2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Communication Studies
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Gregory Paul, Department Head
Professor: Paul, Procter, and Steffensmeier
Associate Professors: Han, Lind, and Shaffer
Assistant Professors: Eddington, McVey, and Woods
Instructors: Brown, Epping, Smith, and Taylor
Emeritus Professor: Schenck-Hamlin
Emeritus Associate Professor: Goulden, Griffin
234 Nichols Hall
785-532-6875
Fax: 785-532-3714
http://commstudies.k-state.edu/
The Department of Communication Studies offers study in human communication, including relational communication, organizational communication, political communication, and legal communication.
For teacher licensure , see College of Education , Secondary Education-Speech (EDSPH) requirements.
The communication studies program builds knowledge and skills in communication. The program improves students’ skills in developing messages that are clear, coherent, reasoned, ethical, and fluent. Courses such as small group communication, interpersonal communication, and public speaking, along with co-curricular activities in debate and forensics / individual events, provide hands-on opportunities to build valuable communication skills. Second, the program develops students’ ability to analyze communication and engage diverse audiences in a variety of settings. Courses such as persuasion, rhetoric, and political communication helps students learn how to achieve their goals through speech and language. Communication studies majors excel in multiple careers, including law, education, sales, human resources, government, the health professions, and government.
In addition to the general university and college requirements for the BA/BS degree, undergraduate majors in communication studies take 39 credit hours of coursework in the Department of Communication Studies. All majors complete 9 required credit hours and 15 credit hours in one of five academic tracks: legal communication, organizational communication, political communication, relational communication, or general communication. Communication studies majors also complete 15 credit hours in communication studies electives.
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science
Non-Degree
Communication Studies
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COMM 105 - Public Speaking IA Credits: 2
Alternate to COMM 106. Principles and practice of message preparation, audience analysis, presentational skills, and speech criticism.
Note
Primarily granted for students whose curricula require a 2-credit hour course. Credit not granted for both COMM 105 and 106.
Typically Offered
Fall, Spring, Summer
K-State 8
None
KSIS Course Search
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 COMM 106 - Public Speaking I Credits: 3
Principles and practice of message preparation, audience analysis, presentational skills, and speech criticism permitting greater practice in oral presentation.
Note
Credit not granted for both COMM 105 and 106.
Typically Offered
Fall, Spring, Summer
K-State 8
None
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 109 - Public Speaking 1A, Honors Credits: 3
Honors speech preparation and delivery; a survey of topics basic to rhetoric, communication, and linguistics.
Note
For arts and sciences honors students.
Typically Offered
Fall, Spring
K-State 8
None
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 120 - Introduction to Human Communication Credits: 3
An introduction to the traditions, foundations and contexts of human communication that are studied and practiced in society.
Typically Offered
Fall
K-State 8
Aesthetic Interpretation
Human Diversity within the U.S.
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 210 - Forensics Participation Credits: 1-2
Intercollegiate debate or individual events.
Note
May be repeated for 4 credit hours maximum credit.
Requisites
Prerequisite: Consent of director of the activity.
Typically Offered
Fall, Spring
K-State 8
None
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 260 - Introduction to Trial Advocacy Credits: 3
A hands-on introduction to communication in the legal process, with a primary focus on basic techniques attorneys use to develop and present a persuasive case.
Requisites
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Typically Offered
Spring, even years
K-State 8
Aesthetic Interpretation
Empirical and Quantitative Reasoning
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 311 - Business and Professional Speaking Credits: 3
Principles and practice of speaking in an organizational setting. Areas of emphasis will be oral reports, interviewing, interpersonal communication, and working in groups.
Requisites
Prerequisite: COMM 105 or 106.
Typically Offered
Fall, Spring
K-State 8
Aesthetic Interpretation
Ethical Reasoning and Responsibility
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 319 - Intercollegiate Forensics Credits: 3
Current practices and theories for competitive intercollegiate forensics activity.
Note
May not be taken concurrent with COMM 210.
Requisites
Prerequisite: Consent of director of the activity.
Typically Offered
Fall
K-State 8
Empirical and Quantitative Reasoning
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 320 - Theories of Human Communication Credits: 3
Survey of basic theories of human communication focusing on sending, receiving, and responding to messages face-to-face.
