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Communication: Course Listing 

Chair: Professor Gina Lane
Professors Debbie Chasteen, Kim Harris, Lois Anne Harris
Associate Professors Nathan Wyman, Charles Walts

Goals for Student Learning

The mission of the Communication Department is to offer its students a major that will prepare them to be knowledgeable, versatile and confident in responsibly meeting the complex communication challenges of a dynamic world. Graduates of the William Jewell College Department of Communication should be able to:

• Excel in public speaking and other forms of communication, demonstrating an ability to create and fluently deliver well-written, ethical, and strategically crafted messages that respond to the needs of a specific audience and context;
• Be critical consumers of communication, able to analyze and respond to complex communication problems, taking leadership roles when necessary;
• Conduct independent creative and scholarly projects by utilizing their familiarity with a wide range of communication theories and history.

The department offers six majors and one minor. All six majors lead to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree: communication, organizational communication, communication with a theatre emphasis, theatre education, speech education, and theatre. The department also offers a minor in theatre. A grade of C- or higher is required in each course for the major or the minor. In those courses with prerequisites, a student must have completed the prerequisite with a C- or better before taking the requisite course. All communication majors (including those students with communication as a second major) must complete the college’s core curriculum requirements for the BA degree and must have an advisor in the department. A student choosing a major in the department must earn a C- or better in CTI 101 or its transfer equivalent.

The Communication Core
The core is comprised of an integrated set of courses that offer students essential knowledge and skills in public speaking, research and writing, and communication theory. These core courses are required in the following majors: communication, communication with a theatre emphasis, and speech education. A modified core is required in the organizational communication major. Students should strive to take the core courses in the order listed.

COM 210	Advanced Public Speaking (3)
COM 215	Communication Theory (3)
COM 312	Theory and Practice of Persuasion (2)
COM 368	Communication Research Methods (3)
COM 380	History and Criticism of American Public Address (3)
COM 400	Senior Seminar (1)
COM 401	Senior Recital (1)
	16 hours

The Majors

Communication

The communication major provides a generalist approach with a focus on public speaking and communication theory to persons interested in pursuing one of the many communication professions or attending graduate school. It is also a valuable second or third major for those going into such professions as business, government, public relations, ministry, law, medicine, and politics. The courses required for the communication major are as follows:

The Communication Core (listed above) (16)
Required Courses
COM 333	News Reporting and Writing (3)
COM 271	The World of Theatre I (3)
COM 323	Argumentation and Debate (3)
COM 356	Interpersonal Communication (3)
COM 358	Cultural Communication (3)
	31 hours

Organizational communication is a pre-professional major that serves well those who desire to work in a business or other organizations but who would like to focus on positions relating to communication processes (public relations directors, marketing professionals, in-house communication specialists, consultants concerning communication in the work place, etc.). Although the major is pre-professional, it is still liberal arts in nature and allows some flexibility of focus, depending on what specific career the student wishes to pursue. The courses required for the organizational communication major are as follows:

The Modified Core
COM 210	Advanced Public Speaking (3)
COM 215	Communication Theory (3)
COM 312	Theory and Practice of Persuasion (2)
COM 368	Communication Research Methods (3)
COM 400	Senior Seminar (1)
COM 401	Senior Recital (1)
Required Courses
COM 260	Organizational Communication (3)
COM 333	News Reporting and Writing (3)
COM 350	Public Relations (3)
COM 356	Interpersonal Communication (3)
COM 358	Cultural Communication (3)
COM 490	Internship (2)
Designated Electives (see list below) (6-8)
	36-38 hours

Designated Electives (select two from this list or others as approved by the department)

 Communication with a Theatre Emphasis

The theatre emphasis is a generalist approach for students intent on pursuing work in academic, community, or professional theatre. The courses in the emphasis help students lay a strong foundation in all areas of theatre; thus, they will be graduated with a broad understanding of the art form of theatre and be ready to focus on a specific area after graduation. Non-theatre communication courses help students be more widely marketable as they face the job market. To further support the generalist approach, theatre emphasis students should strive to select a wide range of course work outside of communication before going on to graduate study or to work in theatre. The courses required for the communication with a theatre emphasis major are as follows:

ART 230	Photography I (3)
ART 110	Computer Graphics (3)
ART 203	Visual Design (3)
BUS 201	Organization and Management (3)
BUS 231	Business Law I (3)
BUS 232	Business Law II (3)
BUS 301	Human Resource Management (3)
BUS 305	Marketing Principles (3)
COM 355	Small Group Communication (3)
CST 266 and 267 Business Information Systems I and II (4)
ENG 220	Business Writing (4)
COM 260	Organizational Communication (3)
COM 490	Internship (2)
Designated Electives (see list below) (6-8)
	36-38 hours

