Undergraduate Bulletin - Loyola Marymount University

294 / COMMUNICATION STUDIES
CMST 201
Rhetorical Theory
3 Semester Hours
This course provides a chronological survey of major
rhetorical themes and theories drawn from Plato,
Aristotle, Cicero, Quintilian, St. Augustine, Kenneth
Burke, Stephen Toulmin, critical theorists, feminist
rhetoric, and non-Western approaches to rhetoric.
Prerequisite: CMST 101 with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
CMST 202
Organizational Communication
3 Semester Hours
A study of the role of the individual communicator in an
organization and the pattern of communication observed
in different organizational structures.
Prerequisite: CMST 101 with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
CMST 203
Foundations of Communication Theory
3 Semester Hours
This course introduces students to the field of
communication studies and its major areas of inquiry. It
begins with an overview of the history of the discipline,
tracing its humanistic roots, social scientific orientations,
and approaches which combine these two traditions. The
course then examines communication studies from the
standpoint of four perspectives that can be used to
organize major movements in the field: mechanistic,
psycho-symbolic, pragmatic, and critical. These
perspectives are used to organize the variety of
communication theories examined in the course.
This course may be taken concurrently with CMST 204.
CMST 204
Introduction to Research in Communication Studies
3 Semester Hours
This course introduces students to scholarship conducted
in communication studies. It overviews the research
process, including generating research questions,
constructing bibliographies, gathering and assessing
information, and developing scholarly arguments.
Students will learn research techniques, including
location and retrieval of information sources (i.e.,
newspapers, journals, books, electronic databases, and
Internet sources). They will apply critical thinking skills to
the evaluation of information sources and data/arguments
in qualitative and quantitative research. Students will also
be introduced to basic aspects of writing for the
discipline, as well as expectations for scholarly ethics and
proper citation of courses.
This course may be taken concurrently with CMST 203.
CMST 206
Critical Thinking and Communication
3 Semester Hours
A study of the techniques of critical thinking as applied to
communication and rhetoric.
CMST 298
Special Studies
1-3 Semester Hours
CMST 299
Independent Studies
1-3 Semester Hours
CMST 301
Theories of Human Communication
3 Semester Hours
Theories which describe the complexities of human
messages and the relationships of persons who
communicate are studied to develop approaches to more
effective communication.
Prerequisite: CMST 101 with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
CMST 303
Research in Communication Studies
3 Semester Hours
Study of qualitative methods in communication.
Development of senior thesis literature review and
research questions. Includes data collection, analysis, and
interpretation of observations and interview data.
Prerequisite: CMST 101.
CMST 330
Advanced Forensics
3 Semester Hours
A study of advanced principles of debate with emphasis
on interdisciplinary research on current national collegiate
debate topic.
Prerequisite: CMST 130 or consent of instructor.
CMST 331
Argumentation Practicum
3 Semester Hours
Forensics competition in various debate formats requiring
intramural and intercollegiate debate competition.
Prerequisite: CMST 130 and consent of instructor.