COMM Courses
COMM 1910 Public Speaking (4 sh)
An introduction to the theory and practice of public speaking. Topics include types of speeches, types and uses of source material, organization, performance, and speech criticism.
COMM 2010 Introduction to Communication Studies (4 sh) GE
Introduction to theories of verbal and nonverbal human communication. Topics include intra- and interpersonal communication, communication in small groups, in organizations, and at the levels of public and mass communication. Required for admission to the Communication Studies concentration, and a prerequisite for most upper-level courses in that concentration.
COMM 2030 Interpersonal Communication (4 sh) GE
The theory, analysis, and practice of communication in the development, maintenance, and decay of interpersonal relationships. Topics include verbal and nonverbal communication, perceptual accuracy, and effective listening. Prerequisite: COMM 2010.
COMM 2070 Group Communication (4 sh) GE
An investigation of the principles and methods of small group communication, emphasizing decision making, problem solving, group structure, leadership, group dynamics, and effective group process.
COMM 2081 Social Media, Friends and Family (4 sh)
An analysis of the effects, nature, & societal impact of social media on family and friends within mediated contexts. Topics to be addressed will be the changing definitions of family, on-line relationships, the influence of artificial intelligence, the ethical uses of technology, and the components of fake news.
COMM 2110 Performance of Literature (2 sh)
An introduction to presentational approaches to interpreting texts through performance, with an emphasis on the analysis and staging of fiction.
COMM 2130 Storytelling (2 sh)
An introduction to storytelling as a crucial way of knowing, and as a central means of creating personal and social realities. Emphasis on the solo performance of folktales, everyday stories, personal narratives, and ethnographic stories from various cultural groups in Chicago.
COMM 2150 Media Literacy (4 sh)
This course develops students' media, digital, and news literacy skills. Students construct a media product and learn to critique media messages and technologies. Required for admission to the Media Studies major and pre-requisite for most upper-level courses in the major.
COMM 2155 Audio Production I (2 sh)
The course will teach the basic skills for producing, recording, and editing a variety of material (music, voice) using a Pro Tools digital audio workstation. The course also covers basic principles of acoustics and the basic laws of physics that affect sound. Prerequisite: COMM 2150.
COMM 2175 Audio Production II (2 sh)
Advanced projects in audio production. Prerequisite: COMM 2150, COMM 2155.
COMM 2240 Introduction to Performance Studies (4 sh) GE
This course is an introduction to the field of performance studies. The course will include aesthetic performances (literature, theatre, art, dance, and visual media), ethnographic performances (personal narratives and narratives of others), and other cultural sources. We will explore the relationship of performance studies to related fields, while placing an emphasis on performance and social change. We will attend live performances in Chicago.
COMM 2250 Film Studies (4 sh) GE
An introduction to film as art, business, and cultural force. It examines the “Hollywood paradigm” as the dominant form of storytelling in Western movies; explores the artistic elements involved in filmmaking; and examines major cultural issues reflected in film narratives. Students attend a major international film festival in Chicago.
COMM 2350 Intercultural Communication (4 sh) GE
An introduction to major topics, major theories and direct experience of inter-cultural communication. Through readings, discussion, exercises and field trips, students prepare for encounters with different cultures.
COMM 2355 Video Production 1 (Field Production) (4 sh)
The production of documentary film using techniques of field production and linear video editing. Prerequisite: COMM 2155.
COMM 2650 Scandinavian Film (2 sh)
A survey of films from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, with a critical analysis of actors and directors, narrative style, structure and content, social context, and history. COMM 2250 is strongly recommended.
COMM 2750 Latin America on Film (2 sh)
A study of recent films about Latin American experience, the influence from and resistance to the Hollywood model of filmmaking by Latin American directors, and other critical issues concerning cultural diversity, national identity, class, gender, religion, and politics. Films will be shown with original languages and English subtitles. COMM 2250 is strongly recommended.
COMM 2810 Critical Reading, Writing and Analysis (4 sh) GE
A writing course providing a review of writing basics, such as sentence structure and grammar, and emphasizing critical thinking and analysis. Prerequisite: COMM 2010.