Typically Offered
Fall
K-State 8
Social Sciences
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 321 - Public Speaking II Credits: 3
Advanced principles and practice of speech composition, audience adaptation, and delivery.
Requisites
Prerequisite: COMM 105 or 106.
Typically Offered
Fall, Spring
K-State 8
Aesthetic Interpretation
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 322 - Interpersonal Communication Credits: 3
Examination of the dynamics of face-to-face interpersonal interaction. Focus is on applying principles of relational communication.
Requisites
Prerequisite: COMM 105 or 106.
Typically Offered
Fall, Spring, Summer
K-State 8
Human Diversity within the U.S.
Social Sciences
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 323 - Nonverbal Communication Credits: 3
Analysis of nonverbal communication in human interaction; theory and research in kinesics, proxemics, and paralinguistics.
Typically Offered
Fall, Spring
K-State 8
Aesthetic Interpretation
Human Diversity within the U.S.
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 325 - Argumentation and Debate Credits: 3
Basic theories of argumentation with emphasis on the construction and criticism of well reasoned and supported positions.
Requisites
Prerequisite: COMM 105 or 106.
Typically Offered
Fall, Spring
K-State 8
Empirical and Quantitative Reasoning
Social Sciences
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 326 - Small Group Discussion Methods Credits: 3
Basic concepts of small group decision making. Projects emphasize participation in and analysis of communication in the small group.
Requisites
Prerequisite: COMM 105 or 106.
Typically Offered
Fall, Spring, Summer
K-State 8
Social Sciences
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 328 - Professional Interviewing Credits: 3
Investigation of interviewing as it occurs in a variety of situations, including journalistic, diagnostic, persuasive, and managerial. Emphasis on developing practical skills in planning, managing interviews, and interpreting data in the professional context.
Requisites
Prerequisite: COMM 105 or 106.
Typically Offered
Fall, Spring, Summer
K-State 8
Aesthetic Interpretation
Empirical and Quantitative Reasoning
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 330 - Rhetoric in Western Thought Credits: 3
An introduction to the figures, concepts, and trends in the development of rhetorical theory from classical to modern times.
Typically Offered
Fall
K-State 8
Aesthetic Interpretation
Historical Perspectives
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 332 - Communication and Technology Credits: 3
Focus on social and interpersonal topics, including how emerging media technologies are understood and the history of forms of communication technology via the Internet and mobile devices. Additional topics include diversity, political and civic engagement, intercultural communication, impression formation and management in online contexts, and relational maintenance.
Typically Offered
Fall, Summer
K-State 8
Human Diversity within the U.S.
Social Sciences
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 399 - Honors Seminar Small Group Communication Credits: 3
Open only to qualified students in the arts and sciences honors program.
Note
Repeatable.
Typically Offered
Spring
K-State 8
None
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 420 - Gender Communication Credits: 3
A study of gender as a variable in interpersonal, organizational, and public communication processes.
Typically Offered
Spring
K-State 8
Human Diversity within the U.S.
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 425 - Theories of Organizational Communication Credits: 3
Review the literature and develop research projects regarding basic variables of communication in organizational contexts.
Typically Offered
Spring
K-State 8
Historical Perspectives
Social Sciences
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 426 - Coaching and Directing Speech Activities Credits: 3
Current practices in coaching curricular and extra-curricular speech activities with practical experience in the problems and procedures of directing a forensic program.
Requisites
Prerequisite: Six hours of general communication or theatre courses that are 200 level or above, COMM 325, and THTRE 263.
Typically Offered
Fall
K-State 8
None
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 430 - Freedom of Speech Credits: 3
A study of communication and legal principles pertaining to freedom of expression, and an examination of their implications for competing interests such as public order, national security, morality, civil rights, and fairness.
Requisites
Prerequisite: COMM 105 or 106.
Typically Offered
Spring
K-State 8
Aesthetic Interpretation
Historical Perspectives
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 431 - Criticism of Public Discourse Credits: 3
An examination of public influence based on study of historical and contemporary models of rhetorical criticism. The students’ critical experiences will focus on a broad array of public discourse including political, social, and cultural messages.
Typically Offered
Fall
K-State 8
Aesthetic Interpretation
Ethical Reasoning and Responsibility
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 432 - The Rhetoric of the American Presidency Credits: 3
An examination of the American presidency from a rhetorical perspective, emphasizing the symbolic resources and duties of the office and those who hold it. Special attention paid to the public discourse of recent presidents during moments of national crisis.
