Collegiate Seminar Curriculum131 Transfer Seminar II(For transfer student who previously took Seminar 130.See 2007– <strong>2008</strong> catalog.)144 Multicultural ThoughtSelected readings from 20th-century multicultural authors <strong>of</strong> the UnitedStates, especially from <strong>California</strong>. Readings continue the dialogue withauthors from previous seminars, give renewed attention to questionsraised in those contexts, and address contemporary issues as well.Prerequisite: Seminar 20 or 110.145 World TraditionsReadings from the traditions <strong>of</strong> Asia, Africa, and the Middle East thatraise basic human questions <strong>of</strong> courage, compassion, loyalty, and wisdom.These works from around the world are selected to extend thethemes and ideas from both the Western Tradition sequence and theMulticultural Thought seminar to a truly global conversation. Prerequisite:Seminar 20 or 110.190 Co-Leader Apprenticeship (.25)A course designed for specially selected, experienced seminar studentsassigned to assist a faculty member as student co-leader for a specificseminar class. As co-leaders, students participate as discussion facilitatorsand models in a seminar they have already completed. Meetings withassigned seminar faculty by arrangement. May be repeated for credit.192 Introduction to Methods and Field Experiencein Elementary Level Discussion Groups (.25)Prerequisite: Seminar 122For course description, see Liberal and Civic Studies on p. 122.79
Curriculum CommunicationCommunicationRecognizing that the mission <strong>of</strong> <strong>Saint</strong> Mary’s <strong>College</strong> is to instill a liberal arts, Catholic, and Lasallian character into all areas<strong>of</strong> the <strong>College</strong> community, the goal <strong>of</strong> the Department <strong>of</strong> Communication is to incorporate these traditions into a curriculumthat identifies the process <strong>of</strong> communication as a primary means by which we construct social reality, recognizeand analyze social processes, and effect social change. We see the content <strong>of</strong> the field as complex and interdisciplinary,and thus seek to pursue the continuing goals <strong>of</strong> improving the effectiveness <strong>of</strong> our communication, enhancing creativityand productivity in ourselves and others, promoting a sense <strong>of</strong> social reality that is fair and just for all members <strong>of</strong> society,and ensuring the continuation <strong>of</strong> critical contemplation as a means <strong>of</strong> strengthening and enriching the social good. Wetherefore encourage ethical and systematic inquiry into a broad range <strong>of</strong> areas, including mass and alternative media,rhetoric, interpersonal, communication, new media and digital culture, organizational communication, visual studies,ethics, intercultural communication and cultural studies.Communication, as an academic field, draws upon the arts, the social and natural sciences, and the pr<strong>of</strong>essions. The communicationfaculty have interdisciplinary backgrounds that enrich the academic and cultural environment <strong>of</strong> the department.The curriculum is both conceptual and applied with core courses preparing the student for an in-depth exploration<strong>of</strong> one or more areas <strong>of</strong> inquiry.FacultyEllen Rigsby, Ph.D., Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor, ChairShawny Anderson, Ph.D., Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essorMargaret Dick, Ph.D., Assistant Pr<strong>of</strong>essorSue Fallis, Ph.D., Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essorDan Leopard, Ph.D., Assistant Pr<strong>of</strong>essorRev. Michael A. Russo, Ph.D., Pr<strong>of</strong>essorScott Schönfeldt-Aultman, Ph.D., Assistant Pr<strong>of</strong>essorKusum J. Singh, Ph.D., Pr<strong>of</strong>essorEdward E. Tywoniak, M.F.A., Ed.D., Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essorCathy B. Glenn, Ph.D., Adjunct Pr<strong>of</strong>essorMajor RequirementsStudents who major in communication take a total <strong>of</strong> 11 courses,seven <strong>of</strong> which are required and four electives. Of the four electives,two must be upper-division application courses denoted by the word“Application” after the title.Core CoursesLower division Communication 2, 3, 10.Upper division Communication 100, 110, 111, and 196.Four courses, two <strong>of</strong> which are application courses denoted by the word“Application” after the title.Minor RequirementsStudents who minor in communication take a total <strong>of</strong> six courses,three <strong>of</strong> which are required and three electives. Of the three electives,one must be an upper-division application course denoted by the word“Application” after the title.Core CoursesLower division Communication 2 and 3.Upper division Communication 100.Plus three upper-division electives (one <strong>of</strong> which is an upper-divisionapplication course).Prerequisite GradeAny course listed in this department with a prerequisite assumes a grade <strong>of</strong>C– or better in the prerequisite course.C o u r s e sLower Division2 Communication and Social UnderstandingThis course intends to acquaint students with ways <strong>of</strong> critically assessingthe everyday communication practices and texts (spoken, visual, andmediated) which construct and transmit social knowledge. Introducesstudents to issues such as language, meaning, rhetoric, persuasion, definition,mediation, representation, visual culture, social knowledge, understandingthe “self,” the relationship between culture and communication,the social construction <strong>of</strong> reality, and the assessment <strong>of</strong> the influence <strong>of</strong>mass communication. Students will participate in in-depth discussionsbased in primary texts <strong>of</strong> communication theory and produce analyticalprojects that demonstrate their grasp <strong>of</strong> course content.3 Communication InquiryThis intensive discussion course utilizes important communication textsas the basis for learning many <strong>of</strong> the questions and terms that definethe discipline <strong>of</strong> communication. Readings will concentrate in the areas<strong>of</strong> Interpretation, Identity, Rhetoric, and Culture to better understandhow we construct culture, society and the self through the various forms<strong>of</strong> communication, and how we analyze those constructions. Emphasiswill be on developing the ability to use the readings to build theoreticalliteracy, to interpret written and visual texts with that theory, and to usethe theory to analyze notions <strong>of</strong> identity.10 Argument and AdvocacyCommunication scholar, Rod Hart, writes that advocacy “is the humancreature’s most natural way <strong>of</strong> changing the world. It is also the mostcivilized way <strong>of</strong> doing so. Bombs, torture, and mayhem change theworld too, but those are primitive modalities and they lead to unstableoutcomes. Symbolic influence is better. It lasts longer and it’s less noisy.”In this spirit, this course examines general principles <strong>of</strong> argument andadvocacy as they relate to rhetorically creating change in differentspheres <strong>of</strong> social life. Students will explore how the conventions <strong>of</strong> argumentchange — and how advocacy functions — in law, science, religion,and politics. Students will develop an understanding <strong>of</strong> argument andevaluation theories, while also embodying those theories by developingpractical advocacy and critical appraisal strategies.80
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