Communication (COMM)
Robert Brady
Department Chair
417 Kimpel Hall
479-575-3046
Dennis Bailey
Thomas Rosteck
Graduate Coordinators
417 Kimpel Hall
479-575-3046
E-mail: dlb@uark.edu; trosteck@uark.edu
Web: http://www.uark.edu/depts/comm/
• Professors Frentz, Smith, Webb
• Associate Professors Allen, Amason, Bailey, Brady,
Rosteck, Scheide, Warren, Wicks
Degree Conferred:
M.A. (COMM)
Areas of Concentration: Communication, with general studies of the discipline or with specific emphasis areas in: 1) rhetoric and public communication; 2) interpersonal/small group/organizational communication; or 3) mass communication (television and film studies). Each student will design a specific curriculum of study in consultation with his or her major professor, and it may include one of the above emphasis areas. A student who plans to teach in the public schools may elect a combination of courses appropriate for the teaching area.
Prerequisites to Degree Program: A student entering graduate studies should have a minimum of 24 semester hours in under-
graduate credit within the area of communication or closely related studies. A student who presents less than 24 hours may be admitted with deficiencies subject to the decision of the department. A student may eliminate deficiencies while concurrently enrolling in graduate courses. In addition, prospective students must supply: 1) three letters of recommendation, 2) an essay-length writing sample, 3) a statement of their goals for graduate study in Communication, and 4) scores from the GRE examination.
Requirements for a Master of Arts Degree: A minimum of 30 semester hours in graduate-level courses or 24 hours of course work and a thesis (6 hours). The following departmental requirements must be met by students pursuing the M.A. in Communication: a) At least one course must be completed from two of the three emphasis areas (rhetoric and public communication; interpersonal, small group, and organizational communication; and mass communication); b) Two graduate courses in communication research methods (COMM 5123 and one of the following: COMM 5113, 5353, or 5143); c) In addition to the two required methods courses, at least five three-hour 5000-level courses must be completed in the Department of Communication; d) The remaining hours of graduate credit must be selected from the following options: 1) Additional 5000-level departmental seminars; 2) 4000-level courses in the Department of Communication that are approved for graduate credit. However, students are strongly urged to limit the number of 4000-level courses to no more than six hours; 3) Up to six hours of graduate-level courses outside the department that directly relate to the student’s plan of study; 4) Three hours of internship credit in COMM 5913; 5) Up to six hours of credit in COMM 590V; 6) Up to six hours of thesis credit. In addition to the above requirements, each student must enroll in COMM 5111 during his or her first semester of resident graduate study in which it is offered. Hours earned in COMM 5111 will not count towards the minimum hours listed above. Each student must pass a comprehensive examination over the thesis and/or all course work.
(COMM) COMMUNICATION
COMM4113 Legal Communication (Fa) Examines communication processes in the legal environment and focuses on communication skills and behaviors among judges, attorneys, litigants, and jurors. Particular attention will be given to verbal strategies and nonverbal messages related to interviews, negotiation, mediation, and litigation and to the rhetorical functions of legal pleadings and judicial opinions.
COMM4123 Communication, Gender, and Popular Culture (Irregular) Studies representations of femininity and masculinity in popular culture contexts such as magazines, videos, television, advertising, film, popular music, and sports. Examines the various ways that media representations affect gender identities.
COMM4143 American Film Survey (Sp, Su, Fa) A survey of major American film genres, major directors and films that have influenced the development of motion pictures. (Same as ENGL 4143)
COMM4283 Communication in Contemporary Society (Fa) An examination of research and theory on the process and effects of communication in modern society.
COMM4313 Language and Society of
COMM4323 Communication and Conflict (Sp) Study of the processes, effects, and managements of communicative conflict, including a consideration of conflict styles, power, goals, tactics, assessment, self-intervention and third-party intervention. Prerequisite: COMM 1313 and junior standing.
COMM4333 Communication and Gender (Sp) Study of the nature, construction, functions, and effects of gender and gender-role stereotypes related to verbal and nonverbal communication, small-group and organizational interaction, and mass medicated images in contemporary culture.
COMM4343 Intercultural Communication (Fa) Study of intercultural communication skills, intercultural issues and their impact at home and abroad, and cross-cultural comparisons of communication phenomena from a variety of theoretical perspectives.
