The Department of Communication and Journalism offers the Master of Arts in Communication, with concentrations in Communication Studies, Public Relations and Advertising, and Integrated Marketing Communication.
In order to receive the degree of Master of Arts in Communication, a student must have completed a minimum of 36 graduate credit hours, including the requirements for his/her concentration, achieving a minimum grade point average of “B” (3.0).
Students selecting the thesis option are required to complete 30 semester hours of approved coursework beyond the BA/BS, and present an approved research thesis (6 semester hours of thesis credit) to a graduate committee. Students must be enrolled for at least one hour of thesis credit at the time of their thesis defense.
The graduate concentration in Communication Studies consists of 12 courses (36 credits) and includes both a core of theory courses and options for electives in communication.
3.00
Introduces a number of qualitative and quantitative research methods for both academic and professional communication research. Applies research methods to study communication problems.
Offered Fall Term
3.00
An interdisciplinary examination of the development of communication theories from the classical tradition to the modern perspectives of rhetoricians, scientists, psychologists, sociologists, philosophers and others.
Offered Spring Term
Select from the following:
3.00
Course provides an extensive examination of theories of rhetoric, and the process and methods of doing rhetorical criticism, from classical Greek and Roman approaches to cutting-edge contemporary works.
Occasional
3.00
Examines a variety of theoretical approaches to the persuasion process. Traditional stimulus-response models, mechanistic/rules approaches and suasion/coercion explanations are explored to determine how persuasion functions in society.
Occasional
3.00
This course focuses on the ways in which human communication alters depending upon cultural context, and includes extensive examination of cultural conflicts and interaction patterns. Normally offered every 1.5 years.
Occasional
3.00
Studies how gender theories impact the field of communication. Examines how gender is related to media and human communication.
Occasional
3.00
Exploration of approaches to the study of how individuals communicate in various dyadic interactions, including extensive examination of cultural conflicts and interaction patterns.
Occasional
3.00
A multi-pronged focus on the impact of media on human communication, human interaction, and contemporary society. Normally offered every 1.5 years
Occasional
3.00
Course explores how popular culture has been conceptualized in an age of mass communication and consumer capitalism. Students will apply multiple methodologies and theoretical frameworks within the field of cultural studies, including political economy, cultural policy, textual analysis, and ethnographic research to investigate various cultural industries such as television, fashion, music video, film, the press, networked technologies, and advertising. Attention is paid to manifestation of power relations in cultural forms and practices, particularly in relation to class gender, race, and sexuality.
Occasional
3.00
Explore historical development of the theory of organizations, examine information flow, network analysis, communication over- and under-load, decision-making, organizational effectiveness and change processes. Theoretical basis provided for the examination of case studies in organizational communication, including communication audits in organizational settings.
Offered Fall Term
The Integrated Marketing Communication concentration consists of 12 courses (36 credits) and includes a core of courses from Communication and from Marketing.
3.00
An interdisciplinary examination of the development of communication theories from the classical tradition to the modern perspectives of rhetoricians, scientists, psychologists, sociologists, philosophers and others.
Offered Spring Term
3.00
Examines the tools and techniques used to gain understanding of audiences for marketing communication messages. Covers the fundamentals of account planning, including strategic planning and research methods.
Occasional
3.00
Introduces a number of qualitative and quantitative research methods for both academic and professional communication research. Applies research methods to study communication problems.
Offered Fall Term
3.00
Examines various components of Marketing Communication including marketing strategy, advertising concepts and public relations campaigns.
Offered Spring Term
3.00
Examines theories of advertising, including market segmentation, media selection, message creation, message effects and advertising evaluation and criticism. Trends and controversies in advertising are analyzed, based on theoretical understandings developed in the course.
Offered Fall Term
3.00
Examination of theories, case studies and campaigns in public relations. Areas of concentration include research development, design and implementation; agenda setting; professional writing; presentational skills/ techniques and crisis management. Practical application of theoretical concepts is stressed.
