Courses

For a list of class schedules, please go to: http://www.sandiego.edu/search/classes/

101 Introduction to Human Communication (3)
An examination of the principles and contexts of human communication. Some of the principles surveyed are perception, listening, nonverbal communication, and persuasion. The primary contexts examined include interpersonal, group, organizational, and public communication. This course is a prerequisite for all upper-division Communication Studies courses, and fulfills a General Education requirement in the social sciences.

103 Public Speaking (3)
An introduction to several forms of public communication. Emphasis is placed on the development and practice of public speaking about salient political, cultural, and social issues. Students are taught an audience-sensitive approach to the invention, arrangement, and delivery of public messages. Fulfills a General Education requirement in the social sciences.

130 Introduction to Media Studies (3)
An introduction to media and media theory, this course covers the origins, history, and development of mass media. Additionally, the present structure, characteristics, and challenges in the areas of radio, television, and cable are addressed. Fulfills a General Education requirement in the social sciences.

220 Introduction to Media Writing (3)
A general introduction to the skills and strategies associated with print and electronic journalism. Students are exposed to methods of news gathering, reporting, writing, and editing. The elements of the news story, interviewing, and the news conference are among the topics covered.

300 Human Communication Theory (3)
This course provides a comprehensive survey of the various theories that comprise the Communication Studies discipline. Students are exposed to the dominant philosophical, conceptual, and critical perspectives germane to communication as a distinct academic pursuit. This class is intended as an overview of both speech communication and media studies traditions and is a recommended prerequisite to all upper-division courses in Communication Studies. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 101.

325 Interpersonal Communication (3)
An examination of the dynamics of one-to-one communication. Various humanistic and social scientific perspectives are explored. Emphasis is placed on the individual as an active participant/consumer in interpersonal communication settings. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 101.

330 Media Processes and Effects (3)
This course examines the various functions or roles that media perform for individuals and society. Specific topics include: the influence that economic, political, and aesthetic forces have on media programming; the structure and functions of media organizations; and theories and studies of media effects. The development of informed, critical consumption of mass media messages is emphasized. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 130.

336 or 336W Communication Criticism (3)
This course explores scholarly methods of media analysis, including structuralism, narrative media analysis, genre criticism, ideological criticism, and semiotics. This course emphasizes the importance of symbolic qualities of mediated messages. Prerequisites: Communication Studies 130 and 330 are recommended.

338 Media and Conflict (3)
This course examines the role media play in the progression and public perceptions of conflict. Relevant topics will include media and military intervention, portrayals of protest movements, and news and entertainment coverage of crime, rumors, domestic politics, violence, and ethnicity. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 130 and 330 are recommended.

350 Theories of Small Group Communication (3)
An examination of theories and principles of group communication. Students study interactional and attitudinal variables which influence the nature of group communication. Topics include group norms and roles, leadership, motivation, coalition formation, communication networks, and persuasion. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 10l.

353 Organizational Communication (3)
This course examines the form and function of messages within organizations with special emphasis on business communication. The course will focus on the role of communication in developing productive work relationships, human-resource practices, and organizational cultures. Topics include past and current management practices, communication networks and technologies, interpersonal relationships in organizations, public communication, and organizational communication assessment.

365 Communication Investigations (3)
An overview of communication research methodologies. Students are exposed to the prevailing paradigms of qualitative and quantitative research. The descriptive and explanatory values of historical, statistical, and survey methodologies will be examined. Ethical principles governing the process of research will also be explored. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 101.

366 Interpretative Research Methods (3)
A survey of contemporary interpretive methods in communication research. This course will help students understand bases of knowledge and value of communication not covered in Communication Studies 365. Students will be exposed to methods such as field observation, ethnography and content analysis. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 101.

370 or 370W Rhetorical Theory (3)
An examination of rhetorical thinking from its birth in Athens to the present time covering basic rhetorical principals and tenets. Students explore issues such as rhetoric as a humane discipline; the place of rhetoric in democracies; and the worth of rhetoric as a means of inducing change. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 101.

376 Rhetorical Criticism (3)
This course offers an overview of the dominant methods of rhetorical criticism. Students will analyze the rhetorical qualities of various cultural texts using pre-eminent critical approaches in the field of rhetoric, such as neo-Aristotleian, Marxist, feminist, narrative, and dramatistic perspectives. Students will also assess the pragmatic and ethical dimensions of popular messages. Prerequisites: Communication Studies 101 and 300; Communication Studies 370 is recommended.

380 International Media (3)
This course examines media systems, uses, and social impact around the world, with an emphasis on transnational comparisons of media development. Topics to be addressed include globalization of the media environment, media and national identity, communication for social change, and the influence of U.S. media on cultures around the world. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 130 is recommended.

403 Advanced Public Speaking (3)
This course includes training in the types of professional presentations that occur in business, politics, education, and other forms of public communication. Through instructor and peer evaluation, students will gain proficiency in such skills as manuscript, extemporaneous, and impromptu speaking and the use of conventional and electronic visual aids. Recommended as preparation for management, graduate work, and all levels of teaching. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 103.

