Course examines various approaches people take to communicating. Focuses on developing an awareness of how and why we communicate and why we do not always communicate effectively. Includes consideration of variables related to interpersonal, group, public, and mass-communication contexts. Fee.

Course examines the functioning of communication media in contemporary society including the political, economic and social environment. The structure and functions of newspapers, magazines, film, recording, radio, television, advertising and public relations industries are examined. The impact of the media on individuals and institutions is explored. Fee.

A beginning study of the principles of speech communication as they relate to speaker-audience communication. The student is provided an opportunity to develop the art of audience and subject analysis, research, critical thinking, organization, language, and delivery of speeches. This course includes a video component. Fee

Introductory survey of theoretical orientations in the field of human communication. Focuses on alternative explanations regarding elements of the communication process, models of communication, the communication act, and the communication relationship. Fee.

Examines the role of argumentation in a democratic society and aims to develop critical thinking and reasoned advocacy. Course makes functional a knowledge of tests of evidence and the modes of logical reasoning. Students participate in various forms of argumentation and debating. Fee.

A study of communication behavior in the interpersonal setting. Focuses on development of knowledge, trust, understanding, supportiveness, etc., in a relationship, and their collective impact on the communication exchange. Fee.

Intensive study of writing for various media and audiences. Specific attention is given to improvement of writing skills, including grammar, punctuation, spelling, word use, sentence composition, Associated Press style, and organization of material, as well as the different formats for the different media. Media styles studied include print, broadcast, on-line journalism, and public relations, which also includes a study of evaluating, documenting, and prioritizing facts in the writing of news stories and media releases for public relations. Computer fee.

Course examines rhetoric or the art of persuasion, as it relates to popular culture. Students will apply rhetorical theory to such topics as music, film, and advertising.

Introduction to Strategic Communication focuses on theories, concepts and applications of the advertising and public relations fields. It provides an overview of theories, practices, ethics, campaigns, and the role of strategic communication in the process of marketing products, ideas, and people. The course involves the evaluation of communication ideas used to build brands, create and sustain positive relationships, and solve problems to advance the interests of brands and organizations.

Application of communication principles and techniques to those aspects of one's life in an organization that have been shown to be the most difficult and troublesome parts of the communication milieu in the world of work. Includes interviewing, conference participation, leadership decisions, conflict management, and organizational change as communication phenomena. Fee.

This course will teach the basics of directing, composition, lighting, audio and editing in the digital realm. Techniques of working with actors and the technical and aesthetic considerations of moving-picture photography, audio design and storytelling through editing will be covered by lecture, example, and practical exercise. Technology Fee.

Theory and practice of television production. Concentrates on exploring the uses of television in varied contexts, including corporate, community, and broadcasting applications. Fee.

A survey of radio broadcast operations. Examines terrestrial, Internet, and satellite radio. Emphasis on audience analysis, programming, promotions, production, performance, and regulatory standards. Fee.

Course focuses on the unique aspects of radio and television as communication media. Different styles of delivery for various media projects will be studied - broadcast news, advertising, and entertainment. Course also focuses on restraints and requirements of the individual medium on the practice of broadcast delivery. Fee.

This course considers the nature of the digital environment as it relates to communication. Topics include writing in the online environment, effective use of images and multimedia, and basic web design. Computer fee.

This is a traditional lecture and writing course that will provide students with an overview of sports journalism and hone writing, reporting and editing skills. Students will learn how to write a game story, advance/follow-up story, sports column and feature story during the semester. As in the journalism industry, students will adhere to strict deadlines. Computer Fee.

Course focuses on the approaches of visual communication to strategically reach target audiences and meet an organization's mission brand and communication specific goals. This involves the use of modern industry software tools to apply the concepts and techniques of basic design principles, color, typography, layout and graphics in the planning and development of publications and design pieces. Computer Fee.

Theory and practice in leading and participating in small group decision making Special focus on group problem solving and the management of conflict in small group decision-making meetings. Fee.

Principles and practices of selection and preparation of written and pictorial materials for newspapers, magazines, and related media. Layout and design, production planning, and related topics. Computer fee.

