39 courses with the subject COM, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
Credit(s) 3 This course helps students develop the basic skills necessary for speechmaking. Special emphasis is placed on learning how to organize, research, and support arguments; developing critical listening skills; and developing increased confidence and competence in oral presentations.
Credit(s) 3 This course is designed to help students identify, comprehend and use core principles of rhetorical analysis by introducing them to key concepts, including: types of rhetoric (oral, written, visual), the origins of rhetorical study and strategy (logos, ethos, pathos), and the importance of context in critiquing messages. The course provides an introductory understanding of paradigms and how to use them to critique messages relevant to students’ lives, including (but not limited to): art, political discourse, social media messages, propaganda, and more.
Credit(s) 3 Provides course participants with a solid understanding of how to gather factual material from a wide range of sources and combine it into a clear, coherent, and complete news article. Students learn to report and write hard news stories and several variations thereof. Topics include backgrounding, interviewing, inverted pyramid style, lead construction, headline construction, style and stylebooks, beat reporting, media law, media ethics, and introductory publication design. In addition, students explore differences between print, online, and broadcast journalism and conduct an introductory investigation into non-journalistic forms of media writing for radio, television, and film.
Credit(s) 3 An introductory investigation into the changing media landscape and the implications of these changes ranging from traditional mass communication formats such as print media and radio to newer interactive formats such as the Internet and social media. Course participants explore the impact of digital and social media on careers in communication, relationships, and entertainment while learning major theories pertaining to media and society. Course participants will also explore the societal effects of media in various areas such as media ethics, politics, and media literacy.
Credit(s) 3 This course introduces students to the foundational principles and key behaviors of one-on-one interpersonal communication. Drawing on systematic, evidence-based research, students will explore the factors that influence effective communication, including cultureal context, perception, self-concept, and messages types. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to analyze and apply interpersonal communication strategies in a variety of personal and professional settings.
Credit(s) 1-3 Special Topics in Communications
Credit(s) 3 Appalachia is a region defined by characteristics not widely found in other parts of the U. S. in spite of its length and diversity. Further, the region’s “distinctive relationship with death.” As described by Crissman (1994) is all the more fascinating against the backdrop of these characteristics, which I have been influenced by its migration patterns, industries, religions, and folklore. This course will delve into the oral, written, and visual messages embedded in symbols and rituals used in Appalachia’s death culture, their origins, and changes over time. The course will explore both artifacts and sites-from the wake to the grave- where such messages occur, discuss how the people who identify as Appalachian make meaning in communicating within these sites, and learn methods and methodologies for how researchers analyze and interpret content to understand this these phenomena.
Credit(s) 3 This course provides a study of film and its connections to aesthetics, ideology, literature, culture, and the arts. The interdisciplinary nature of film will be particularly explored in its narrative, visual, psychological, and sociological dimensions.
Credit(s) 3 This course provides course participants with advanced study of the uses of video as an artistic medium and advanced experience in the preparation, shooting, and editing of video field projects in film style form. Emphasis is placed on effective incorporation and application of technical and theoretical principles, relevant aesthetic and narrative approaches, and traditional storytelling techniques.
Credit(s) 3 The purpose of this course is to give students an introduction to preparing and producing effective communication on social media, especially of a workplace and/or business. Students learn the foundations of using social media communication for the workplace/for businesses with a focus on knowing company goals; understanding the role of a brand persona and the importance of audience analysis/audience targeting; and working with social media platform(s) of choice. Students will consider how wording, timing, and content impact their media-based messages. Throughout the course, students “work” for a mock business that has them apply course concepts by creating social media goals, content, and communication. Students also spend the semester following a real business/brand of their choice on social media and do a content analysis project with the ultimate goal of acting as a mock consultant for that company suggesting ways to maintain effective communication and decrease ineffective communication.
Credit(s) 3 A study of selected topics pertaining to the historical development of film in the United States and around the world. Specific content will vary by semester and may include History of American Film, History of World Film, and/or History of Silent Cinema, among other topics.
Credit(s) 3 “Introduction to Podcasting” is a comprehensive course designed to provide students with the fundamental skills and knowledge needed to create, produce, and critically analyze podcasts. Throughout this course, you will delve into the art and skill of podcasting, exploring its diverse genres, formats, and impact on contemporary communication. You will gain hands-on experience in crafting compelling narratives, conducting interviews, editing audio, optimizing sound quality and publishing to various platforms. Moreover, you will analyze successful podcasts to understand the strategies behind their increasing popularity and effectiveness.
