Communication
The Department of Communication seeks to provide students with a broad-based understanding of the processes of human communication and the importance of these communication processes in our society while serving and encouraging those students with professional aspirations to become ethical, articulate, creative, and innovative leaders in the field of communication.
Students major in communication as preparation for careers in business, law, teaching, and ministry, among others. Communication is the only way to exercise leadership, and oral communication is our main method for communicating with one another. Thus, the communication major proves useful to students with a wide array of career aspirations.
The communication specialist major combines courses in communication and film and digital media. This program of study blends a leadership/management/organizational communication focus with the development of expertise in digital media production. Like the communication major, it is appropriate for students with a wide array of career aspirations but is most appropriate for those intending to take advantage of communication expertise in a corporate career track.
Communication also offers students the opportunity to pursue a range of theoretical and practical courses in corporate communication, rhetoric and public discourse, and conflict management.
Various communication activities offer laboratory settings in which a student’s work is aided, directed, and evaluated by faculty specialists in a particular area of communication. These activities include:
- The Glenn R. Capp Debate Forum, one of the nation’s distinguished debate programs, offers students experiences in intramural and intercollegiate debate and forensic events. The Capp Forum also sponsors argumentation seminars, public discussion forums, a summer debate institute for high school students, and a workshop for high school teachers.
- Internship programs in communication provide students with real-world experience in their chosen field.
- Students have the opportunity to study and work with professional international consultants in the Baylor in England-Kensington summer program.
Communication (CSS)
CSS 1302 Public Speaking for Business and Professional Students (3)
Preparation and delivery of the types of presentations employed in organizational and corporate settings.
CSS 1304 Argumentation and Debate (3)
A study of reflective thinking and intentional reasoning as applied to argumentation and debate. Application made to current topics.
CSS 1305 Introduction to Communication (3)
Foundational areas and research methods for the study of communication, including rhetoric and organizational, interpersonal, and nonverbal communication.
CSS 2264 Contest Speaking (2)
Interest in University forensic activities. Practice in forensic contests pointing toward the University program. Course extends throughout the year, meeting on Tuesday evenings each week.
CSS 2265 Contest Speaking (2)
Continuation of CSS 2264.
CSS 3247 Advanced Debate (2)
Pre-requisite(s): Advanced member of University forensic program
Must be qualified to assist inexperienced students in their preparation. Course extends throughout the school year, meeting on Tuesday evenings each week.
CSS 3248 Advanced Debate (2)
Continuation of CSS 3247.
CSS 3301 Organizational Communication (3)
Examines how communication shapes organizations and the process of organizing at work, including workplace dynamics, leadership, culture, technology use, and employee relationships.
CSS 3302 Introduction to Rhetorical Theory and Criticism (3)
Rhetorical theory and criticism, including the history of the field of rhetoric, the theories that guide rhetorical inquiry, and how to compose a rhetorical analysis.
CSS 3304 Small Group Communication (3)
Group interaction in decision-making and problem-solving situations associated with leadership, role development, and conflict management.
CSS 3305 Advanced Public Speaking (3)
Preparation and presentation of extemporaneous and written public speeches.
CSS 3306 Interviewing (3)
Application of communication theory to interview situations with emphasis on developing and using effective strategies.
CSS 3307 Legal Communication (3)
An introduction to the special communication needs and skills of lawyers, clients, and judicial personnel. Students will improve their ability to apply communication principles to professional settings.
CSS 3310 Communication Theory (3)
Survey of the theories of human communication.
CSS 3311 Interpersonal Communication (3)
Survey of communication processes in dyadic personal relationships, with an emphasis on developing communication competence in personal and professional contexts.
CSS 3312 Nonverbal Communication (3)
Survey of nonverbal codes in human interaction, including their functions in various communication contexts.
CSS 3313 Communication and Ethnic Studies (3)
Explores the relationship between communication, race, and ethnicity, examining how the field of ethnic studies strengthens the study of communication, and how the study of communication is a vital pillar of the discipline of ethnic studies.
CSS 3314 Intercultural Communication (3)
Examines intercultural communication theory and research, focusing on the interplay of identity, context, and culture.
CSS 3315 Health Communication (3)
Health communication theory and practice, including patient-provider communication, healthcare organizational communication, and health information technology.
CSS 3316 Persuasion (3)
A consideration of theoretical and practical aspects of persuasive communication, centering on a discussion of various findings by experimental researchers about the nature of the audiences and messages involved in the persuasive process.
CSS 3330 Communication, Sport, and Society (3)
Explores the intersection of communication and sport, examining its impact on society through rhetorical, interpersonal, and organizational lenses.
