Graduate School - Catalog of Studies - University of Arkansas

The Graduate School: Departments and Course Descriptions
417 Kimpel Hall
479-575-3046
Ron Warren
Graduate Coordinator
417 Kimpel Hall
479-575-5957
E-mail: ronw@uark.edu
http://www.uark.edu/depts/comm/
• Professors Frentz, Smith, Webb, Wicks
• Associate Professors Allen, Amason, Brady, Rosteck, Scheide,
Warren
• Assistant Professor Chung
Degree Conferred:
74
M.A. (COMM)
Areas of Concentration: Communication, with general studies of
the discipline or with specific emphasis areas in: 1) rhetoric and public
communication; 2) interpersonal/small group/organizational communication;
or 3) mass communication (television and film studies).
Each student will design a specific curriculum of study in consultation
with his or her major professor, and it may include one of the above
emphasis areas. A student who plans to teach in the public schools
may elect a combination of courses appropriate for the teaching area.
Prerequisites to Degree Program: A student entering graduate
studies should have a minimum of 24 semester hours in undergraduate
credit within the area of communication or closely related studies.
A student who presents less than 24 hours may be admitted with
deficiencies subject to the decision of the department. A student may
eliminate deficiencies while concurrently enrolling in graduate courses.
In addition, prospective students must supply: 1) three letters of
recommendation, 2) an essay-length writing sample, 3) a statement
of their goals for graduate study in Communication, and 4) scores
from the GRE examination.
Requirements for a Master of Arts Degree: A minimum of 30
semester hours in graduate-level courses or 24 hours of course work
and a thesis (6 hours). The following departmental requirements must
be met by students pursuing the M.A. in Communication: a) At least
one course must be completed from two of the three emphasis areas
(rhetoric and public communication; interpersonal, small group, and
organizational communication; and mass communication); b) Two
graduate courses in communication research methods (COMM 5123
and one of the following: COMM 5113, 5353, or 5143); c) In addition
to the two required methods courses, at least five three-hour 5000-
level courses must be completed in the Department of Communication;
d) The remaining hours of graduate credit must be selected from the
following options: 1) Additional 5000-level departmental seminars;
2) 4000-level courses in the Department of Communication that are
approved for graduate credit. However, students are strongly urged to
limit the number of 4000-level courses to no more than six hours; 3)
Up to six hours of graduate-level courses outside the department that
directly relate to the student’s plan of study; 4) Three hours of internship
credit in COMM 5913; 5) Up to six hours of credit in COMM
590V; 6) Up to six hours of thesis credit. In addition to the above
requirements, each student must enroll in COMM 5111 during his
or her first semester of resident graduate study in which it is offered.
Hours earned in COMM 5111 will not count towards the minimum
hours listed above. Each student must pass a comprehensive examination
over the thesis and/or all course work.
Communication (COMM)
COMM4113 Legal Communication (Fa) Examines communication processes in the
legal environment and focuses on communication skills and behaviors among judges, attorneys,
litigants, and jurors. Particular attention will be given to verbal strategies and nonverbal
messages related to interviews, negotiation, mediation, and litigation and to the rhetorical
functions of legal pleadings and judicial opinions.
COMM4123 Communication, Gender, and Popular Culture (Irregular) Studies
representations of femininity and masculinity in popular culture contexts such as magazines,
videos, television, advertising, film, popular music, and sports. Examines the various ways that
media representations affect gender identities.
COMM4143 American Film Survey (Fa) A survey of major American film genres,
major directors and films that have influenced the development of motion pictures. (Same as
ENGL 4143)
COMM4283 Communication in Contemporary Society (Fa) An examination of
research and theory on the process and effects of communication in modern society.
COMM4313 Language and Society of Japan (Fa) The primary objective of this
course is to investigate the way the Japanese language reflects the beliefs and customs of the
Japanese people as a social group. For comparison purposes, this course makes reference to
studies in American language and culture. Proficiency in Japanese not required. Prerequisite:
junior standing. (Same as AIST 4313,SOCI 4313)
COMM4323 Communication and Conflict (Fa) Study of the processes, effects, and
managements of communicative conflict, including a consideration of conflict styles, power,
goals, tactics, assessment, self-intervention and third-party intervention. Prerequisite: COMM
1313 and junior standing.
