Course Descriptions for the Communications Department
Communication
List of all courses and their descriptions
List of all courses, their descriptions and offerings in the schedule book
COMM1030 - Intro To Communication
Spring 2024
This course is an introduction to the field of communication and focuses on understanding the breadth of the field by examining communication concepts, models, and theories. Students are also introduced to the various areas of the communication discipline: rhetoric, interpersonal communication, small group communication, organizational communication, mass communication, intercultural communication, and public speaking.
3 Credits
3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM1050 - Survey Of Mass Communication
Spring 2024
Survey of Mass Communication examines the relationships between mass media, culture and some of the institutions that help make up American society. The course reviews the origin, development, nature and functions of newspapers, magazines, books, sound recordings, television, radio, film and the internet. Through the use of lecture, group work and interactive exercises, the course will survey the history of mass media, analyze media messages and study the influence of media on our daily lives and perspectives.
3 Credits
3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM1080 - Rock and Rhetoric
Spring 2024
This course will serve as an introduction into the critical analysis of popular music as a communicative device. The class will focus on the rhetoric used in the text, image, and sound of rock and roll. These devices successfully connect social issues with a mass audience through the organized form of music. Although a form of entertainment, popular music is also a response to the social/political eruptions in American history. We will explore those conditions in society that provided the foundation for creative musical collaborations, resulting not only in communicating a message to a mass audience but also those collaborations that conditioned popular taste to that which is now culturally accepted.
Prerequisite: CSCM1030 3 Credits
3 Credits
Prerequisite: CSCM1030 3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM1100 - Understanding Media Chg World
Spring 2024
The media industry is constantly changing as new communication technologies disrupt the status quo. To thrive in the world, media organizations must understand how these advances in technology alter the media landscape in terms of business models, and in terms of the impact on the ways people communicate. This course will explore the evolution of the media industry from mass media to social media; legal issues and controversies surrounding media; the ways people use media in their everyday lives; and emerging communicative technologies.
3 Credits
3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM1500 - Media Technology, Culture
Spring 2024
Media Technology, Culture and Ethics
Like fish live in water, people live in media. Media Technology, Culture & Ethics explores the dynamic relationship between society and media technologies. As media are woven inextricably into culture, it is important to understand the impact that technological innovation has upon individuals, organizations, and society. Using ethical frames as our guide, we will explore pressing social issues emerging from the consequences of new media and changing cultural values and norms.
3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM2000 - Foundations In Publ Relations
Spring 2024
This course, we will begin the first phase of building the public relations foundation. Students will develop an understanding of how these different public relations roles evolved, and perhaps, a sense of which role you hope to attain upon graduation. Students will become familiar with the key figures building and promoting the theoretical foundation on which this specialization is built. They will also explore how the practice of public relations has evolved and adapted to our current global economy instigated by technological innovation.
3 Credits
3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM2002 - Celtic Art Class
Spring 2024
Course description unavailable, please contact Academic Services.
3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM2008 - Music In Irish Society
Spring 2024
Course description unavailable, please contact Academic Services.
Please try again at a later time
3 Credits
3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM2009 - Fashion, Culture & Pr: Parisia
Spring 2024
Fashion, Culture and Public Relations: Parisian Style is designed to expose students to intercultural communication theory through the context of the fashion industry in Paris, France. The domestic classroom experience will focus on intercultural communication competence and an understanding of feminist theory and the relationship of fashion to gender identify, power and equality. The Parisian cultural characteristics such as family, economic and political systems, technology, family, religion will also be explored. The history of the Parisian fashion industry and its impact on the global fashion industry will be studied and the importance of the public relations function in the branding, marketing and audience appeal of fashion products will be explored.
3 Credits
3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM2010 - Communication and Sport
Spring 2024
This course is designed to integrate the concept of sports and the field of communication at multiple levels. We will be examining sports in terms of how it is impacted by interpersonal communication, group communication, organizational communication, and mass communication. We will explore concepts such as sports fan cultures, gender in sport, race and ethnicity in sport, the performance of identity in sport, communication and sport in parent-child interaction, team communication, and crisis communication is sports organizations.
