Communication Faculty: Jamey A. Piland, Assistant Professor of Communication (Program Chair) W. Bradford Mello, Associate Professor of Communication Lisa Barry, Assistant Professor of Communication Raul Tovares, Assistant Professor of Communication Description The Communication Program at Trinity is built on a foundation of communication theory and experience. Students learn to think critically and analytically and to create appropriate message strategies for a variety of audiences in a variety of situations. The emphasis of the program is on communication in interpersonal, public and mass settings. Students take advantage of the many internship and field trip opportunities available in Washington, D.C. Recent internships include prestigious organizations such as BET, CNN, CSPAN, as well as other local television stations, public relations firms, lobbying groups, and political offices. Graduates pursue careers in a variety of communication related jobs or continue on to graduate communication study. The Communication Program supports a major in both the Weekday and Weekend College Programs and a minor in the Weekday Program. The major consists of six required courses, six elective courses, and four courses to be taken as co-requisites. All communication majors are encouraged to minor in programs related to their personal and career interests. The minor consists of six courses. Major Requirements Required Courses (18 credits) COM 201 Interpersonal Communication* COM 265 Introduction to Mass Communication COM 290 Public Speaking MTS 299 Publications COM 391Applied Communication Directed Internship** COM 488 Senior Seminar in Communication * COM 209 may substitute for students matriculating before Fall 2002. ** Students with at least two years full-time working experience in a communication related position may apply for a waiver of the internship and substitute another communication course. Elective Courses (18 credits) TWO of the following courses: ART 208 Theory and Practice of Photography I COM 250 Public Relations COM 306 Visual Communication COM 340 Voice Techniques and Articulation COM 365 Advocacy and Argument COM 370 Publicity and Media Relations COM 383 Journalism COM 392 Speechwriting MTS 295 Multi-media Production MTS 301 Web-Page Design MTS 328 Digital Photography FOUR of the following courses: COM 301 Editorial Cartooning COM 302 Persuasion Research and Theory COM 305 Minority Images in American Media COM 314 Gangsters and American Film COM 315 Management Communication COM 325 Intercultural Communication COM 360 Small Group Communication COM 375 Communication and Conflict COM 380 The Role of Media in Society COM 385 Organizational Communication COM 388 Gender and Communication COM 401 Theories of Interpersonal Communication COM 420 Mass Media Law MTS 330 History and Theory of Digital Communication PSC 420 Politics and the Media SSC 201 Documentary Film SSC 300 Politics and Film Co-requisite Courses (12 credits) MAT 110 Introduction to Statistics PHI 103 Reasoning and Argumentation PSY 121 Introductory Psychology SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology Minor Requirements (18 credits) BOTH of the following courses: COM 209 Fundamentals of Speech Communication COM 265 Introduction to Mass Communication FOUR additional communications courses, excluding COM 391 and COM 488 Program Policies Advanced Placement: Credits earned through AP examinations do not fulfill requirements of the communication major or minor. CLEP Policy: Credits earned through CLEP examinations do not fulfill requirements of the communication major or minor. Grades in Major Courses: Students are required to earn a grade of "C" (2.0) or better in all courses counted to fulfill requirements for the major. Pass/No Pass: No course fulfilling major requirements in the communication program may be taken Pass/No Pass, with the exception of COM 391, Applied Communication: Directed Internship, which is graded Pass/No Pass. Senior Assessment: Students will complete a comprehensive assessment in the Senior Seminar. The comprehensive assessment will include the preparation of a communication research project on a topic approved by the professor. Students must earn a grade of "C" or better on this project. Study Abroad: Students should take advantage of the many communication related study abroad programs. TELL Policy: Students may apply a maximum of 12 credits to major requirements earned through TELL. Transfer Credits: Transfer credit will be awarded after appropriate program review and approval. Course Descriptions COM 209 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 3 cr Introduces students to communication theory and develops an understanding of the communication process. Examines the factors relevant to intrapersonal, interpersonal, and public communication. FLC, Area I, Level 1 COM 250 Public Relations 3 cr Focuses on public relations in various settings (in-house consulting, nonprofit organizations) and the strategies, the tools, and the skills used by practitioners. COM 265 Introduction to Mass Communication 3 cr Introduces students to the history of mass communication. Reviews basic mass communication theory with a goal of understanding how media institutions and government regulation influence mass media and the public. Prerequisite: COM 209 FLC, Area VI, Level 1 COM 290 Public Speaking 3 cr Examines theory and practice of public speaking. Students will prepare and present informative and persuasive speeches. Audience analysis, research, speech organization, delivery and effective persuasive strategies will be covered. Prerequisite: COM 209 FLC, Area I, Level 2 COM 301 Editorial Cartooning 3 cr Considers the history, aesthetics, and persuasive influence of editorial cartooning in America and around the world. Various approaches to the criticism of cartoons are studied. This is an interdisciplinary approach to editorial cartoon humor. FLC, Seminar, Level 2 COM 302 Persuasion Research and Theory 3 cr Introduces students to contemporary persuasion research methods and theories that guide research. Interpersonal and public settings are covered, including compliance gaining, and public persuasive strategies. Prerequisite: COM 209 COM 305 Minority Images in American Media 3 cr Studies how minorities (racial, ethnic, sexual, etc.) and other categories of the socially marginalized (the poor, the homeless) have been portrayed throughout the twentieth century in American entertainment media, from being made "invisible" to being stereotyped, and the impact of these images. Combines theoretical approaches and insights with a historical overview to increase students' awareness of the ideological nature of media images. COM 306 Visual Communication 3 cr Provides both a theoretical/critical and a practical introduction to the study of visual communication.  