Offered Fall Term
3.00
Examines the integration of advertising, promotion, public relations, marketing communications and internal communication. Analyzes the impact IMC has on corporate image, objectives and brands, and the interrelations of employees, customers, stakeholders and different publics.
Offered Spring Term
3.00
Marketing is changing - constantly driven by dramatic technology developments, globalization, and evolving consumption values, practices, and lifestyles. This course covers Marketing themes, theories, and trends that are critical for superior business performance in the 21st century. In this course, we will examine current marketing theory as it is being shaped by forward thinking academics and new developments in todays business practices. This course provides students with a strong foundation in marketing principles and practices required in upper level elective courses.
MBA & Global MBA Core
MBA 660
3.00
This course is designed to provide you with both a sound theoretical and an applied approach to developing and implementing marketing strategy at multiple levels of the organization - corporate, division, strategic business unit, and product. Special emphasis will be placed on dealing with contemporary marketing issues in the highly competitive global environment. The course presentation will combine lectures, case studies, guest speakers, and a semester-long, team-based project.
MBA Marketing
Take MBA 660;
3.00
In many firms, the brand or portfolio of brands has become the most valuable asset requiring strategic management in order to secure the goals of the organization. Hence, developing strong brands for markets around the world has become increasingly important in todays global economy. This objective of this course is to examine appropriate theories, models and other tools to help make branding and communication decisions for brands globally. The course presentation will combine lectures, case studies, guest speakers and a semester long, team-based project.
MBA Marketing,MBA International Business
Take mba-660;
3.00
A key to successful marketing is cracking the code of consumer behavior. The scope of this course is analyzing consumer behavior both at home and abroad, particularly contrasting the emergent markets in the East with more established Western markets. This comparison highlights issues such as the role of consumption in negotiating modernity while honoring tradition, responses of consumers to innovations, the role of social class and status in consumption, and value placed on authenticity in different cultural milieus. This course is constructed in three modules. The first focuses on the globalization of consumption, the second on the adoption and consumption of innovations, and the last on special topics in cultural and cross-cultural studies.
MBA International Business,MBA Marketing
3.00
Current issues in communication.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
3.00
Explore historical development of the theory of organizations, examine information flow, network analysis, communication over- and under-load, decision-making, organizational effectiveness and change processes. Theoretical basis provided for the examination of case studies in organizational communication, including communication audits in organizational settings.
Offered Fall Term
3.00
Examines the impact of the Internet and other new communication technologies on advertising, public relations and marketing. Analyzes the creation, design, and effectiveness of Web pages, banners, buttons, interstitials, and other new media formats.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
3.00
Examines social media techniques, measurement and strategy. Discusses the latest trends in how business, media, news, and politics use social media for relationship development, brand building and engagement.
Occasional
3.00
Explores the process of management of campaigns to deal with crisis situations in organizations, including creative, budgetary, research, and audience needs.
Offered Spring Term
1.00- 6.00
Internship in various communication industries.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
3.00
This course covers topics of operations management in the services, manufacturing and distribution industries while introducing statistics and quantitative analytic tools relevant to all functional areas. Applications include supply chain management, total quality management, forecasting, inventory planning and control, project planning and management, risk analysis, process design, and human resources issues in a global economy. Analytic tools for these applications include descriptive statistics and graphics, uncertainty assessment, inferences from samples, decision analysis and models, simulation, and regression analysis.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
MBA & Global MBA Core
MGQM W700 or MBA 620; and MBA 660
3.00
This course explores the role of research in marketing decision-making, including the cost and value of information. The course uses cases and problems to explore problem definition, research design, sampling, questionnaire design, field methods, data analysis and reporting.
MBA Marketing
Take MBA-660;
3.00
This course will examine the theories and practices used to plan, organize, and control global supply chains. The approach will go beyond viewing exchange relationships from a strictly physical sense(movement of goods and services) to focus on the interaction between trading partners with different cultures and how firms are using channel strategies to gain a competitive advantage globally. Specifically, this course will explore the role that channel members play as intermediaries between the production and consumption sectors of the economy. This course will explore how channels of distribution have evolved and identify challenges that channel members will face in the globalized 21st century. Subsequently, this course will examine how channel members develop global strategies to attract consumers and also how consumers develop strategies to acquire goods and services from channel members.
MBA International Business,MBA Marketing
MBA 660 formerly MBA 710
3.00
The application of marketing principles and practices to competition in global markets. The course emphasizes the skills necessary for cross-cultural marketing.
MBA International Business,MBA Marketing
TAKE MBA-660;
3.00
Social media are establishing themselves as a legitimate part of the marketing strategy of firms. They offer businesses new opportunities for injecting brands in consumers lives, engaging customers in value co-creation and dissemination, building brands, and fostering community. At the same time they offer consumers new platforms to assert themselves against companies and brands. How do firms manage in this fast evolving, technology enhanced, networked environment? In this course we will focus on five issues: The transformation of markets (TV, Music); new models for framing marketing practices on social media (Inbound marketing, hybrid promotion); social media strategy for implementing marketing programs including segmentation, targeting, consumer engagement, and branding; metrics for measuring social media ROI; and the strategies for maintaining and ceding control. Naturally, student projects and assignments will use social media tools including blogs and wikis.
MBA Marketing
The Public Relations and Advertising concentration consists of 12 courses (36 credits) and includes both a core of PR and Advertising courses and options for electives in communication.
3.00
An interdisciplinary examination of the development of communication theories from the classical tradition to the modern perspectives of rhetoricians, scientists, psychologists, sociologists, philosophers and others.
Offered Spring Term
3.00
Introduces a number of qualitative and quantitative research methods for both academic and professional communication research. Applies research methods to study communication problems.
Offered Fall Term
3.00
Examines the tools and techniques used to gain understanding of audiences for marketing communication messages. Covers the fundamentals of account planning, including strategic planning and research methods.
Occasional
3.00
Examines various components of Marketing Communication including marketing strategy, advertising concepts and public relations campaigns.
Offered Spring Term
3.00
Examines theories of advertising, including market segmentation, media selection, message creation, message effects and advertising evaluation and criticism. Trends and controversies in advertising are analyzed, based on theoretical understandings developed in the course.
Offered Fall Term
3.00
Examines social media techniques, measurement and strategy. Discusses the latest trends in how business, media, news, and politics use social media for relationship development, brand building and engagement.
Occasional
3.00
Explores the process of management of campaigns to deal with crisis situations in organizations, including creative, budgetary, research, and audience needs.
Offered Spring Term
3.00
Examination of theories, case studies and campaigns in public relations. Areas of concentration include research development, design and implementation; agenda setting; professional writing; presentational skills/ techniques and crisis management. Practical application of theoretical concepts is stressed.
Offered Fall Term
A variety of classes are offered in a rotating manner on advertising copy, health communication, non-profit communication, branding, event planning, usability and information architecture, networked society and other topics.
3.00
Current issues in communication.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
3.00
Introduces academic and professional analysis and writing in the field of communication.
Offered Fall Term
3.00
Introduces a number of qualitative and quantitative research methods for both academic and professional communication research. Applies research methods to study communication problems.
Offered Fall Term
3.00
Examines the tools and techniques used to gain understanding of audiences for marketing communication messages. Covers the fundamentals of account planning, including strategic planning and research methods.
Occasional
3.00
Studies current research and intellectual debates in the communication field, exploring ontological and epistemological trends in the discipline. Normally offered yearly.
Offered Fall Term
3.00
An interdisciplinary examination of the development of communication theories from the classical tradition to the modern perspectives of rhetoricians, scientists, psychologists, sociologists, philosophers and others.
Offered Spring Term
3.00
Studies the nature of online community-building by social, political, economics, and religious groups: How and why do e-communities develop? How do they exert influence both in and out of cyberspace How are some people marginalized on the wrong side of the digital divide?
3.00
Course provides an extensive examination of theories of rhetoric, and the process and methods of doing rhetorical criticism, from classical Greek and Roman approaches to cutting-edge contemporary works.
Occasional
3.00
Examines a variety of theoretical approaches to the persuasion process. Traditional stimulus-response models, mechanistic/rules approaches and suasion/coercion explanations are explored to determine how persuasion functions in society.
Occasional
3.00
This course focuses on the ways in which human communication alters depending upon cultural context, and includes extensive examination of cultural conflicts and interaction patterns. Normally offered every 1.5 years.
Occasional
3.00
Studies how gender theories impact the field of communication. Examines how gender is related to media and human communication.
Occasional
3.00
Exploration of approaches to the study of how individuals communicate in various dyadic interactions, including extensive examination of cultural conflicts and interaction patterns.
Occasional
3.00
Examination of the special circumstances created by politics and their impact on attempts at persuasion. Case studies of famous politicians and political speeches are combined with discussion of current political rhetorical trends.
Occasional
3.00
A multi-pronged focus on the impact of media on human communication, human interaction, and contemporary society. Normally offered every 1.5 years
Occasional
3.00
Course explores how popular culture has been conceptualized in an age of mass communication and consumer capitalism. Students will apply multiple methodologies and theoretical frameworks within the field of cultural studies, including political economy, cultural policy, textual analysis, and ethnographic research to investigate various cultural industries such as television, fashion, music video, film, the press, networked technologies, and advertising. Attention is paid to manifestation of power relations in cultural forms and practices, particularly in relation to class gender, race, and sexuality.
Occasional
3.00
Explore historical development of the theory of organizations, examine information flow, network analysis, communication over- and under-load, decision-making, organizational effectiveness and change processes. Theoretical basis provided for the examination of case studies in organizational communication, including communication audits in organizational settings.
Offered Fall Term
3.00
Examines various components of Marketing Communication including marketing strategy, advertising concepts and public relations campaigns.
Offered Spring Term
3.00
Examines theories of advertising, including market segmentation, media selection, message creation, message effects and advertising evaluation and criticism. Trends and controversies in advertising are analyzed, based on theoretical understandings developed in the course.
Offered Fall Term
3.00
Examines the impact of the Internet and other new communication technologies on advertising, public relations and marketing. Analyzes the creation, design, and effectiveness of Web pages, banners, buttons, interstitials, and other new media formats.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
3.00
Examines social media techniques, measurement and strategy. Discusses the latest trends in how business, media, news, and politics use social media for relationship development, brand building and engagement.
Occasional
3.00
Explores the process of management of campaigns to deal with crisis situations in organizations, including creative, budgetary, research, and audience needs.
Offered Spring Term
3.00
Examination of theories, case studies and campaigns in public relations. Areas of concentration include research development, design and implementation; agenda setting; professional writing; presentational skills/ techniques and crisis management. Practical application of theoretical concepts is stressed.
Offered Fall Term
3.00
Examines how conferences are built, promoted, managed, and assessed, with particular emphasis on non-profit conventions, trade shows, and volunteer organizations. Specific issues analyzed include facilities planning and contracts, legal issues, volunteer management, budgeting, marketing, and planner/staff communication.
Offered Fall Term
3.00
Examines the integration of advertising, promotion, public relations, marketing communications and internal communication. Analyzes the impact IMC has on corporate image, objectives and brands, and the interrelations of employees, customers, stakeholders and different publics.
Offered Spring Term
Program Director consent required to register
3.00
Students electing the thesis option for completion of their course requirements must register for thesis research, under the direction of their faculty advisor. Thesis research allows students to develop, research, and write the masters thesis. Deborah Geislers consent is required to register.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
1.00- 3.00
Directed study allows students to pursue an in-depth research project in an area of their interest, directed by a qualified graduate faculty member.