Credit(s) 3 This course instructs students on how to think critically and intelligently about the media they consume and create in our ever-changing media landscape. Students will learn to use media more intentionally; break down media messages by considering intent, context, and sources; learn to navigate misinformation and verify facts; discuss ethical media use; explore the role of media in a Democratic society; and consider media issues surrounding privacy, culture and sense of self. Additionally, students will spend time learning about AL use for personal, school, and work purposes, and discuss the impact of AI on society while reflecting on their own responsibilities. By the end of the course, student should have a better understanding of the impact of media on our world and how to use it more responsibly.
Credit(s) 3 The introduction of newer technologies in society always comes with unintended consequences, which frequently results in unanticipated ethical dilemmas. This course provides students opportunities to explore these ethical dilemmas and understand both their societal impacts and how to mitigate them. Each week students watch one episode of a popular television show with dark, prophetic visions about technology and society and – after some time for writing and reflection - students discuss the episode in light of different readings that address some of the prominent concepts and themes of the episode related to human nature and technology. Students learn to dissect the psychological and ethical dimensions of each episode so that they can develop the skills to reflect critically on the role of media in technology and society and so that they can write critical media analyses. Content Warning: Episodes contain mature themes with content that is often of a violent or sexual nature. Students are advised to consider this before enrolling.
Credit(s) 3 This course is designed to extend students’ understanding of communication within a variety of relationships. We examine the communication research on relationships-of-choice (friendships and romantic) from attraction to deterioration. We also examine differences and similarities that exist between communication in relationships-of-choice and relationships-of-obligation (family and co-workers). From evidence based on systematic study, we discuss multiple theoretical explanations of communication across the span of a relationship and between relationship types.
Credit(s) 3 This course provides students with the foundational skills necessary for effective communication in professional settings. Through an interactive and experiential approach, students will refine oral presentation abilities, produce clear and purposeful business writing, and engage in workplace communication scenarios. The curriculum includes resume and cover letter development, interview preparation, and professional speaking practice. Independent and collaborative exercises foster real-world readiness, ensurning students are equipped to communicate confidently and professionally in diverse business environments.
Credit(s) 3 Students learn the skills necessary to help organizations and/or businesses create a full social media strategy for their social media use across popular platforms. The first two parts of the course are reserved for learning the background history and the dynamics involved in social media, the benefits associated with strategy, and an overview of the current social media field today to give students a framework for planning. For the remainder of the course, students work both independently and as a team to create a strategy from scratch for a real class client. This step-by-step process will ultimately lead to a full strategy portfolio that students present with their classmates to the class client.
Credit(s) 3 This course offers an in-depth exploration of communication as a social science, emphasizing the role of theory in understanding human interaction. Students will learn how to apply theoretical frameworks to critically and deductively examine key questions and issues in communication. Serving as a foundational course, it prepares students for advanced study in interpersonal and media communication by providing the theoretical tools necessary for analysis and interpretation. Prerequisites COM 2300
Credit(s) 3 Students will develop their ability to become researchers of human communication processes using quantitative research methods. Students will be exposed to the logic, methodologies, and data analytic procedures typically used by social scientific researchers who utilize quantitative strategies. They will learn how to propose research problems that can be addressed using a statistical approach to research and how to collect and analyze quantitative data.
Credit(s) 3 This course familiarizes students with the major methodological and theoretical approaches to qualitative research (post-positivistic, interpretive, critical) as well as ethical considerations regarding social research. Students will read, analyze, and present on scholarly qualitative studies, and examine the results of qualitative methodology in the field. Methods include: interview, oral history collection, observation, interviews, focus groups, ethnography, content analysis, case study and mixed methods approaches.
Credit(s) 3 This course introduces students to the foundational principles and practices of public relations. Through the development of a semester-long PR campaign, students gain hands-on experience in research, planning, and implementation. Topics include crisis communication, stakeholder engagement, and current issues in the field, providing a real-world understanding of the PR profession.
Credit(s) 3 This course introduces students to the fundamentals of advertising. We will examine the role of advertising within an integrated marketing communications (IMC) environment, relevant advertising theories and concepts, specific activities of advertising professionals, and the ethics of advertising.
Credit(s) 6 Supervised field experience in journalism, broadcasting, public relations, or advertising. Ordinarily taken in the junior year.
Credit(s) 6 Supervised field experience in journalism, broadcasting, public relations, or advertising. Ordinarily taken in the junior year.