This course will introduce students to major topics in Chinese history, covering both ancient periods, such as the Three Kingdoms period, and twentieth-century events such as the war with Japan and the Cultural Revolution. Post-Tiananmen Chinese society will also be stressed. Students will explore these themes through Chinese film and literature, and will thus become familiar with major directors, including Zhang Yimou and Jia Zhangke and writers such as Yu Hua.

The role of journalism in American society from the Revolution to the present. This course is equivalent on HY 288. Fee.

A variable-topics course treating communication concepts and topics relevant to the disciplines. May be repeated once when course content changes for a total of six credit hours. Fee.

Introduction to research foundations in the field of communication. Includes historical, critical, descriptive, and experimental methods. Computer fee.

This course examines some of the most fundamental questions about human knowledge, belief and rationality and compares the treatment of such issues in philosophical discussions and contemporary media, especially film. Identical with PHL 301. Credit cannot be received for both CA 301 and PHL 301.

Basic theories and techniques of persuasion and their application to typical communication situations and problems in today's society. Fee.

Examines communication between genders by exploring theoretical perspectives used of gender development, gender socialization, interactions and stereotypes. Includes discussions involving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and LGBTQ community.

Students will learn basic dramatic structure, especially as it pertains to film and television. Student will become proficient in the screenplay format through the use of professional scriptwriting software. Students will leave the class with a short-film script which will be ready for production

Students develop an understanding of planning traditional and digital media as a part of an integrated brand communication strategy. The course concentrates specifically on how media work together strategically to shape consumers' brand experiences across media platforms. Fee.

Creative Strategy focuses on the theoretical foundations of creative strategic thinking in advertising and visual communication. The course concentrates on writing effective copy for traditional and digital media as part of a strategic brand communication campaign. Computer Fee.

Study of the role of public relations in sports, particularly as it relates to strategic communication. Discussion topics include the sports organization - media relationship, organizational media (traditional and digital), the legal and ethical dimensions of sport, and crisis communication. Fee.

Strategic Writing focuses on understanding writing styles and formats of different communication media for maximum message impact. This involves crafting written messages for specific target audiences, selecting appropriate media and the adaptation of writing style and tone. Emphasis is placed on strategic, concise and effective writing. Computer Fee.

A workshop stressing practical applications of the principles and theories of communication disciplines to those settings and problems in the world of work that are of special interest to the students enrolled. Fee.

Public Relations and Non-Profit Fundraising provides an understanding of how organizations use public relations to build mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their public to achieve their philanthropy goals through effective fundraising.

CA 330 is the study of the theory and practice of intercultural communication. This course's goal is to focus on global dialogues within critical organizational incidents. This course has three objectives: to explain the culture-based situational conflict model; to integrate theory and practice in the discussion of organizational conflict; and to provide an excellent opportunity for writing within the organizational communication content areas.

The focus of this course is on production techniques, processes and skills. Analysis of television production as a communication process, program formats, production equipment and facilities, production and unit management and the role of the director. Fee.

This course will give students practical grounding in the concepts and technology associated with the production of studio-based news and information programs. Technology Fee.

An examination of the development of motion pictures from 1893 to the present. Films representing major periods, movements, and styles will be examined. Fee.

A study of the formation and evolution of film and television genres. Selected genres will be studied in terms of their structure and cultural history. Fee.

Course includes both writing in the broadcast media and exploring broadcast news operations. Assignments include writing broadcast news stories and evaluating broadcast news operations. Lectures cover the characteristics of broadcast news, news styles, news policy, and ethics and responsibility in broadcast news. Fee

This course focuses on the post-production for television news. Students will edit footage they shot for CA 350, learning to weave together b-roll, interview, natural sound, and voice-over to create a compelling narrative.

Examining the role and influence of mass media in politics, exploring how and why the media contribute to and shape democracy.

A survey of the legal, budgeting, revenue stream and distribution issues associated with film and television production. Topics include preproduction and production management, script breakdown, scheduling, and above and below the line talent. Computer Fee.

This course will teach the basics of planning, scripting, shooting and editing short films in the 16mm format. Technology Fee.

This course will introduce the basics of digital special-effects, two-dimensional computer animation and two- and three-dimensional video graphics. Technology Fee.

