University of Utah
Communication
COMM Course Descriptions
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University of Utah

 General Catalog 2001-2002
Posted April 9, 2001

Accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication

College of Humanities 

Department Office: 2400 Language and Communication Building, 581-6888 

Department Chair, Connie Bullis, Ph.D. 

Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dennis C. Alexander, Ph.D. 

Director of Graduate Studies, Mary S. Strine, Ph.D. 

Faculty

Professor Emeriti. L.D. Drecksel, M. Hollstein, J.B. Jarvis, J. McIntyre, C. Oravec, M. Sillars, P.D. Sorensen, R. Tiemens. 

Professors. J. Anderson, R. Avery, C. Denton, L. Hawes, R. Rieke, L.E. Rogers, M. Strine. 

Associate Professors. D. Alexander, D. Birkhead, C. Bullis, J. Corbett, K. Dace, A. Darling, L. Degn, D. Evans, N. Fleener, L. Flores, M. Hasian, T. Larson, M. Mathison, D. Vergobbi. 

Assistant Professors. K. Ashcraft, M. Bergstrom, G. Klinger, B. Massey, H. Shugart, C. Van Buren, M. Yang. 

Lecturing Assistant Professor. J. Fisher.

Adjunct Professors. I. Altman, B. Christensen, R. Mayer. 

Adjunct Associate Professors. N. Elliott, F. Esplin, V. Evans, S. Hess. 

Adjunct Assistant Professors. J. Aeschbacher, B. Anderson, S. Asbell, S. Erwin, Jr., K. Foster, B. Hancock, P. Rose, D. Woodward. 

Advisers. Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dennis C. Alexander, 2413 LNCO, (801) 581-6526; Undergraduate Adviser, C. Christensen, 2412 LNCO, (801) 581-6302. 

Undergraduate Program

Degrees. B.A., B.S. 

The undergraduate program includes two correlated areas of study: speech communication and mass communication. 

Speech communication offers undergraduate sequences in communication and public culture, argumentation and decision-making, interpersonal communication, and organizational communication. 

Mass communication provides undergraduate program sequences in electronic journalism, news editorial, public relations, and telecomm and marketing communication. 

Majors may also create a communication studies program in either speech communication or mass communication. The department also offers majors leading toward communication certification in secondary education. 

Laboratories are provided for study of reporting, editing, graphics, photography, cinematography, and radio and television production. The facilities of KUER-FM, K-UTE, KUED-TV, Instructional Media Services, and the Daily Utah Chronicle are used for student professional experience. Off-campus internships also are available. 

Students needing assistance in selecting an area of specialization should contact the department. 

Admission. Students may declare premajor status in one of the departmental majors through the University College, 450 SSB. 

To be admitted to departmental degree programs, students must complete two criteria: (1) Students must attain a minimum 2.75 overall GPA in at least nine credit hours of study at the University. (2) Students must complete one of four designated prerequisite courses (COMM 1050, 1270, 1500, 2110) with a C grade or better. 

Students should consult the department for specific application procedures. 

Transfer Students. Transfer students interested in a communication major should consult the department's academic program specialist. Certain courses may articulate between your previous school and the department. Transfer students must complete 20 credit hours in communication course work at the University of Utah. 

Degree Requirements. Approval by the academic program specialist and consultation on Review Day (announced each semester by the department) are required of majors and minors. A grade of C or better must be earned in any course counted toward filling the major requirement. Students may repeat each of these courses once only. A minimum of 30 but not more than 40 credit hours is required. 

Communication majors, regardless of sequence, must also complete a minimum of 15 allied hours outside the department or a minor in another department. (See the departmental undergraduate handbook for specific details.) Credits earned by examination are not accepted as allied hours. 

For more specific degree requirements, students should consult the department office. 

Mass Communication Major. Majors may select one of the following sequences: 

Electronic Journalism. Students prepare for careers in radio and television news. Emphasis is on reporting and newswriting for radio and television; utilization of audiotape, videotape, film and other audiovisual resources; and on-the-air news presentation. Sequence coordinator: Louise Degn. 

News-Editorial. Students train for news careers in print media. Courses emphasize news gathering and writing, commentary and analysis of public affairs. Production courses are oriented toward print media, especially newspapers and magazines. Sequence coordinator: Douglas Birkhead. 

Public Relations. Students learn general communication theory and ways to approach, examine, and solve communication problems in public relations. Courses cover major topics associated with the construction of a communication campaign, including research, message strategy and execution, media selection, and public-relations program development. Sequence coordinator: Julia Corbett. 

