Department of Communication Courses

ART 100 - Visual Communication (3)

COMM 101 - Speech Fundamentals (3)
Offered fall, spring and summer semesters
Introduction to the theory and practice of public speaking. Students will develop skills that enable them to present themselves and their ideas in an effective manner. Extensive practice in speech organization and delivery. Designed for the beginning speaker; should be taken during the first year. Credit for this course cannot be used in the communication major or minor.

COMM 103 - Writing for the Mass Media (3)
Offered annually
Students will develop and practice writing skills for such applications as newspapers, broadcast news writing, public service announcements, advertising copy, broadcast station break and promotional announcements, talk and interview programs.

COMM 110 - Newswriting and Reporting (3)
Offered annually
A survey of the profession intended to acquaint the student with media and the various opportunities in journalism. Content includes history and structure of media, current events, and a few of the basic techniques of newspaper writing style.

ART 112 - Photography I - Film (3)

COMM 200 - Perspectives on Human Communication (3)
Offered annually
Introduction to the theory, research and practice of human communication within a variety of contexts. The course is designed to provide the background necessary to understand the role of communication in one's life.

COMM 201 - Copy Editing and Publication Design (3)
Prerequisite: Communication 110
To prepare students to edit and rewrite copy, and to design print publications.

COMM 203 - Intercultural Communication (3)
An analysis of the impact of culture on various communication behaviors. Special attention is given to the study of cross-cultural interactions in interpersonal and organizational contexts. Issues such as globalization and diversity sensitivity will be examined.

COMM 202 - Introduction to Advertising (3)
Offered annually
An introduction to the field of advertising with specific focus on the role of advertising as a socioeconomic force. The techniques/strategies of advertising and their impact on society and individuals within society will be examined. Emphasis is placed on scientific analysis of advertising effectiveness.

COMM 209 - Small Group Communication (3)
Offered alternate years
Laboratory course aimed at providing the student with theory and practice in group communication methods, including reflective thinking, problem solving and decision making.

COMM 210 - Interpersonal Communication (3)
Offered alternate years
Emphasis on the achievement of success in organizations and in private life through the use of effective interpersonal communication.

COMM 211 - Introduction to Mass Communication (3)
Offered annually
An introduction to the field of communication with specific focus on the elements of mass communication: the information delivery systems, their functions and the uses to which they are put by society. The emphasis is on a theoretical and conceptual basis for the functioning of mass communication in society: technology and change, diffusion of information, freedom and responsibility, mass culture.

COMM 212 - Impact of Mass Communication (3)
Offered alternate years
An examination of the impact of mass communication on institutions, communities, families and individuals.

ART 212 - Photography II - Digital/Darkroom (3)

COMM 213 - Business and Professional Speaking (3)
Study, preparation, and presentation of the chief types of business speeches, with special attention to conferences, sales presentations, mediation & negotiation, and interviews. Serves to improve personal platform speaking styles.

ART 213 - Selected Topics in Film (3)

COMM 215 - Survey of Electronic Media (3)
Offered annually
Introduction to the history, structure, operation and impact of American radio and television and their relation to other media and institutions in our society.

ART 216 - Computer Graphics (3)

ART 217 - History of Film (3)

ART 219 - Digital Imagery (3)

COMM 220 - Introduction to Radio Production (3)
Offered annually
A lecture/lab experience in radio production, announcing, and the analysis of radio forms including interviews, recorded music programs, commercials/public service announcements, and news/documentaries.

COMM 221 - Introduction to Television Production (3)
Offered annually
Basic production techniques for video projects utilizing multiple- and/or single-camera on-location shooting, as well as videotape and digital nonlinear editing.

ART 224 - Contemporary Cinema (3)

COMM 230 - Introduction to Acting (3)
Cross Ref: HUM 230
Offered fall and spring semesters
Work on fundamental acting skills. Private and group exercises coupled with performance of contemporary American scenes utilizing specific skills.

COMM 235 - Organizational Communication I (3)
Examination of the relationship between organizational behavior and human communication in the workplace. Special attention is given to interpersonal/dyadic and small group contexts operating in organizational environments that practice classical and humanistic management theories. Advanced presentation skills are woven throughout the course.

COMM 244 - Introduction to Public Relations (3)
Offered annually
Principles and practices of public relations of profit and non-profit institutions. The tools of communication and the numerous publics involved will be covered.

COMM 255 - Special Topics in Communication (3)
Courses devoted to issues of current interest to communication professionals, educators and students.

COMM 260 - Applied Journalism Activities (1-2)
Prerequisite: Director of Student Media's consent
Offered fall, spring and summer semesters
The student applies skills developed in print journalism and other media courses by helping produce the student newspaper, The Xavierite. Students work as editors, reporters, photographers, business manager, advertising sales/copywriters, etc. A student must meet with the director of Student Media before enrolling in this course.

COMM 262 - Applied Broadcasting Activities (1-2)
Prerequisite: Director of Student Media's consent.
Offered fall, spring and summer semesters
The student applies skills developed in broadcasting and other media courses by performing various duties associated with operating radio station WXAV. A student must meet with the Director of Student Media before enrolling in this course.