Intensive study and application of rhetorical and communication theories to understanding problems that arise as the Internet and the World Wide Web begin to render fixed media-based communication obsolete. Implications for advertising, journalism, organizational record keeping and management, interpersonal communication, training, entertainment, etc. Computer fee

Rhetorical issues in the design of Internet and World Wide Web materials. Focus on how motion, color, and other visual elements compete for audience attention; how rhetorical theory, learning theory, and communication theory inform the myriad decisions involved in visual presentation. This course will address these rhetorical issues from the creator's and user's view point. Computer fee

Study of intermediate skills needed for reporting, evaluating, and writing news stories, with particular attention given to the reporting of public affairs issues. Vanguard practicum. Fee

The focus of this course examines the understanding of how to build, measure and manage a brand from visual conception. Emphasis is on the visual aspects of brand management from the creative power of visual branding through research and visual strategy development and theories. Advanced areas of digital and/or print media are used in creative development and execution of persuasive and effective messages. Computer Fee.

The study of basic photography and the principles of still photography journalism, with particular emphasis on camera use, photo processing, visual aesthetics, and journalistic story-telling. Computer fee.

Through this course students will develop a general understanding of the ability of photographic images to communicate concepts, ideas and emotion through creative photography. It will be a hands-on course, in which students will use digital cameras to produce photographs that achieve the desired message. Computer Fee.

Students learn the account service function in an advertising agency. They develop an understanding of the account manager's role by focusing on the inter-relationships between the account manager, creative, media planners, and other agency specialists. Requires Junior or Senior standing. Computer fee.

A writing and reporting course focusing on advanced skills, including alternative structures for news stories. Designed to give students a broad overview of the magazine industry and its current trends with emphasis on newspaper and magazine feature writing. Fee.

An advanced variable-topic course treating communication concepts and topics relevant to the discipline. May be repeated twice for up to six hours credit. Fee.

Directed individual study of literature in an area of need and interest to the student. May be repeated for a maximum of six hours credit. Fee.

An advanced examination of an application of persuasive techniques in communication situations and contexts (e.g. field, laboratory, interpersonal, small group, nonverbal, mass communication). Fee.

An examination of issues, theories, research and skills that apply to managing and nurturing close relationships. Emphasis is given to applying course concepts to promote relational growth and manage interpersonal conflict through interaction in relationships. Fee.

A broad survey of the Western rhetorical tradition designed to give students a working knowledge of rhetoric and its historical and contemporary influence on communicative events and perspectives. Fee.

This course is designed to introduce students to the process of rhetorical analysis. Through criticism of communication artifacts, students learn to identify key elements of the rhetorical process and to develop critical thinking, writing, and viewing skills. The course prepares students to interpret, understand, analyze, and critique communication in diverse contexts including speeches, advertisements, interpersonal conversations, films, and works of art to name a few. Culminating experience for communication studies students. Fee.

Close examination of a single contemporary rhetorical phenomenon. Topics will rotate based upon disciplinary relevance and student needs. May be repeated once for credit when content varies for a maximum of six credits.

Study and application of organizational and communication theory of assessment of organizational and communication needs. Critical analysis of intervention programs and strategies. Fee.

Review and analysis of communication training and development programs designed to solve communication problems in groups and organizations. Students will develop and present a training or development program. Computer fee

Theory and practice of television production. Concentrates on exploring and understanding the concepts and technology involved in advanced video production for a variety of applications including commercial, corporate, and community outlets. Culminating experience for digital cinema & television students. Fee.

Advanced theory and practice of television production. Concentrates on exploring the advanced uses of television in varied contexts, including corporate, community, and broadcasting applications. Fee

Study of social responsibility and ethics in communication. Acquaints student with ethical standards and expectations society has for communicators. Capstone Course. Requires Junior or Senior standing. Fee.

Examination of the interaction between mass communication and American society. Current research literature in the field will be analyzed and methods of improving the system will be discussed. Fee.

This is an advanced course in broadcast news reporting and production. Students will have hands-on practice in a newsroom situation. Fee.

This course gives students experience in producing short documentaries for the media. Students will produce their own documentary with the intent of entering the finished product in student competitions. Culminating experience for broadcast journalism students. Fee.

Provides students with a broad overview of political communication from both historical and contemporary perspectives so students may understand how the subject has evolved over time to become a unique field of theoretical and research interest. Special attention is paid to campaigns and elections, agenda-setting research, and media power. The major focus is on the United States. Fee.