Telecomm and Marketing Communication. Orientation to the electronic media is provided for students planning careers in broadcasting and those interested in radio, television, and film as humanistic studies. Courses introduce students to the complexities of programming, production, regulation, economics, management, and the social and psychological impact of radio, television, and film. Sequence coordinator: Timothy Larson. 

Speech Communication Major. Level-two majors may select one of the following sequences: 

Communication and Public Culture. Both contemporary and historical aspects of culture are rooted in symbolic communicative behavior. This sequence is a unique liberal arts program covering a wide range of significant cultural forms, past and present, and has the development of communication-based critical competency as its unifying objective. Sequence coordinators: Mary Strine and Christine Oravec. 

Argumentation and Decision-making. Students prepare to enter law school or seek leadership positions in business or professional organizations. Sequence coordinator: Richard Rieke. 

Interpersonal Communication. Students gain an understanding and practical view of communication processes. Emphasis is on how people interact in various communicative settings. Communication theory, two-person interaction, and group processes are stressed in humanistic and social-scientific philosophies. Sequence coordinator: Mark Bergstrom. 

Organizational Communication. Students gain an understanding of the wide variety of communicative processes related to how organizations function in society. Students are prepared to assume professional positions or to enter scholarly careers in human communication. Students cross departmental sequences to develop an understanding of the humane and social-scientific concepts of human interaction. Sequence coordinator: Michael Holmes. 

General Major. In cases when an interdivisional program in communication is appropriate, a student may qualify for a departmentwide course of study. Approval of such a program must be obtained in advance from a faculty adviser. (Communication Studies)

Communication Skills Major. This major emphasizes the achievement of specific competencies required for teaching communication. Coordinator: Ann Darling. 

The following are considered essential for a successful communication teacher: 

  1. Understanding of the basic principles of communication theory, rhetorical theory, teaching methodology, oral communication skills, written communication skills, and argumentation and debate, or school publications. 
  2. Personal competence in interpersonal oral communication; speaking and listening in a variety of communication settings; planning, leadership, and participation in group discussion; expository writing; editing; graphics; applying philosophy, objectives, strategies, and evaluation in the communication classroom; radio-television performance or interpreting literature orally; critical or interpretive writing; academic debating or producing school publications. 
Teaching Major, Minor, Certification. Please refer to Education in the Colleges section for information on teaching major and minor course requirements and state secondary teacher certification. 

Requirements for Organizational Communication Sequence (34-35 hours) 

Required Sequence Core (10)
1050 Human Communication: Basic Issues 
4170 Organizational Communication 
5170 Contemporary Issues in Organizational Communication 

Criticism and Theory Electives (9)
1500 Introduction to Mass Communication 
2110 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication 
3020 Media Texts 
3030 Communication and Social Responsibility 
3110 Intermediate Perspectives on Interpersonal Communication 
3180 Communication and Social Behavior 
3190 Intercultural Communication 
3420 Performance and Culture 
3460 Communication Criticism 
3490 Communication and Public Issues 
4180 Seminar: Organizational Communication (recommended) 
5000 Studies in Communication 
5110 Interpersonal Communication Concepts 
5150 Dialogue and Cultural Studies 
5200 Persuasion and Political Communication 
5260 History of Public Communication 
5270 Theories of Argument 
5360 Environmental Communication 
5450 Communication and Culture 
5550 Visual Communication 

Pragmatic Skills Electives (9)
1120 Group Decision Making 
1200 Principles of Public Speaking 
1270 Analysis of Argument 
3200 Persuasion Theory and Practice 
3330 Negotiation and Interviewing 
3410 Literature in Performance 
3510 Introduction to Web Site Design 
3670 Principles of Advertising 
3680 Advertising Media Analysis and Planning 
4580 Public Relations Theory and Practice 
5010 Teaching Speech and Communication 
5590 Integrated Marketing Communication 

Research Skill Elective (3)
3000 (PSYCH) Statistical Methods in Psychology 
5710 Communication Research (recommended) 

Writing Skill Elective (3-4)
1600 Reporting for the Mass Media 
3610 (ENGL) Advanced Expository Writing 
3400 (WRTG) Professional Writing 

Requirements for Argumentation and Decision Making Sequence (33-36 hours) 

Required Sequence Core (9)
1270 Analysis of Argument 
2110 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication 
3330 Negotiation and Interviewing 

Social Interaction Electives (6)
1120 Group Decision Making
3180 Communication and Social Behavior 
3490 Communication and Public Issues 
5260 History of Public Communication 
5270 Theories of Argument 
5360 Environmental Communication 
5450 Communication and Culture 

Conflict Management Electives (6)
3040 Communication and Relationships 
3190 Intercultural Communication 
5120 Group Communication 
5150 Dialogue and Cultural Studies 
5340 Communication and Law 