This course is divided into three parts: visual manipulation, visual literacy and the role of visual images in society, and visual communication skills. Students study how film editing works, how images can be juxtaposed for persuasive effect, whether or not images can "lie" and whether or not viewing skills are comparable to language skills. The course culminates with the creation of personal web pages and pseudo "music videos" where students apply what they have learned theoretically in the creation of persuasive and effective visual messages.  COM 314 Gangsters and American Film 3 cr Offers a study of crime movies and their relationship to 20th-century U.S. culture. Focus is on the relationship between artistic form and social processes by examining the gang genre from a variety of theoretical perspectives. Prerequisite: COM 265 COM 315 Management Communication 3 cr Introduces contemporary theories, approaches, and functions of communication in managing, including management of people, processes, technologies and structures, with emphasis in relationship maintenance, small group teams and oral presentation skills. The development of practical and critical thinking skills for decision making, organization design, motivation, leadership and cultural diversity in organizations. Particular attention is paid to how information technologies are changing the context and process of management. COM 325 Intercultural Communication 3 cr Applies basic principles of intercultural communication to the analysis of specific situations involving cultural differences. Emphasis is on the influence of culture on the communication process, including differences in values, assumptions, and communication. Models of intercultural communication analysis are developed and applied to issues dealing with relations between a dominant society and subcultures, social change, and international relations. Prerequisite: COM 209 FLC, Area II, Level 2 COM 340 Voice Techniques and Articulation 3 cr Teaches the techniques of proper vocal control with interest in broadcast techniques. Identifies any deficiencies in speech and emphasizes effective vocal usage and delivery (enunciation and pronunciation). To gain hands on experience, student participation is essential. COM 360 Small Group Communication 3 cr Explores effective communication skills, leadership styles and functions, and conflict management in problem-solving groups. Examines various theories regarding small group interaction. Provides practical experience with working in problem-solving groups. Prerequisite: COM 209 COM 365 Advocacy and Argument 3 cr Provides opportunities for critical analysis and development of argumentative and rhetorical skills. Students engage in active and formal debate on a variety of policy and value propositions. Prerequisite: PHI 103 FLC, Area I, Level 2 COM 370 Publicity and Media Relations 3 cr Examines the role of a publicist in various organizations and their relationship with the media. Also looks at the basics of media relations, testing and evaluating publicity, and using publicity as a tool. Students are expected to produce publicity campaigns. Prerequisite: COM 250 COM 375 Communication and Conflict 3 cr Introduces theory and experiential learning in the role of communication in conflict management. The focus is on interpersonal interactions, including dyadic and small group levels in various settings such as friendships, marriage, family, and the workplace. Prerequisite: COM 209 COM 380 The Role of Media in Society 3 cr Investigates the evolution of media and the influence of mass media on previous and current society. Studies contemporary issues in mass communication including: media regulation, violence, and corporate control. Ethical questions regarding the influence of the mass media will also be examined. Prerequisite: COM 265 FLC, Area VI, Level 2 COM 383 Journalism 3 cr Focuses on writing and editing for newspapers and magazines, paying particular attention to the development of news concepts, news gathering, and feature stories. COM 385 Organizational Communication 3 cr Examines theory, practice, and methods of analysis of communication within organizations. Emphasis is on the process and structure, interaction formats, mechanisms for modification, and career paths in organizational communication. Prerequisite: COM 209 COM 388 Gender and Communication 3 cr Explores theory and methods for examining communication and gender roles. Topics include gendered communication, gender and media, family communication, gendered violence, gender and education, and gender and institutions. FLC, Area VI, Level 2 COM 391 Applied Communication: Directed Internship 3 cr On-the-job training in communication through approved field-work study programs. Internships are supervised by the Communication Program through an internship coordinator. Prerequisite: Junior status (56 completed credits) COM 392 Speechwriting 3 cr Concentrates on the preparation of speeches for other people to deliver, emphasizing the need to adapt to another person's ideas and style. Prerequisite: COM 290 COM 401 Theories of Interpersonal Communication 3 cr Provides analysis of contemporary theories, concepts, and approaches to improvement of interpersonal communication, with emphasis on models of communication, verbal and nonverbal message systems, and analysis of personal and social communicative relationships. Extensive examination of interpersonal communication research. Prerequisites: COM 209 and junior status (56 completed credits) COM 420 Mass Media Law 3 cr Analyzes policies and regulations governing the mass media industry (FCC & FTC). Examines ethics in mass media, and various cases on such issues as privacy and copyright laws. COM 488 Senior Seminar in Communication 3 cr Encourages students to review their study of communication from variety of different perspectives. Students are required to prepare a major research project in an area of interest that highlights their understanding of the communication field. Prerequisite: Senior status (92 completed credits)