CSS 3392 Baylor in Washington Semester Internship (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor
Research, professional development workshops, and seminars supplemented by regularly scheduled fieldwork in a political, policy, or legal office located in Washington, DC.
CSS 3393 Rhetoric of Popular Culture (3)
An introduction to the principles of rhetorical criticism, with emphasis on evaluation of contemporary speeches, films, music, television, and the internet.
CSS 3395 Visual Communication (3)
General theories and methods used to analyze visual communication. Considers several divergent schools of thought on the study of visual communication, including aesthetics, representation, semiotics, psychoanalysis, narrative, cultural studies, media studies, and rhetorical studies.
CSS 3992 Baylor in Washington Semester Internship (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor
Research, professional development workshops, and seminars supplemented by regularly scheduled fieldwork in a political, policy, or legal office located in Washington, DC.
CSS 3V9R Undergraduate Communication Research (6)
Pre-requisite(s): Twelve hours in the Communication major and consent of instructor
Undergraduate research undertaken with the supervision of a Communication faculty member. May be taken for a maximum of 6 hours.
CSS 4302 Communication Training and Development (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
Theory and practice of performing and supervising training activities in an organizational setting. Emphasis on the design, execution, and evaluation of communication training and development programs and strategies.
CSS 4303 Leadership Communication (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
The intersection between leadership and communication, emphasizing the theory, research, and practice of leadership communication.
CSS 4304 Advanced Small Group Communication (3)
Pre-requisite(s): CSS 3304 and upper-level standing or consent of instructor
An experiential, travel-based course that invites students to examine complex social, cultural, and organizational issues through a communication-centered lens while engaging directly with global institutions and local communities.
CSS 4305 Nonprofit Communication (3)
Pre-requisite(s): CSS 3301 and upper-level standing or consent of instructor
Explores communication dynamics and issues in nonprofit work and organizations. Emphasis is placed on stakeholder messaging, engaging communities, and member socialization.
CSS 4306 Advanced Interviewing (3)
Pre-requisite(s): CSS 3306 and upper-level standing or consent of instructor
Application of survey and probing interview techniques with emphasis on career development.
CSS 4307 Communication and International Politics (3)
Co-requisite(s): CSS 4V85
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
Learn about communication and politics while abroad and examine the theory and practice of political communication in the United States and Western Europe.
CSS 4308 Advanced Organizational Communication (3)
Pre-requisite(s): CSS 3301 and upper-level standing or consent of instructor
Advanced topics within organizational communication theory, including professionalism and identity, gendered work, conflict, burnout, organizational power, technology use, and positive organizational communication topics like compassion and empathy.
CSS 4309 Communication and AI (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
Investigation of issues intersecting with communication and artificial intelligence. Utilizes organizational, interpersonal, and rhetorical perspectives to explore AI’s impact on communication and human interaction.
CSS 4310 Political Communication (3)
Cross-listed as PSC 4310
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
The dynamic relationships between political and communication institutions; topics include political discourse, news and information, and portrayal of politics in popular entertainment.
CSS 4311 Conflict Communication (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
The role of communication in managing conflict in interpersonal, group, organization, and community contexts.
CSS 4312 Investigating Communication Contexts (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
An experiential, travel-based course that examines advanced and complex types of communication contexts involving relational and group facilitation strategies, systemic interviewing practices, and the development of a basic understanding of systemic inquiry as a communication management strategy.
CSS 4313 Family Communication (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
Survey of communication issues related to theory and research regarding relationships within the modern family system.
CSS 4314 Communication Consulting (3)
Pre-requisite(s): CSS 3301 and upper-level standing or consent of instructor
Design and implement a communication assessment of for-profit or non-profit organizations.
CSS 4316 Advanced Interpersonal Communication (3)
Pre-requisite(s): CSS 3311 and upper level standing or consent of instructor
Advanced survey of theory and research regarding communication and personal relationships.
CSS 4317 Health Narratives (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
Examines pervasive health narratives, including best practices for the communication surrounding illness both from those living with the illness and those in support roles.
CSS 4318 Communication and New Technology (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
The ways in which communication is facilitated by new technologies with an emphasis on various theories related to computer-mediated communication and new communication technology.
CSS 4319 Culture, Health, and Communication (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
This course examines health as a communicative process situated within cultural, social, and structural contexts.
CSS 4320 Health Campaigns (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
Advanced instruction in the design, implementation, and evaluation of strategic health campaigns, integrating communication theory and practice to create effective, research-based health messaging.
