Communication (CSS)

CSS 1301  Fundamentals of Public Communication  (3)  

The preparation of public speeches, focusing on adapting messages to audiences. Credit may not be earned for this course if credit is earned in CSS 1302.

CSS 1302  Speech for Business and Professional Students  (3)  

Preparation and delivery of the types of presentations employed in organizational and corporate settings. Credit may not be earned for this course if credit is earned in CSS 1301.

CSS 1304  Argumentation, Discussion, and Debate  (3)  

A study of reflective thinking and intentional reasoning as applied to college discussion 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 3302  Introduction to Rhetorical Theory and Criticism  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): CSS 1301, 1302, or 1304  

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)  
Pre-requisite(s): CSS 1301, 1302, or 1304  

Group interaction in decision-making and problem-solving situations associated with leadership, role development, and conflict management.

CSS 3305  Advanced Public Speaking  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): CSS 1301, 1302, or 1304  

Preparation and presentation of extemporaneous and written public speeches.

CSS 3306  Interviewing  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): CSS 1301, 1302, or 1304  

Application of communication theory to interview situations with emphasis on developing and using effective strategies.

CSS 3307  Legal Communication  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): CSS 1301, 1302, or 1304  

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)  
Pre-requisite(s): CSS 1301, 1302, or 1304  

Survey of the theories of human communication.

CSS 3311  Interpersonal Communication  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): CSS 1301, 1302, or 1304  

Overview of the communication process with emphasis on the theory and practice of communication in dyadic relationships. The course is designed to allow students to: (1) increase their understanding of the process of interpersonal communication, (2) increase their knowledge of the factors involved with interpersonal communication, and (3) to increase their skills and strategies for managing problems of interpersonal communication.

CSS 3312  Nonverbal Communication  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): CSS 1301, 1302, or 1304  

Nonverbal codes in human interaction in various communication situations.

CSS 3314  Cross-Cultural Communication  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): CSS 1301, 1302, or 1304  

The theory and research of cross-cultural communication, exploring similarities and differences in communication across cultures.

CSS 3316  Persuasion and Communication  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): CSS 1301, 1302, or 1304  

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 3393  Rhetoric and Contemporary Culture  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): CSS 1301, 1302, or 1304  

An introduction to the principles of rhetorical criticism, with emphasis on evaluation of contemporary speeches, films, music, television, and the Internet.

CSS 3395  Theories and Methods of Visual Communication  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): CSS 1301, 1302, or 1304  

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 4301  Organizational Communication  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Communication within the organization and its relationship to organizational structure, roles, leadership, and management orientations.

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 and 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 Theory and Practice  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): CSS 1301 or 1302 and CSS 3304; and upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Examines advanced and complex types of small-group interaction, leadership, and collaboration. Taught in London.

CSS 4305  Nonprofit Organizational Communication  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): CSS 4301  

Survey of communication dynamics and issues in nonprofit organizations. Emphasis on assessing and developing best practices in external and internal communication. Course topics include: stakeholder messaging, interorganizational collaboration, member relationships, and role development.

CSS 4306  Advanced Interviewing  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): CSS 3306 or consent of instructor  

Application of survey and probing interview techniques with emphasis on career development.

CSS 4307  Communication & International Politics  (3)  
Co-requisite(s): CSS 4V85  
Pre-requisite(s): 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 4310  Politics and Communication  (3)  
Cross-listed as PSC 4310  

See PSC 4310 for course information.

CSS 4311  Conflict and 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  Systemic Inquiry  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing  

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. Taught in London.

CSS 4313  Communication and the Family  (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 Assessment in Organizational Settings  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): CSS 4301 or consent of instructor  

Design and implement a communication assessment of for-profit or non-profit organizations.

CSS 4315  Health Communication  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Health communication theory and practice, including patient-provider communication, healthcare organizational communication, and health information technology.

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  Narrating Health Across Culture  (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  Cultural Approaches to Health Communication  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper level standing or consent of instructor  

Examination of the influence of culture on communicative aspects of individuals’ health.

CSS 4336  Seminar in Contemporary Communication Issues  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor  

Seminar topics vary each semester. May be repeated once with change in topic.

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  

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  

Rhetorical strategies of African Americans, focusing on the historically important documents of oratory, argumentation, homiletic, and narrative.

CSS 4380  Internship in Communication  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Fifteen hours in major and consent of instructor  

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. May be repeated for a total of six hours.

CSS 4392  Rhetorics of Race  (3)  

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 Problems in Communication  (1-6)  
Pre-requisite(s): Fifteen semester hours in communication 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.