UAHuntsville Communication Arts

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Communication Arts Courses (CM)

100 Introduction to Computer-Mediated Communication 3 hrs.
This course weaves a practical introduction of internetworking tools into an overview of the dynamic context of pioneers, events, and innovations that led to the creation of the Internet. Students will be introduced to computer-mediated communication theory that asks them to critically reflect on the World Wide Web as a technical and artistic medium for human communication. The course teaches the HTML scripting and Web authoring software skills necessary to build a simple Web site that reflect sound communication principles. Lab Fee: $40. Prerequisite: Working knowledge of Windows© operating system and word processing such as that gained in MIS 146. (offered every semester)

113 Introduction to Rhetorical Communication 3 hrs.
Develops public speaking skills through an examination of rhetorical theory, training, and practice. (offered every term)

122 Theater Appreciation 3 hrs.
Introductory survey of theater art focusing on understanding performance components and genres. (Satisfies fine arts elective.) (offered every term)

205 Media Writing 3 hrs.
Basic news writing, learning how to identify news, develop leads, organize information, develop stories, revise drafts, and copyedit articles, all while working under simulated deadline pressure. (offered every fall)

221 Acting 3 hrs.
Fundamentals of acting, including physical, vocal, and intellectual skills. Theory and practice in script analysis, scene study, improvisation, and mime. (offered every semester)

231 Foundations of Human Communication 3 hrs.
Examines how human communication shapes and adapts to a variety of practical settings—public, interpersonal, organizational, mass, and technical. (offered every semester)

251 Decision-Making in Small Groups 3 hrs.
Introduction to the theories and techniques of group discussion and decision-making, emphasizing the skills of leadership, participation, and oral presentation. (offered every two years)

301 Technical Writing 3 hrs.
Practical writing, especially technical or scientific reports and proposals, with emphasis on organization, research and presentation. Prerequisite: EH 101-102 and junior standing. (Same as EH 301.) Lab Fee: $40. (offered every term)

302 Technical Editing 4 hrs.
Clarifying, expanding, reducing, and rewriting technical reports and other documents created by others. Emphasis on elements of style and usage, revision, proofreading, and application of rhetorical techniques to the work of engineers, scientists, and technicians. Involves collaborative project with professional writers in industry. Prerequisite: EH 300 or EH 301 or CM 301. Offered spring semester only. (Same as EH 302.) Lab Fee: $40. (offered every spring)

309 History of Rhetoric 3 hrs.
Survey of rhetorical theory from ancient Greece and Rome through twentieth century. Prerequisite: CM 113 or approval of instructor. (offered every fall)

310 Persuasion 3 hrs.
Principles and practices in persuasive communication, emphasizing observation and analysis of persuasive events on qualitative and quantitative levels. (offered every two years)

313 Business and Professional Communication 3 hrs.
Examines communication theories and practices relevant to the business context with a focus on oral presentations, interviewing, group leadership, and face-to-face communication. Develops knowledge and skills necessary for effective communication within business environments. (Prepares administrative science students to meet the oral communication requirement in upper division and graduate business courses.) (offered every term)

316 Legal Argument 3 hrs.
Examines argumentation in legal communities, that is, the way lawyers and judges provide reasoned support for the positions they defend concerning what the law requires in a given case. It considers common forms of legal argument, sources and forms of evidence, and legal values that underlie legal argument. It provides students with a critical perspective from which to judge legal arguments and a basic set of tools for developing legal arguments. Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor. (offered every two years)

320 Practicum in Writing 1-3 hrs.
Writing and editing under the supervision of professionals. May be repeated up to 3 times for no more than 3 hours total credit. Prerequisites: CM 301, 302, enrollment in the Technical Writing Track, and a successful interview with the participating technical supervisor. Enrollment requires advance planning. (offered every term)

322 Theater History I 3 hrs.
Explores the development of theater art from its origins to French neoclassicism and Moliere with particular emphasis on the Greeks, Shakespeare, and his contemporaries. (offered every two years)

323 Theater History II 3 hrs.
Traces the development of world theater from French neoclassicism to contemporary drama with emphasis on changes in the twentieth century. (offered every two years)

325 Elements of Theatre Production 3hrs.
This course is designed to give students the opportunity to explore the design components of theatre including scenery, costumes, lighting and sound through class projects and practical application. Prerequisite: CM 122 or permission of instructor. (offered every spring)