COMM4333 Communication and Gender (Sp) Study of the nature, construction,
functions, and effects of gender and gender-role stereotypes related to verbal and nonverbal
communication, small-group and organizational interaction, and mass medicated images in
contemporary culture.
COMM4343 Intercultural Communication (Fa) Study of intercultural communication
skills, intercultural issues and their impact at home and abroad, and cross-cultural comparisons
of communication phenomena from a variety of theoretical perspectives.
COMM4353 American Public Address (Irregular) Historical and critical study of
the leading American speakers, their speeches, the issues with which they were identified.
Lectures, discussion, reports, and critical papers. Prerequisite: junior standing.
COMM4373 Political Communication (Even years, Sp) Study of the nature and
function of the communication process as it operates in the political environment. (Same as
PLSC 4373)
COMM4383 Rhetoric of the Modern American Presidency (Irregular) A study
of the increasing reliance of contemporary presidents on public persuasion through rhetorical
discourse.
COMM4393 Freedom of Speech: Cases & Issues (Fa) Study of philosophy, cases,
and issues relevant to the first amendment right to the free expression, with focus on issues
relevant to internal security, obscenity, pornography, slander, and the regulation of communication.
COMM4413 Communication, Negotiation, Mediation and Conflict (Irregular)
Examines Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) research and techniques focusing primarily
on negotiation and mediation. Supplements and extends material presented in COMM 4323
(Communication and Conflict). Explores the verbal and nonverbal messages occurring during
negotiation and mediation situations in business, legal, and counseling environments.
Prepares students for roles involving negotiation and mediation.
COMM4623 Relational Communication (Sp) Review of the major theories and
concepts in a relational approach to interpersonal communication. Provides exposure to a
sampling of the research findings in relational communication.
COMM4633 History and Development of International Film (Irregular) A critical
survey of international film as a distinctive art form and as a medium of expression and
communication with attention given to films and cinema from its origins to the present.
COMM4683 Documentary Film (Fa) A study and analysis of the documentary film
as a discrete film form and as an important contribution to the international cinematic scene.
Prerequisite: advanced standing.
COMM4793 Directing Forensics (Irregular) Planning, directing, and coaching cocurricular
forensics at the high school or college or both.
COMM4823 Children and Media (Sp) An in-depth examination of children’s use of
media and the effects of media content on child and adolescent development. Topics may
include violence and sex in media, commercialism, and new media.
COMM4833 Television Writing (Fa) Comprehensive analysis of the techniques and
styles of television commercials, documentaries and dramatic TV plays. Class projects.
Prerequisite: 5 hours radio-television-film and junior standing.
COMM4843 Computer-Mediated Communication (Fa) Provides an in depth consideration
of the nature of computer-mediated communication by examining its use and effects
in interpersonal, work, educational, and societal contexts and in an introduction to the technologies
and skills required for navigating the Internet. The course focuses on the social aspects
of computer-mediated communication, rather than specific software or hardware technologies.
COMM4853 Telecommunication Policy (Irregular) Research and discussion of
social, ethical, education, cultural, and technological aspects of telecommunications with
attention given to changing programming patterns, world systems of broadcasting, data transmission,
emerging technology, international politics, and regulatory policies. Prerequisite: junior
or senior or graduate standing.
COMM4863 Seminar in Television (Sp) Research/discussion of contemporary
problems in television. Emphasis on the economic and social impact of commercials, news,
censorship, children’s programs, blacks and women on television, and future developments in
telecommunications.
COMM4883 Television and American Culture (Fa) Historical and critical study
of how television shapes American culture and is shaped by it. Attention will be given to the
study of television history, programs and audiences; particularly how race and gender shape
content and reception of programming. Prerequisite: COMM 2333.
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville • Graduate Catalog