Professional Communication Course Descriptions

This course is designed to build math literacy, which is necessary for informed citizenship, reasoning from evidence, and extracting information from data.Topics include proportional reasoning, math modeling, probability, statistics, and math in politics.The course requires complicated reasoning using elementary mathematics. Three credit hours.

An examination of the process of communication in interpersonal relationships focusing on the role of the self, people perception, the environment, and the interaction of interpersonal orientations. Personal skills in resolving conflict and stimulating friendships are examined through exposure to theory, practical exercises, and the analysis of experiences in current relationships. Three hours.

This course explores moral reasoning and practice in the communication field as well as the major theoretical approaches to communication. Case studies are used to examine truth telling, business pressures, deception, fairness, privacy, social justice, and the relationship between ethics, theories, and practice. Areas of application include advertising, the entertainment industry, politics, and the church. Three hours.

A course for students who have mastered college-ready writing and whose academic or career objectives require professional-level writing skills. This class is designed to introduce students to theories of written communication; expand their rhetorical skills; improve the clarity, accuracy, grammar, and structure of their writing; and give them experience writing for different audiences across a variety of platforms (including digital media). In addition to extensive writing, the course involves interactive workshops where students learn to give and receive useful feedback to improve their own and others’ writing. Prerequisite: ENG 1100. Three hours.

An introduction to the theory and practice of public relations, emphasizing its publics, management function, writing skills, communication processes, tools, and professional ethics. Each student works with a community partner to facilitate public relations in a real-world setting. Prerequisite: COM 1100. Three hours.

An overview of the sources, formats, and features of persuasion. Students analyze persuasion in political, religious, advertising, and everyday rhetorical settings. They also examine the nature of effective and ineffective persuasion. Students will make persuasive presentations. Prerequisite: COM 1100. Three hours.

A course in advanced public speaking and presentation techniques incorporating digital tools. Students learn about and practice video conferencing techniques, digital presentation tools, social media application, and online interviewing with application for communication specialists, aspiring business professionals, and others. Includes best practices, tips, and tricks for each medium and each opportunity. Prerequisite: COM 1100. Three hours.

A survey of various applications of communication theory to business and organizational life. Special emphasis is given to small groups, interviewing skills, and persuasive proposals. Prerequisite: COM 1100. Three hours.

This team-taught and interdisciplinary seminar is among students’ final educational experiences before degree completion. As such, its components allow students to showcase the academic abilities they have acquired through their degree program (through a thesis or project) and to think about and prepare for the next steps in their professional careers. Students participate in both interdisciplinary plenaries and discipline specific seminars. Students give a final presentation of their theses or projects at an interdisciplinary symposium. Prerequisite: COM 3500. Three hours.

Introduces students to the principles and practices of journalism, including news gathering, interviewing, reporting, writing, and the ethical responsibilities of journalists. Students develop foundational skills in producing clear, accurate, and engaging news stories for a variety of media platforms.

Examines communication within political systems, including campaigns, elections, media coverage, public opinion, political rhetoric, advocacy, and civic engagement. Students analyze persuasive strategies used by political leaders, interest groups, and the media while considering ethical implications of political messaging.

Introduces students to website development using HTML and CSS while emphasizing principles of usability, accessibility, responsive design, and user experience. Students create and publish functional web pages using current web design practices.

Introduces lighting design and technical production for live performances and events. Students gain hands-on experience with lighting equipment, control systems, stage production, safety procedures, and live event operation.

Explores advanced multimedia design through the integration of text, graphics, animation, audio, video, and interactive media. Students design multimedia projects while emphasizing user experience, visual communication, and professional production techniques.

Introduces students to the art of theatre through the study of dramatic literature, performance, directing, design, production, and the historical development of theatre. Students examine theatre as both an artistic discipline and a means of communicating ideas and culture.

Examines film as an artistic and cultural medium through the lens of Christian faith. Students analyze cinematic storytelling, themes, aesthetics, worldview, and the relationship between film and contemporary culture while developing critical viewing skills.

Studies the development of American political discourse through speeches, debates, campaigns, and public advocacy. Students analyze rhetorical strategies used by influential political leaders while evaluating persuasion, audience, ethics, and civic engagement.

Examines major psychological theories and research related to human motivation and emotion. Students explore biological, cognitive, developmental, and social influences on behavior while considering applications to personal, organizational, and cultural settings

Provides focused study of specialized or emerging topics within the communication discipline. Course content varies according to faculty expertise and current developments in communication theory, research, media, and professional practice.

Examines the strategic use of social media in organizational, professional, and public communication. Students learn to create, manage, evaluate, and analyze social media content while considering audience engagement, branding, analytics, ethics, and emerging digital trends.

Introduces digital publishing technologies used to create professional print and digital media. Students develop practical skills using industry-standard publishing software while producing communication materials for multiple platforms and audiences.

Examines the theory and practice of argumentation and debate. Students develop skills in constructing logical arguments, evaluating evidence, responding to opposing viewpoints, and communicating persuasively in both formal and informal settings. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, ethical advocacy, and effective oral communication.

Focuses on writing for professional public relations contexts. Students learn to produce communication materials such as press releases, feature stories, newsletters, speeches, media kits, social media content, and crisis communication messages. Special attention is given to audience analysis, style, strategic messaging, and professional writing standards.

Builds upon introductory recording techniques through advanced study of studio production, multi-track recording, editing, mixing, mastering, and audio engineering. Students complete professional-quality recording projects while refining technical and creative production skills.