Credit(s) 1-3 Special Topics in Communications
Credit(s) 3 Students of this course uncover the psychological roots of successful persuasive communication. By walking through different approaches to and theories of persuasion, students learn to identify and create persuasive messages in various kinds of communications such as campaigns, claims, commercials, and more. A primary focus of the course is considering how our communication leads to whether or not our persuasive targets’ attitudes and behaviors will be impacted. This is an application and project-based course, which assists students with applying all of the theoretical material discussed in class to real-world communications.
Credit(s) 3 The spoken dialects of the Appalachian region (grammar, vocabulary, and accent/phonology) are living testaments to its rich linguistic heritage. Despite unflattering stereotypes and cultural discrimination associated with varieties of Appalachian English, Appalachians continue to speak them. This course examins these distinctive speech varieties, specifically: historical influences, their uses for empowerment and solidarity, intersections with educational standards, and influences in literature. The course emphasizes ways in which the dialetcs express local history and illustrate shared identities. Students will learn about how dialect features and changes can be determined with qualitative content analysis of written and spoken vernacular.
Credit(s) 1 This course was designed to introduce students to the application of communication studies in the workplace. Students need to work at a job or internship that is communication-based or in a communication-related field. This course counts for a UVA Wise experiential learning credit in the new Liberal Arts Core. Students will need to keep a detailed and accurate record of their work in the form of weekly typed journal entries and a job materials portfolio. This is done to reflect on their work, experience, and communication skills. Students will also be reviewed and evaluated by their Supervisor who will rate and comment on their performance and effectiveness at the job including their perception of the student’s written and oral communication skills.
Credit(s) 3 The object of the course is to encourage and enable students to consider and analyze the television news media critically and to clearly articulate those considerations and analyses in discussions about the idea of an ‘informed democracy.’ The course examines a variety of ways by which news media may be understood, defined, and analyzed. Concurrently those tools are applied to the analysis of news stories as well as the larger fundamental question of whether or not the news media serve to inform our democracy well or not, and why. Prerequisites ENG 1020
Credit(s) 3 This course provides students with an in-depth examination of the importance of nonverbal behavior in the communication process and its role in effective listening. The course will examine the roots of nonverbal communication; the impact of different modes of nonverbal communication (eye-contact, facial expressions, gestures, etc.); and how to improve one’s listening skills with an increased awareness of nonverbal communication.
Credit(s) 3 This course is designed to introduce students to the multiple functions that communication serves in families across the life span of a family. After successfully completing the course, you should be able to demonstrate and understand the role of communication in family interactions from a developmental and systemic perspective.
Credit(s) 3 This course provides students with an advanced understanding of organizational theories and how different structures and approaches influence communication practices. Students will explore key concepts in organizational communication and apply them to real-world case studies, gaining insight into how communication shapes-and is shaped by-organizational dynamics.
Credit(s) 3 This course includes complex theories and application of those theories to critically analyze, interpret and evaluate complex written, oral and visual messages. The course provides students with the theoretical perspectives most utilized in the field of communication including: Classical, New Rhetoric, the Narrative Paradigm, Burke, ideological, and visual approaches. Over the course of the semester, students will develop and original research project on an approved rhetorical message.
Credit(s) 1-6 Academic credit granted for a special project conducted in connection with a cooperative education work experience under the supervision of a faculty member and approved by the chair of the department of a student’s major field. Each department will determine the number of credits awarded. Prerequisites Permission of the Department Chair
Credit(s) 1-6 This course offers students a supervised field experience in an area of interest in the field of communication.
Credit(s) 1-3 Special Topics in Communications
Credit(s) 3 Created and approved with special permission from the Department Chair. Independent studies may not be created for courses that are available during an active term.
Credit(s) 3 Students will demonstrate the research, critical thinking, writing, and presentation skills they have developed in their major. Students will work with a faculty mentor to develop topic for original communication research for which they will write a research proposal and orally defend the proposal.
Credit(s) 2 Students demonstrate their professionalism through personal branding, an interview presentation, a career-oriented portfolio, and several critical reflections and analyses. Focusing on their desired career path in communication studies, students develop and present a personal brand so that they can market themselves for the upcoming workforce. Students research and analyze their chosen career path and create a digital job portfolio. Finally, students are asked to reflect on their undergraduate liberal arts education and their communication studies degree in order to make an argument that they have been prepared for civil citizenship in a diverse world.
Source: University of Virginia's College at Wise's catalog, linked per course · table learning_unit · CourseShelf publish 59
