Communication Studies (CMST) Undergraduate Course Descriptions
CMST 100. Gateway to Communication Studies
Introduces the discipline, professional journals, key communication competencies, careers in communication, academic expectations. 1 Cr. F, S.
CMST 171. Speech Anxiety Reduction
Knowledge and skills to help individuals who feel uneasy, anxious or stressed in public or presentational speaking. 1 Cr. F, S.
+CMST 192. Introduction to Communication Studies
Interpersonal communication, small group communication and public speaking. Theory and experience to relate meaningfully, think critically, organize clearly, and speak and listen effectively. 3 Cr. F, S, SUM.
+CMST 210. Performance and Everyday Life
Performance acts embedded in our everyday world show how performance is used to learn about culture, reflect on experience, and act upon the world and self. Prereq.: 192 or equivalent. 3 Cr. F, S.
CMST 211. Public Speaking
Theory and practice of public speaking. Introduction to the criticism of public speeches. Prereq.: 192 or equivalent. 3 Cr. F, S, SUM.
+CMST 220. Interpersonal Communication
Theory and practice of communication in relationships. Prereq.: 192 or equivalent. 3 Cr. F, S, SUM.
+CMST 229. Effective Listening
Theory and practice related to listening skills in a variety of communication settings. Prereq.: 192 or equivalent. 3 Cr. F, S.
CMST 240. Communication in Interviews
Theory and practice of communication skills relevant to interview settings. Interviewer and interviewee responsibilities. Prereq.: 192 or equivalent. 3 Cr. S.
CMST 291. Speech Activities
Participation in Forensics and/or Performance of Literature co-curricular activities. May be repeated for a total of 4 credits. Prereq.: Permission of instructor. 1 Cr. F, S.
CMST 300. Introduction to Theories of Communication
Historical and contemporary human communication theories. Applying theories in a communication context. Prereq.: 100; 220 or 340; and 210 or 211. 3 Cr. F, S.
CMST 301. Ethics in Human Communication
Ethical issues in public and private human communication. Prereq.: 100; 220 or 340; and 210 or 211. 3 Cr. F, S.
CMST 302. Special Topics in Communication Studies
A theoretical or applied communication studies topic. May be repeated to a maximum of 9 credits. Prereq.: 192 or equivalent. 3 Cr. DEMAND.
CMST 303. Methods of Inquiry in Communication Studies
A writing intensive study of qualitative, quantitative and critical research methods. This course will fulfill CMST majors' upper division writing requirements. Prereq.: ENGL 191, admission to CMST major, junior status, 300 completed or taken concurrently. 3 Cr. F, S.
CMST 310. Performance and Literature
Theory and practice in performance of literature with a focus on analyzing texts for performance; developing and critiquing performances. Prereq.: 192 or equivalent. 3 Cr. F, S.
CMST 313. Political Communications
Communicative actions in the political contexts. Political campaigns, presidential communication, social movements, and religious and reform communication. Prereq.: 192 or equivalent. 3 Cr. F, ALT.
CMST 314. Freedom of Speech: Rights and Issues
Freedom of speech concept on which the first amendment is based, its application by the Supreme Court to issues in American society. Prereq.: 192 or equivalent. 3 Cr. S, ALT.
CMST 316. Speech Writing
Principles of rhetorical style in speech writing, including speech composition theory, model speech analysis, projects, and speech delivery. Prereq.: 211 or permission of instructor. 3 Cr. S.
+CMST 318. Argumentation and Advocacy
Construction and critique of reasoned discourse and advocacy. Prereq.: 192, 211, or permission of instructor. 3 Cr. F, S.
CMST 319. Introduction to Rhetorical Theory
Theory and literature of rhetoric from classical to modern times. Nature and scope of rhetoric applies to issues and problems in human affairs. Prereq.: 192. 3 Cr. F, S.
CMST 320. Communication in Families and Intimate Relationships
Communication patterns between individuals involved in ongoing, intimate relationships. Family interactions and related communication topics such as nonmarital cohabitation and long-distance relationships. Prereq.: 192 and 220 or equivalents. 3 Cr. F.
CMST 321. Communication and Interpersonal Conflict
Theories and methods of managing interpersonal conflict which emphasize collaborative communication. Prereq.: 192 or equivalent. 3 Cr. F, S.
CMST 324. Gender and Communication
How human communication shapes and is shaped by gender and culture. Techniques to change oppressive feminine and masculine communication strategies. Prereq.: 192 or equivalent. 3 Cr. S.
