Program outline and course descriptions

Communication and Leadership Studies Program Outline (36 credits total)

Theory and Practice Required (21 credits)

Research and Thesis/Project (required)

Communication Electives ( 6 credits)

  COML 511            Seminar in Comm. Consulting and Training                 3 credits
  COML 512            Seminar in Strategic and Corporate Comm.                 3 credits
  COML 513            Seminar in Advanced Topics                                           3 credits
  COML 514            Seminar in Advanced Criticism                                        3 credits           
  COML 515            Seminar in Interpersonal & Small Group Comm          3 credits
  COML 516            Seminar in Media Literacy                                                3 credits
  COML 520            Internship                                                                             1-6 credits
  COML 660/661    Directed Readings                                                             3 credits

Leadership Electives (3 credits)

Any ORGL course can be used to meet this LEADERSHIP elective.  Talk with your advisor regarding which one would help in your degree goals. 

Course Descriptions

COML 500 Organizational Leadership                                       3 credits 
Drawing on material from various social science disciplines, this integrated course focuses on research and models of leadership relevant to defining and achieving collective goals in a variety of organizational settings.

COML 501 Communication and Organizational Research       3 credits
Study of the inquiry process, emphasizing research design and methodologies appropriate to investigation of organizational dynamics and human behavior; both qualitative and quantitative methods are explored.

COML 503 Communication and Organizational Ethics            3  credits
Inquiry into the philosophic foundations of interpersonal relations and values in organizational contexts with emphasis on applications of ethical systems to the responsibilities of people in organizations toward society and individuals.

COML 504 Organizational Communication and Leadership      3 credits
This course explores contemporary concepts about the meanings and functions of communication in organizations.  All organizations -- from Microsoft, to churches, to social clubs, and universities -- rely on communication, and being able to communicate strategically is crucial to meaningful participation in every one of them.  Organizational communication encompasses not only communication within businesses, but also within large private or nonprofit associations, larger community groups, and governments both large and small. We cover such selected topics in organizational communication research, such as culture, socialization, systems theory, communication and technology, and globalization.

COML 506 International and Intercultural Communication        3 credits
This course examines theories and issues in international and intercultural communication that impact global, national and regional organizations.  Practical application of organizational leadership in the context of diversity will be explored through a lens of culture, ethnicity, race gender orientation and disability awareness.  Additionally this course examines issues in global media and globalization.

COML 508 Theorizing Communication                                    3 credits
This course investigates the major social scientific theories of communication, with emphasis on understanding theorizing as a process of constructing visions of reality.  Students develop the ability to analyze critically the underlying assumptions of theoretical models of communication. Additionally, we explore the advanced study of relationship between communication, media language, and human perception.  Writers studied include: Plato, Aristotle, Kenneth Burke, Marshall McLuhan, and Walter Ong.

COML 509 Social Dynamics of Communication Technologies     3 credits
Does communication technology cause social change or do social factors cause change in communication technologies? Examination of relationships between mass media and community and computers and the self.

COML 511 Seminar in Communication Consulting and Training      3 credits
This seminar is about communication training and consulting.  Based on communication theory and research, our goal is to understand and explore the factors that help communication effectiveness in organizational settings and develop your rhetorical skills to become effective trainers and consultants.  Organizations need to stay competitive in modern societies; companies must attract and retain, train and retrain the best employees.  This training and retraining is done through both internal and external trainers and consultants.  This course explores the unique application of communication skills to Human Resource Development and Training.  There is practice in developing resources, marketing, proposal writing, workshop development, and evaluation.  This course combines both theory and praxis and has three phases: Phase I, Background on Training and Development and Developing Presentation Skills; Phase II: Developing Curriculum and Presenting Mini-Workshops; and Phase III, Exploring Ethical Issues and Starting Up Your Own Consulting Business.

COML 512 Seminar in Strategic and Corporate Communication      3 credits
Using communication theory and public relations practices, this seminar focuses on strategic and corporate communication in profit and not-for-profit corporate settings. 

COML 513 Seminar in Advanced Topics in Communication                3 credits
The specific theme of this course varies each time it is offered because communication is constantly evolving.  Some would say we are in the fourth communication revolution in the history of human experience. This seminar explores cutting edge new technologies, theory, and issues.

COML 514 Seminar in Advanced Criticism                                           3 credits
This seminar is intended to help students understand the value of media criticism and to develop the standards, outlook and technique that will allow them to criticize capably not only the standard "media" -journalism and broadcasting- but also theater, movies, dance, art, music, political speech and architecture. All of these are the means by which social and cultural messages are transmitted to the public. Each of these media has its own special requirements, but they also have common aspects.

COML 515 Seminar in Interpersonal and Small Group Communication      3 credits
The focus of this seminar is on the current literature about communication in interpersonal relationships. Seminar participants consider aspects of relational communication problems and strategic interpersonal communication.

COML 516 Seminar in Media Literacy                                         3 credits
Media literacy is developing an understanding of the mass media both form and function: the techniques they use, the ideologies they carry, the business motivations that drive them and the artistic expressions reached.  This seminar examines the implications of several forms of communication on how we live and what we believe. Impact of mass media on modern societies, conflicting social interest, and the needs of different groups in society. Formation of public opinion, diffusion of innovation, and the nature of propaganda.

COML 517-19 Communication Practicum: Speech, Writing, Multi-Media             3 credits
This practicum is designed to merge theory and praxis and provide practical application of communication knowledge and action with a focus on public speaking and group processes, written communication, and the creation of multi-media products.  Team members will give two speeches (one will be video-taped), participate in a group session, writing that will include organizing, first and last drafts, and editing, and web-page creation that will include the use of voice and video components. 

COML 520  Communication Leadership Internship                       1-6 credits
The graduate internship is designed for students who enter the degree program without prior practical work experience in the communications industries, are looking to update their knowledge of communication practices, or seek the opportunity to work in a communication industry either locally, nationally or internationally.  Prior approval required.

COML 680  Thesis or Project                                       3 credits
The Master of Arts Program in Communication and Leadership Studies prepares students broadly for professional advancement or for doctoral academic work. Depending on their goals and background, M.A. students may be admitted into a thesis or non-thesis course of study.  For more information go to Thesis and Project Requirements