CSS 4321 Rhetoric of Public Memory (3)
Pre-requisite(s): CSS 3302 and upper-level standing or consent of instructor
Rhetorical study of public memory and its role in communities both near and far. Examining statues, museums, memorials, and archives, the course analyzes memory as a collective enterprise for how the past is utilized in the present to shape the future.
CSS 4324 Lying and Deception (3)
Pre-requisite(s): CSS 3312 and upper-level standing or consent of instructor
Instruction in recognizing and analyzing nonverbal cues of deceptive communication across personal, professional, and public contexts, emphasizing ethical implications and detection techniques.
CSS 4326 Internship - Baylor in New York (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor
Provides undergraduate students enrolled in the Baylor in New York program the opportunity for application of film & digital media skills and knowledge carried out under the supervision of a professional employer in a media-related organization.
CSS 4327 Professional Development - Baylor in New York (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor
Not open to Pre-Film and Digital Media students. Provides students enrolled in the Baylor in New York program opportunities to expand their professional development in their chosen field under the supervision of the professor and in conjunction with their work in a media-related professional field.
CSS 4335 War Rhetoric (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
Explores how communication and rhetoric shape the initiation, justification, and remembrance of war through analysis of speeches, films, and memorials.
CSS 4336 Contemporary Communication Issues (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
Seminar topics vary each semester. May be repeated once with change in topic.
CSS 4347 Communication and Culture (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
Not open to Pre-Film and Digital Media students. An examination of the reciprocal functions of communication and urban culture as they continue to shape and define each other. Specific areas of inquiry vary each semester. May be repeated once with a different topic (maximum six semester hours).
CSS 4350 Rhetoric of Women and Gender (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
Analyzes the historical fight for women’s rights and contemporary arguments about gender-based rights through the tools of rhetorical criticism.
CSS 4351 Criticism of Contemporary Public Address (3)
Cross-listed as PSC 4351
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
Significant public speeches in contemporary society, with emphasis on applying principles and methods of rhetorical criticism.
CSS 4352 Corporate Advocacy and Public Policy (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
Influence of contemporary organizations on public attitudes and public policy through analysis of communication campaigns during both favorable and unfavorable conditions.
CSS 4353 Public Discourse and Foreign Policy (3)
Cross-listed as PSC 4335
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
An analytical approach to the discourse generated by United States foreign policy in the post-World War II era. Topics covered include the nature of public opinion and foreign policy, rhetorical and political constraints on foreign policy discourse, and in-depth analysis of the arguments for and against the conflict in Vietnam.
CSS 4354 African American Communication (3)
Cross-listed as PSC 4340
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
Rhetorical strategies of African Americans, focusing on the historically important documents of oratory, argumentation, homiletic, and narrative.
CSS 4380 Internship in Communication I (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Fifteen hours in the Communication major and consent of the Director of Internships
Work at appropriate employment site for academic credit to accommodate career needs of communication students. Internships must be approved by the department director of internships.
CSS 4381 Internship in Communication II (3)
Pre-requisite(s): CSS 4380 and consent of the Director of Internships
Work at an appropriate employment site for academic credit to accommodate career needs of communication students and build on the experience and knowledge gained in CSS 4380. Internships must be approved by the department director of internships.
CSS 4392 Rhetorics of Race (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
Exploration of ideas about communication, rhetoric, and race. Emphasis on rhetorical criticism as a methodological approach to public discourse and analysis of race as understood in contemporary American culture.
CSS 4394 Rhetorical Theory (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
Selected theories of persuasion in Western culture from the Greco-Roman period to the present. Topics covered include the relationship of rhetoric and poetic, arguments for a behavioristic approach to rhetoric, and contemporary claims concerning rhetoric as a way of knowing.
CSS 4395 Visual Rhetoric (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
Theories and methodologies pertaining to visual rhetoric.
CSS 4396 American Rhetoric (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
Origin and development of rhetoric in American social movements, with emphasis on the characteristics of various types of communication situations and the discovery, analysis, and evaluation of common persuasive strategies.
CSS 4397 Public Discourse and the Classic Liberal Tradition (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor
Analysis of major speeches, pamphlets, and essays in England and America on politics and political change from the early seventeenth century through the American Revolution. Topics addressed include the birth of the public sphere, church and state relations, and natural rights.
CSS 4399 Workshop in Directing the Speech Program (3)
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor
Intended primarily for directors of speech activities in high schools and colleges. May be repeated once for credit.
CSS 4V85 Special Topics in Communication (1-6)
Pre-requisite(s): Fifteen hours in the Communication major and consent of instructor
A conference course designed to give individual students opportunities for additional work in their area of concentration in the Department of Communication. One to three hours may be earned in a semester. May be repeated once with change in content for a total of 6 hours.