COMM 3100 Foundations of Media Industries (2 sh)
This course addresses the development of major U.S. media industries, including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, the Internet, and social media. It focuses on the impact of media innovations on culture, and the ways established media adapt to innovations. Prerequisite: COMM 2150.
COMM 3310 Media Writing (4 sh)
The study and practice of writing in various television and video formats, including news, commercials, public service announcements, and documentary scripts. Emphasis on journalistic writing for televisual media. Prerequisite: COMM 2150.
COMM 3320 Dramatic Writing I (4 sh) GE
The study and practice of dramatic writing for theatre and film. Focus on the writer’s process, character development, story structure, and the completion of a one-act play or a short screenplay. Cross-listed with ENG/THEA 3320. Prerequisite: COMM 2140, 2150 or 2250.
COMM 3321 Dramatic Writing II (4 sh) GE
Advanced study in writing the full-length stage play or full- length screenplay. Cross-listed with THEA 3321. Prerequisite: COMM 2140, COMM 2150 or COMM 2250.
COMM 3331 Multi-Media Journalism (4 sh) GE
A laboratory-oriented newspaper reporting and editing course that utilizes the student newspaper (both print and online editions) as a hands-on learning environment for print, broadcast and web-based platforms. Students will be assigned specific stories and will write for the paper while also shooting and editing stories for the paper’s website and creating a news blog. Field trips and outside speakers will provide direct exposure to the profession. Prerequisite: COMM 2010 or COMM 2150 and COMM 3330.
COMM 3355 Video Production II (New Media) (4 sh)
Develops skills in the production of digital media for the internet and other new media. Prerequisite: COMM 2150, COMM 2355.
COMM 3450 Media and Society (4 sh) GE
A study of the interaction of mass communication and society. Emphasis on critical and cultural theory, the interplay of programming, business, politics and other aspects of American culture. May include field trips to television stations. Prerequisite: COMM 2150.
COMM 3480 Media Ethics (2 sh) GE
Using case studies, this course explores a range of ethical issues confronted by media practitioners. A moral reasoning process is used to evaluate conflicting values, apply ethical theories, and evaluate to whom ethical loyalty is due. Prerequisite: COMM 2150.
COMM 3490 Rhetorical Theory and Analysis (4 sh) GE
An introduction to the theory and practice of rhetorical criticism, from classical to contemporary perspectives, including the analysis of a variety of contemporary public discourses. Prerequisite: COMM 2010. Strongly recommend: COMM 1910.
COMM 3550 International Communication (4 sh)
An examination of international mass media, including concentration of ownership, internationalization, diversification, New World Information Order, satellites, shortwave radio, film, and television. Prerequisite: COMM 2010, COMM 2150 or consent of instructor.
COMM 3910 Topics (1-4 sh) GE
Variable credit may be given for short-term seminars, study trips, service learning, experimental courses, and advanced seminars which synthesize or extend earlier work in the department. Prerequisite: COMM 2010, COMM 2140 or COMM 2150.
COMM 4000 Departmental Honors Communication Arts (4 sh)
Honors students will write a major paper and/or produce a project at the honors level and make an oral presentation of the project at a Spring Honors Symposium.
COMM 4010 Professional Seminar (0 sh)
Occasional gatherings, approximately four each semester, will enable students to complete departmental portfolios, and develop plans for post-graduate professional or educational work. Open to all students in the department. All upper-level students in the department must register for one either in the fall or spring semester of their graduating year.
COMM 4910 Independent Study in Communication Arts (1-4 sh)
Available to majors who seek to enhance course offerings with an in-depth study of a selected topic. Independent studies usually do not substitute for major requirements or departmental course offerings but do count toward the total hours needed to graduate.
COMM 4970 Internship in Communication Arts (1-4 sh)
Students are urged to take advantage of outstanding Chicago- area internships to develop skills, academic and professional interests. Internships may not substitute for major requirements or departmental course but do count toward the total hours needed to graduate. Please refer to the Internship section of the catalog for internship requirements and guidelines.