Communication Arts

Undergraduate Courses

CA 111 Fundamentals of Oral Communication (3)
This course is an introduction to human communication. It includes the fundamentals of interpersonal, small group and public communication. Students will participate in a variety of interpersonal, small group, and public speaking activities. The course focuses on the theory and practice of discourse with immediate audiences. Theory includes thesis analysis, reasoning strategies; arranging organizational patterns; preparation and delivery, audience analysis, critical listening; and ethics of persuasive discourse. Practice emphasis is placed on developing vocal variety, articulation and enunciation; direct eye contact; an extemporaneous style of delivery; and physical appearance.

CA 123 Media Writing (3)
An introduction to the process of writing for the mass media. Students will learn to report, write, and edit stories for print and broadcast media. The course also emphasizes specific skills in interviewing and basic principles of communication law. Prerequisite: AH110

CA 130 Introduction to Film (3)
This course provides an introduction to the history and techniques of film and includes the study of the purposes of film and influence of film upon varied audiences. Students will learn to appreciate film as an aesthetic medium and develop strategies to comprehend, interpret, and evaluate contemporary motion pictures.

CA 135 Introduction to Media (3)
An introduction to some key themes in the study of popular media and to debates about the role of media in contemporary societies. A range of media will be analyzed in detail. Theories of production, technology, audience and representation will be explored in relation to a variety of media forms and social relations. A project will encourage limited investigative research. Offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: CA 111
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CA 212 Small Group Communication (3)
The course combines the theories of small group communication with the actual experience of working in small groups. Students will learn about leadership, conflict resolution, problem-solving techniques, in addition to assertiveness, rhetorical sensitivity, and verbal and nonverbal elements of messages as they apply to the small-group process. Offered in alternate years.

CA 215 Communication Theory (3)
This course examines the history of communication incorporating Aristotle to the present. Fundamental theories of communication and rhetoric are explained and given practical modern application. Components investigated are verbal and nonverbal messages, interpersonal relationships, group and public communication, intercultural and gender communication. Corequisite: CA 216 or permission of instructor. Offered in alternate years.

CA 216 Sophomore Portfolio Development (1)
This course is a co-requisite to CA215 Communication Theory. The goal of the course is for students to create a portfolio of their current work to prove that they are achieving both their own career goals and the stated learning outcomes of the Communication Arts department. Co-requisite:CA215 Communication Theory . Prerequisite: CA 111

CA 221 Introduction to Acting (3)
An introduction to the basic concepts of acting. Topics include characterization, focus, use of space, character and text analysis, and improvisation.
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CA 231 Interpersonal Communication (3)
The course involves theoretical backgrounds as well as practical applications. It is designed to provide students an improved awareness and understanding of themselves as communicators. The course will teach students how to use this understanding in their everyday lives and how to enrich both their professional and personal communication experiences. Offered in alternate years.

CA 300 Public Relations (3)
The course involves the history of public relations, the function of the public relations practitioner, the basic skills of the science, and the differences between public relations and marketing. Prerequisite: CA 123. Offered in alternate years.

CA 311 Critical Public Address (3)
This course concentrates on the rhetoric, delivery skills, and critical analysis of public speeches. Students will develop advanced skills in resource use, topic selection and development, organization, and outlining of speeches. They will demonstrate knowledge of modes of inquiry, reflection, and expression as they prepare and deliver speeches. Students will also practical critical analysis of speeches, focusing on a variety of audiences and purposes. The course is designed for students interested in communication careers or in careers requiring communication expertise. Prerequisite: CA 111. Offered in alternate years.

CA 321 Advanced Acting (3)
The focus of this course is on performance skills for the actor including in-depth character and scene study and certain staging techniques. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: CA 221
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CA 324 Persuasion (3)
This course involves a study of theories of persuasion and an analysis of the process of persuasive communication. It examines the role of persuasion within multiple contexts and as a social force. Students will write at least one persuasive paper and deliver an oral presentation based on that paper. Offered in alternate years.

CA 325 Public Opinion and Propaganda (3)
This course examines the various purposes of language, how public opinion is formed, and the communication and organizational strategies used to influence the formation and change of public opinion for different audiences and purposes. Propaganda is examined historically from both negative and positive perspectives. Offered in alternate years.

CA 330 Audio and Video Production (3)
Fundamentals of audio and video equipment operation and production principles. Includes the basics of writing, producing and directing video; pre-production, production and editing techniques. Prerequisite: IT102, 103 and 104 or demonstrated proficiency. Offered in fall of odd alternate years.