COMM 281 - Oral Interpretation of Literature (3)
Offered every third year
Exploration of concepts and techniques used in adapting and performing non-dramatic literature (prose, poetry, novels, etc.). Emphasis on development of characterization, narrative voice, stylized movement, and voice control.

COMM 298 - Independent Study (1-4)
Offered fall and spring semesters
Prerequisite: 25 hours of communication, 3.25 grade-point average, and consent of instructor
Maximum 4 credit hours
Individual investigation of special problems and topics in communication.

COMM 301 - Law of Mass Communication (3)
Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing
Offered annually
Examines the relationship of the First Amendment to the Constitution, as interpreted in the U.S. judicial system, to the media of mass communications. Requirements and responsibilities of the professional communicator are reviewed. Media issues of public trust, social responsibility, and governmental control are stressed.

COMM 304 - Media Programming (3)
Offered every third year
Examination of program selection and scheduling in broadcast and cable media, including television networks/stations, cable networks/systems, radio networks/stations, and public broadcasting. Special attention is given to the role of audience ratings and federal regulation in the control of programming.

COMM 305 - Television and Film Scriptwriting (3)
Offered alternate years
A study of the forms, techniques and types of writing as they apply to television and film.

COMM 306 - Organizational Assessment (3)
Examination of supervisor-subordinate communication, organizational culture and the flow of workplace communication in various organizational settings. The course combines theoretical and practical knowledge for assessing organizational communication. Students will become acquainted with instruments used to assess organizational communication and will be required to conduct an organizational assessment.

COMM 307 - Advertising Copywriting (3)
Offered annually
Advertising message preparation with emphasis on developing creative strategies, effective visualization techniques, basic copy structures, formats and special needs of the media. Course focuses on preparing creative advertising for newspapers, magazines, television and radio.

COMM 313 - Persuasion (3)
Offered annually
Study of the means of influencing others. Emphasis on the logical, psychological, emotional and ethical dimensions of persuasive communication. Practice in creating and delivering persuasive messages.

ART 315 - Web Site Art and Design (3)

COMM 321 - Broadcast Journalism (3)
Offered every third year
Course will analyze broadcast journalism functions in relation to program design. Programming responsibilities and ethical restraints are considered. Emphasis is on researching, writing and producing extended news and public affairs reports.

ART 322 - Advertising in Marketing (3)

COMM 324 - Communication Research (3)
Emphasis on providing students with a research vocabulary, advanced writing skills and research tools for analyzing and evaluating information. The course introduces students to qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and the paradigms associated with each. Students will conduct literature reviews and original research projects.

COMM 325 - Internet as Communication (3)
Offered alternate years
Examines the Internet as a tool for promoting effective human communication for both media and non-media organizations. Students will apply communication theory to understanding the role of the Internet as source of information and persuasion.

COMM 333 - Communication Problems and Topics (3)
Examination of emerging and recurring issues affecting audiences, industries and institutions in mediated and/or non-mediated contexts.

COMM 335 - Organizational Communication II (3)
Prerequisite: COMM 235
Offered annually
Examination of communication systems within and among organizations. Course will focus on process of communication, types and components of communications systems and the effects of communication systems as they impact on productivity, growth and values.

COMM 336 - Training and Development in Organizational Settings (3)
A comprehensive needs-centered approach to the theory and practice of communication training and development. Student will develop practical skills and methods of designing and presenting training programs.

COMM 337 - Leadership Communication (3)
An introduction to the theory and practice of communication as it applies to organizational leadership. Students will develop skills that enable them to present themselves and their ideas in an effective manner. Extensive practice in delivering, speaking and writing are required with emphasis on audience analysis, research, leadership challenges and theoretical strategies for addressing diverse groups.

COMM 365 - Internship/Practicum (1-3)
Prerequisites: Junior standing, Communication major or minor
Offered fall, spring and summer semesters
The student must be a communication major or minor. Placement is approved by the department's internship supervisor. The student will work in a professional communication facility or in a faculty-supervised project of sufficient depth and responsibility.

COMM 368 - Communication Responsibilities (3)
Prerequisite: Communication 211
Offered annually
Surveys major ethical problems in communication. Includes case studies and examinations of issues pertaining to gatekeeping, deceptive advertising, rights of privacy, the presentation of violent and sexual content, and concerns raise in a variety of mediated and non-mediated contexts.

COMM 369 - Senior Project (3)
Prerequisites: Senior standing, Communication major or minor
Offered fall and spring semesters
The student must be a communication major or minor.  Provides the student an opportunity to synthesize coursework in communication by developing and implementing a project specific to the student's career and study interests. Student will be supervised by a faculty member prior to graduation. Upon completion, project will be presented to the Department of Communication's faculty for acceptance.

COMM 373 - History of the Electronic Media (3)
Offered alternate years
Detailed examination of the development of broadcasting and cable in the United States, focusing on the technological, programming and regulatory changes that have transformed these media.

COMM 375 - Emerging Technologies (3)
Offered alternate years
Examination of emerging communications technologies. Emphasis is placed on video distribution systems (i.e., cable, digital satellite systems, low-power television, wireless cable). Other topics include interactive video, trends in audio/video production technology, and social concerns that arise from the development of newer communication technologies.

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Saint Xavier University 2009-2010 Catalog
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