3 Credits
3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM2015 - Fundamentals Of Advertising
Spring 2024
This course is designed to give students historical and theoretical overview of the advertising field using lecture, discussion, and environmental scanning of existing campaigns. It introduces students to the practice of advertising industry and provides a foundation for understanding what advertising is and how it developed to its current state, what it tries to accomplish, how it works, and how it can affect society. This course provides the basis for further courses students take in the advertising sequence.
3 Credits
3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM2020 - Interpers Small Group Commun
Spring 2024
This course introduces students to the principles of interpersonal communication, including strategies for creating and responding to verbal and nonverbal messages; presenting and disclosing the self to others; forming, maintaining and disengaging from interpersonal relationships; and applying course principles and strategies to interpersonal contexts.
Prerequisite: CSEN1020 or CSHR1020 3 Credits
3 Credits
Prerequisite: CSEN1020 or CSHR1020 3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM2025 - Media, Policy and Communities
Spring 2024
In this class, students will learn about issues impacting working-class urban and rural communities in the Pittsburgh region. Additionally, we will analyze how these communities are represented within the media. As part of this class, the students will engage in critical media analysis, speak directly to community leaders who deal with these issues on a daily basis, and spend some time engaging in observational research about these communities.
3 Credits
3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM2030 - Communication Theory
Spring 2024
This survey course examines the origin and development of significant theories in the communication discipline that helps to explain and predict behaviors in various communicative contexts.
Prerequisite: CSCM2040 and COMM2020 3 Credits
3 Credits
Prerequisite: CSCM2040 and COMM2020 3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM2040 - Applied Storytelling
Spring 2024
Communication encompasses diverse styles of storytelling and visualization for different contexts, distribution outlets and primary and secondary target audiences. This course focuses on the components of effective storytelling and visualization for traditional and new media and how to share a story using diverse distribution outlets. The student will learn how to construct and upload photographs and videos. Using transmedia storytelling as the blueprint for story development and visualization, students will also learn how to transmit stories through print, broadcast, web sites, twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and other relevant distribution outlets with accompanying visualization.
Prerequisites: JRNL2015, COMM2000, COMM2015 OR COMM2010 3 Credits
3 Credits
Prerequisites: JRNL2015, COMM2000, COMM2015 OR COMM2010 3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM2100 - Foundation In Strategic Commun
Spring 2024
Foundations of Strategic Communication is an introduction to the theories, concepts, and applications of strategic communication to meet a variety of organizational goals. This course will help students develop an understanding of how organizations create targeted, research-based,and/or creative communication to accomplish their goals, both internally as well as externally. Students will receive an overview of practices in communication management, leadership, decision-making, group and team communication, and conflict management within and between both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. The course is taught through lecture, discussion, class activities and projects that are designed to help students develop critical thinking skills as they relate to topics pertinent to strategic communication.
3 Credits
3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM2550 - Interpersonal Communication
Spring 2024
This course will survey the major issues, concepts, and theories concerning the study of interpersonal communication. It will provide multiple opportunities for reflection on individual communication behaviors and the application of course material to real life experiences.
Prerequisite: CSCM1030 (COSK2220) or CSHR1030 (COSK2225) 3 Credits
3 Credits
Prerequisite: CSCM1030 (COSK2220) or CSHR1030 (COSK2225) 3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM2600 - Intro To Human Communications
Spring 2024
This course provides frameworks for understanding human language use and communication. The frameworks define the scope and history of the study of human language, the field of communication, the nature and role of the communication professional, the variety of approaches to understanding language and communication, and the relationship of human and technological modes of communication and information-sharing. Some attention is given to those theories that focus on systems theory and that clarify the relationship of business, organization, and communication. Students will study principles of linguistics and rhetoric in the context of interpersonal communications as well as how those disciplines operate within the worlds of home, business and society. We shall seek to improve communications performance both theoretical praxis and continued performance.
