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The Program
Advisement
Transfer Policy
Honors
Special Features
Courses
Communication - B.A.
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Communication
Department of Communication
School of Informatics
359 Baldy Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-1060
(716) 645-2141
Fax: (716) 645-2086
Web: School of Informatics
George Barnett, Chair
Mary B. Cassata, Director of Undergraduate Studies
Elizabeth O. Palmieri, Academic Advisor
The undergraduate program seeks to provide the student with a comprehensive
knowledge of the nature of human communication, the symbol system by which
it occurs, its media, and its effects. As a field of concentration, the
department contributes to a liberal education and provides basic preparation
for either graduate study or careers in communication. Employment opportunities
exist in organizational and industrial institutions, public relations
and advertising agencies, new media and technology centers, personnel
departments, the mass media, and civil and social agencies.
All prospective majors and accepted majors are expected to seek ongoing
advisement regarding their communication curriculum. Prospective majors
are encouraged to contact the academic advisor at (716) 645-2141 ext.1189
as soon as possible for initial advisement and explanation of the curriculum
and degree requirements. Accepted majors are encouraged to seek academic
advisement once each semester concerning their progress in the program.
Students wishing to transfer to UB must be accepted by the university
prior to acceptance by the communication department. Criteria for acceptance
into the department are the same for transfer students as they are for
students entering the university as freshmen. Evaluation of courses taken
at another school for the department major is done by the department.
The department has agreed to accept certain courses from various colleges,
especially community colleges within the state. Listings of these courses
are available from undergraduate studies academic advisors; transfer students
may also check with the department concerning the acceptability of individual
courses, and should provide the academic advisor with transcripts and
course descriptions of courses they wish to apply to the communication
curriculum. Ordinarily, the department will accept no more than four appropriate
communication courses toward the major requirements. The department will
accept all appropriate transfer courses outside the area of communication,
which are required for the major.
The Department of Communication offers departmental honors to those students
who meet certain grade point criteria. A minimum GPA of 2.75 overall and
a minimum GPA of 3.2 in all communication courses for distinction; a minimum
GPA of 3.5 in all communication courses for high distinction; and a minimum
GPA of 3.75 in all communication courses for highest distinction. Students
are strongly encouraged to participate during their senior year in the
honors seminar.
The Department of Communication offers all senior majors the opportunity
to participate in internship experiences in a variety of settings both
at the university and in the community. The diversity of internship experiences
ranges from all forms of media to marketing, advertising, public relations,
web page development, and computer systems administration.
101 Principles of Communication (3) (F; Sp; Su)
Introduces the study of communication in interpersonal, small-group, organizational,
mass, and intercultural contexts; basic communication models, theory,
and research methods used in communication. LEC
125 Introduction to the Internet (3)
Provides a comprehensive, non-technical, "hands-on" overview
of computer mediated communication on the information superhighway, focusing
on the Internet. Teaches the origins, growth and evolution of the Internet,
and provides a thorough introduction to the constituent services of the
Internet. LEC
201 Communication Basic Concepts (3)
Introduces communication studies: development of a working vocabulary
of key concepts used in communication theory and research, survey of the
range of phenomena explored by theorists and researchers in the field.
DIS
202 Intercultural Communication (3) (F; Sp; Su)
Prerequisite: COM101
Cultural factors that impinge upon the process of human communication;
attention to nonverbal and verbal factors, as well as international mass
media. SEM
217 Communication in Organizations (3) (F; Sp; Su)
Practical introduction to principles of organizational communication:
basic theories, methods, applications of organizational communication.
LEC
223 Principles and Methods of Interviewing (3) (F)
Prerequisite: COM101
Applies communication theory to principles and methods of interviewing:
the employment interview, the information-gathering interview, and survey
research methods. DIS
225 Interpersonal Communication (3) (F; Sp; Su)
Prerequisite: COM101
In-depth analysis of psychological and sociological processes involved
in interpersonal communication. LEC
231 Principles of Persuasion (3) (F; Sp; Su)
Prerequisite: COM101
Persuasive communication as a means of achieving goals and objectives;
theory and practice of influencing attitudes and opinions, particularly
within persuasive campaigns. DIS
236 Small-Group Communication (4) (F; Sp)
Prerequisite: COM101
Effective group interaction in task-oriented situations; small-group structures
and communication styles that influence the problem-solving process; small-group
participation and analysis of group communication. DIS
240 Survey of Mass Communication (3) (F; Sp; Su)
Formal organization, functions, and development of mass media; communication
as a social process; audience characteristics; structured networks; communication
in bureaucracies. LEC
242 Effects of Mass Communication (3)
Prerequisite: COM240
Mass communication process; major findings of the effects of information
distributed via mass media channels on the attitudes and behaviors of
individuals. Review of major research perspectives and development of
proposals for further inquiry. LEC
244 History of the Media (3)
Prerequisite: COM240
Social, economic, and historical forces that shape the development of
communication media; media as cultural products that affect and are affected
by other social institutions. LEC
249 Mass Communication Theory (3)
Prerequisite: COM240
Models and approaches to the study of the mass media of communication;
how the system works, how the audience member interacts with the media.
