Communication Studies Minor

Contact or visit us

Communication Department
Rachel Pokora, Department Chair
Smith-Curtis 330F
Lincoln, NE 68504
(402) 465-2391
rpokora [at] nebrwesleyan.edu (rpokora[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu)

Communication Studies Minor

Below is the coursework required to minor in communication studies. For an overview of this program, see Communication Studies Degrees.

Core Requirements 12 hours
Communication Studies Minor (19 hours)
COMM 1250 Introduction to Communication Studies 4 hours
COMM 1510 Intercultural Communication 4 hours
COMM 2300 Communication Theory 4 hours
Electives 7 hours
(minimum)

*The 2000-level internship may only be taken as an addition to at least 5 elective hours (e.g., a combination of any of the other electives equaling 5 hours). The class may be repeated.

 

COMM 1250 Introduction to Communication Studies (4 hours)

This course is designed to help students develop the skills necessary to effectively communicate in public, private and professional settings. The course will focus on a broad base of communication theory, concepts, and skills and offer students the opportunity to apply those skills. Students will explore several modes of communication, including persuasive and invitational speaking, dialogue, and interpersonal communication. Students will explore the foundations of the communication discipline and consider the importance of communication for our personal, professional, and civic lives.

Normally offered each semester.

Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Speaking Instructive
Archway Curriculum: Integrative Core: Identity Thread
COMM 1510 Intercultural Communication (4 hours)

The study of cultural differences that influence the exchange of meaning between individuals and groups of different cultural and/or racial backgrounds. The course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the uniqueness of cultures and the resulting variations in communication styles and preferences, and to provide strategies and skills for successfully communicating across cultural barriers. Students will spend at least 20 hours during the semester working with community agencies serving clients from different cultures.

(Normally offered each semester.)

Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Discourse Instructive
Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Experiential Learning: Exploratory
Archway Curriculum: Foundational Literacies: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – U.S.
COMM 2300 Communication Theory (4 hours)

Students will explore theories and research questions investigated by social scientists interested in the processes of human communication.
Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing.
(Normally offered each semester.)

COMM 2360 Experiencing the Culture of Italy (3 hours)

This course will provide students a direct encounter with the culture of Italy. Specifically, students will study cultural indicators of Florence such as verbal and nonverbal communication, food, transportation, business climate, politics, religious beliefs, and interpersonal relationships. Students live in Florence, read texts, listen/give presentations, view art, attend concerts, experience the culture of Florence through walking, watching, eating, shopping and navigating the city and reflecting on these experiences.
Prerequisite(s): Instructor permission and sophomore standing.
(Normally offered in odd numbered summers.)

Archway Curriculum: Foundational Literacies: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Global
COMM 2400 Communication and Leadership (4 hours)

Students will explore components of leadership theory, skills, and behaviors, and will examine and practice effective communication behaviors as related to leadership processes and roles.

Archway Curriculum: Integrative Core: Power Thread
COMM 2500 Family Communication (3 hours)

Family Communication is designed as an introduction to communication phenomena in the context of the family. The overall goal of the course is to help students understand how, through communication, we develop, maintain, enhance, or disturb family relationships. Students will learn theories focusing on the communication patterns and practices that shape family life.

COMM 2550 Health Communication (3 hours)

Health Communication is the study and use of communication strategies to inform and influence individual and community decisions that enhance health. We will be exploring a wide range of messages and media in the context of health maintenance and promotion, disease prevention, treatment and advocacy. Through readings, discussion, written assignments, along with shadowing and interviewing a variety of health care professionals, you will learn theories focusing on the communication patterns and practices that shape health care in the U.S. as well as in other cultures.
(Normally offered in the spring semester.)

Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Discourse Instructive
Archway Curriculum: Integrative Core: Human Health and Disease Thread
COMM 2600 Mass Media (4 hours)

A study of the development of types of media including books, newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and film. The interaction of these media and their impact on society and the individual are included.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)

Archway Curriculum: Integrative Core: Democracy Thread
COMM 2700 Communication and Gender (4 hours)

This course offers an exploration of the creation and perpetuation of gender and gender roles through communication. Students will also consider the question of the impact of gender on communication. Students will examine gender in a variety of contexts including families, schools, and media.

Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Discourse Instructive
Archway Curriculum: Integrative Core: Gender and Sexuality Thread
COMM 2970 Internship (1-8 hours)

The Sophomore/Junior-Level Communication Internship has been developed to provide an enriching, applied-learning experience for a student's major or minor. This elective internship can help the student determine the type and location of her or his future internships or professional activities. It is also a useful option as an elective credit in the student's senior year after the COMM 4970 Internship requirement has been filled.  
Pass/Fail only.
Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing and permission of the internship coordinator or department chair.
(Normally offered each semester and summer.)

Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Experiential Learning: Intensive
COMM 3200 Persuasive Communication (4 hours)

A study of theories and practices of persuasion within a variety of communication contexts. Students will be expected to apply these concepts to out-of-class persuasive situations.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing.
(Normally offered each semester.)

Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Speaking Instructive
Archway Curriculum: Integrative Core: Power Thread
COMM 3300 Public Relations (3 hours)

The course in Public Relations is a study of the nature of public relations, the persons involved, its relationship to public opinion, and the channels of communication that are used. Special attention is given to the application of public relations strategies for particular events or organizations.
(Normally offered each semester.)

COMM 3600 Principles of Advertising (3 hours)

This broad-based course overviews the history and criticism of advertising, as well as the fundamental aspects of targeting, positioning, media selection, and creative strategy.
(Normally offered each semester.)

COMM 3800 Communication through Dialogue (4 hours)

This course is designed to help students develop theoretical and practical understandings of dialogic communication. Students will develop the skills necessary to effectively participate in and facilitate transformational dialogue. In addition to developing a comprehensive understanding of current dialogic research, students will have several opportunities to practice their facilitating skills by helping º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ and Lincoln community groups engage impasse through dialogue.
Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing and permission of the instructor.

Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Discourse Instructive
Archway Curriculum: Integrative Core: Chaos Thread