Courses: Communication (COMM)College: Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Any TCCN equivalents are indicated in square brackets [ ].

COMM 1301: Media and Society
[TCCN—COMM 1307]
Cr. 3. (3-0). Consumer oriented study of mass communications. Provides overview of media structures, media messages, mass audiences, and impact of media on society.

COMM 1302: Introduction to Communication Theory
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: credit for or concurrent enrollment in ENGL 1303. Perspectives in communication theory and process.

COMM 1331: Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Cr. 3. (3-0). Beginning theory and practice of informative and persuasive communication.

COMM 1332: Fundamentals of Public Speaking
[TCCN—SPCH 1315]
Cr. 3. (1-2). Taught in large lecture and small group format. Beginning theory and practice of informative and persuasive communication.

COMM 1333: Interpersonal Communication
[TCCN—SPCH 1318]
Cr. 3. (3-0). Theories and research relating to the initiation, growth, and deterioration of interpersonal relationships in contemporary society.

COMM 2300: Communication Research Methods
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: MATH 1310. Social science and qualitative research methods in communication: problem formation, hypothesis testing and theory building; fundamentals of measurement; research designs and approaches; data collection and analysis; and ethics in academic and professional applications.

COMM 2310: Writing for Print and Digital Media
[TCCN—COMM 2311]
Cr. 3. (2-3). Prerequisites: cumulative GPA of 2.33 or better average in: ENGL 1304, HIST 1377, 1378, POLS 1336 and 1337. Ability to type 30 words per minute. Cognitive and mechanical skills required to produce news, public relations, and advertising messages that are ethical, clear, concise, complete, compelling, and accurate. Gathering information from online and traditional sources. Laboratory required.

COMM 2320: Fundamentals of Media Production
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: COMM 1301, at least a C in each of the following: ENGL 1304, HIST 1377, 1378, POLS 1336, and 1337. Fundamentals of current and emerging production techniques in media industries.

COMM 2322: Television Production I
Cr. 3. (2-3). Prerequisites: COMM 2320 and at least a C in each of the following: ENGL 1304, HIST 1377, 1378, POLS 1336, and 1337. Television as a medium of influence and expression. Application of professional video techniques in programming. Emphasis on studio operation.

COMM 2328: Broadcast and Film Writing
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: COMM 1301 and at least a C in each of the following: ENGL 1304, HIST 1377, 1378, POLS 1336, and 1337. Script writing for the broadcast and film media.

COMM 2370: Introduction to Motion Pictures
Cr. 3. (3-0). Introduction to the art, technology, economics, and social aspects of film.

COMM 3300: Health Communication (formerly COMM 4333)
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor. Examination of the nature, contexts, theories, and selected research shaping health care consumers understanding of health communication issues.

COMM 3301: Doctor-Patient Interaction
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor. Explores the nature of physician-patient interaction focusing on communication skills and advocacy development for both groups across the spectrum of healthcare delivery and examining selected theories.

COMM 3302: E-Health and Telemedicine
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 3353 or consent of instructor. Examination of how health information is communicated and disseminated through various technologies and delivery channels such as health internet sites, television programming, kiosks, and other elated technology-based materials.

COMM 3303: Health Literacy
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 3300 or consent of instructor. The role of diverse communication skills and knowledge in making appropriate heath decisions.

COMM 3304: Multicultural Health Communication
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 3300 or consent of instructor. Diverse ethnic meaning systems and their influences on health behaviors.

COMM 3305: Communication and Catastrophic Illnesses
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 3300 or consent of instructor. Systematic inquiry into communication practices surrounding catastrophic illnesses such as cancer, Alzheimer's, and HIV/AIDS.

COMM 3311: Editing for Print and Digital Media
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: at least a C in COMM 2310. Editing messages such as public relations, advertising, news, features for print, broadcast, digital media; headline and caption writing; introduction to publication design; photo use and cropping; graphics, visuals.

COMM 3314: Intermediate Writing and Reporting
Cr. 3. (2-3). Prerequisite: C+ or better in COMM 3311. Gathering and writing news with emphasis on publishing in the student newspaper.