Persuasion Electives (6)
3200 Persuasion Practices 
3270 Forensics Laboratory 
3460 Communication Criticism 
3670 Principles of Advertising 
4270 Forensics Practicum 
5200 Persuasion and Political Communication 

Media and Society Electives (6)
3020 Media Texts 
3420 Performance and Culture 
5300 Mass Communication Law 
5320 Freedom of Expression 
5540 Media and Diversity 
5630 Mass Communication History 

Requirements for Interpersonal Communication Sequence (31 hours) 

Required Sequence Core (13)
2110 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication 
3110 Intermediate Perspectives on Interpersonal Communication 
5110 Interpersonal Communication Concepts 
5710 Communication Research 

Interpersonal Communication Electives (9)
1120 Group Decision Making 
3120 Family Communication 
3190 Intercultural Communication 
5120 Group Communication 
5140 Communication and Aging 

Speech Communication Electives (9)
1050 Human Communication: Basic Issues 
1270 Analysis of Argument 
2460 Cultural Studies in Communication 
3030 Communication and Social Responsibility 
3180 Communication and Social Behavior 
3330 Negotiation and Interviewing 
3410 Literature in Performance 
3420 Performance and Culture 
3460 Communication Criticism 
3510 Introduction to Web Site Design 
4170 Organizational Communication 
5000 Studies in Communication 
5150 Dialogue and Cultural Studies 
5200 Persuasion and Political Communication 
5360 Environmental Communication 

Mass Communication Elective (3)
1500 Introduction to Mass Communication 
2500 Elements of Telecommunications 
3020 Media Texts 
5540 Media and Diversity 

Requirements for Communication and Public Culture Sequence (30-33 hours) 

Note: Students choose either the Cultural Studies Track or the Public Communication Track 

Required Sequence Core (12)
1050 Human Communication: Basic Issues 
2460 Cultural Studies in Communication 
3460 Communication Criticism 
5260 History of Public Communication 
or 5630 Mass Communication History 

Cultural Studies Track
Required Cultural Studies Core (9)
2210 Introduction to Performance Studies 
3410 Literature in Performance OR 
3420 Performance and Culture 
5450 Communication and Culture 

Cultural Studies Electives (9)
1270 Analysis of Argument 
1500 Introduction to Mass Communication 
3020 Media Texts 
3190 Intercultural Communication 
3200 Persuasion Theory and Practices 
3490 Communication and Public Issues 
5150 Dialogue and Cultural Studies 
5540 Media and Diversity 

Public Communication Track
Required Public Communication Core (9)
1270 Analysis of Argument 
3200 Persuasion Theory and Practices 
3490 Communication and Public Issues 

Public Communication Electives (9)
1500 Introduction to Mass Communication 
2210 Introduction to Performance Studies 
3410 Literature in Performance 
3420 Performance and Culture 
5150 Dialogue and Cultural Studies 
5450 Communication and Culture 

Requirements for Public Relations Sequence (35-40 hours) 

Major Requirement (3)
1500 Introduction to Mass Communication 

Required Sequence Core (17)
1600 Reporting for the Mass Media 
4580 Public Relations Theory and Practice 
5300 Mass Communication Law 
5580 Public Relations Cases and Campaigns 
5710 Communication Research 

Writing Skills Electives (6-8)
3600 The Editing Process 
4610 Magazine Writing 
4670 Specialty Reporting 
4680 Advanced Reporting 
4690 Interpretive Writing 
3400 (WRTG) Professional Writing 

Visual Skills Elective (3-4)
2530 Photojournalism 
2560 Introduction to Visual Media 
4570 Visual Editing 
5550 Digital Imaging 

General Electives' (3-4)
3030 Communication and Social Responsibility
3180 Communication and Social Behavior 
3190 Intercultural Communication 
3200 Persuasion Theory and Practices 
3330 Negotiation and Interviewing 
3490 Communication and Public Issues 
3510 Introduction to Web Site Design 
3530 Advanced Photography
3560 Visual Media Production I 
3610 Internship (1-3) 
3670 Principles of Advertising 
4170 Organizational Communication 
5360 Environmental Communication 
5060 Media Ethics 
5110 Interpersonal Communication Concepts 
5200 Persuasion and Political Communication 
5120 Group Communication 
5270 Theories of Argument 
5560 Visual Communication
5590 Integrated Marketing Communication 
5630 Mass Communication History 
5660 Media Ethics

Telecomm and Marketing Communication Sequence (34-35 hours) 