Prerequisite: COSK2220 or COSK2225 3 Credits
3 Credits
Prerequisite: COSK2220 or COSK2225 3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM2800 - Strategic Writing
Spring 2024
Strategic Writing prepares students to communicate in business contexts. Students analyze business situations and audiences, determine the appropriate medium-oral and written-these situations require, and develop and present communications in professional settings. By participating in peer reviews, students hone their skills in analyzing, critiquing, and revising communications. Class members also collaborate on projects, working as part of a professional team.
Prerequisite: COSK1221 or COSK1225 3 Credits
3 Credits
Prerequisite: COSK1221 or COSK1225 3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM2900 - Communication Research
Spring 2024
The course is designed to introduce students to scientific research methods that are commonly applied to the fields of media, communication, and marketing. Most decision-oriented positions in communications and media institutions require that a person has a general understanding of what research is and how it can help answer questions. This course will present a general introduction to a variety of media research methods (including interview, focus group, content analysis, ethnography, survey, experiment and etc.) as well as basic analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data. The course will 1) teach students how to read, understand, write about communication research, 2) introduce students to the use of data analysis tools, and 3) encourage students to apply data analysis tools to practical, professional work.
3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM3020 - Organizational Communication
Spring 2024
This course will be the first primary Organizational Communication course our students will have. They will have been introduced to some of the concepts (e.g., group communication, interpersonal communication) in other introductory courses. This course will enable students to understand more clearly how communication processes work within structured organizations.
Prerequisite: CSEN1020 or CSHR1020 3 Credits
3 Credits
Prerequisite: CSEN1020 or CSHR1020 3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM3030 - Writing For Global Marketplace
Spring 2024
Writing for the Global Marketplace prepares students to confront challenges communication professionals face on a local, national, and international level. Students learn theories and concepts that will help them minimize communication mishaps and appropriately serve their audiences. In much of the course, students analyze case studies to practice applying appropriate writing strategies to real life scenarios. The training for this course gives students the tools to communicate across a range of media, including the Web, print, social media and mobile apps
Prerequisite: CSCM2040 OR CSHR2040 3 Credits
3 Credits
Prerequisite: CSCM2040 OR CSHR2040 3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM3050 - Adver/Communicatns Strategies
Spring 2024
This course is designed to give students skills which will enable them to more effectively participate in the process of developing and managing advertising and integrated marketing communications programs. The course will include instructor lectures, guest lectures, exercises, class discussion, a group project that includes practical interaction with business partners in the Pittsburgh region, program evaluation and execution, student presentations, and applicable course reading.
3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM3075 - Media Effects
Spring 2024
This course aims to provide you with an understanding of how mass media influence individuals knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors. This course will investigate the vast body of empirical work on the effects of both media content and media technology upon audiences, with particular emphasis on the theoretical mechanisms governing these effects. You will be assigned a group project and apply the concepts and theories taught in lectures. Each group will come up with one or two hypotheses related to the social-psychological effects of media on their audiences. You will execute an actual study, analyze data, and interpret your results.
Prerequisite: 60 credits 3 Credits
3 Credits
Prerequisite: 60 credits 3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM3110 - Persuasion For Advertising/Pr
Spring 2024
This course introduces students to the strategies of successful communications program development and execution. Students will have the opportunity to explore each aspect of the external communications process.
Prerequisites: COMM2000 or COMM2015 and CSCM2040 OR CSHR2040 3 Credits
3 Credits
Prerequisites: COMM2000 or COMM2015 and CSCM2040 OR CSHR2040 3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM3120 - Environmental Communication
Spring 2024
Environmental communication focuses on language and landscape, on nature, and our relationship to spaces in nature. How we react to different spaces, use and abuse our spaces and plan for tomorrow in our world.
