2013–2014 Undergraduate Catalog - University of the Cumberlands

The student will become aware of the different spheres of argument and how they are both different and interact with each other.
This will be accomplished through a variety of reading and writing assignments in which the student will be expected to apply the
concepts of argumentation to topics found in the general culture. Emphasis will be placed on the students’ ability to clearly state their
position (clarity). Additionally, students will be expected to fully research their position and be able to use their research appropriately
(discernment). Finally, students will be expected to be able to apply the general concepts of critical thinking and argumentation to
the specific spheres found in the general culture (integration). Argumentative spheres to be studied will include, but not be limited to:
argumentation in law, argumentation in science, argumentation in religion, argumentation in politics. This Integrated Studies course
can fulfill a requirement in Section VI of the General Education Curriculum. Credit, 3 hours.
COMM 404. Examining Contemporary Christian Music
This course, taught in tandem with MSMN 404, offers an interdisciplinary examination of the roots, development,
theology, and direction of Contemporary Christian music. This Integrated Studies course can fulfill a requirement in Section
VI of the General Education Curriculum. Credit, 3 hours. Offered each year.
COMM 405. Listening and Nonverbal Communication
This course focuses on the development of listening and nonverbal theory and skills. This course focuses on the
study of theory and research as it relates to the process of listening in human communication. Students who successfully
complete this course will gain a better understanding of the physiological and psychological aspects of the listening process,
how these aspects impact listening behavior, and how to improve one’s own listening skills in both personal and professional
contexts. The university Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) to promote critical thinking will be utilized in this course through
various assignments that will require critical thinking in reading, writing and information literacy. This Integrated Studies
course fulfills a requirement in Section VI, Social and Professional Awareness, of the General Education Curriculum. Credit,
3 hours. Offered as needed.
COMM 412. Forensics (Competitive Speech and Debate)
This course provides students with the opportunity to travel and compete in regional and national level collegiate speech
and debate tournaments. This course may be repeated twice. Credit, 1 hour. Offered every semester.
COMM 415. Television Production Practicum
This course provides practical experience in advanced video production, including: sound and video editing, graphic design, special
effects, scripting, and directing. This course may be repeated twice. Prerequisite: COMM 235. Credit, 1 hour. Offered every semester.
COMM 418. Senior Colloquium
All majors are required to demonstrate their expertise through a public presentation during one of the last two semesters
before graduation. The subject will be of the student’s choosing with departmental approval. Each student will work closely
with a Communication and Theatre Arts faculty mentor who specializes in the chosen subject. Students may choose to
showcase their skills in the performing arts or may choose to present a paper detailing research they have conducted.
Students must present their work before an audience of the Communication and Theatre Arts faculty. This presentation
serves as the exiting examination for the department. Credit, 1 hour. Offered every semester.
COMM 431. Film I: The Silent Era
This course surveys significant American and international films and filmmakers from 1895 to 1930. Course topics
include: the origins motion pictures, the films of the Edison Company, D.W. Griffith, Charles Chaplin, German Expressionism,
early French and Russian cinema and the arrival of sound. Methods for the analysis and criticism of film are also discussed.
Credit, 3 hours. Offered every other fall semester.
COMM 432. Theories of Persuasion
Designed to aid students in becoming more critical receivers and users of persuasive communication. The course
focuses on persuasion theories and methods of evaluating oral and visual forms of communication. The course is designed
to develop the student’s ability to think, listen, write and speak critically. Credit, 3 hours. Offered every fall semester.
COMM 433. Senior Studies
A rotating topics course dealing in current problems, topics and areas of research in the fields of Communication, Media
and Broadcasting. Topics include Animation History, Advanced Radio Broadcasting, Documentary Film, Rock and Roll
History, and Comic Books and Culture. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. May be repeated once for credit when topic
varies. Credit, 3 hours. Offered as needed.
COMM 434. Communication Theory
This course is designed to familiarize students with the major research paradigms in the field of human communication.
Topics include: Anglo-American perspectives, and contemporary Continental perspectives. Each perspective is described
with its respective paradigmatic assumptions; strengths and weaknesses associated with each perspective are explored.
Prerequisite: COMM 130. Credit, 3 hours. Offered every spring semester.
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