The Communication Core (listed above) (16)
Required Courses
COM 271	The World of Theatre I (3)
COM 272-279	Technical Theatre Seminars (.5 hrs. each)
COM 372	The World of Theatre II (3)
COM 373	The World of Theatre III (3)
COM 374	The World of Theatre IV (3)
COM 475	The World of Theatre V (3)
COM 479	Senior Theatre Performance (3)
	38 hours

Speech Education and Theatre Education

Students majoring in speech education and theatre education may receive certification to teach in grades 9-12 in the state of Missouri by double majoring in either speech or theatre education and secondary education. Procedures to be followed in obtaining teacher certification are included in the Student Handbook for Teacher Certification. Specific course requirements for all certification programs may be found on check sheets available in the Education Department office. Both majors meet the state guidelines for teachers of speech/theatre. The speech education major is for students who plan to focus on debate and forensics as high school teachers; whereas, the theatre education major is for students who plan to focus on theatre. The courses required for the speech and theatre education majors are as follows:

Speech Education

The Core
COM 210	Advanced Public Speaking (3)
COM 215	Communication Theory (3)
COM 312	Theory and Practice of Persuasion (2)
COM 368	Communication Research Methods (3)
COM 380	History and Criticism of American Public Address (3)
COM 400	Senior Seminar (1)
COM 401	Senior Recital (1)
Required Courses
COM 271	The World of Theatre I (3)
COM 272-279	Technical Theatre Seminars (.5 hrs. each)*
COM 372	The World of Theatre II (3)
COM 373	The World of Theatre III (3)
COM 374	The World of Theatre IV (3)
COM 323	Argumentation and Debate (3)
COM 358	Cultural Communication (3)
CTI 202	Performance Studies (4)**
COM 392	Debate Activity (1)
	42 hours

Theatre Education

COM 210	Advanced Public Speaking (3)
COM 271	The World of Theatre I (3)
COM 272-279	Technical Theatre Seminars (.5 hrs. each)
COM 312	Theory and Practice of Persuasion (2)
COM 323	Argumentation and Debate (3)
COM 356	Interpersonal Communication (3)
COM 358	Cultural Communication (3)
COM 372	The World of Theatre II (3)
COM 373	The World of Theatre III (3)
COM 374	The World of Theatre IV (3)
COM 475	The World of Theatre V (3)
CTI 202	Performance Studies (4)**
COM 479	Senior Theatre Performance (3)
	40 hours

Theatre majors are those who have determined to follow a theatre career professionally or who plan to continue their studies in graduate school. Theatre provides an integrated curriculum in which students learn to synthesize information from the various corners of theatre and to collaborate with personnel from all walks of theatre life. The unique synthesis of courses in the major, the college’s core curriculum and electives combine to give students the opportunity to leave the college well-rounded and ready for a profession that requires of its practitioners the abilities to think creatively and to synthesize material in highly sophisticated ways. The courses required for the theatre major are as follows:

COM 210	Advanced Public Speaking (3)
COM 271	The World of Theatre I (3)
COM 272-279	Technical Theatre Seminars (1 hr. each)
COM 372	The World of Theatre II (3)
COM 373	The World of Theatre III (3)
COM 374	The World of Theatre IV (3)
COM 475	The World of Theatre V (3)
CTI 202	Performance Studies (4)* and
MUS 211-412	VO Voice (4) (for directing and acting students) or Approved Art courses (6-8) (for design students)**
COM 477	Senior Theatre Comprehensives (3)
COM 490	Communication Internship (3)
COM 479	Senior Theatre Performance (3)
	41-43 hours

The Minor

Theatre

The minor in theatre provides the student majoring in another discipline (music, religion, education, etc.) the opportunity to have a complementary focus in theatre. The vertical construction of the minor with its capstone provides the student taking the theatre minor a high-quality experience. The courses required for the theatre minor are as follows:

COM 271	The World of Theatre I (3)
COM 272-279	Technical Theatre Seminars (.5 hrs. each)
COM 372	The World of Theatre II (3)
COM 373	The World of Theatre III (3)
COM 374	The World of Theatre IV (3)
COM 475	The World of Theatre V (3)
COM 479	Senior Theatre Performance (3)
	22 hours

Course Descriptions
(Unless otherwise indicated, courses typically are offered both semesters.)

COM 210 Advanced Public Speaking (3 cr. hrs.)
A course in advanced public speaking preparation and practice, with a focus on the learning and application of all factors used to evaluate Standard American English. Special attention will be given to the International Phonetic Alphabet. Students will be required to complete several oral presentations to help improve their public speaking skills. Prerequisite: CTI 101.

COM 215 Communication Theory (3 cr. hrs.)
A survey course designed to introduce the student to communication theory, models, and contexts. The course includes both the historical foundation of the field and contemporary theories.

COM 260 Organizational Communication (3 cr. hrs.)
Examines the role of formal and informal communication between organization members and between representatives of different organizations. Emphasizes the relationships between organizational life and communication principles as they interact in the larger environment. Fall semester.