3 Credits
3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM3130 - Public Relations Research
Spring 2024
This course is designed to review the latest principles of public relations with emphasis upon the crucial role of research to develop informed strategy, monitor communication programs, and to evaluate overall campaign effectiveness. The course imparts a managerial perspective rather than a technical skill approach to the use of a wide range of research methods. Students begin the semester with an extensive orientation to the types of research essential at various stages of campaign planning. Lectures and class exercises help the student to understand specific research techniques.
Prerequisite: COMM2000 3 Credits
3 Credits
Prerequisite: COMM2000 3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM3140 - Health Communication Campaign
Spring 2024
This course is designed to review various levels of the health communication campaign process and the basic types of health communication programs that address health awarenenss and behavior change. This course will introduce students to advanced theories and concepts of health behavior change, and methods of health communication strategies, message development and execution. Students will learn how to create and test effective health messages, identify what media works best for health messages distribution and target audiences, and how to evaluate the effectiveness of health messages.
3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM3150 - Reputation Management
Spring 2024
Reputation Management utilizes case study analyses to examine, identify and apply relationship theories and strategies. Through the critical exploration and critique of visual, aural and written communications in traditional and digital media contexts, students detennine congruence of the mission and core values with communication practices. Students learn reputation repair strategies, reputation enhancement/maintenance strategies designed to strengthen social networks, trust and reciprocity, and support stakeholders with shared norms and values.
Prerequisites: CSCM1030 or CSHR1030 and CSCM2040 or CSHR2040 3 Credits
3 Credits
Prerequisites: CSCM1030 or CSHR1030 and CSCM2040 or CSHR2040 3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM3180 - Risk and Crisis Communications
Spring 2024
This course is designed to aid students understanding of the similarities and differences surrounding risk and crisis communications and the planning, managing and response strategies in both contexts. The course will explore through case studies, current events and pseudo events the contexts and uses of diverse communication tools when developing information campaigns that inform the public about the potential risks associated with health or business practices as well as how to plan, implement, monitor and manage a crisis communication situation. Finally, Risk and Crisis communications students will learn how to test risk and crisis communication messages, identify what media works best for distribution to target audiences, and how to evaluate the effectiveness of the communication effort.
Prerequisite: CSCM2040 or CSHR2040 3 Credits
3 Credits
Prerequisite: CSCM2040 or CSHR2040 3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM3220 - Devl, Coord & Executing Events
Spring 2024
Students will explore the communication skills necessary to successfully coordinate minor and major events and develop the skill set to execute the planning of an event. No event can be coordinated without a solid professional relationship between the client and the event planner. Students enrolled in this course will learn the theories driving effective facilitation, conflict management and resolution and negotiation, all of which are skills necessary to cultivate, build and maintain the client-event planner relationship. We will explore the audience the event is targeted to attract and the appropriate promotional techniques to entice the audience to participate based on available funds. Another area of theoretical exploration will be nonverbal and visual communication. Events communicate strong messages about people, causes and organizations. Thus, the verbal and nonverbal messages constructed by event planners will be deconstructed, analyzed and redesigned. Students will explore the communication skills necessary to create binding relationships and maintenance of those relationships, budgeting, proposal writing, use of social media and other technologies to solicit, promote and publicize events as well as event evaluation techniques. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of such skills through student engagement activities and/or a service learning activity.
3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM3301 - Special Topic/Writing Adv/Pr
Spring 2024
This course focuses on the issues, strategies, and tactics for writing advertising and public relation messages. The course is provides students with the opportunity to evaluate, discuss, and integrate areas critical to understanding and utilizing the various key elements associated with public relations and advertising.
