Communication Studies (CMS) Course Descriptions
CORE COURSES (2 of the 3 required for Minor)
COM1000: Introduction to Communication (online – summer, fall, spring) A survey of theory and application in the Speech Communication Theory field.
Assignments: 3 multiple choice exams; 3 discussion assignments; 10 reading quizzes
SPC2300: Introduction to Interpersonal Communication (summer, fall, spring)
Learn to improve interpersonal communication and relationships with a variety of people (roommates, friends, co- workers, significant others, etc.).
Assignments: 3 multiple choice exams; 1 paper (interview someone from a different culture and type 2-3 pages); 1 group project
SPC2608: Introduction to Public Speaking (summer, fall, spring)
Learn theories and fundamentals of public speaking, plus give speeches and receive feedback.
Assignments: 2 exams; 5 speeches
COMMUNICATION STUDIES COURSES
COM3125: Organizational Communication (fall)
Theories and application of the mechanics and influence of communication in large groups, organizations, work and employment, and social entities.
Pre-requisite: COM1000
Assignments: 1 exam; 2 papers (2 pages each); final oral and written presentation (4 pages)
COM3225: Global and Cultural Issues in Health Communication (fall or spring)
This course explores the complex relationships among communication and the many contexts, issues, and relationships surrounding health and well-being in the world today. This course investigates cultural, historical, social and ethical
meaning of health and illness as communicated in the doctor’s office, the counselor’s couch, patient narratives and stories, in family relationships, in the media and much more. It also explores issues in global health, culture, and communication in health care initiatives.
Pre-requisite: None- but an understanding of basic interpersonal communication is suggested. Assignments: Readings (on course reserves); discussions, quizzes, health communication analysis.
COM3252: Biology of Human Communication (fall or spring)
Focuses on the interaction between body and communication behavior: how physiology affects communication, and how communication affects physiology. The first half of the course addresses basic anatomy/physiology relevant to human communication. The second half reviews studies that relate physiological processes to specific communication contexts, including love/sex, conflict, stress, emotion, parenting, and attraction.
Pre-requisite: COM1000 or SPC2300 and basic course in biology recommended.
COM3462: Interpersonal Conflict Management (WEB/ONLINE: summer, fall, spring)
This course introduces students to fundamental communication skills, principles, theories and research relevant to effective conflict management in a variety of interpersonal contexts and relationships.
Pre-requisite: COM1000 or SPC2300 or instructor permission.
Assignments: Chapter quizzes/exams; study guides; discussion assignments; final exam or project
COM3465: Conflict Management & Negotiation in the Professions (WEB/ONLINE: summer, fall, spring) Introduces students to fundamental concepts and skills relevant to effective interpersonal, consumer, organizational and international negotiations that occur in business and professional settings. Emphasis is placed on helping students to understand and improve the conflict management and negotiation skills required in their professional careers.
Pre-requisite: COM1000 or SPC2300 or permission of instructor; junior/senior status recommended. Assignments: Chapter quizzes; review questions; discussion assignments; final exam or project
COM3491: Communication and Resilience (fall or spring)
This course focuses on the role of communication in human resilience, with emphasis given to social, interpersonal and intrapersonal processes and outcomes relevant to the construction of resilience & resilience narratives.
Pre-requisite: COM1000 or SPC2300 and junior/senior status strongly recommended.
COM4013: Family Communication (spring)
This course attempts to provide students with an understanding of how communication functions to develop, maintain, enrich or limit family relationships.
Pre-requisite: COM1000 or SPC2300 or permission of instructor.
Assignments: Chapter quizzes; 4 current event articles, written summaries and oral presentations; in-class activities; research analysis paper; research poster presentation
COM4022: Health Communication (fall)
This course is primarily for those students with a strong interest in health-related issues and will cover such topics as the history and current issues in health communication, the roles of patients and caregivers, social and cultural issues, communication in health organizations, and issues in public health (media, crisis, policy reform, and health promotion).
Pre-requisite: COM1000 or SPC2300, or permission of instructor.