This course is designed to give upper level Broadcast Journalism students hands-on experience creating a weekly television news program. Students will gain additional experience in news production and TV news programming. Students will report, produce and announce the news on the Jag-TV station.

Study of the broad application of principles of law to American Communication, including study of free speech, freedom of information, mass media law and regulation including libel, copyright, and right of privacy. Fee.

An examination of how and why digital information technologies are used by citizens, activists, journalists, and politicians to shape and influence individual's political participation and engagement and public policy and society.

An examination of the new communication technology systems with an emphasis on how they reconfigure patterns of communication organizations, production, storage, and dissemination. The role of communication technology systems today and tomorrow, and implications for organizational, local, national, and international contexts will be studied. Computer fee.

Digital media play a key role in campaigns and the daily work of marketing, advertising and public relations professionals. This course will integrate the growing research in the area with the digital media practices in these industries. It will focus on the three underpinnings of a successful digital media strategy: Listening, engagement, and analytics.

This course focuses on how to conceptualize and develop a professional and creative portfolio by creating a campaign spanning digital mass communication. Students examine the advertising creative industry from the perspectives of the media designer, freelancer, and entrepreneur while centering on the tools, techniques, principles, methods, strategies and practical skills needed to build an inspired portfolio. Computer Fee.

Advanced study of news reporting and presentation techniques including investigative reporting. Students concentrating in print will produce a professional-quality print project. Culminating experience for print journalism students who take this course. Computer fee.

This course explores the role, function, planning and implementation of sales promotion in the brand communication process. Topics include contests, coupons, price discounts, sampling, and sweepstakes as well as the legal regulation of sales promotions. Computer Fee.

The nature of small group processes. Leadership, communication, and decision making in small groups. Fee.

An examination of the editorial and other opinion and persuasive communications used by the print and electronic media. Computer fee.

This course will teach the basics of creating a professional-quality journalism story for the Web using multimedia techniques. We also explore how multimedia and interactivity are changing the communication experience for communication practitioners as well as for their audiences. Culminating experience for print journalism students who take this course. Technology Fee.

Students study how strategic communication campaigns in the advertising and public relations fields have developed opportunities, strengthen relationships and solved problems through research, planning, communication, and evaluation. Using the case study approach, cases focus on strategic management, planning, decision-making and policy formation of the integration of strategies and tactics. Fee.

Students apply strategies and techniques in executing a professional strategic communication campaign for a corporate, nonprofit, association and/or government client. This involves research, audience analysis, objectives, tactics, planning, messaging, media strategies, communication, creative development, budgeting and evaluation. Fee.

This course allows students to execute strategic communication plans and creative materials for multimedia advertising and public relations campaigns for select clients in an agency setting. Students will learn and apply basic concepts involved in a working ad agency startup. Requires a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and instructor permission. Technology fee.

Craft talks and guided workshops on how to create a television series and write the pilot episode. Same as EH 488.

An advanced variable-topic course treating communication concepts and topics relevant to the discipline. May be repeated twice for up to six hours credit. Fee.

An investigation of advanced topics and concepts of communication. Topics will rotate based upon disciplinary relevance and student need. May be repeated once for credit when content varies for a maximum of six credit hours. Fee.

Investigation of questions of special interest in communication. May be repeated to a maximum of six semester hours, provided no repetition of subject matter occurs. Students are required to file a description of their goals and objectives for their study. This description is to be specific so that it can serve in place of a syllabus for this course. Fee.

On-the-job experience in a selected communication area related to potential career selection. Supervision by communication advisor and off-campus agency required. The Internship Program may be repeated for up to six credits. Requires prior approval of internship coordinator and student's advisor. Internship candidates must have at least a 2.5 overall GPA and at least a 2.75 major GPA. Fee.

Under the advice and guidance of a faculty mentor, honors students will identify and carry out a research project, relevant to the field of Communication study, that will lead to a formal presentation at the annual Honors Student Colloquium. The senior project will be judged and graded by three faculty chaired by the honors mentor. This course is required for Honors recognition and may be repeated for up to six credit hours. Fee.

This three-hour course provides an introduction to graduate study in the University of South Alabama Communication Department and an introduction to academic writing. This is a web-enhanced course. We will meet throughout the semester face-to-face in seminar format and in an informal "Meet and Greet" for graduate students and faculty.

