Students interested in majoring in communication studies must complete all pre-major requirements. COMM 3010 may be taken concurrently with one other communication course; students may either take 3010 concurrently with their final 2000-level pre-major course or their first enrollment in an upper-division course. Students who do not complete COMM 3010 with a grade of C or better are prohibited from enrolling in other upper-division communication courses until they have completed COMM 3010 successfully.
1010 (SPCH 1311). Introduction to Communication. 3 hours. (1;0;2) A survey of the basic principles of human communication, with opportunities to apply these principles in different contexts. Satisfies a portion of the Understanding the Human Community requirement of the University Core Curriculum.
1440. Honors Classical Argument. 3 hours. Uses of argument in rational decision making based on classical theories of reason. Elements of argument, classical foundations of argument and contemporary application of argument principles.
2020 (SPCH 1318). Interpersonal Communication. 3 hours. An introduction to interpersonal communication research results and theories with application in two-person and small group relationships in a variety of human communication contexts. Satisfies a portion of the Understanding the Human Community requirement of the University Core Curriculum.
2040 (SPCH 1315). Public Speaking. 3 hours. (1;0;2) Introduction to principles of and practice in preparing public speaking speeches. Stresses the role of public speaking in democratic decision making. Satisfies a portion of the Understanding the Human Community requirement of the University Core Curriculum.
2060 (SPCH 2341). Performance of Literature. 3 hours. (1;0;2) Performance as a method of textual study. An introduction to the theory and practice of analyzing, rehearsing and performing non-dramatic texts. Recommended for elementary education majors. Satisfies a portion of the Understanding the Human Community requirement of the University Core Curriculum.
2140. Rhetoric and Argument. 3 hours. (1;0;2) Introduction to the critical dimensions of rhetoric and argument through presentation and evaluation of public discourse. Balanced attention to the theory and practice enabling students to analyze the persuasive function of public discourse; to discuss the role of audience in the construction of public discourse; and to develop skills for constructing, supporting, and evaluating public discourse.
2900. Special Problems. 1–3 hours.
3010. Communication Perspectives. 3 hours. Intensive research and writing course in which students learn concepts and skills necessary to review communication research, engage in critical research about communication phenomena and write a research proposal. This course must be taken prior to or concurrently with a student’s first enrollment in upper-division COMM courses. A student who fails to complete the course successfully after two attempts (either through withdrawal or failure to achieve a grade of C or better) will not be permitted to enroll in subsequent semesters.
3120. Nonverbal Communication. 3 hours. Applications of research and theory in understanding the impact of nonverbal communication in a variety of human contexts.
3220. Health Communication. 3 hours. Communication in medical settings; origins, nature and impact of communication practices and beliefs in the health-care delivery system; role of interaction on human well-being.
3260. Storytelling. 3 hours. Investigation of folk literature, original sources and literary genres employed in the art of storytelling. Training in the acquisition of techniques and skills employed by the storyteller.
3265. Topics in Storytelling. 3 hours. Understanding how the art of storytelling influences and supports the development of diverse cultures. Comparison and contrast of storytelling traditions of at least three different groups related by geography (i.e. Americas, Asia or Africa) or topic (fairy tales, family stories or creation myths). Performance and analysis of narratives develops performance skills and sharpens critical thinking skills. Provides opportunities to participate in performances as a researcher, adapter, performer and critic.
3320. Communication and Conflict Management. 3 hours. Examination of the role of communication in the effective management of conflict and introduction to basic mediation topics such as gender, intercultural and nonverbal communication. Study of conflict in various common contexts: intrapersonal, interpersonal, group and organizational.
3340. Methods of Rhetorical Criticism. 3 hours. A survey of significant methodologies available to rhetorical critics. Emphasis on the critical abilities necessary to describe, explain, analyze, and evaluate symbolic influence in the public sphere.
3420. Communication and New Technology. 3 hours. Examination of communication in technologically mediated environments. Emphasis on how these environments affect impression formation and management, deception and trust, attraction and relationship formation, group dynamics, social support and networking, community building, etc.
3440. Public Address Studies. 3 hours. Major theories of public address and the critical assessment of selected persuasive addresses in the public arena.
3520. Advanced Interpersonal Communication. 3 hours. Advanced study of interpersonal communication research, focusing on theory and application in a variety of contexts.
3620. Intercultural Communication. 3 hours. Knowledge and skills designed to increase intercultural communication competence. Investigation into the ways in which culture interrelates with and affects communication processes. Examines affective, behavioral and cognitive processes involved in intercultural learning.
3720. Small Group Communication. 3 hours. (2;0;1) Theory, research and laboratory experience in small group communication; problems in group discussion; decision-making techniques.