Assignments: Chapter quizzes; medical article presentation; film analysis, book analysis; InfoSearch
COM4706: Language & Power (fall)
The objective of this course is to explore the role of language in articulating, maintaining, and subverting power relations in society. We will consider the interplay between linguistics and extra-linguistic factors such as race/ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation, as well as what linguistic factors index power relationships in specific types of discourse, such as media discourse, political discourse, and institutional discourse. Additionally, this course aims to provide students with the meta-language and analytical tools to describe, analyze, and uncover the various (strategic) biases in language, as well as articulate how these biases reflect, maintain, and create power relationships among individual speakers and in society.
Assignments: 2 exams, final paper, reaction papers, discussion leader, homework assignments & participation
COM4930 – Special Topics. Various courses offered each semester, such as the following:
COM4930: Communication and Aging (fall of even years)
This course will cover various aspects of interpersonal communication and successful aging.
Pre-requisite: COM1000 or SPC2300 or permission of instructor.
Assignments: Chapter quizzes; 4 current event articles, written summaries and oral presentations; in-class activities; interview project with elder community partner; final interview project is to produce a scrapbook to present in class and then give to community partner as a thank-you gift
COM4930: Arts-Based Research in Communication (fall or spring)
This course focuses on qualitative, arts-based research methodology and introduces students to scholarly work aimed at bridging the Art-Science divide in Human Communication and across the disciplines. Emphasis is placed on narrative inquiry and autoethnography, poetry, music, visual arts, and performance studies.
Pre-requisite: Recommended for advanced upper-division students.
COM4930: Clothing & Communication (spring)
The Communication of Clothing course explores how our clothing tells others who we are in the world. Each day we use clothing as a non-verbal means of communicating something about us. In turn, we analyze others based on their appearance and artifacts, including their clothes. This course will engage in weekly thematic discussions led, in part, by students. There will be two experiential essays, but no exams. Weekly readings and materials will be assigned, but there is no textbook.
COM4930: Communication Across the Life Span (fall of odd years)
This course examines the role of communication in our lives as we age, from infancy through childhood, and adolescence into middle age and later life; emphasizing how communicative processes develop, are maintained, and change throughout the life span—including language skills, interpersonal conflict management, socialization, care-giving, and relationship development.
Pre-requisite: COM1000 or SPC2300 or permission of instructor.
Assignments: Chapter quizzes; 4 current event articles, written summaries and oral presentations; Life Span film analysis; final project and presentation: Genogram and Portfolio (writing about life span events)
COM4930: Communication and Leadership (fall)
In this introductory course, students learn basic concepts, theories and skills relevant to competent communication in diverse leadership contexts. The primary objective of this course is to help students identify their own communication competencies as leaders and to establish a plan of action for personal development.
Pre-requisite: None.
COM4930: Communication and the Storied Self (fall or spring)
From the perspective of narrative identity, this course examines the relationship between and influence of intrapersonal communication, interpersonal communication and social discourse on the construction of Self and self-narratives. Class discussions focus on the Self as a “storied self” and on the importance of our life stories. To that end, journaling and creative non-fiction writing are used as a primary vehicle for self-exploration and narrative expression.
Pre-requisite: COM1000 or SPC2300 recommended.
COM4930: Communication Practicum (spring, fall)
This course is an opportunity for advanced students to step into a consultant role with public speaking. You will get training in consultations, special issues with monitoring in public speaking, ethics and workshops. Then you will work in the Public Speaking Lab serving as a consultant for all UF students and staff. Students will also get the opportunity to design and deliver workshops on campus to larger audiences.
Pre-requisite: Both SPC2608 and SPC3602 (or SPC3513).
COM4930: Communication Theory and Research (fall)
An examination of communication theories regarding persuasion, language, nonverbal, interpersonal, organizational, leadership, gender, and intercultural communication. A review of how research is done in speech communication studies.
Pre-requisite: COM1000 or other core course; preferably communication studies minor. Assignments: 10 one-page summaries of a research study
COM4930: Computer-Mediated Communication (spring)
This course will cover various aspects of media and technology and their effects on interpersonal communication.
Pre-requisite: COM1000 or SPC2300, or permission of instructor.