COM 271 The World of Theatre I (3 cr. hrs.)
An integrated course exploring theatre history (Greece, Rome, Middle Ages, and Japan), dramatic literature, acting/directing theory and literary criticism; offers praxis in acting and directing (improvisations), in technical theatre design (publicity and program), and in writing (theatre essays, plays, and press releases).

COM 272-279 Technical Theatre Seminar
A seminar in technical theatre praxis. Through consultation with the instructor and work on productions in a given semester, students gain practical experience in technical theatre. Each of these practical experiences gains students 0.5 hour credit. Theatre majors have additional tasks related to the technical area of a particular semester for which they earn an additional 0.5 hour credit. Except under rare circumstances, students may sign up for no more than two seminars per semester. Students must complete all eight tasks before the semester in which they produce their Senior Theatre Performance. Enrollment upon consent of the instructor.

COM 312 Theory and Practice of Persuasion (2 cr. hrs.)
Advanced study and practice in the construction and delivery of persuasive speeches, including a survey of relevant theories. Students should complete this course the semester prior to enrolling in COM 401. Prerequisite: COM 210.

COM 323 Fundamentals of Argumentation and Debate (3 cr. hrs.)
Fundamentals of argumentative debate, analysis, research, and use of reasoning. Designed for the student who has no background in debate. Students with extensive debate background should speak with the instructor prior to enrolling. Fall semester. Prerequisite: CTI 101 or permission of instructor.

COM 333 News Reporting and Writing (3 cr. hrs.)
Techniques of newspaper writing, with an emphasis on general reporting, features, and editorials. Study of problems in copy editing and layout, and the role of the press in society. Practical work on the college newspaper possible. Spring semester.

COM 350 Public Relations (3 cr. hrs.)
Examines the theories and methods of public relations in the modern organization. Students will develop the analytical skills necessary to identify and solve public relations problems while increasing their understanding of the legal and ethical constraints upon the public relations professional. Spring semester.

COM 355 Small Group Communication (3 cr. hrs.)
Designed to guide students into an understanding of small group communication processes and theories so they can function effectively in small groups. The students will be able to put theory into practice during their small group interaction throughout the semester. Discussion, small group activities, and projects allow students to monitor individual growth as group members and potential leaders. Offered upon demand.

COM 356 Interpersonal Communication (3 cr. hrs.)
Designed to guide students into an understanding of interpersonal communication and theory so they can function effectively in interactions with others. Students gain experience and understanding in areas such as self-concept, listening, and conflict resolution. Discussion, small group activities, and skill improvement projects allow the student to monitor individual growth. Fall semester.

COM 358 Cultural Communication (3 cr. hrs.)
A survey course designed to introduce students to such concepts as cultural differences, cultural belief systems, culture shock and acculturation, language of culture, and multicultural nonverbal messages.

COM 368 Communication Research Methods (3 cr. hrs.)
An introduction to communication research methods. Includes an advanced examination of communication theory. Students should complete this course the semester prior to enrolling in COM 400. Prerequisite: COM 215.

COM 372 The World of Theatre II (3 cr. hrs.)
An integrated course exploring theatre history (Renaissance, neo-classicism-Romanticism, India) dramatic literature, dramatic criticism, and directing/acting theory; praxis in directing/acting (scenes), in technical theatre design (costumes and makeup), and in writing (essay, scene, play reviews and character analysis). Spring semester.

COM 373 The World of Theatre III (3 cr. hrs.)
An integrated course exploring theatre history (Realism-naturalism, China), dramatic literature, dramatic criticism, and directing/acting theory;praxis in directing/acting (audition piece), in technical theatre design (scenery), and in writing (writing, criticism/scene or ten-minute play, script analysis, and play critiques). Fall semester.

COM 374 The World of Theatre IV (3 cr. hrs.)
An integrated course exploring theatre history (Late 19th Century-1950s, Africa and African-American), dramatic literature, dramatic criticism, and directing/acting theory; praxis in directing/acting (ten-minute play), in technical theatre design (lights and sound), and in writing (journal article first draft). Fall semester.

COM 380 History and Criticism
of American Public Address (3 cr. hrs.)
Historical and critical study of significant American speakers, with analysis of structure, content and influence of their works. Prerequisite: at least sophomore standing. For majors prerequisites include COM 210, 215. Fall semester.

COM 390-397 Communication Activities (0.5-4 cr. hrs.)
Designed for special activities. Credit may be obtained in debate, theatre, performance studies, radio, television, and writing, in addition to credit in regular courses. Activities and requirements must be planned in advance with the supervising staff member. Credit available each semester. One-half (0.5) credit hour is awarded for 4 hours of activity per week; 1 credit hour for 8 hours of activity per week, etc. A cumulative total of four 4 credit hours may be earned. COM 390 Teaching Assistant is variable credit of 1-2 credit hours as determined by the instructor. All communication activities courses require consent of instructor.