CA 333 Communication and Performance (3)
This course consists of the study of the human vocal mechanism, physical techniques of performance, and strategies for enhancement of oral interpretation and performance. The student will develop vocal ability and interpretation skills through the selection and performance of a variety of materials focused on a range of performance purposes and delivery methods. Offered in alternate years.

CA 335 Intercultural Communications and Technology (3)
This course will provide practical skills for intercultural communications, as they are required both within modern multicultural communities and internationally. It will also examine theories of intercultural relations through case studies dealing with the impact of television, film texts, and the Internet which have been imported from different cultures.
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CA 336 Mass Media Theory (3)
An introduction to theory and research in the field of mass communication. The course provides an overview of the historical development of the theoretical perspectives, emphasizing the major research trends that have influenced the understanding of mass communication. Prerequisite: CA 135 or permission of instructor.

CA 345 Media and Cultural Criticism (3)
This course will provide an introduction to contemporary approaches for interpreting media texts and constructing meaning from media. Students will learn to apply a variety of critical methods (including psychoanalytical criticism, postmodern criticism and cultural studies) to popular culture. Students will learn how to evaluate the aesthetic quality of print and broadcast messages and to evaluate the techniques used by mass media to influence audiences. In addition, students will learn how to analyze the meanings various audience groups construct around media texts. Offered in alternate years.

CA 395 Festival, Ritual and Celebration (3)
Festival, Ritual and Celebration, is designed to provide students with the theoretical and practical skills necessary for examining various modes of expressive culture in the context of festivals and community celebrations that construct and maintain a sense of community identity within a geographic region.  This course meets at various event locations and offers students opportunities to conduct original research by collecting and documenting ethnographies with cultural producers and festival attendees.

CA 421 Theatre Directing and Design (3)
A practical course which involves all aspects of play production: directing, set design and construction, lighting, sound, costumes, stage management, props, make-up, publicity, box office, and house management. Prerequisite:CA 321

CA 424 Public Advocacy (3)
The course involves the study of informal logic as it applies in multiple contexts. Each student will learn to develop and present logical appeals in support of social issues. The student will formulate claims, apply reasoning techniques, gather and evaluate evidence, prepare case construction and cross-examinations for debate, and defend and refute ideas before a critical audience. The course will support the institutions commitment to service learning by having the student address issues of community concern in public forums. Prerequisite: CA 111 and CA 123 or permission of instructor. Offered in alternate years.
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CA 440 Organizational Communication (3)
In this course the emphasis is on current theories of organizational communication, the structure of organizations, how communication functions within organizations, and management styles. It examines conflict and resolution, networks, superior/subordinate communication, communication patterns inside and outside of the organization. Prerequisite: CA 212 or permission of instructor. Offered in alternate years.

CA 442 Media, Race and Gender (3)
This course explores the ways in which race and gender are represented in newspapers, magazines, television, film, news, and advertising. The course also examines the cultural forces that influence how such representations are produced and received, their political and behavioral consequences, and various methods for analyzing popular culture. The course also examines the history and status of people of color and women as media professionals. Prerequisite: CA 135 or permission of instructor. Offered in alternate years.

CA 191, 291, 391, 491 Internship (1-3)
This is an on-the-job learning experience related to the study of communication. An internship is supervised by both a college faculty sponsor and a qualified person in the field where the student is working as an intern. No salary is received for an internship. Graded Pass/Fail.

CA 194, 294, 394, 494 Cooperative Education (1-3)
A cooperative education course is a supervised work experience related to a student’s major or field of interest. The student is employed with pay, and work arrangements must be approved by the Office of Career and Student Assistance, the advisor, and the Registrar. Graded Pass/Fail.
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CA 295, 395, 495 Special Topics (1-3)
Although frequently presented in a manner comparable to regularly listed courses, the subject matter of special topics is often of a more timely nature or for some other reason is not a regular part of the curriculum. Special topics are usually designed by a faculty member and are listed with the other courses in the schedule.

CA 499 Independent Study (1-3)
These are projects or papers which have been designed by students who wish to investigate an area of interest related to their major area of study. These courses must be approved by a faculty member who will serve as an advisor for the project; they must also be approved by the Division Chair and the Academic Dean.

CA 499 Seminar/Capstone (3)
This senior capstone experience involves independent research that may be either a project or research oriented. Seniors will work closely with a communication arts faculty member in planning, executing, and evaluating the project.
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