Assignments: 4 current event articles, written summaries and oral presentations; vocabulary quizzes; in-class activities; final project (making your own website)
COM4930: Culinary Communication
The study of food has become increasingly popular in the last decade. The relationship between food and human experiences has been well documented as it helps us establish our identities, negotiate our environments, and define our cultures. Food is a nonverbal way we create, share, and transform meaning with others. This course will examine the relationship between food and communication in several contexts: media, culture, and interpersonal relationships. Class format includes lecture, guest speakers, class discussion, group and individual presentations, and “field trips”. We’ll share food, recipes, stories, memories, and opinions as we consider the role food plays in our lives and our communication with others.
Pre-requisite: None
COM4930: Discovering Communication Patterns (spring)—Course Description TBA
COM4930: Gender and Communication (fall)
The goal of this course is to bridge gaps in understanding between the sexes and to encourage a dialogue about ways that we are similar and different.
Pre-requisite: COM1000 or SPC2300 or permission of instructor.
Assignments: Chapter quizzes; 4 current event articles, written summaries and oral presentations; in-class activities; major research analysis term paper; research poster presentation
COM4930: Identity & Communication (spring)
This course develops a better understanding of the complex issues involved with the study of identity within the context of communication. Various paradigmatic approaches to identity will be examined, as will relevant constructs or influences on personal identity. Specific communication theories of identity will be examined, along with examples of how these theories are used to conduct research.
COM4930: Language & Social Interaction (spring)
The purpose of this course is to increase your understanding of the role of language in social interaction and to heighten your awareness of language choices and their consequences. Topics include different approaches to the study of language in social interaction (theories and research methodologies), ways in which language is used to construct social identity (e.g. race, gender, status), and issues concerning language and culture (e.g. cross-cultural misunderstanding and language socialization). In addition to providing a conceptual framework with which to think about language and interaction, this course will provide experience in observing and analyzing how verbal and nonverbal conduct are enacted and understood in social situations.
Assignments: 2 exams, 1 group project, 3-5 homework assignments
COM4930: Non-Profit Leadership & Management
An in-depth examination of principles and practices leading to the formation and maintenance of a sustainable non-profit or charitable entity.
Assignments: Several oral presentations & written assignments; 20 hours of public service
COM4930: Sports Communication (spring)
A review of theories and application regarding how players, coaches, managers, administrators, and members of the media maintain internal and external communication within their industry and related entities.
Pre-requisite: COM1000 or related social science course; preferably sports administration/management status. Assignments: 2 oral presentations; 2 written presentations; 2 exams
COM4930: Rhetoric of 9/11
On September 11, 2001 three planes hijacked by terrorists flew into the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon, and one crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. The public perception and response to this series of events has impacted U.S. travel, security, immigration, and military fronts. Speeches, photos, and memorials are just some of the ways that this event has impacted U.S. actions and attitudes, and therefore policies, over the past 18 years. Focusing on public communication since and surrounding 9/11, this course “invites students to engage in a process of thinking about symbols, discovering how they work, and why they affect us” (Foss). Using multiple theoretical frameworks we will examine and critique 9/11 rhetorical acts and will produce written works using these theories.
COM4930: Political Communication
The language of persuasion looks both outwards and inwards: politicians promise a better future based on an evaluation of the current external reality, but they communicate this vision by activating deep-seated ideas, values and feelings that are hidden within the audience. Successful politicians are those who have credible stories to tell, who can involve us with the drama of the present by explaining what is right and wrong and who convince us that they are better than their opponents. This course explains how their use of metaphors and myths create credible and consistent stories that help us to understand the rhetorical means through which persuasion occurs. You will develop your critical thinking, your skills in rhetorical analysis, better understand metaphor and how it relates in society, as well as your own presentation skills.
COM4930/IDS2935: Communication and Civic Engagement
In a democratic society, civic engagement can consist of a great many things including social activism, speaking at a community meeting, or taking leadership positions in political organizations and even government institutions. If we are to believe the vast majority of news media and mainstream popular culture, civil civic engagement has reached a breaking point. Political discourse, in particular, is all-too-often categorized by incivility, indecency, and extremity on seemingly all sides of the political divide. Even the family dinner table has become a battleground associated with breakdowns in communication over political discussions. In this class, students will deepen their understanding of what it means to be a civically engaged citizen by critically engaging with historic methods of social movements, models of civic engagement (solidarity, advocacy, political activism, research public interests etc.), and theories regarding public (and interpersonal) discourses to better understand the most effective ways to be an engaged citizen. Students will learn about the ways that others have engaged with difficult topics and created social change and consider the ways that they can affect change in their own communities and/or personal lives.