Major Requirement (3)
1500 Introduction to Mass Communication 

Required Sequence Core (21)
1600 Reporting for the Mass Media 
2500 Elements of Telecommunication 
2560 Introduction to Visual Media 
4550 Current Developments in Telecommunication 
5300 Mass Communication Law 
5710 Communication Research 

Electives (3 courses)
3330 Negotiation and Interviewing
3510 Introduction to Web Site Design 
3670 Principles of Advertising 
3680 Advertising Media Analysis and Planning 
5590 Integrated Marketing Communication 
5310 Telecommunication Policy and Management 
3500 Script and Continuity Writing 
3560 Visual Media Production I 
4560 Visual Media Production II 
5560 Visual Communication 

Internship (2)
3570 Newsbreak 
3610 Internship 

Speech Comm Requirement - I Course
1050 Human Communication: Basic Issues
1270 Analysis of Argument
2110 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
3180 Communication and Social Behavior
4170 Organizational Communication
5200 Persuasion and Political Communication

Requirements for News/Editorial Sequence (34- 36 hours) 

Major Requirement
1500 Introduction to Mass Communication (3) 

General Communication Requirement (3)
1050 Human Communication: Basic Issues 
1270 Analysis of Argument 
2110 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication 

Required Sequence Core (12)
1600 Reporting for the Mass Media 
3600 The Editing Process 
5300 Mass Communication Law 

Writing Skills Electives (6-8)
4610 Magazine Writing 
4670 Specialty Reporting 
4680 Advanced Reporting 
4690 Interpretive Writing 

Practicum Elective (3)
3610 Internship 
3620 Editorial Conference 

Visual Skills Elective (4)
2530 Photojournalism 
3530 Advanced Photography 
4570 Visual Editing 
5550 Digital Imaging 

Media Studies Elective (3)
2460 Cultural Studies in Communication 
3460 Communication Criticism 
5660 Media Ethics 
5620 International Communication 
5630 Mass Communication History 
5450 Communication and Culture 
5540 Media and Ethnicity 

Requirements for Electronic Journalism Sequence (33-35) hours 

Major Requirement (3)
1500 Introduction to Mass Communication 

Required Sequence Core (16)
1600 Reporting for the Mass Media 
2560 Introduction to Visual Media 
3520 Radio Reporting 
4520 TV Reporting
5300 Mass Communication Law 

Practical Experience Electives (2)
3570 Newsbreak 
3610 Internship 

Media Studies Electives (2 courses)
2500 Elements of Telecommunications 
3000 Communication Studies
3510 Introduction to Web Site Design
3560 Visual Media Production
4550 Current Developments in Telecommunication 
4560 Visual Media Production II 
4610 Magazine Writing 
4670 Specialty Reporting 
4680 Advanced Reporting 
4690 Interpretive Writing 
5000 Studies in Communication 
5200 Persuasion and Political Communication 
5310 Telecommunication Policy and Management 
5320 Freedom of Expression 
5340 Communication and Law 
5540 Media and Diversity 
5560 Visual Communication
5620 International Communication 
5630 Mass Communication History 
5660 Media Ethics 

Graduate Program

Degrees. M.A., M.S., Ph.D. For additional information, see the Graduate Information section of this catalog. 

Areas of Specialization. Interpersonal and group communication, interpretation, journalism, mass communication, organizational communication, public discourse and rhetorical criticism, cultural studies, rhetorical analysis, public address and forensics, telecommunication, communication theory, communication history, legal communication, mass-communication law. 

Master's Degrees. See the Graduate Information section of this catalog for M.A./M.S. degree requirements. Additional documentation required by the department includes GRE, three letters of recommendation, sample of creative or scholarly writing, and a 1,000-word statement of personal and professional goals. 

Ph.D. Degree. See the Graduate Information section of this catalog for general Ph.D. requirements. See Master's Degrees, above, for additional documentation required for admission. 

Candidates for the Ph.D. in communication must achieve competency in a minimum of four areas of specialization. Typically, studies outside the department are expected. Standard proficiency in a critical-historical or a statistics research-tool proficiency is required. All courses taken as alternatives to the tool requirements must be approved in advance by the department. 

Certificate Programs. The Certificate in Conflict Resolution is designed for the person with a bachelor's degree who wants specific career preparation in the area of dispute resolution. The program involves nine months of courses and 24 hours of clinical work. 

The Certificate in Integrated Marketing Communication provides post-baccalaureate professional training in marketing communication. The two-semester program contains more than 30 modules dealing with all phases of the integrated marketing communication concept and practice. Marketing professionals participate in the instructional process. 

Fellowships and Assistantships. Contact the department office for information. 

COMM Course Descriptions

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