1.00- 6.00
Internship in various communication industries.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
1.00- 3.00
Directed study allows students to pursue an in-depth research project in an area of their interest, directed by a qualified graduate faculty member.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
3.00
This course introduces students to the systematic design of instruction. Students are expected to learn how to plan, develop, evaluate and manage the instructional process effectively. This course covers various elements of instructional design process, including needs assessments, learner characteristics, task analysis, instructional objectives, content sequencing, instructional strategies, instructional delivery, evaluation instruments, instructional resources (media selection), formative evaluation, project management and summative evaluation. A mix of activities is planned that require a high level of active, experiential participation. A prototype design project, including the preparation of design documents, learning objectives, content outlines, lesson plans, participant materials, and evaluations is the major product outcome of the course.
Offered Spring Term
3.00
Introduction to the core essentials of organizational learning, encompassing concepts based on theories and proven practice. The course will also address the five disciplines of the learning organization with special emphasis on three: team learning, shared vision, and personal mastery. Using structured experiences the students will learn how to utilize various organizational learning methods. Organizational learning theories will be applied to the learners own area of interest through an action-learning project.
Offered Fall Term
3.00
This course examines the teaching-learning process appropriate to a variety of educational/learning settings. Exploration of appropriate methods, techniques and strategies appropriate to generational differences. The course investigates the special characteristics of the adult learner, motivational strategies, training older adults,and training in virtual environments. Development of presentation skills.
Offered Fall Term
3.00
Adult learning theory and adult development theory are explored as a means to understand the adult as a learner. Through the integration of theory, practice and research, students will link these theories to their own theory of facilitation. Students will critically examine their views by critiquing their own practice in light of this literature. We will draw upon readings on the theories of: learning from experience, constructive-developmental theory, self directed learning, and transformative learning. This journey will shed light on the factors that facilitate or impede the learning process and the motivational factors that prompt adults to seek out educational opportunities.
Offered Spring Term
EHS-650 or instructors permission
3.00
The traditional role that instructional designers play in the field of training and development has been greatly expanded. Instructional designers may find themselves working alongside video producers, audio engineers, project managers, software engineers, corporate trainers, or university professors. This course will focus on exploration and evaluation of the various e-learning software tools available today (both commercial and open source); storyboarding techniques for designing/developing e-learning modules, including animations and interactive simulations. The course will also include dynamics of the virtual classroom, including the design and facilitation of synchronous sessions (webinars) and emerging technologies and trends.
Offered Fall Term
3.00
Have you noticed persistent challenges and problem areas in your organization? Do you need more effective solutions that have long-term effectiveness? Then change your view! Systems Thinking examines the behaviors of systems through the common principles they all follow and a wide-angle view. Through participative interaction, you will learn how to map organizational problems or areas of concern within your own area of expertise, identify the key leverage points for improved thinking, and develop effective action strategies.
Offered Fall Term
3.00
Dialogue is a powerful discipline for generative learning and creative problem solving. Engage in a journey of discovery and exploration of the underlying assumptions that guide our behavior. These tacit assumptions are often unexamined and untested, yet they act as a source of our beliefs and actions. Participants will explore the history of dialogue, distinguish it from conversation and debate, develop an awareness of their own thinking and reasoning, and learn to utilize dialogue and reflective practices.
Offered Spring Term
3.00- 6.00
This course encompasses career development topics including but not limited to the job search, including the use of a LinkedIn profile; career planning; networking, salary negotiation; professional development; and current, cutting-edge topics in organizational development, learning and human resources. Students currently employed in the field may enroll for three (3) academic credits; students requiring a hands-on internship experience will enroll for 6 credits over two consecutive semesters. The internship field site requires advisor approval. An application for the internship must be filed by October 1 for spring semester internships and March 1 for fall semester internships. This course should be selected toward the end of the conclusion of the degree program.