COMM 3316: Electronic News
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: at least a C in both COMM 2310 and COMM 2320 and consent of instructor. Theory and practice of assembling, writing, and presenting news for the electronic media.

COMM 3319: Preproduction Management
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 2320. Principles of film and video preproduction and production management, including techniques of script breakdown, scheduling, budgeting, and producing of professional productions and student projects.

COMM 3320: Audio Production
Cr. 3. (2-3). Prerequisite: at least a C in COMM 2320 and consent of instructor. Audio as a medium of influence and expression with applied emphasis on audio production techniques used in radio, TV/cable, and film industries.

COMM 3321: Single Camera Studio Production
Cr. 3. (2-3). Prerequisites: at least a C in COMM 2320 and 2322. Single camera film-style studio production as a medium of influence and expression with an emphasis on motion picture production techniques incorporated into a High Definition Video environment.

COMM 3323: Multimedia Production I
Cr. 3. (2-3). Prerequisites: junior standing in communication and computer skills. Fundamentals aspects of computer-based multimedia production for mass media and corporate applications.

COMM 3324: Photojournalism I
Cr. 3. (2-3). Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor. Techniques of taking and developing pictures for the mass media.

COMM 3326: Graphics Applications
Cr. 3. (2-3). Prerequisite: at least a C in COMM 2320. Application of graphics and type principles in print journalism, advertising, art, and public relations.

COMM 3327: Desktop Publishing
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 3326 or consent of instructor. History, theory, and practice of page layout and design using a computer. Creation and manipulation of graphics for print media and use of desktop systems to produce camera-ready copy.

COMM 3329: Media Performance
Cr. 3. (2-3). Prerequisites: at least a C in each of the following: COMM 2320, 2322, and 2328. Performance techniques for media professionals in news, information, commercial, and entertainment programming.

COMM 3330: Relational Communication
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 1333 or consent of instructor. Current research and theories concerning communication processes and dynamics involved in personal and professional relationships.

COMM 3331: Communication in the Family
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 1333 or consent of instructor. Theories and research covering communication in the development of the family with an emphasis on parent-child and sibling communication.

COMM 3332: Effective Meeting Management
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor. Procedures for planning and conducting meetings, including large conventions, board meetings, and informal committees.

COMM 3337: Argumentation and Debate
Cr. 3. (3-0). Theory and practice in the art of advocacy involving analysis, arrangement, and presentation of arguments for the purpose of decision making and social control.

COMM 3339: Advanced Public Speaking
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 1332 or consent of instructor. Advanced experiences in research, development, presentation of public addresses with emphasis on rhetorical criticism.

COMM 3340: Health Campaigns
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: COMM 3300 or consent of instructor. Selected health campaign exemplars and mass customization of multimedia messages to identified segments.

COMM 3350: Media Management
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: ECON 2305 or consent of instructor. Administration of media properties, government and labor relationships, financing, scheduling, sales, and taxation.

COMM 3352: Small Group Process
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 1331 or COMM 1302 or COMM 3356 , or consent of instructor. Principles of group dynamics with attention to problem-solving activities.

COMM 3353: Information and Communication Technologies I
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 2310 or COMM 2320, or consent of instructor. Internet and basic transactions across the World Wide Web in the convergent mass communication computing environment. Explores the intersection and implications of information and communication technologies.

COMM 3355: Programming and Distribution in the Information Society
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: at least a C in COMM 2322. Survey of economic, legal, and logistical aspects of distributing radio, TV, and film programs using new technology.

COMM 3356: Business and Professional Communication
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: junior standing. Intended for juniors and seniors in business and the professions. Communication activities in business and professional settings with emphasis on oral presentations, interviews, negotiations, and group processes.

COMM 3358: Leadership Communication & Organizations
Cr. 3. (3-0). Leadership communication in organizational contexts. Theories and types of leadership, power, influence, diversity, ethics, leadership development, and related communication behaviors and activities.

COMM 3360: Principles of Advertising
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor. Advertising theories and techniques within an integrated communication context.

COMM 3361: Advertising Copywriting
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: at least a C in COMM 2310. Techniques of writing and developing advertisements for offline and online media.

COMM 3362: Broadcast and Cable Sales
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: COMM 3364 and COMM 3360. Concepts, theories, problems, and practices of sales for broadcast stations and cable systems. Includes research, media planning, applied ratings, role of representative firms, promotion, and client negotiation.

COMM 3364: Principles of Broadcast Programming and Ratings
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: COMM 1301 or consent of instructor. Broadcast and cable programming strategies and use of ratings by the communications industry.

COMM 3368: Principles of Public Relations
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor. Public relations theories and techniques in business, government, and the social services.

COMM 3369: Public Relations Writing
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: at least a C in COMM 2310. Preparing memoranda, releases, reports, publicity features, public service announcements, speeches, and other specialized writing.

COMM 3370: History of Cinema
Cr. 3. (3-0). The evolution of film form, content, technology, and economics with special emphasis on American films.

COMM 3372: Gender and Media
Cr. 3. (3-0). Examination of historical and current portrayals of gender and gender issues in communication media.

COMM 3373: Television: History and Culture (formerly COMM 4379)
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 1301 or consent of instructor. Study of the development history of television as a mass communication medium within the context of the modernization of American society and culture.

COMM 3375: International Communications
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Comparative study of world communication systems, government policies, and economic systems.

COMM 3376: Media Effects
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: COMM 1301 or consent of instructor. Effects of media upon individuals, institutions, and societies through the literature of communication.

COMM 3379: Popular Culture and the Mass Media
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor. Examination of the cultural content and contributions of the mass media with emphasis on the role played by the mass media in the shaping of modern society.

COMM 3380: Electronic Field Production
Cr. 3. (2-3). Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Single camera video production and electronic post-production theories and techniques applied to the creation of information and entertainment programs.

COMM 3382: Intermediate Television Production
Cr. 3. (2-3). Prerequisites: COMM 2322 and consent of instructor. Intermediate television production techniques with an emphasis on directing studio multiple camera productions.

COMM 3383: Non-Linear Editing
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: at least a C in COMM 2322. Introduction to computer-based non-linear editing using integrated software packages.

COMM 3399: Senior Honors Thesis
Cr. 3 per semester. Prerequisites: approval of department chair, a 3.25 grade point average in the major, and a 3.00 cumulative average.

COMM 4198: Independent Study
Cr. 1 per semester or more by concurrent enrollment. Prerequisite: approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

COMM 4303: Communication Law and Ethics
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor. Developments changing communication: legislative, legal and ethical issues relative to First Amendment rights and philosophical issues.

COMM 4310: Opinion Writing
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 3314. Preparing elements of editorial page: research and writing of commentaries, columns, and editorials.

COMM 4312: Feature Writing for Print and Digital Media (formerly COMM 3312)
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 2310 or consent of instructor. Developing ideas, gathering material, and producing feature reports and query letters for print and digital media.

COMM 4313: Investigative Reporting
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 3314 or 3316 or consent of instructor. News coverage of issues and problems of governments, businesses, urban institutions, and the public at large in an investigative context.

COMM 4314: Social Issues in Journalism
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor. Societal problems as portrayed in the press and electronic media. The role of journalism and its impact on social issues. Interaction between public discourse and its social, political, economic, and cultural context.

COMM 4315: Freelance and International Reporting
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 3314. Professional writing for magazines and newspapers in domestic and foreign markets. National and international print media. Reporting corps in comparative perspective.

COMM 4316: Advanced Electronic News
Cr. 3. (2-3). Prerequisites: COMM 3316 and consent of instructor. Advanced study and exercises in writing, producing, and presenting electronic news.

COMM 4320: Media Production Workshop I
Cr. 3. (2-3). Prerequisites: COMM 3380 or COMM 3381 or COMM 3382 and consent of instructor. Application of various media production techniques to a specific production.

COMM 4322: Television Producing and Directing I
Cr. 3. (2-3). Prerequisites: COMM 3380 and consent of instructor. Creative problems in producing and directing professional level television programming for broadcast purposes.

COMM 4323: Multimedia Production II
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 3323 or consent of instructor. Analysis of computer-based interactive multimedia as it relates to mass communication: graphic design of interactive games using multimedia technology.

COMM 4324: Advanced Audio Production
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: COMM 3320, advanced standing in Communication, and consent of instructor. Intensive study with reading and discussion to introduce concepts of audio editing, radio production, and audio post production for video production.

COMM 4328: Broadcast and Film Dramatic Writing
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Principles, methods, and problems in writing dramatic scripts; readings in the dramatic literature of broadcasting and film.

COMM 4331: Persuasion
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: six semester hours in interpersonal communication or consent of instructor. Theories, methods, and ethics of persuasion and social influence.

COMM 4334: Sex, Love, and Romance in Popular Culture
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: junior standing. Analyzes and evaluates the depiction of love, sex, and romance in popular culture to increase sensitivity to and understanding of such images.

COMM 4335: Crisis Communication
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 1333 or consent of instructor. Advanced interpersonal communication concepts dealing with relationship disintegration and crisis intervention.

COMM 4336: Social Cognition and Communication
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 1333 or consent of instructor. The impact of judgment and attribution processes and the influence of awareness on verbal and nonverbal communication behavior.

COMM 4337: Television and the Family
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: COMM 1333 and COMM 1301 or consent of instructor. Television portrayals of the family and the processes and relational consequences associated with family use of television.

COMM 4338: The Family in Popular Culture
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: COMM 1333 and COMM 1301 or consent of instructor. Portrayal of family in popular media, including comics, radio, movies, television, and music, and how those popular images influence the expectations that audiences construct about family life and family relations.

COMM 4339: Methods of Communication Improvement
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: 21 semester hours in COMM or consent of instructor. Research, principles, strategies, and theories related to improving the understanding of communication principles and skills in others.

COMM 4350: Case Studies in Media Management
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 3350 or consent of instructor. Case studies used for solving various problems of media management.

COMM 4353: Information and Communication Technologies II
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 3353 or consent of instructor. Mass communication and the Internet: advanced tools for publishing corporate communication in cyberspace.

COMM 4354: Organizational Crisis Communication
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor. Study of how organizations plan for, train for, and respond to crises.

COMM 4355: Organizational Communication
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: six hours in communication courses or consent of instructor. Theory and research associated with the study of communication in complex organizations.

COMM 4356: Applied Organizational Communication
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 4355 or consent of instructor. Application of organizational communication theories and concepts within an organizational context.

COMM 4357: Intercultural Communication and Organizations
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 4355 or consent of instructor. Theory and practice of intercultural communication as it affects organizational behavior. Effects of cultural diversity on communication within multicultural organizations. Impact of intercultural interactions on communication in organizations.

COMM 4358: Bargaining and Negotiation
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 4355 or consent of instructor. The role of communication in bargaining and negotiation within organizational settings.

COMM 4360: Media Planning and Placement
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 3360 or 3368 or consent of instructor. Application of media planning principles to create an integrated communications plan.

COMM 4361: National Advertising Campaigns
Cr. 3. (2-3). Prerequisites: COMM 3360, 3361, and 4360 plus application to instructor. Application of creative media and strategic advertising principles in developing a complete advertising campaign for national competition.

COMM 4362: Rhetorical Strategies of Social and Political Campaigns
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 4331 or consent of instructor. The persuasive theories, strategies, and practices of selected contemporary campaigns, such as civil rights and problems of the community and environment.

COMM 4363: Local Advertising Campaigns
Cr. 3. (2-3). Prerequisites: COMM 3360, 3361 and 4360 or consent of instructor. Application of integrated communication principles to develop and execute a campaign.