3760. Performance Methods. 3 hours. Advanced topics in individual performance as a method of textual study as well as theory and practice in individual performance as an aesthetic event and as a rhetorical and social act.
3840. Argumentation and Debate. 3 hours. (2;0;1) Theory, research and practice in developing and presenting arguments on public policy issues; reasoning, strategy and oral advocacy.
3860. Group Performance. 3 hours. Theory and practice in analyzing texts, adapting and compiling scripts, and directing and rehearsing productions. Group performance is studied from three perspectives: as a method of textual study, as an aesthetic event, and as a social and rhetorical act.
3865. Adaptation and Staging. 3 hours. Adaptation and staging for performance. Focus on the visual language of stage composition, adaptation and staging non-dramatic materials, examinations of the roles of the director, actor and audience member.
3920. Organizational Communication. 3 hours. Principles of communication applied in the organizational environment. Focus upon diagnosis, analysis, and resolution methods related to communication-based problems with organizations.
4020. Communication Theory. 3 hours. Process of theory construction with particular emphasis on human communication, elements and types of theories, theoretical logics, metatheoretical perspectives toward communication, and specific content theories of communication.
4021. Communication Research Methods. 3 hours. Experimental and quantitative techniques usable in research in communication.
4040. Rhetorical Theory. 3 hours. A study of rhetorical traditions that provide useful insights into how individuals engage in rhetorical transactions.
4060. Performance Theory. 3 hours. Examination and comparison of text-centered, performer-centered and audience-centered theories of performance; functions of performance; and methods for evaluating performance.
4065. History of Performance Theory. 3 hours. Examination of the varied performance techniques, philosophies and conventions that have contributed to the formation of contemporary performance theory and practice. Covers approaches from classical to contemporary solo performance styles. Provides the opportunity to engage these performance traditions critically through discussion, analysis and creative reconstruction.
4220. Gender and Communication. 3 hours. Examination of differences in communication behavior of males and females with particular reference to biological sex and psychological gender. Explores male and female communication in a variety of different contexts.
4240. Rhetoric, Culture and Ideology. 3 hours. Consequences of discourse on culture. May include communication throughout the life cycle, rhetorical creation and maintenance of social movements, international and intercultural rhetoric, feminist rhetorical criticism, ideological criticism, the rhetorical aspects of popular culture and the grounds for the criticism of culture from a rhetorical perspective.
4260. Performance and Culture. 3 hours. Examination of the role of performance in cultures. Research and analysis of texts and performance practices among various ethnic and cultural groups. Satisfies a portion of the Understanding the Human Community requirement of the University Core Curriculum.
4340. Rhetoric and Politics. 3 hours. Rhetoric of political campaigns, presidential rhetoric, legal communication, and the rhetorical creation, maintenance, use and legitimization of symbolic power.
4360. Performance Composition. 3 hours. Contemporary performance practices as critical and persuasive tools. Develops skills in reading, writing, analyzing and performing a broad range of texts to acquaint students with the variety of methods whereby performances can be composed.
4420. Communication and Relational Development. 3 hours. The role of communication processes in initiating, developing, defining, maintaining and dissolving various forms of human relationships. Examines the nature of communication in a variety of relational contexts.
4440. Issues in Freedom of Speech. 3 hours. Theories, doctrines, statutes and cases related to the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of speech.
4460. Performance Art. 3 hours. Survey of historical and contemporary avant-garde performance art. Examination of historical and contemporary movements to develop a critical lens and vocabulary for composing performances.
4800. Communication Internship. 1–3 hours. (0;0;1–3) Supervised work in a job directly related to the student’s major, professional field of study or career objective.
4829. Topics in Interpersonal/ Organizational Studies. 3 hours. Rotating topics in interpersonal communication, organizational communication, or communication research methods.
4849. Topics in Rhetorical Studies. 3 hours. Investigation of various topics related to the study of humans using symbolic discourse to influence others. Theory and application using qualitative and historical/critical methodologies.
4869. Topics in Performance Studies. 3 hours. Rotating topics may include: performance of particular genres, including poetry narrative, drama or non-literary texts; performance methods, including thematic approaches to performance or historical styles of performance; or theoretical issues in performance, including narrative theory, intertextuality or New Historicism.
4900-4910. Special Problems. 1–3 hours each.
4950. Senior Honors Thesis. 3 hours. Available to COMM majors having completed at least 90 semester hours with an overall GPA of 3.50 or better.
4951. Honors College Capstone Thesis. 3 hours. Major research project prepared by the student under the supervision of a faculty member and presented in standard thesis format. An oral defense is required of each student for successful completion of the thesis.
Date of initial release: July 1, 2009 — Copyright © 2008 University of North Texas
Page updated:
March 22, 2010
— Comments or corrections: catalog@unt.edu
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