421W Advanced Journalism (3)
This course combines instruction in contemporary theories about press performance with advanced newsroom skills. The course introduces students to newsroom management, advanced news gathering, press ethics, and the organizational norms that drive journalistic styles. Students develop advanced reporting and editing skills in completing print and electronic news assignments. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 220.

422W Family Business Communication (3)
This course examines organizational communication theory as it applies to management, conflict resolution, and effective communication in family business contexts. Unique to family businesses is the way communication functions in the processes of management succession, compensation, ownership succession, and employee motivation. Students will also examine how cultural issues affect family-owned businesses both within and outside the United States. Students will develop and practice their written and oral skills by editing and rewriting various projects that are presented as a final portfolio of their work.

432 or 432W Film and Cultural Politics (3)
This course looks at the role of film in responding to and defining culture and politics. It focuses on mainstream, commercial, narrative film and includes an introduction to historical and ideological approaches to film criticism. Students will be encouraged to appreciate historically sign i ficant movies, learn sophisticated methods of film criticism, and assess the contributions contemporary films make to students' understanding of themselves and others. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 336 is recommended.

435 Principles of Video Production (3)
This course introduces students to basic production skills while incorporating discussions of aesthetics, film theory, and ethics. Students are introduced to three phases of broadcast production: writing and planning (storyboarding, scripting), audio (actualities, sound effects, music), and visual production (composition, lighting, editing). By the end of the course students will produce a short video and/or audio presentation. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 130.

439 New Media and Technology (3)
This course surveys the development of new media forms, including the Internet, digital video, and interactive multimedia programs, and explores the future of media convergence. The course introduces students to theories and concepts with which they may assess the influence of information delivery systems on traditional media forms. Students learn the basics of interface design, Web site development, and database structure with a focus on improving the communication potential of new media technology.

440 Symbolic Processes (3)
A comparison and contrast of various theories and philosophies of human symbol use. Several perspectives will be examined: general semantics, linguistics, semiotics, and dramatism. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 101 is recommended.

445 or 445W Gender Communication (3)
An overview of the relevant research on gender issues. Communicator styles of women and men are discussed. Attitudes and beliefs concerning female and male cultural stereotypes as they are manifested through communication are investigated. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 101 is recommended.

455 Interviewing and Negotiating: Principles and Practices (3)
An examination of methods and techniques applicable to a variety of interviews and negotiations. Students prepare, participate in, and critique employment, journalistic, and appraisal interviews. Students also learn techniques and principles of negotiating, including alternative dispute resolution, distributive bargaining, and principled negotiations. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 101.

460 Persuasion and Propaganda (3)
In this course, students will examine the various forms of interpersonal, public, and mass persuasion messages that they encounter daily. Students will understand rhetorical, cognitive, and behavioral theories of persuasion, with emphasis placed on propaganda and the ethical critique of human persuasion. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 101.

462 Political Communication (3)
A survey of the centrality of communication processes in substantive areas of political activity. Areas of study include political speeches, election campaigns, debates, government and media relations, advertising and propaganda, and political movements. Special emphasis is placed on the relationship between public opinion and the use of rhetorical strategies, imagery, and symbolism.

475 Intercultural Communication (3)
This course allows students to explore intercultural communication theory and research within both broad and interpersonal contexts. Topics include similarities and differences in values, norms, interethnic/intergroup communication, and adaptation, and the course explores mindful ways of enhancing such encounters. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 300 is recommended.

482 or 482W Children and Media (3)
This course is an overview of the relevant research on the role of electronic media in the lives of children. Some topics include: sex role stereotypes, violence, advertising, relationships, body image, and materialism. Students will also explore the positive influence of electronic media including its use for pro-social and educational purposes. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 130 and 330 are recommended.

485W Writing for Electronic Media (3)
This course introduces students to the skills and strategies associated with writing and production in various electronic media industries. Course material surveys the industry standards media professionals bring to their work as well as academic criticism of these practices. Students will learn how to create and criticize a variety of electronic media texts, including news packages, television narratives, and advertisements. Prerequisite: Communication Studies 220 is recommended.

491 Vista Staff (1-3)
By consent of instructor.

492 USDtv Staff (1-3)
By consent of instructor.

494 Special Topics in Communication Studies (3)
Selected topics in either Speech Communication or Media Studies will be examined.

495 Senior Project (2-3)
A capstone course in which seniors will produce an original research or creative project. Addresses research methods, critical thinking, and the writing process. Students will present the results of their work. Recommended for students planning on graduate studies.

498 Communication Studies Internship (2-3)
An experiential education course in which students participate as interns in either radio or television, public relations, advertising, or some facet of organizational communication. Open only to Communication Studies majors or minors of second semester junior status or higher. No more than three internship units may be applied toward the major or minor. Students should consult the Communication Studies intern coordinator or the internship Web page at http://www.sandiego.edu/commstudies/internships for details about enrollment and qualification. Prerequisite: Students must either have completed or be concurrently enrolled in Communication Studies 300; second-semester junior status or higher.

499 Independent Study (1-3)
By consent of instructor.