Offered Both Fall and Spring
3.00
An examination of learning and trainer style inventories including: personality testing instruments; information processing inventories; social interaction inventories; and instructional preference inventories. Development of instructional modules and design documents appropriate to individual differences and learner needs. Use of pod casts and video casts as tools for delivering instruction.
Offered Spring Term
3.00
Demonstration of program competencies through the creation and presentation of a comprehensive, mediated training module derived from a case study. Examination of advanced training and facilitation techniques and appropriate blended learning strategies. Topics include: exploration of databases for researching companies and industries; dealing with difficult participants; the use of social media as a tool for collaborative learning; and self-assessment inventories. The course also addresses group and process techniques utilized by effective facilitators.
Offered Fall Term
3.00
Application of communication theory, human relations concepts, research methods, and information technology to the internal communication of professionals who work in environments with automated information and communication systems. Topics include: brainstorming, team building, problem solving, presentation skills, communication styles, and interpersonal relations. Emphasis on the human factors of communications and interaction.
Summer
3.00
This course presents the theories, models, and tools of effective coaching. Step-by-step review of coaching competencies as defined by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Exploration of the expected knowledge, skills and behaviors of coaches and the seminal thinking that has contributed to coaching models in current use. Topics include executive/leadership coaching, performance coaching and team coaching. Development of a personal coaching model, designed from ones unique perspective and experience, will be addressed. Diagnostic and gap analysis tools used by coaches for their own development and the development needs of their clients will be shared and explored. Classroom time will be allocated to skills practice, role-playing scenarios, and additional experiential learning opportunities in order to expose participants to the application of coaching in the workplace. Mentoring in the workplace and the similarities and differences between coaching and mentoring will be discussed.
Offered Spring Term
3.00
Set in the context of issues facing business and organizations today, this foundational module will explore the theories and values shaping the practice of organizational development. OD concepts, interventions, models, current issues, and trends will be examined. A thorough understanding of the importance of organizational culture will be presented as a backdrop to the introduction of change management. This course will explore in depth how to plan, communicate, lead and evaluate organizational change efforts. a practical guide for organization design, one of the OD consultants key tools for improving organizational effectiveness will be reviewed.
Offered Fall Term
3.00
This course will emphasize the skills, procedures, and processes involved in transitioning from a learning and development role to one of effective performance consultation. A review of consultant competencies as well as techniques will be examined and applied. The stages of consulting will be analyzed including: contracting, data gathering, analysis, diagnosis, feedback, implementation and measurement on individual, team, and organizational levels. Issues faced by the internal and external consultant and how to resolve them are also addressed.
Offered Spring Term
3.00
A challenge to organizations today is maximizing individual and organizational performance. This course will examine how organizations identify goals and measure performance against them. Different performance management models will be introduced. A competency-based approach to performance management will be examined as a tool for the performance consultant; current industry trends will be discussed and evaluated.
Offered Fall Term
3.00
What does it take to be a very effective leader in todays fast paced business environment? What are the critical milestones on an individuals leadership journey. This course will delineate the core characteristics of leaders, how power is defined in organizations, and how to influence others to remain competitive. Several leadership models will be discussed.
Offered Spring Term
3.00
Training operation managers are responsible for ensuring training operations that are efficient and integrated with human resources line of business and aligned with the organizations strategic direction. This course provides an overview of the skills and competencies required overseeing design, and redesigning the delivery of training and development and the goods and services provided by the training organization. In addition, the course looks at issues impacting organizations such as technology, globalization, and workforce demographics. Various learning measurements methods, including Return on Investment (ROI) will be discussed and applied.
Offered Spring Term
3.00
Action research is participant-driven research, focused on continuously creating learning and change. This course will allow students to explore and apply action research as an alternative method to traditional sociological and statistical research methodologies. Students will learn principles and practices of action research and apply action research in a long-form research project focused on transformational learning and change at the individual and/or organizational level. Students may register for this core course only after completion of 30 credits.
Offered Spring Term