CMST 327. Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal messages in relation to verbal interaction. Influence of context, culture, gender, and relationship in analyzing nonverbal phenomena. Prereq.: 192 or equivalent. 3 Cr. F.
+CMST 330. Intercultural Communication (Diversity/MGM)
Application of theories related to communicating with persons from different cultures. Prereq.: 192. 3 Cr. F, S.
CMST 338. Communication and Culture
U.S. and World Regions. Cultural and communication patterns in a specific region of the world with comparison to U.S. patterns. Regional focus will vary. May be repeated to 6 cr. Prereq.: 192 or equivalent. 3 Cr. S.
CMST 339. Problems in Intercultural Communication
Intercultural issues analyzed from Western and non-western perspectives. Prereq.: 192 or equivalent. 3 Cr. S, ALT.
CMST 340. Small Group Communication
Theory and research on small group processes. Participation in and leading of groups. Prereq.: 192 or equivalent. 3 Cr. F, S, SUM.
CMST 341. Communication in the Workplace
Theoretical understanding of the contemporary workplace as a system of human forces and communication. Interpersonal communication skills for productive worklife. Professional presentations. Prereq.: 192 or equivalent. 3 Cr. F, S.
CMST 444. Communication Internship
Department approved and directed field experience with an approved agency. For Communication Studies majors and minors only. Prereq.: 341 or 441; completion of all of the minor or half of the major and junior or senior standing. 8-16 Cr. S, SUM.
CMST 491. Undergraduate Assistantship
Assisting in a 100/200-level course in Communication Studies. May be repeated to a maximum of 9 credits. Prereq.: B average or above for all courses in communication studies. Approval of instructor and chairperson one semester in advance of registration. 3 Cr. F, S.
Communication Studies (CMST) Courses for Advanced Undergraduate and Graduate Students
CMST 402/502. Special Topics in Communication Studies
Discussions and readings in advanced speech topics. A specific topic will be listed each time offered. May be repeated to a maximum of 9 credits. Prereq.: Senior/graduate standing or permission of instructor. 3 Cr. DEMAND.
CMST 410/510. Contemporary Issues in Performance Studies
Variable content stressing methods, theories, and subjects in contemporary performance studies, such as performance criticism, performance and gender, performance art, performance and culture, performance of selected literary genres. Specific topics to be announced. May be repeated. Prereq.: 192 or equivalent. 3 Cr. S.
CMST 411/511. Critical Approaches to Public Communication
Rhetorical criticism of public communication and popular culture, such as speeches, news coverage, and entertainment. Prereq.: 300 or permission of instructor. 3 Cr. F, S.
CMST 412/512. Theories of Persuasion
Persuasion theories applied to selected communication contexts. Prereq.: 300 or permission of instructor. 3 Cr. F, S.
CMST 420/520. Advanced Seminar in Relational Communication
Topics concerning the interaction between communicative practices and the construction and evolution of relationships and communities. May be repeated up to 9 cr. Prereq.: 192 and 220, or permission of instructor. 3 Cr. F, S.
CMST 428/528. Theory and Practice of Mediation
Theory and practice of mediation and conflict management. Prereq.: 321. 3 Cr. F.
CMST 429/529. Theories of Third Party Intervention
Theory and practice of third party intervention to interpersonal conflict. Prereq.: 428/528. 3 Cr. S.
CMST 439/539. Intercultural Communication for the Global Workplace
Theories and principles of intercultural communication applied toward working effectively in international contexts. Cultural synergy in global work contexts. Major intercultural communication challenges for service abroad. Prereq.: 330 or permission of instructor. 3 Cr. F.
CMST 441/541. Organizational Communication
Nature and flow of communication in modern organizations through applied theory, diagnosis and problem-solving skills. Prereq.: 192 or equivalent. 3 Cr. F, S.
CMST 448/548. Communication and Contemporary Leadership
Education for reflective leadership is provided from the perspective of communication and rhetorical theory. Theoretical concepts of leadership and followership are examined along with skill development, research and critique. Prereq.: credits of 45 or more. 3 Cr. F.
CMST 452/552. Teaching Communication Studies
Materials and methods for curricular and co-curricular teaching in the secondary schools. Course is designed for students completing the Communications Arts and Literature teaching major. Prereq.: 12 credits of CMST beyond 192. 3 Cr. F.
CMST 453/553. Teaching Communication in Grades 5-8
Materials and methods for curricular and co-curricular teaching communication in the middle grades. Focus on content and communication pedagogy. For elementary education students desiring middle school endorsement in Communication Arts and Literature. Prereq.: 192; ED 200 or 300. 3 Cr. F, S.