DIS
300 Written Communication (3) (F; Sp; Su)
Prerequisites: writing skills; communication major
Theory and practice of written communication; emphasis upon basic writing
skills, the relationship between clear writing and clear thinking, and
the process of effective writing; fulfills the writing requirement for
the communication department. DIS
317 Business/Professional Communication (3) (F; Sp; Su)
Prerequisite: communication major
Basic oral and written communication skills necessary for career planning.
Students make presentations, conduct interviews, write business letters
and memos, and prepare their own résumés. DIS
326 Public Speaking (3) (F; Sp; Su)
Prerequisite: communication major
Theory and practice of public speaking, emphasizing effective communication
in public meetings and conferences. Practice in the use of parliamentary
procedures and the presentation of speeches. REC
337 Communication Theory (3) (F; Sp; Su)
Prerequisite: COM101
Introduces the process of communication; factors affecting communication
and its results; their relationship to the communicative process. LEC
350 Introduction to the Age of Information (3)
Prerequisite: COM240
Introduces communication systems made possible by developments in computerization,
ranging from satellite systems to computer databases. Examines effects
of these communication systems on daily life, and on society in general.
Also covers applications of these technologies in business, government,
education and science. Topics covered should provide individuals with
a foundation for understanding modern communication systems in a variety
of professional contexts, or prepare students for further academic study
in this area. LEC
410 Communication in Asia and Pacific Rim Countries (3)
Provides students with knowledge of communication and its related issues
in East Asia and Pacific Rim countries, which are going to be the world's
focal point for economy and politics in the next century. LEC
420 Conflict Theory (3)
Introduces the research literature on conflict and conflict resolution.
The focus is primarily on two of the most popular research paradigms-matrix
games and bargaining games-although a few other topics are also touched
upon. LEC
423 Interracial and Interethnic Communication (3)
Interracial and interethnic communication problems; theoretical applications
to practical communication situations involving people of different racial,
ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. LEC
425 Analysis of Face-to-Face Communication (3)
The conduct and practice of social interaction research. Topics to be
covered include coding schemes, reliability, data collection and analysis,
and the interpretation of research results. SEM
437 Organizational Communication (3) (F; Sp)
Prerequisites: COM101, COM217
Advanced study of the communication process in organizations and systems;
theory, open systems; input-output analysis; structural functionalism,
cybernetics. LEC
441 Public Relations (3) (F; Sp)
Prerequisite: communication major
Role of the public relations practitioner as a specialist in communication,
an analyst of public opinion, and a counselor to administrators; function
of public relations, internal and external communication. Cross-listed
with MFC441. LEC
443 Principles and Techniques of Advertising (3) (F; Sp)
Prerequisite: communication major
Advertising techniques, methods, and evaluation. Sales promotion. Cross-listed
with MFC443. LEC
447 Communication Graphics (3) (F; Sp)
Prerequisite: communication major
Graphic communication; graphic design skills. Cross-listed with MFC447.
DIS
448 Graphic Reproduction Procedures (3) (F; Sp)
Prerequisite: communication major
Converting layouts to artwork necessary for graphic arts processing. Lecture/Demonstration
format, guest experts, field trips, and limited hands-on experience. Cross-listed
with MFC448. DIS
449 Promotional Writing (3) (F; Sp)
"How to" aspects of writing press releases, newsletters, house
organs, bulletin copy, feature stories, and pamphlets. Cross-listed with
MFC449. DIS
450 Political Communication (3) (Sp)
The role of media and polling in a political campaign. Students combine
the theory of political communication and the methodology of polling with
practical experience of interacting with political professionals, conducting
a poll, and viewing tapes of campaign commercials and speeches/debates.