COMM 4364: Rhetoric and Criticism of Public Relations Discourse
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: six semester hours in public relations or consent of instructor. Critical examination of the rhetorical processes of public relations discourse.

COMM 4365: Digital Public Relations and Advertising
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: COMM 3353 or equivalent skills, and either COMM 3360 or 3368. Incorporation of the Internet into integrated communication. Advertising models, promotion activities, relationship marketing and research methodology. Web audience measurement and Internet user characteristics and behavior.

COMM 4366: Advertising Account Planning
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: COMM 3360 or 3368 or consent of instructor. Advertising planning that includes strategy, creative and idea development. May be repeated once for credit.

COMM 4367: Issues Management
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 4331 or consent of instructor. Examines the communication strategies used by major organizations to influence public policies.

COMM 4368: Public Relations Campaigns
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 3368. Public relations campaign strategies and case histories, including the design of a public relations program for selected clients.

COMM 4369: Advertising Portfolio
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: junior or senior standing in Communication and consent of instructor. Developing a portfolio to show student-produced work in advertising.

COMM 4370: Social Aspects of Film
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: three advanced hours in communication. An examination of the social context in which films are produced and exhibited including film censorship, audience attitudes and behavior, and content analysis.

COMM 4371: Journalism as a Literary Form
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Analysis and practice of journalism as a contemporary literary form.

COMM 4372: Media, Power, and Society
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: senior standing or consent of instructor. Critical studies in media as a social force in modern society.

COMM 4374: News Media in Contemporary Society
Cr. 3. (3-0). Analyzes role and nature of news media, including historic development, current trends, and the influence of media on policy making and the electoral process. Emphasizes the ethical consideration facing media.

COMM 4375: Propaganda and Mass Communication
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 1301 or consent of instructor. History, theory, development, and impact of propaganda as a controversial mass communication strategy for influencing public opinion.

COMM 4376: Economic Aspects of Mass Communication
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: at least a C in COMM 2320 and at least a C+ in COMM 3355. Economic, legal, and logistic considerations in mass communication production, distribution, and exhibition in theatrical, television, and cable markets.

COMM 4377: Understanding Publics
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: COMM 3300, 3360, 3368, or 4355, or consent of instructor. Study, understand, and apply current research, theory, and principles of identifying, segmenting, and working with publics.

COMM 4378: The Social Impact of New Information Technology
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisite: COMM 2350 or consent of instructor. Advanced study and analysis of the cultural and social impact of contemporary communication/information technology.

COMM 4380: Media Production Workshop II
Cr. 3. (2-3). Prerequisites: COMM 4320 and consent of instructor. Application of various media production techniques to a specific production.

COMM 4381: Digital Cinematography and Narrative Storytelling
Cr. 3. (3-3). Prerequisites: COMM 3380 and 3382, and consent of instructor. Advanced techniques in digital cinematography. Focus on narrative storytelling. Scripting, lighting, shooting, and editing in standard and high definition video. May be repeated for credit.

COMM 4382: Advanced Non-Linear Editing
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: COMM 3380 and 3383. Investigation of the use of visual media creation/editing applications, components, uses as related to film, television, and visual communications industries. Style, ethics, and the politic of the editor emphasized.

COMM 4392: Professional Internship
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: 75 hours of college credit and an application approved by the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication Internship Coordinator. Assigned work experience outside the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication in cooperation with supervisors at businesses and media in Houston, nationally and internationally. May be repeated once for elective credit.

COMM 4397: Selected Topics in Communication
Cr. 3. (3-0). Prerequisites: advanced standing in Communication and consent of instructor. Intensive study with reading and discussion in a selected area of communication. May be repeated for credit with approval of advisor when topics vary.

COMM 4398: Independent Study
Cr. 3 per semester or more by concurrent enrollment. Prerequisite: approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

COMM 4399: Senior Honors Thesis
Cr. 3 per semester. Prerequisites: approval of department chair, a 3.25 grade point average in the major, and a 3.00 cumulative average.

 

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Catalog Publish Date: August 22, 2012
This Page Last Updated: April 11, 2013