Courses & Descriptions

MC 6000 Introduction to Media & Communication (3)
An overview of the history of media and communication studies that includes research areas and a survey of theories and methods. Acquaints students with graduate faculty and their research interests. Cultivates students' scholarly writing and research skills.

MC 6300 Social Scientific Research Methods (3)
This course will serve as an introduction to quantitative research in the social sciences.  It lays the foundation for positivistic perspectives and covers the basics of scientific research, basic quantitative research methods and designs, and methods of quantitative data collection. 

MC 6400 Humanistic Research Methods (3)
Introduces and examines specific techniques and applications for various qualitative and critical methods for conducting research in communication studies such as: documentary/bibliographic and legal methods, ethnography, historiography, interviewing, media criticism, participant observation, rhetorical criticism, and feminist approaches.

MC 6100 Philosophical Foundations of Communication Theory (3)
Examines philosophical foundations of communication theory development. Introduces multiple schools of thought and paradigmatic perspectives that inform our foci in communication and culture and media studies.

MC 6970 Teaching Practicum in Media and Communication (1)
Supervised practical field application of teaching in media and communication offered on an individualized basis. May be repeated to 8 hours, one 1 credit counts toward the degree. Graded S/U.

MC 5040 Communication and Conflict (3)

Communication skills in conflict situations in dyadic, group, and organizational settings; negotiation, mediation, and arbitration processes.

MC 5050 Mediated Cultures and Identities (3)

This course explores how meaning-making processes and social formations shape communication and cultures within computer-based technological environments in a variety of contexts. We critically examine theory and practice of producing online multi-mediated spaces.

MC 5080 Intercultural Communication (3)

Communication variables in intercultural contexts. Culture and meaning, communication values in intercultural dialogue, culture as symbolic worldview, culture shock, conflict resolution across cultures.

MC 5090 International Communication (3)

This course examines the relationships between communication and national cultures. The course covers background theory and research in international communication and encourages an appreciation of communication similarities and differences across nations. The course will augment an applied development of international and global communication competence.

MC 5610 Audience Research (3)

Theories of audience and how they are applied in audience research. Types of audience research and how they are used in different settings. Techniques in collecting and analyzing data for audience research and the role of audience research in advertising, programming, financial analysis and social policy decision making.

MC 5630 Media Programming (3)

Audience behavior, program genre and the structure and procedures of the media industry in the selection, scheduling and evaluation of radio, television, cable programs, web sites and mobile media content, and how to market and promote media content across platforms.

MC 5640 Practicum in Interactive Online Media Production (3)

Advanced level interactive media production. Course topics, examples, and assignments are related with contemporary interactive media skills. Assigned practices of interactive media production.

MC 5670 Gender, Media & Culture (3)

This course examines mass media as work place, cultural forum, and the force of social changefor women, men, and sexual orientation-based minority groups.

MC 5700 Electronic Surveillance and Privacy (3)

The course examines the social implications of a world where everyday life is increasingly subject to electronic surveillance. Theoretical and policy approaches to understanding the growth of electronic surveillance and its consequences. In depth analysis of various modes of electronic surveillance. Evaluation of North American and European privacy policy frameworks.

MC 5750 Global Journalism (3). Social, economic and political factors, organization and control in the national news and informational systems of countries around the world.

MC 6010 Rhetorical Criticism (3)

Perspectives and methods of rhetorical criticism with applications to rhetorical practice.

MC 6510 Rhetorical Theory: Contemporary (3)

Examination of major rhetorical theorists of the 20th century: Richards, Weaver, McGree, Condit, Burke. Emphasis on central themes, problems, similarities, and differences.

MC 6530 Interpersonal Communication (3)

Emphasis on theory and research relating to dyadic communication.

MC 6560 Health Communication (3)

Introduction to health communication from the communication perspective. Course will expose the student to past and current research in the field of health communication and will require the student to apply various methodologies in a related research project.

MC 6570 Intercultural Communication (3)

Introduction to intercultural communication from the communication perspective. Course will cover past and current research with attention to theories and methodologies. Course will require a research project or proposal.

MC 7010 Interpretive Research Methods in Media & Communication (3)

Introduction to methodological techniques employing the qualitative collection and analysis of data in communication studies. Includes participant observation, interviewing, focus groups, and historical documentation. Research submitted for professional review. Graded S/U.

MC 7020 Descriptive and Inferential Statistics (3)

Intermediate-level treatment of research methods and/or statistics employed in communication research.

MC 7110 Mass Communication Theory (3)

Advanced study of mass communication theory.

MC 7370 Seminar in New Media Research (3)

Research approaches to and studies of the uses and impacts of new communication media.

MC 7610 Seminar in Race and Communication  (3)

In this course, students will examine the construction and communication of race and ethnicity in interpersonal, organizational, mediated, and cultural contexts. Focusing on the intersections of race, ethnicity, gender, class, sexuality, and culture, we will explore how institutions, media industries, and researchers have defined, measured, and represented race/ethnicity and how individuals and groups have (re)defined, negotiated, and voiced their own racial/ethnic identities.

MC 7630 Seminar in International Development (3)

Study of selected topics in international development communication.

MC 7640 Seminar in Mass Communication History (3)

Advanced study of mass communication history or some aspect thereof.

MC 7650 International Media (3)

Study of the development, objectives, structures, policies, and operations of key regional and global media. Emphasis on relations of international media to propaganda, education, development, and research.

MC 7670 Health Communication Campaigns (3)

Theory and practice of communication to influence public opinion and to change behavior. Social marketing campaigns are emphasized.