An in-depth study of a variety of qualitative research methodologies and their use in communication research, along with study of the use and practical applications of mixed-method and triangulation research methods.

A survey of the theoretical perspectives that guide the study of communication. Competing and complementary epistemological frameworks will be compared. Fee.

An investigation of research used in the study of communication; in-depth study of a variety of quantitative methodologies used in basic and applied communication research settings; study of statistical applications and practical interpretations.

Advanced analysis and development of persuasive messages and argumentative strategies. Ethical responsibilities of the message sender will also be addressed. Fee.

Review of the interpersonal communication research literature with respect to the process of mutual adaptation and negotiation. The social and psychological processes constraining and organizing interpersonal communication will be studied. Topics include verbal and nonverbal codes, message production and interpretation, conversation management, relationship definition, and interpersonal communication competence. Fee.

A broad survey of the Western rhetorical tradition designed to give students a working knowledge of rhetoric and its historical and contemporary influence on communicative events and perspectives. Fee.

This course is designed to introduce students to the process of rhetorical analysis. Through criticism of communication artifacts, students learn to identify key elements of the rhetorical process and to develop critical thinking, writing, and viewing skills. This course prepares students to interpret, understand, analyze, and critique communication in diverse contexts including speeches, advertisements, interpersonal conversations, films, and works of art to name a few. Fee.

Close examination of a single contemporary rhetorical phenomenon. Topics will rotate based upon disciplinary relevance and student needs. May be repeated once for credit when content varies for a maximum of six credits. Fee.

Analysis of interpersonal, dyadic, group, and organization-wide communication events that occur in organizational settings. Attention will be directed to the network of messages that occur in organizations and the organizational change that occurs when a message system is disrupted or changed. Organizational communication research methodologies will be introduced. Fee.

Review and analysis of communication training and development programs designed to solve communication problems in groups and organizations. Students will develop and present a training or development program. Fee.

An analysis of moving-image form and process makers who supervise, produce, and/or evaluate electronic and/or film media for organizations. Theories of narrative and of moving-image syntax provide principles for structuring media content and managing the production process. Fee.

Advanced analysis and interaction between organizations and the social institutions of American society. Study of the literature and communication ethics and social responsibility. Fee.

A study of the role of corporate and public communication in the American social structure, including mass media extensions and impact upon institutions. Consideration of historical, legal, social, and economic issues. Fee.

A survey of the law as it deals with public communication. The course provides a working knowledge of First Amendment theory, copyright, trademark, advertising, contracts, access and administrative laws as they relate to the public relations environment. Fee.

This course explores the roles, scopes, functions and impact of social media in communication, society, and business. Social media have caused a paradigm shift in the communication landscape. This course will teach students how to critically examine the dynamics of social media in different areas of global communication. We will investigate theoretical and research phenomena of social media management.

This course will explore the practice of teaching and learning. In this course, the primary goal is to help students to make the transition from student to future colleague, thus there will also be a heavy emphasis on professionalization in the communication studies discipline.

CA 570 explores how audience dynamics (attitudes, feelings, beliefs, experiences, values, needs, and behavior) influence message development in public relations and advertising campaigns. Fee.

An in-depth analysis of group communication theories. Topics to be covered include decision making, conflict, conformity, leadership, and observation methods. Fee.

An in-depth study of the field of strategic communication focusing specifically on the cultural history of advertising and public relations, as well as the contemporary issues, problems, and challenges facing these industries.

CA 585 is designed to provide graduate students with a working knowledge of public relations crisis management. Course material focuses on actions to take and actions to avoid in handling a crisis situation from a public relations perspective, and how to work with management, employees, affected publics and the media. Fee.

A detailed examination of selected topics in communication theory. Topic announced prior to registration. Course may be repeated once when subject matter varies. Fee.

Departmental seminar investigating a selected field of communication theory through in-depth evaluation of its accompanying body of literature. Topic announced prior to registration. Course may be repeated once when subject matter varies. Fee.

Independent research in field, laboratory, or library under the direction of a member of the graduate faculty.

Students work independently to plan, research, and write results of an original research project. Students must have completed 24 hours of course work before enrolling in this course. Six credit hours of this course is required to complete the MA Thesis Option Degree in Communication. However, no more than 3 credit hours may be taken in any one semester without the expressed permission of the graduate faculty.