Online M.A. in Corporate Communication - Course Descriptions
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Course Descriptions

COMM 509B International Communication: Corporate Communication

This course offers international perspectives to graduate students in corporate communication. This study-abroad experience is linked to selected graduate communication courses.

COMM 599A, B Thesis Writing 

Optional, more advanced and comprehensive, original research study approved by the student's three-person graduate faculty committee.

COMM 5000 Methods of Research 

A study of research methodology, including library scholarship, quantitative methods and historical and legal research.

COMM 5001 Proseminar in Communication 

Overview of functions, processes, strategies, tools and effects of communication. Introduces students to fields of marketing communication, advertising, public relations, sales, print-broadcast electronic media and the theories governing the study of these fields.

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COMM 5010 Advanced Communication Research

This course allows students to apply data analysis techniques in the field of communication, develop a deeper appreciation of research strategies and analysis decisions and analyze quantitative data with SPSS. Topics include measurement decisions, research designs and more advanced statistical techniques.

COMM 5020 Organizational Communication

Emphasis is placed on the philosophical and practical aspects of organizational communication theories. Topic areas include organizational communication theories, the identification of communication problems, the application of research methods, ethical and cultural issues in a changing organizational environment, internal communities and public communication practices and conflict resolution.

COMM 5030 Applied Communication Theory

The communication process is approached from a behavioral point of view. This class combines modern communication theories and their application in small-group interaction.

COMM 5050 Public Relations

A counseling, advising and management perspective serves as the basis for exploring the profession of public relations. Students review case studies, develop strategies, prepare tactics and evaluate internal and external communication for a variety of publics and organizations.

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COMM 5060 Communication and Public Opinion

The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the concept of "public opinion" and to explore the relationships between communication and public opinion. An important normative goal is to explore ways to allow media messages to contribute to a healthy civic life rather than detract from it.

COMM 5100 Marketing Communication Strategies

An exploration of direct marketing, sales promotion and branding through the application of advertising, persuasion and mass media concepts and principles to the preparation and analysis of communication campaigns, case studies, programs, projects and special events.

COMM 5110 Leadership and Communication

This course focuses on leadership as a function of communication and behavior. Through discussion, cases and exercises, participants explore effective communication strategies within an organizational setting. The course covers team leadership skills, rhetorical sensitivity, charisma and practical suggestions for improving leadership effectiveness.

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COMM 5115 Sports Broadcasting Direction

The course provides experience in the production, direction and editing of live sports events. Students learn theoretical and practical skills associated with camera operation, digital switching, instant video replay, floor direction and digital editing. This course is offered only on campus.

COMM 5150 Advertising Strategies

This course considers advertising theory and practice, and reviews application of theory to advertising, promotion and media selection strategies. This course requires development of an advertising plan, media selection rationales, evaluation of selected campaigns and use of advertising media research techniques.

COMM 5210 E-Communication Strategies

This course surveys critical issues in management communication, promotional strategies, public relations and marketing communication in the context of electronic marketplaces and virtual communities. Course activities include online assignments, traditional and online readings, projects and guided evaluations of a variety of e-strategies.

COMM 5300 Consumer and Audience Behavior

Understanding the behaviors of consumers and audiences in response to persuasive messages. Includes decisions of persuasive and psychological theories and their application to marketing problems of issues management.

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COMM 5350 Media Management

The legal, social, programming and sales aspects of electronic media are studies from a management perspective.

COMM 5400 Politics and Mass Media

Media's role in U.S. politics: influence of mass media on political opinions, elections, political participants and public policy; and how political participants help shape the messages sent out by mass media.

COMM 5410 Web Design and Criticism

In the changing electronic environment, communication professionals need to have the necessary skills for Web page construction and evaluation. HTML, Photo Shop and popular Web page design programs are used to develop functional pages. On the theoretical level, the course explores censorship, ethics, advertising promotion, privacy and other relevant issues. This course is offered only on campus.

COMM 5444 Communication Internship

Practical experience in professional communication to augment theoretical coursework. Students are required to work 150 hours, keep an evaluative journal and produce an analytical paper related to the experience. Departmental policy governs accepted type of communication positions. Students may not apply both COMM 5555 and 5444 toward degree completion.

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COMM 5500 Electronic News Gathering

An advanced production course in which students create, design and complete a variety of video projects that involve field production, electronic news gathering, studio production, scheduling, shooting, editing and evaluation of projects.   This course is offered only on campus.

COMM 5555 Independent Research

Directed research in an area of special interest to the student. Students enrolling in this course must submit a written project proposal to the instructor before enrolling. Enrollment in the course is accepted only after the instructor approves the proposal. Students may not apply both COMM 5555 and 5444 toward degree completion.

COMM 5600 Integrated Corporate Communication

Examines corporate communication areas such as internal communication, advertising, public relations, sales promotion, direct marketing and new communication technologies and how these approaches work together to achieve organized objectives.

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COMM 5650 Communication Law

An in-depth examination of the legal and ethical impact of new technologies on mass media involving lecture, discussion, extensive reading and writing assignments.

COMM 5700 Interpersonal Communication Theory

A study of interpersonal communication models and theories and their psychological, philosophical and sociological influence on dyadic communication in society.

COMM 5710 Ethics in a Changing Environment

This course explores ethical challenges within the context of new technologies and media. Topics covered include codes of ethics, forces that affect ethical decision-making and media responsibility.

COMM 5730 Web Content Maintenance and Management

Students develop a team approach to the techniques of creating and publishing Web sites and then manage and maintain the Web and electronic content for an organization's site. Course includes Internet research projects, Web site strategic management plans, Internet management and content development, and procedures and policies for site maintenance. This course is offered only on campus.

COMM 5750 Feature Writing

Workshop designed to offer instruction and practice in writing feature articles for newspapers, trade journals and magazines.

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COMM 5800 Persuasion and Social Change

A study of persuasive theories and their application to the development of social and cultural issues.

COMM 5810 Race, Gender and Mass Media

Examination of current and historical portrayals of ethnic minorities, men and women in media news, entertainment and advertising; discussion of research on the influence of these portrayals on audience attitudes.

COMM 5900 Issues in Global Communication

Each semester, this course focuses on one topic related to broadcasting and/or print media.  Research, discussion and papers center on the topic.  Possible topics include mass media and politics, mass media and children, mass media and women, media economics and international communication.

COMM 5920 Economics of the Mass Media

A study of mass media economics, including the overall financial impact of the media on the economy, society and technology.

COMM 5950 Research Project

Required research project approved by student's graduate committee chair prior to submission to College of Graduate Studies.

COMM 5991 Research Requirement Completion

For students not fulfilling graduate school literacy requirement within one year after scheduled completion of thesis or research project. Enrollment required in each subsequent semester, including summer terms. Tuition and fees for one credit hour must be paid every semester until research component requirements are met.

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