IDS 2935: Empathy & Instagram (fall)
The ability to feel with another person or culture is a key component to our society. As such, empathy is an essential element to sparking compassion and social growth, both individually and as a nation. We have never before had so many social media tools to help us share our stories with others; however recent studies suggest that empathy seems to be on the decline in the US. This course investigates how we can we promote everyday empathy via social media. Several important questions will be posed: What is an empathic response via social media (e.g. can emoji’s adequately express empathy?) What role does communication and critical thinking play in the development and expression of empathetic listening via social media? How can we build empathic responses and develop ‘best practices’ for expressing empathy online? This class examines the complex relationship between humans, communication, technology and empathy. This course is multidisciplinary in nature, drawing from psychology, sociology and communication studies. Students will explore these themes through participatory discussions, observational analysis, self-reflections and evaluation. Students will build concrete skills that will help support and promote empathy within our technological world.
SPC2351: Listening (fall, spring)
This course is a skills-based class. Many of the skills students learn in this course involve taking a critical look at themselves to discover the challenges each student will face to become a better listener, which will in turn helps each student become a better communicator. The class engages in an active lecture/discussion format. Course Objectives: (1) Articulate the process and role of listening in communication contexts. (2) Critically evaluate research and materials developed in the field of listening. (3) Present both individually and within a group on one area of listening. (4) Improve personal listening skills.
Assignments: 3 presentations (individual, paired and group), 2 exams (mid-term & final), 2 active listening opportunities (ALO’s) and participation.
SPC2594: Intercollegiate Forensics (spring, fall) Participation in intercollegiate debate and individual speaking.
Pre-requisite: Satisfactory completion of one semester of intercollegiate forensics participation at UF before registering for this course.
SPC3331: Nonverbal Communication (spring)
This course covers basics of nonverbal communication: touch (haptics), personal space/territory and environment (proxemics), physical appearance, body alterations and coverings, movement (kinesics), paralanguage (vocalics), and the application of nonverbal communication in various contexts.
Pre-requisite: COM1000 or SPC2300 or permission of instructor.
Assignments: Chapter quizzes; journal entries based on observations/activities/reflections; 4 current event articles, written summaries and oral presentations; final group project and presentation
SPC3513: Argumentation (summer, spring)
Implementation of principles and methods advocating factual claims and policy proposals. Also discusses propositional analysis, evidence as demonstration, effecting reasoning processes to become experimental for listeners and ethics in controversy.
Pre-requisite: SPC 2608 or instructor permission.
SPC3602: Advanced Public Speaking
Covers advanced topics in public speaking.
Pre-requisite: SPC2608 – Public Speaking
SPC4425: Small Group Communication (spring)
As groups are part of every facet of our lives, studying the types, stages of formation, dynamics, leadership styles, conflict resolution, problem solving within groups will improve our communication skills. Problem solving techniques will be used for non-profit agencies within the Gainesville community.
Assignments: Chapter quizzes; panel presentation; group critique; short paper on a film; group service project
SPC4710: Patterns of Intercultural Communication (summer, spring)
An examination of cultural identity, cultural beliefs and practices, and how we can overcome barriers to successful intercultural communication.
Pre-requisite: COM1000 or other core course; junior or senior status preferred.
Assignments: Gordon Rule level 6; 4 summaries (2 pg each); 4-page midterm; 6-page final project
SPC4905: Speaking in Public Anxiety (SPA) Program
A one-credit S/U course designed to help students reduce anxiety and gain confidence when presenting speeches. Course will cover basics of public speaking, many in class activities and a change to give speeches. Maximum of six students admitted per course.
Pre-requisite: Must have instructor’s permission to take the course. Assignments: Attendance; participation; 2 one-page papers; 2 speeches