330 Nonverbal Communication 3 hrs.
Examines the diversity of human nonverbal behavior and its influences on everyday communication experiences. (Same as PY 330.) (offered every fall)

331 Communication Theory 3 hrs.
Examines significant theory frameworks for the study of human communication and mass communication. Develops knowledge of communication processes and social influence. Provides preparation for senior seminar in communication theory and research. Prerequisite: CM 231 or permission of instructor. (offered every spring)

333 Interpersonal Communication 3 hrs.
Examines the process of communication between individuals. Prerequisite: CM 231 or permission of instructor. (offered every two years)

340 Special Topics in Communication Arts 3 hrs.
Topics announced in advance. Representative topics include Media Effects, Intercultural Communication, and Corporeal Theory and Cultural Politics. May be repeated twice for credit. (offered every year)

345 Media Representation 3 hrs.
This course examines some of the relationships between media systems in the U.S. and their role in the social construction of cultural identities. This class will focus on media representations of race, gender, beauty, sexuality, body image and power, audience interpretations of such media portrayals, critical analyses of media culture and content, and what to do about these concerns: media literacy, activism & advocacy. Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor. (offered every year)

370 Communication Research Methods 3 hrs.
Examines social scientific concepts, theories and designs commonly used in interpersonal communication research. Develops knowledge and skills necessary for employment in fields involving the study of communication behavior and perception. Provides preparation for senior seminar in communication theory and research. Prerequisites: CM 231. (offered every fall)

375 Rhetorical Criticism 3 hrs.
This course is an introduction to the critical analysis of public discourse. Specifically, it focuses on understanding how the variables of situation, audience, and rhetoric influence the production and reception of public messages. Prerequisites: CM 113 or approval of instructor. (offered every fall)

400 Internship 1-6 hrs.
Practical experience in the workplace allows the student to apply principles, theories, and skills learned in communication arts courses. Arranged by the student with consent of the chair, the student meets regularly with a faculty advisor, keeps a log of activities, and submits a report on the internship. Prerequisite: Senior standing with CM major. (NOTE: 3 hours of on-the-job work per week are required for each hour of semester credit) (offered every term)

401 Computer-Mediated Communication 3 hrs.
Critically explores the social and practical impact of new communication media on rhetorical processes such as writing, organizing information, making arguments and building community. Applies communication theory to the information architecture of Web sites, including site navigation and organization, audience adaptation and labeling systems. Prerequisites: CM 100, 113 or permission of instructor. Lab Fee: $40. (offered every fall)

402 Theory and Practice in Technical Communication 3 hrs.
Explores the relationships between common practices in technical communication and the theories that legitimize those practices. Introduces students to research and theories about fundamental issues in technical communication, and may then become the basis for further graduate study in technical communication. Prerequisites: Advanced undergraduate standing, CM 301, 302 are strongly recommended. (Same as EH 400.) (offered every fall)

405 Advanced Media Writing 3 hrs.
Introduces and investigates a variety of media writing genres through the generation of advertising, public relations, magazine, and multimedia copy. Prerequisite: CM 205 or permission of instructor. (offered every two years)

416 Women Orators 3 hrs.
Critical examination of women’s public address as it has developed through women’s participation in movements for abolition, temperance, women’s suffrage, and equal rights. (offered every two years)

425 Theatre Mainstage 3hrs.
This course provides students with an opportunity to experience the complete process of theatre including such elements as: direction, acting, design, tech and management. The class will produce two full length plays. Students will be auditioned to determine role in each production. Some will serve critical production roles such as design, direction, and management while others will act in one or both productions. In certain instances, a student actor may appear in both plays. Prerequisites: CM 221 or CM 325 or permission of instructor. (offered every semester)

430 Mass Media in America: Theory and Criticism 3 hrs.
This course encourages students to recognize the role media play in our everyday lives and in our construction of culture. The class also works to critically trace a media product through its production, content, audiences and social impact. The course emphasizes current research perspectives in media and its contemporary texts, primarily film, television, and mass marketed magazines. The course requires attention to and development of a media literacy campaigns. (Same as SOC 430.) (offered every year)

431 Senior Seminar in Communication Theory and Research 3 hrs.
Research and public presentation of original work demonstrating the ability to carry out a complete scholarly project. Prerequisites: CM 370, 375, and senior standing. Offered spring semester. (offered every semester)

499 Senior Project Management 3 hrs.
Students will develop and/or manage a Web site for a business or organization. Projects are arranged with the help of the instructor. (offered every spring)