Prerequisite: COMM2000 or COMM2015 3 Credits
3 Credits
Prerequisite: COMM2000 or COMM2015 3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM3520 - Document Design
Spring 2024
This course prepares students to explore practical applications of verbal and visual rhetoric for specific subjects, audiences and purposes. Students will examine various theories of writing, layout, color, design, iconography and typography. By applying the principles of invention, arrangement, style and delivery, students will develop strategies to create, analyze, test and critique documents. A user-oriented approach will be stressed in all design practices from planning through production.
3 Credits
3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM3560 - Culture and Couture
Spring 2024
Prerequisite: Permission of the Department Head 3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM3620 - Usability For Professnl Commun
Spring 2024
Prerequisites: COSK2230 and 60 credits 3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM3950 - Communication Research
Spring 2024
The course is designed to introduce students to scientific research methods that are commonly applied to the fields of media, communication, and marketing. Most decision-oriented positions in communications and media institutions require that a person has a general understanding of what research is and how it can help answer questions. This course will present a general introduction to a variety of media research methods (including interview, focus group, content analysis, ethnography, survey, experiment and etc.) as well as basic analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data. The course will 1) teach students how to read, understand, write about communication research, 2) introduce students to the use of data analysis tools, and 3) encourage students to apply data analysis tools to practical, professional work.
3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM4010 - Public Relations Campaigns
Spring 2024
This course simulates the "real world" at a safe distance. The course is presented in an experiential, problem-based learning format where students work with clients on perfecting public relations skills and techniques. Students apply their theoretical foundation to work place scenarios to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and continual development of their public relations skills in a safe and collegial environment. Students will create their own public relations firm devoted to recruiting and servicing clients in a professional and intellectually stimulating manner.
3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM4015 - Transmed Storytell Strat Comm
Spring 2024
New media has changed the rules of message development and dissemination. Messages are not only constructed in an executive board room, they are also shaped from the ground up in someone's living room. This course explores how participatory culture, transmedia branding, spreadable media, and crowdsourcing have altered the landscape of strategic communication.
Prerequisite: 60 credits or permission of the instructor 3 Credits
3 Credits
Prerequisite: 60 credits or permission of the instructor 3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM4020 - Mgmt Technol/Content Creatn Pr
Spring 2024
This course focuses on demonstrating proficiency in basis public relations writing techniques. Additionally, focuses on the application of public relations writing techniques, creative development, construction and placement in appropriate traditional and non-traditional media outlets, audience centered messages designed to solve public relations problems. Students will be required to work with a non-profit organization for the duration of the semester as a member of a public relations team. Thus, students will refine writing skills and message placement strategies while enhancing leadership, conflict resolution, and team skills.
Prerequisites: 60 credits and COMM2000 3 Credits
3 Credits
Prerequisites: 60 credits and COMM2000 3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM4030 - Public Relations Prac Glob Soc
Spring 2024
Globalization has propelled mainstream organizations to rethink business plans and conduct strategic planning from a new perspective. As a result, the practice of public relations requires a new dimension: understanding the culture, media, economy and political structure of the country in which the organization operates or seeks to operate. Students enrolled in "Public Relations Practices in a Global Society" can earn credit by taking the course at RMU or through participation in an international experience and preparing a research document reflective of an international PR issue.
Prerequisite: COMM2000 3 Credits
3 Credits
Prerequisite: COMM2000 3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM4040 - Social Media/Public Relations
Spring 2024
As the media marketplace continues to converge and new social media tools become available, Public Relations practitioners must develop an understanding of what tools exist, how to reach a target public with an appropriate social media tool and how message construction changes across media venues. This course explores how the traditional media marketplace has evolved to include social media and the impact of social media on the practice of public relations.
3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM4050 - Interact Advertising Campaigns
Spring 2024
This course focuses on the theories, issues, strategies, and tactics for creating interactive advertising and public relations messages. The course provides students with the opportunity to evaluate, discuss, and integrate areas critical to understanding and utilizing the various key elements associated with interactive advertising, as well as the opportunity to actually design an interactive advertising campaign.