Typically Offered
Fall
K-State 8
Aesthetic Interpretation
Historical Perspectives
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 433 - Communication Research Methods Credits: 3
This course provides an overview of the concepts, methods, and tools by which communication research is designed and conducted. Methods covered in this course include: focus groups, surveys, experiments, and content analysis. By the end of this term, students should be able to critically consume communication research, understand the process of using social science to solve communication problems, and have experience in conducting your own research project.
Note
In this course you will work both individually and as part of in-class teams.
Typically Offered
Spring
K-State 8
None
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 434 - Rhetoric of Social Movements Credits: 3
A study of the scope, functions, strategies, and effects of persuasive communication in contemporary social movements.
Typically Offered
Fall
K-State 8
Ethical Reasoning and Responsibility
Social Sciences
KSIS Course Search
-
COMM 435 - Political Communication Credits: 3
A study of political discourse. Attention is directed to theory that encompasses political discourse as it affects political behavior.
Requisites
Prerequisite: None.
Typically Offered
Fall
K-State 8
Historical Perspectives
Social Sciences
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 440 - Collaborative Communication and Event Planning Credits: 3
Study of the role communication plays in collaborative interactions, including program/conference/event planning and civic commemorations. Application of organizational communication theory through planning, analysis, deconstruction, and critique of various collaborative events.
Typically Offered
Spring
K-State 8
Aesthetic Interpretation
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 450 - Special Studies in Human Discourse Credits: 3
A study of selected subjects in the analysis in human communication.
Note
May be repeated.
Typically Offered
Fall, Spring
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 460 - Advanced Trial Advocacy Credits: 3
Advanced study in theory and techniques of courtroom persuasion, emphasizing the complexities of case analysis, courtroom procedures, theme development, and the use of evidence.
Requisites
Prerequisite: COMM 260 and/or instructor permission.
Typically Offered
Fall, even years
K-State 8
Aesthetic Interpretation
KSIS Course Search
-
COMM 465 - Communication and Conflict Credits: 3
Theoretical and applied research in communication and conflictual situations.
Typically Offered
Spring, Winter Intersession
K-State 8
Ethical Reasoning and Responsibility
KSIS Course Search
-
COMM 470 - Rhetoric of Community Building Credits: 3
An examination of the symbolic processes of community building. Specifically, the study of the role language plays in sustaining the viability of rural community.
Typically Offered
Spring
K-State 8
Human Diversity within the U.S.
KSIS Course Search
-
COMM 475 - Legal Communication Credits: 3
An examination of the vital role communication plays in the practice of law, with an emphasis on communication in the courtroom.
Requisites
Prerequisite: COMM 105 or 106, and instructor permission.
Typically Offered
Fall, odd years
K-State 8
Aesthetic Interpretation
Social Sciences
KSIS Course Search
-
COMM 480 - Intercultural Communication Credits: 3
A study of the relationship between language and culture and its impact on human communication. Examines how language and culture differ among people and how differences are handled through the process of communication.
Typically Offered
Fall, Spring
K-State 8
Global Issues and Perspectives
Human Diversity within the U.S.
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 499 - Honors Project Credits: 3
Note
Open only to Arts & Sciences students who are active members of the University Honors Program.
Typically Offered
Fall, Spring, Summer
K-State 8
None
KSIS Course Search
-
COMM 525 - Argumentation Theory Credits: 3
An advanced study of prominent argumentation theorists, with an in-depth examination of special topics concerning the philosophy, theory, and practice of argumentation.
Typically Offered
Fall, Spring
K-State 8
Empirical and Quantitative Reasoning
Ethical Reasoning and Responsibility
KSIS Course Search
-
COMM 526 - Persuasion Credits: 3
The study of communication as persuasion; examination of contemporary approaches to persuasion.
Typically Offered
Spring
K-State 8
Social Sciences
KSIS Course Search
-
COMM 535 - Communication and Leadership Credits: 3
A study of the ways in which leadership in differing contexts is defined and exercised through communication. Constructs examined include: credibility, charisma, vision, power, myth, and public memory.
Typically Offered
Spring
K-State 8
Aesthetic Interpretation
Human Diversity within the U.S.
KSIS Course Search
-
COMM 537 - Negotiation and Communication Credits: 3
Develops conceptual knowledge and skill in negotiation in multiple contexts and examines the constitutive nature of communication in the negotiation process.
Typically Offered
Spring
K-State 8
Ethical Reasoning and Responsibility
Human Diversity within the U.S.
KSIS Course Search
-
COMM 542 - Relational Communication Credits: 3
A survey of theories and research on the role of communication in social and personal relationships. Emphasis is on observing and evaluating communication behaviors using real-life media examples.
Requisites
Prerequisite: COMM 311, 320, 322, 323, 326, 328, or 480.
Typically Offered
Fall
K-State 8
Aesthetic Interpretation
Social Sciences
KSIS Course Search
-
COMM 545 - Communication and Democracy Credits: 3
A study of the ways in which democratic citizenship and participation in the public sphere are defined and enacted through communication.
Typically Offered
Spring
K-State 8
Historical Perspectives
Human Diversity within the U.S.
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 550 - Senior Colloquium Credits: 3
A demonstration of the mastery of vocabulary, theory, and the ability to make practical applications of the study of rhetoric and communication will be required of all senior communication studies majors. Mastery will be demonstrated by completing a senior capstone project and presenting the result of that project to the assembled communication studies faculty and majors in a required colloquium.
Requisites
Prerequisite: Senior standing.
Typically Offered
Spring
K-State 8
None
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 551 - Senior Honors Thesis Credits: 3
Honors Thesis Colloquium.
Note
Open only to seniors in Arts and Sciences Honors program.
Typically Offered
Fall, Spring
K-State 8
None
KSIS Course Search
-
COMM 575 - Internship in Communication Studies Credits: 3
Students will work for/within an organization during the course of a semester. Interns must complete a minimum of 100 work hours to earn course credit. The internship work experience is intended to help apply formal classroom education to “real World” work experience. Ideally internships are pre-professional and project based experiences allowing students the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to the organization. Each intern will complete a series of deliverables to the internship director as well as work under a site supervisor at the host organization. Prior to registration, the internship director must approve all internships.
Typically Offered
Fall, Spring, Summer
K-State 8
None
KSIS Course Search
-
COMM 630 - Special Topics in Rhetoric and Communication Credits: 3
Intensive study of selected topics in communication and rhetoric.
Note
May be repeated.
Requisites
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Typically Offered
Fall, Spring
K-State 8
None
KSIS Course Search
-
COMM 710 - Introduction to Communication Research Methods Credits: 3
Introduction to descriptive and experimental methodologies in communication, including conceptualization and operationalization of communication concepts, strategies of research design, and logic of inquiry.
Typically Offered
Fall
KSIS Course Search
-
COMM 720 - Perspectives on Communication Credits: 3
Analysis of current perspectives on the communication process. Materials cover assumptions, principles, implications and selected research within each perspective.
Requisites
Prerequisite: COMM 320.
Typically Offered
Fall, even years
K-State 8
None
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 726 - Seminar in Persuasion Credits: 3
Survey and analysis of advanced theory and experimental studies in persuasion.
Requisites
Prerequisite: Junior standing.
Typically Offered
Spring, odd years
K-State 8
None
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 730 - Classical Rhetorical Theory Credits: 3
Study of rhetorical theory and criticism from early Greek to Roman times.
Typically Offered
Fall
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 732 - Contemporary Rhetorical Theory Credits: 3
Study of major European and American contributors to rhetorical theory in the twentieth century.
Requisites
Prerequisite: COMM 730.
Typically Offered
Spring
K-State 8
None
KSIS Course Search
-
COMM 733 - Rhetorical Criticism Credits: 3
Study of traditional and contemporary approaches to the analysis of public discourse.
Typically Offered
Spring
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 790 - Deliberation & Dialogue Theory Credits: 3
Explores the conceptual and theoretical underpinnings of the Dialogue, Deliberation, and Public Engagement field, including group theory, civic space, and deliberative democracy.
Typically Offered
Fall
K-State 8
None
KSIS Course Search
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COMM 799 - Problems in Speech Credits: 1-18
Open to students in any communication studies area.
Note
May be repeated.
Requisites
Prerequisite: Junior standing and consent of instructor.
Typically Offered
Fall, Spring
K-State 8
None
KSIS Course Search
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