LEC
451 Communication and Marketing (3)
Covers all aspects of the role of communication in the process of marketing
goods and services. Specifically, the course covers the design and implementation
of marketing information systems, organizational communication within
market-driven companies, market research (focus groups, survey, and experimental
methods), product design and testing, and the development of communication
campaigns, including message design and placement. LEC
452 Analysis of the Media (3)
Prerequisite: COM240
Analysis of various aspects of electronic and print media. SEM
453 Advanced Public Relations (3)
Prerequisite: COM441
Provides an opportunity for students to work in-depth on specific projects.
Participants design and execute public relations plans which include writing,
media placement, speech writing and evaluation. A good basic understanding
of public relations functions and terminology as well as excellent writing
skills are a must.
470-479 Special Topics in Communication Theory and Research (3)
Prerequisite: COM101 or permission of instructor
Content varies each semester. Topics include communication research and
theory, communication technologies, intercultural communication, organizational
communication research. SEM
480 Senior Colloquium in Communication (3)
Prerequisites: senior standing in communication and permission of instructor
Special seminar for seniors. Topics vary each semester. SEM
481-485 Special Topics in Interpersonal Communication (3)
Prerequisite: COM101 or permission of instructor
Content varies each semester. Topics include analysis of face-to-face
communication, nonverbal communication, communication in health settings.
SEM
486-489 Special Topics in Organizational Communication (3)
Prerequisite: COM101 or permission of instructor
Content varies each semester. Topics include communication and decision
making, conflict resolution, communication training and development, communication
and the law, communication on the worldwide web. SEM
490-493 Special Topics in Mass Communication (3)
Prerequisite: COM101 or permission of instructor
Content varies each semester. Topics include television newscasting, mass
communication and cultural studies, contemporary media issues, daytime
TV/soaps, information systems and communication technology. SEM
494 Internship in Communication (1-5) (F; Sp; Su)
Prerequisite: senior standing in communication
Internships generally conducted in Buffalo-area organizations, such as
public relations firms, the local media, businesses and industries, and
government agencies. Graded P/F. TUT
495-498 Special Topics in Mass Communication (3)
See description for COM490-493 above. SEM
499 Independent Study (1-4) (F; Sp; Su)
Prerequisite: COM101 or permission of instructor
Development of an individual project of inquiry into an area of particular
relevance to student interest within the field of communication. Graded
P/F. TUT
Completion of minimum of 45 credit hours
Completion of COM101 and two additional required communication courses
with a minimum GPA of 2.5
Completion of or current enrollment in statistics and computer courses
Completion of university's writing skills requirement
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in communication courses required for graduation
COM101 Principles of Communication
COM217 Communication in Organizations
COM225 Interpersonal Communication
COM240 Survey of Mass Communication
COM337 Communication Theory
PSY101 Introductory Psychology
SOC101 Introduction to Sociology
One advanced writing course
One computer course
One LIN course or COM125 Introduction to the Internet
One of the following: PSY224 Social Psychology, PSY229 Psychology of Work
in Organizations, PSY231 Community Psychology, PSY247 Cognitive Psychology,
SOC371 Individual and Society
One research methods course from the following: PSC200, PSY250, PSY350,
SOC293, SSC213
One statistics course
Eight COM electives
See Baccalaureate Degree Requirements (page 254) for general education
and remaining university requirements.
First Year
Fall-COM101
Spring-COM225, one computer course
Fall or Spring-PSY101, SOC101
Second Year
Fall-COM217, one statistics course
Spring-COM240, COM337
Third Year
Fall-Two COM electives, one research methods course from the following:
PSC200, PSY250, PSY350, SOC293, SSC213;
one of the following: PSY224, PSY229, PSY231, PSY247, SOC371
Spring-Two COM electives; one LIN course or COM125
Fourth Year
Fall-One advanced writing course, two COM electives
Spring-Two COM electives
No more than three of the eight COM electives required may be taken from
approved cross-listed courses offered in other social science departments.
Only two informal courses (e.g., COM494 Internship and COM499 Independent
Study) of 3 credit hours or more may be counted toward the thirteen communication
courses.
Total required credit hours in communication - 39
Total required credit hours outside communication - 21-23
Questions and Comments about this site should be sent to:
- Academic Affairs
- Phone: (716) 645-6003
- Fax: (716) 645-2549
Last updated: Thursday, 09-Dec-2004 15:21:17 EST
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