Prerequisites: COMM2000 or COMM2015 and CSCM2040 or CSHR2040 3 Credits
3 Credits
Prerequisites: COMM2000 or COMM2015 and CSCM2040 or CSHR2040 3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM4060 - Communication Seminar
Spring 2024
This course is a three-credit capstone course for Communication majors that bridges theoretical communication training with career and personal development. Through discussion and activities, students will gain hands-on and experience in engaged learning, leadership and job search preparation.
Prerequisites: CSCM2040 or CSHR2040 and COMM2020, COMM2030, COMM3020 or permission by instructor 3 Credits
3 Credits
Prerequisites: CSCM2040 or CSHR2040 and COMM2020, COMM2030, COMM3020 or permission by instructor 3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM4080 - Public Relations Campaigns
Spring 2024
This course simulates the "real world" at a safe distance. The course is presented in an experiential, problem-based learning format where students work with clients on perfecting public relations skills and techniques. Students apply their theoretical foundation to work place scenarios to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and continual development of their public relations skills in a safe and collegial environment. Students will create their own public relations firm devoted to recruiting and servicing clients in a professional and intellectually stimulating manner.
Prerequisite: COMM2000 3 Credits
3 Credits
Prerequisite: COMM2000 3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM4800 - Media Management
Spring 2024
This course, a capstone course in the communication sequence, requires students to confront issues in broadcast, corporate, and non-profit environments from the viewpoint of the media manager-producer. Topics include facility planning; the impact of developing technologies and trends; project administration; and such issues as producer roles, audience analysis, proposal writing, budgets, funding, research, talent selection, scheduling, ethics, liability, copyright, and regulatory bodies (the FCC and BMI/ASCAP). Media distribution and marketing are examined, including transmission modes, duplication, market share, rating point systems, evaluations. Academic Media Center projects are used as case analyses and hands-on experiences for the class.
Prerequisite: 90 credits, including 30 in the major and CSCM1030 or CSHR1030 3 Credits
3 Credits
Prerequisite: 90 credits, including 30 in the major and CSCM1030 or CSHR1030 3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM4901 - Internship/Co-Op
Spring 2024
Course description unavailable, please contact Academic Services.
1 Credits
1 Credits
COMM4902 - Internship/Co-Op
Spring 2024
Course description unavailable, please contact Academic Services.
2 Credits
2 Credits
COMM4903 - Internship/Co-Op
Spring 2024
Internship and Coop credits are available to students that apply through the RMU Career Center and are approved by the Department of Communication Internship coordinator.
3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM4904 - Internship/Co-Op
Spring 2024
Course description unavailable, please contact Academic Services.
4 Credits
4 Credits
COMM4905 - Internship/Co-Op
Spring 2024
Course description unavailable, please contact Academic Services.
5 Credits
5 Credits
COMM4906 - Internship/Co-Op
Spring 2024
Internship and Coop credits are available to students that apply through the RMU Career Center and are approved by the Department of Communication Internship coordinator.
6 Credits
6 Credits
COMM4909 - Internship/Co-Op
Spring 2024
Internship and Coop credits are available to students that apply through the RMU Career Center and are approved by the Department of Communication Internship coordinator.
9 Credits
9 Credits
COMM4911 - Internship/Co-Op
Spring 2024
Course description unavailable, please contact Academic Services.
11 Credits
11 Credits
COMM4912 - Internship/Co-Op
Spring 2024
Internship and Coop credits are available to students that apply through the RMU Career Center and are approved by the Department of Communication Internship coordinator.
12 Credits
12 Credits
COMM4913 - Internship/Co-Op
Spring 2024
Course description unavailable, please contact Academic Services.
3 Credits
3 Credits
COMM4916 - Internship/Co-Op
Spring 2024
Course description unavailable, please contact Academic Services.
6 Credits
6 Credits
COMM4923 - Internship/Co-Op
Spring 2024
Course description unavailable, please contact Academic Services.
3 Credits
3 Credits