http://com.miami.edu/programs

Dept. Code: COS

Introduction

The Department of Communication Studies offers a major in Communication Studies and minors in Communication Studies and Health Communication (CHCO).

The major in Communication Studies empowers students to acquire advanced skills in many areas involving human interaction, intercultural communication, advocacy, argumentation, relationship building, leadership, presentation (oral and written), critical thinking, research and writing. Students become familiar with the rich tradition of communication theory and research, investigate emerging knowledge about communication, and contribute to the growth of new understanding by developing and applying their research capabilities. Students also are challenged to employ their communication understanding and skills in meaningful ways through experiential learning, and professional and community involvement. Communication Studies blends a broad-based theoretical understanding of communication principles with specific and concrete applications to particular contexts.

Students are prepared for a variety of career options in health communication, business and the professions, politics and public advocacy, education, training and media, as well as further graduate and professional study in communication, law and other areas.

Major Cognate Area

  • Communication Studies:
    • People and Society

Minor Cognate Area

  • Communication Studies Minor:
    • People and Society
  • Health Communication Minor:
    • People and Society

Please note, students completing majors and minors within the same department may only satisfy one required cognate area of study.

Degree Programs

The Bachelor of Science in Communication is offered in Communication Studies

Majors are offered in:

  • Communication Studies Track
  • Intercultural Track
  • Organizational Track
  • Public Advocacy Track

Each candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Communication will complete the School of Communication's requirements including courses in the School’s General Education Required Areas of Study. All majors must also complete a separate minor or a second major in either a second Program of Study within the School or in an academic program outside the School.

Admission to the Communication Studies Major

  • Complete the five Core courses, in residence at the University, all with grades of C or higher (C- is not acceptable).
  • Students who have obtained the written approval of the Chair of Communication Studies to use transfer credit hours to satisfy one or more requirements of that major may be required to complete additional courses in residence at the University before being admitted to that major.
  • Upon completion of a student’s first 45 University credit hours while enrolled in the School of Communication, all University credit hours earned toward the major will be used in computing a student’s major cumulative grade point average; only those students with a cumulative average of 2.5 or higher will be admitted to the major.
  • A student who has completed 45 credit hours while enrolled in the School of Communication, but who has not been admitted to one of the Communication majors, may be dismissed from the School. A student who has completed 60 University credit hours while enrolled in the School, but who has not been admitted to one of the Communication majors, will be dismissed from the School.

Major in Communication Studies

Students majoring in communication studies will choose one of four tracks:

  • Communication Studies Track
  • Intercultural Track
  • Organizational Track
  • Public Advocacy Track

Minors in Communication Studies Department

The Department of Communication Studies offers minors in:

  • Communication Studies
  • Health Communication

Major in Communication Studies

Minors in Communication Studies

COS 112. Interpersonal Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

Overview of current theories of interpersonal communication. Consideration is given to impression formation, relationship between self-concept and others, function of language in social interaction, and development and maintenance of relationships.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

COS 120. Exploring Human Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

Course content focuses on behavioral science research highlighting verbal and nonverbal skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary for effective communication in a broad range of contexts, including romantic relationships, business interactions, political campaigns, health promotion, and persuading and influencing people in general.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer.

COS 210. Writing for Communication Studies. 3 Credit Hours.

Principles of writing, reviewing literature, and synthesizing research for communication studies and the social sciences.
Components: LAB.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

COS 211. Public Speaking. 3 Credit Hours.

Introduction to effective audience communication including theory and extensive practice in oral presentations.
Components: SEM.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer.

COS 212. Interview Skills. 3 Credit Hours.

Study of interview skills, listening techniques, voice and diction.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

COS 220. Communication Theory. 3 Credit Hours.

Survey of basic communication theories and models. Study of processes, functions, levels, and general principles of human communication.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

COS 304. Intercollegiate Debate Theory and Practice. 1 Credit Hour.

A course designed to teach students how to compete successfully in intercollegiate debate,and to reinforce training through practice and competition.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

COS 311. Advanced Oral Advocacy. 3 Credit Hours.

Advanced presentational speaking to persuade including theory and extensive practice.
Prerequisite: COS 211.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

COS 314. The Power of Dialogue. 3 Credit Hours.

Students learn how to engage in and lead constructive dialogue about sensitive, emotional, and controversial issues i n the public and private spheres.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

COS 316. Small Group Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

Techniques of discussion applied to goal-oriented, small group situations. Consideration is given to research methods, leadership, and conflict resolution. Theory is applied to active classroom participation.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

COS 318. Nonverbal Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

Theory and application of selected areas of research in nonverbal communication is addressed. Discussion of environment, space, body movement, posture, eye contact, facial expression, vocal cues, and physical appearance is included.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring & Summer.

COS 324. Health Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is designed to provide a broad introduction to human communication in a health-care context. Emphasis will be on issues of social support, patient-health professional/caregiver interaction, organizational culture, planning health promotion campaigns, and cultural conceptions of health and illness.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

COS 325. Communication in Health Organization. 3 Credit Hours.

This course looks at the dyadic, small group, and institutional communication patterns that can affect health outcomes within and between health organizations including hospitals and other allied health services.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

COS 328. Sports As Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

This is a course which introduces students to the study of spectator and participation sports as communication and to communication within sports.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

COS 330. Conflict Management. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides an understanding of conflict dynamics and strategies for constructive conflict management.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

COS 333. Business Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

Study and practice in the major forms of spoken and written communication in the context of businesses and other professional organizational settings.
Requisite: Sophomore Standing or higher.
Components: DIS.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

COS 336. Political Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

A review of the history, strategies, theories and trends in political campaign communication in the United States.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring Even Years.