COMM4353 American Public Address (Irregular) Historical and critical study of the leading American speakers, their speeches, the issues with which they were identified. Lectures, discussion, reports, and critical papers. Prerequisite: junior standing.
COMM4373 Political Communication (Sp) Study of the nature and function of the communication process as it operates in the political environment. (Same as PLSC 4373)
COMM4383 Rhetoric of the Modern American Presidency (Sp, Su, Fa) A study of the increasing reliance of contemporary presidents on public persuasion through rhetorical discourse.
COMM4393 Freedom of Speech: Cases & Issues (Sp, Fa) Study of philosophy, cases, and issues relevant to the first amendment right to the free expression, with focus on issues relevant to internal security, obscenity, pornography, slander, and the regulation of communication.
COMM4413 Communication, Negotiation, Mediation and Conflict (Irregular) Examines Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) research and techniques focusing primarily on negotiation and mediation. Supplements and extends material presented in COMM 4323 (Communication and Conflict). Explores the verbal and nonverbal messages occurring during negotiation and mediation situations in business, legal, and counseling environments. Prepares students for roles involving negotiation and mediation.
COMM4623 Relational Communication (Sp) Review of the major theories and concepts in a relational approach to interpersonal communication. Provides exposure to a sampling of the research findings in relational communication.
COMM4633 History and Development of International Film (Sp) A critical survey of international film as a distinctive art form and as a medium of expression and communication with attention given to films and cinema from its origins to the present.
COMM4683 Documentary Film (Fa) A study and analysis of the documentary film as a discrete film form and as an important contribution to the international cinematic scene. Prerequisite: advanced standing.
COMM4793 Directing Forensics (Irregular) Planning, directing, and coaching co-curricular forensics at the high school or college or both.
COMM4823 Children and Media (Sp) An in-depth examination of children’s use of media and the effects of media content on child and adolescent development. Topics may include violence and sex in media, commercialism, and new media.
COMM4833 Television Writing (Fa) Comprehensive analysis of the techniques and styles of television commercials, documentaries and dramatic TV plays. Class projects. Prerequisite: 5 hours radio-television-film and junior standing. (Same as COMM 4833I)
COMM4843 Computer-Mediated Communication (Fa) Provides an in depth consideration of the nature of computer-mediated communication by examining its use and effects in interpersonal, work, educational, and societal contexts and in an introduction to the technologies and skills required for navigating the Internet. The course focuses on the social aspects of computer-mediated communication, rather than specific software or hardware technologies.
COMM4853 Telecommunication Policy (Sp) Research and discussion of social, ethical, education, cultural, and technological aspects of telecommunications with attention given to changing programming patterns, world systems of broadcasting, data transmission, emerging technology, international politics, and regulatory policies. Prerequisite: junior or senior or graduate standing.
COMM4863 Seminar in Television (Sp) Research/discussion of contemporary problems in television. emphasis on the economic and social impact of commercials, news, censorship, children’s programs, blacks and women on television, future developments in telecommunications.
COMM4883 Television and American Culture (Fa) Historical and critical study of how television shapes American culture and is shaped by it. Attention will be given to the study of television history, programs, and audiences, particularly how race and gender shape content and reception of programming. Prerequisite: COMM 2333.
COMM5111 Colloquium in Communication Research (Sp, Fa) Presentation, evaluation, and discussion of research proposals or on-going research projects. Graduate students are required to register for this course each semester of residence.
COMM5113 Historical and Legal Methods in Communication (Fa) Emphasizes the assumptions and procedures of historical and legal research methods in communication.
COMM5123 Quantitative Research Methods in Communication (Fa) Emphasizes the assumptions and procedures of social scientific research methods in communication.
COMM5133 Media Processes & Effects (Fa) Introduction to scholarly research and theory in media processes and effects. Particular attention will be devoted to the impact of media messages on individuals and societies. Emphasis will be placed on the construction and development of theory.
COMM5143 Ethnographic Methods in Communication (Fa) This class focuses upon the fieldwork procedures and narrative writing strategies that comprise the methods of ethnographic research in communication. Students conduct fieldwork requiring in-depth interpersonal contact with members of a group or culture, and practice narrative writing skills.
COMM5193 Seminar in Communication (Sp, Su, Fa) Research, discussion, and papers focus on one of a variety of communication topics including symbolic processes in communication, philosophy of rhetoric, communication education, criticism of contemporary communication, interpersonal communication, organizational communication, and contemporary applications of rhetoric. Maximum credit is 9 semester hours. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
COMM5303 Seminar in Classical Rhetoric (Sp) Systematic investigation of the development of rhetorical theory in the Classical world with emphasis upon the contributions of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Cicero and Quintilian. Gives some consideration to the chief treatises of the medieval period. Lectures, oral and written reports, including a major research essay. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
COMM5323 Seminar in Persuasion (Fa) Focus is on comparing theoretical accounts of persuasion and research evidence concerning the effects of various factors on persuasion.
COMM5333 Communication Theory (Sp) Survey of the theoretical orientations in communication theory with primary focus on conceptual, theoretical, and philosophical issues.
COMM5343 Interpersonal Communication (Fa) Theory and research concerning the exchange of information and the mutual influencing of behavior among people. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
COMM5353 Rhetorical Criticism (Sp) A seminar in rhetorical criticism. A study of the development of standards of rhetorical appraisal from the foundations of the art of speaking to the modern period; examination of contemporary approaches to rhetorical appraisal. Practice in critical analysis of contemporary address.
COMM5363 Seminar in Small Group Communication (Su) A consideration of recent developments in small group research which relate to problem solving tasks, leadership and other kinds of human interaction through speech communication. Emphasis given to the interpersonal speech transaction and to the emergence of participant roles. Prerequisite: COMM 3303 or SOCI 4193. (Same as SOCI 5363)
COMM5373 Content Analysis (Irregular) Techniques for observing and analyzing the overt communication behavior of selected communicators. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
COMM5383 Seminar in Political Communication (Irregular) Research seminar focusing on selected topics such as candidate imagery, diffusion of political information, or political symbolism. Prerequisite: graduate standing. (Same as PLSC 5383)
COMM5393 Seminar in Contemporary Rhetoric (Sp) Systematic study of contemporary perspectives on rhetoric including scholars such as Burke, Richards, Weaver, Grassi, MacIntyre, Derrida, and Rorty. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
COMM5403 Organizational Communication Theory (Sp) A seminar on the historical development of theory and research into communication processes occurring within an organizational setting. Lecture, discussion, oral and Prerequisite: graduate standing.
COMM5413 Organizational Communication Research (Su) A seminar on conducting applied research within an organizational setting. Prerequisite: COMM 5403 and graduate standing.
COMM5423 Seminar in Mass Media Cognition (Sp) Seminar exploring how people learn from written, aural and visual mass media messages. Topics to include attention, memory, comprehension, emotional response, arousal, unconscious processing, picture perception and person perception. Seminar will be concerned with most popular media (e.g., television radio, newspaper, and film), and with several content genres (e.g., entertainment, news, advertising).
COMM5433 Marital Communication (Even years, Sp) An exploration of the major theories and lines of research that examine marital communication in contemporary American life.
COMM5443 Issues of Race and Gender in Interpersonal Communication (Odd years, Sp) An exploration of the major theories and lines of research that examine how race and gender influence interpersonal communication in everyday life in
COMM5453 Myth and Communication Criticism (Sp) Seminar in major theories of mythology, including archetypal and ideological perspectives, and their applications to the criticism of public communicative events. Practice in written critical analysis. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
COMM5503 Communication and Cultural Studies (Fa) Examinations of the role of communication in modern culture. Emphasis is upon the production and circulation of meanings with society, and special attention is given to the role of popular and mass media in this process. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
COMM5533 Family Communication (Even years, Fa) An exploration of the major theories and lines of research that examine family communication in contemporary American life.
COMM569V Seminar in Film Studies (Irregular) (1-3) Research, discussion; papers on a variety of film genres and areas including the new American film, the science-fiction film, directors, film comedy, the experimental film, criticism, the film musical. (Same as ENGL 569V)
COMM590V Special Problems (Sp, Su, Fa) (1-6) Credit by arrangement. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
COMM5913 Internship in Communication (Sp, Su, Fa) Internship in applied communication within public and private organizations. Prerequisite: 15 hours graduate level communication in residence.
COMM600V Master’s Thesis (Sp, Fa) (1-6) Prerequisite: graduate standing.