W051. Introduction to Human Communication (3 s.h.) F S. Core: WI.

Provides a basis for understanding human behavior from a communication perspective. Covers the nature of communication theory, its structure and function. Topics include: theory construction, verbal and nonverbal communication, meaning and interpretation processes, landmarks in communication development, systems perspective, and relationship definition processes.

0066. Interpersonal Communication Through the Life Span (3 s.h.) F S SS.

Examines the development of effective communication in relationships in family, work, and social settings. Examines how communication preferences, demands, and skills change across the age spectrum, with an emphasis on talking, thinking, and listening abilities central to communication situations across life situations

0114. Conflict Resolution in Education (3 s.h.) F S.

Introduces students to the broad field of conflict resolution education (including social and emotional learning, anti-bullying programs, peer mediation, negotiation processes, expressive arts and conflict resolution education, restorative justice programs, and bias awareness programs). It provides students with examples of programs, gives them an opportunity to interact with experts in the field, and encourages them to consider how they can support these programs as teachers and administrators.

0117. Nonverbal Communication (3 s.h.) F S.

Examines the role and function of nonverbal communication in a variety of social situations. Focuses on nonverbal codes and the differences between linguistic and nonlinguistic codes. It introduces students to the array of nonverbal cues in areas of kinesics, proxemics, haptics, chronemics, and paralinguistics. It explores the importance of nonverbal communication for creating and maintaining effective personal and professional contexts.

0176. Small Group Communication (3 s.h.) F S.

Examines ways of managing the communication process in small group, decision-making settings. The course covers core concepts and theories of group interaction and emphasizes their practical implications for understanding and influencing small group decision-making. Topics include cohesion, social influence, facilitation, group tasks, group/team development.

0201. Research Methods in Communication Sciences (3 s.h.) F.

Introduces quantitative research methods in the communication sciences. Covers a variety of study domains including field/descriptive, correlational, survey, clinical, ethnographic, and experimental research designs. Students learn various research methods for addressing particular types of research questions. Concepts covered include types of variables, parametric and nonparametric inferential statistics, sampling designs, hypothesis testing, and publication policies.

0214. Conflict and Communication (3 s.h.) F S.

Description of conflict process and communication in interpersonal and organizational relationships. Concepts examined include conflict styles, phases of conflict, face-saving, attribution and conflict, cooperative and competitive approaches to negotiation, and methods of third party intervention.

0215. Mediation: Principles and Practice (3 s.h.) S.

Provides an overview of the development and use of mediation in diverse conflict settings. Students learn the various models of mediation that third parties rely on to intervene in conflicts in organizational, family, school and community settings. Emphasis is placed on the communication skills and practices that form the basis for the mediator’s role in two-party or multiparty disputes.

0218. Leadership and Communication (3 s.h.) F.

Examines the theories and research on effective leadership in organizational and community contexts. Concentrates on communication skills critical for leading in conventional and nonconventional change environments.

0315. Negotiation Processes (3 s.h.) S.

Teaches students about collaborative and competitive approaches to negotiation. The emphasis is on the integration of negotiation theory and practice as applied to two-party and multi-party negotiation situations. Students learn to diagnose a conflict situation to prepare an effective negotiation strategy. Examples in the class focus on educational contexts to encourage students to apply class material to their work as teachers and administrators.

0350. Organizational Communication (3 s.h.) F.

Classical and contemporary theories of organizational structure and management and their relationship to communication processes. Emphasis on organizations as cultures and analysis of cases and real life situations.

0376. Facilitating Group Decision-Making (3 s.h.) S.

Focuses on the various approaches to facilitating decision-making in task-oriented groups. Students learn how to facilitate groups that follow voting and consensus decision-making formats and how to meet the challenges of being an internal or external facilitator in any group process. Special attention is given to learning how to lead groups through difficult conflicts.

0380. Field Research: Conflict Practice in Professional Settings (3 s.h.) S.

Provides students an opportunity to diagnose and intervene in a conflict situation in a real organizational or community context. Students are guided through the design of a field research project. Data from the project are used to develop a conflict intervention protocol that may be implemented.

0390. Honors in AOD/Applied Communication (3 s.h.) F S.

Students are expected to write and support a major paper under the supervision of a designated honors adviser. The work must be honors quality and accepted by the honors adviser and a second reader.

0396. Internship in AOD/Applied Communication (3 s.h.) F S SS.

Work experience in a communication-related job in business, government, or private agency. Analysis of the work experience in light of the communication concepts.