COS 343. Introduction to Intercultural Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

Introduction to communication among people from diverse cultures. Application of communication theory to intercultural sensitivity and cultural diversity is emphasized.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

COS 345. Interracial Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is designed to offer essential insights into the understanding of interracial communication from a theoretical and practical perspective. Discussion includes historical and contemporary examination of race relationships, how racial/ethnic identities are created through interpersonal interactions and society, and the influence of mass media and social media on interracial communication.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

COS 351. Qualitative Research Methods. 3 Credit Hours.

Course is designed to introduce students to a sample of qualitative research methods used in communication.
Prerequisite: COS 210 or COS 360.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

COS 352. Critical Research in Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

This is a course in rhetorical criticism. Students will gain an understanding of rhetorical theory as it is applied to the analysis and evaluation of significant public communication events.
Prerequisite: COS 210 or COS 360.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

COS 353. Quantitative Communication Research Methods and Analyses. 3 Credit Hours.

Introduction to communication research methods. Application of quantitative measurement techniques and statistical analyses will be discussed as well as the use of microcomputer statistical programs.
Prerequisite: COS 210 or COS 360.
Components: LAB.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

COS 354. Organizing for Action. 3 Credit Hours.

Students will learn a range of communication strategies and tactics to advocate for and effect social change.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

COS 355. Applied Communication Research Methods. 3 Credit Hours.

Students learn to read and interpret quantitative and qualitative research methods. Students develop skills in basic qualitative methods (focus groups, observation) and quantitative methods (surveys, polls, comparisons, basic statistical analysis) for use in daily and professional life.
Prerequisite: COS 210 or COS 360.
Components: SEM.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

COS 360. Speech Writing. 3 Credit Hours.

This is a course on written speeches, speechwriting, and delivering speeches from manuscripts. Students will write, review and edit their own work, and will work in teams engaging peer review and corporate authorship to produce manuscripts for a variety of types and purposes of speeches employing a broad range of strategies for proof, language, and engagement.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

COS 377. Argumentation and Critical Thinking. 3 Credit Hours.

Argumentation theory and practice are discussed. Rhetorical and philosophical foundations of argumentation and their application in various settings including academic debate are also covered.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

COS 391. Special Topics in Communication Studies. 3 Credit Hours.

Course subject matter varies according to announced special topic. See class sc hedule for details.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

COS 405. Communication Studies Practicum. 1-3 Credit Hours.

Structured participation in programmatic research and applied practice in the c ommunity.
Pre-Requisite: Junior Standing or Higher.
Components: PRA.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer.

COS 418. Organizational Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

Introduction to organizational communication theory. Consideration of structure, function, and effects of communication in organizations are analyzed. Emphasis is placed on principles needed for decision making and effective management of organizational communication processes.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

COS 426. Patient-Provider Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

This class focuses on the interpersonal environment of patient-provider interaction. The primary purpose of this course is to describe best practices for coming to shared meaning and decision-making between medical professionals and patients in healthcare settings.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

COS 427. Health Behavior and Risk. 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces students to different theories and models of health communication that are frequently used to develop persuasive health messages. It draws on health communication messaging theory, as well as literature in public health, psychology, and medicine.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

COS 472. Persuasion. 3 Credit Hours.

A review of theory, research, and practice of the intentional use of symbols to influence attitudes, beliefs, and actions.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall.

COS 473. Words that Shaped the World. 3 Credit Hours.

A study of great speakers and speeches in important international settings.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

COS 474. Presidential Debates. 3 Credit Hours.

History, impacts, content and strategies of televised presidential campaign debates.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall Even Years.

COS 477. Engaged Communication. 3 Credit Hours.

Course designed for communication studies majors. Provides students opportunities to apply knowledge of communication theory and associated research skills through their personal engagement in community or organizational service and action research.
Prerequisites: COS 210 or COS 360 and COS 355 And Senior Standing.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

COS 479. Capstone for Communication Studies. 3 Credit Hours.

Capstone course designed for communication studies majors. Provides students wi th the opportunity to apply knowledge of communication theory and research skil ls through development of capstone project.
Prerequisite: COS 210 or COS 360 and COS 355 and Senior Standing.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring.

COS 498. Communication Studies Internship. 1-3 Credit Hours.

Prescribed study and supervised work with practitioners in organizations.
Pre-Requisite: Junior Standing or Higher and COS Majors Only.
Components: THI.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer.

COS 499. Projects and Directed Research. 1-3 Credit Hours.

Individual study. No more than three credits may be counted toward a Communication major or minor.
Components: THI.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer.

COS 545. Intercultural Communication: International Perspectives. 3 Credit Hours.

Effects of cultural attitudes, beliefs, and attributions on meaning assignment. Effects of language on the structure of thought. Ethics and process of the diffusion of cultural innovations are analyzed.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Spring & Summer.

COS 546. Intercultural Communication: Domestic Perspectives. 3 Credit Hours.

Effects of cultural attitudes, beliefs, and attributions on meaning assignment. Diffusion of cultural innovations, prejudice, discrimination, and equality are discussed. Emphasis is placed on intercultural interactions within the United States.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

COS 560. The Executive Communicator. 3 Credit Hours.

This course serves to prepare students in professional presentation skills, group and meeting management, small group problem solving, effective use of interpersonal communication in the organizational setting and interviewing.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Summer.

COS 591. Advanced Special Topics in Communication Studies. 3 Credit Hours.

This course subject matter varies according to announced special topic. See class schedule for details.
Components: LEC.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.

COS 599. Advanced Projects and Directed Research. 1-6 Credit Hours.

Individual study. Course may be repeated to a maximum of six credits.
Components: THI.
Grading: GRD.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer.