or COMM 2302.

COMM 4309. Advanced Reporting. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A capstone course for Journalism students. This course will provide advanced studies for reporting, news writing, newsgathering, interviewing, records evaluation and investigative techniques. Students will be required to submit articles for publication and provide evidence of superior writing skills. Prerequisites: COMM 3310, 3311, and 3318, or with department head approval.

COMM 4310. Social Media Trends & Careers. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Students will explore historical and future-forward perspectives of social media. Students will be introduced to key concepts of social media and will gain hands-on experience exploring social media platforms and trends. Students will practice, experiment and conduct research on social media platforms, looking at ethical perspectives, positive and negative aspects, and current trends and their importance in practice.

COMM 4312. Communication Theory. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours). [WI]

A survey of classical through contemporary communication theory. This course emphasizes communication theories and their application in areas such as organizational, interpersonal, rhetorical, and intercultural communication. Prerequisites: COMM 1311, or 1315, or 2302, or permission of the department head.

COMM 4320. Event Planning and Management. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Application of public relations processes to the planning and management of special events in various types and styles. Topics include theme development, budgeting, creative design, logistics, promotions, monitoring, client liaison, evaluation, and other relevant aspects of event planning and management. Prerequisite: COMM 2325 or permission of the instructor.

COMM 4322. Social Media Analytics/Measurement. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course is designed to introduce students to key concepts of measurement of social networking websites/applications and web analytics. The course will enable students to interact with actual measurement techniques for social networking websites and/or applications and provide students with experiences to critically analyze social networking.

COMM 4324. Trade Show Planning and Management. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course provides background and practice in the processes and techniques of trade show planning and management. It applies public relations’ four-step process (research, planning, execution, and evaluation) to trade shows. Specifically, students will develop budgets, creative designs, logistics, promotions, and appropriate monitoring and evaluation. Prerequisite: COMM 2325 (B or better).

COMM 4325. Applied Public Relations and Event Planning. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Hands-on application central to the professional practice of public relations and event planning. Emphasis is on collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, decision-making, client work, portfolio development, and career preparation. Students are encouraged to take this course during their final senior semester. Prerequisites: Must have a C or better in COMM 3320 and COMM 3328 or instructor permission.

COMM 4339. Teamwork and Decision Making. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

A study of work teams, small group theory and processes. Special attention will be given to leadership, organization, group analysis, and interaction. Students will observe and participate in work teams and discussions on contemporary issues regarding teamwork such as virtual work teams. Prerequisite: COMM 1307, 3304, 3310, and at least 6 hours of senior-level COMM.

COMM 4384. Communication Internship. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Approved and supervised work experience in communications related positions. May be repeated once for a total of 6 hours of academic credit. Prerequisites: Junior standing, 12 hours COMM, and approval of the department's appropriate concentration coordinator.