COMM 101: Introduction to Communication Studies
This course provides a survey of the nature and processes of communication, exploring interpersonal, public, and mass mediated dimensions of communication. The course includes such topics as perception and listening, the development of relationships, intercultural and family communication, group interactions, public persuasion, the roles of the mass media, and developments in journalism. 3 hrs.

COMM 103: The Sounds of Standard American English
An introduction to the pronunciation of vowels, dipththongs, and consonants of standard American English. The International Phonetic Alphabet and audio tapes will be primary tools. Students may elect this course as DRAM 103. 3 hrs.

COMM 200: Public Speaking
This course will develop students’ ability to prepare and deliver an effective speech in a variety of formats. Rhetoric, logic, diction, body language, and other necessities of speaking in public will be addressed. 3 hrs.

COMM 204: Introduction to News Writing and Editing
Studies of newspaper methods and the techniques of news writing, with an emphasis on basic editing. This course fulfills the writing-intensive course requirement. Prerequisites: COMM 101 and English 110 and 120 or permission of the department. 3 hrs.

COMM 207: Nonfiction Writing
Expository writing based upon assigned topics and readings. The student will be expected to write knowledgeable expository prose based upon thought, reading, and research. This course fulfills the writing-intensive course requirement. Prerequisites: English 110 and 120 or permission of the department. Students may elect this course as DRAM 207. 3 hrs.

COMM 213: Practicum in Communication: Queens Chronicle
Practical experience in producing the college newspaper, the Queens Chronicle, which includes regular journalism workshops with instructor and editors. Prerequisite: COMM 204 or permission of instructor. 2 hrs.

COMM 231: Film History and Criticism
Introduction and historical analysis of the development of cinema from the silent era to the contemporary avant garde: includes survey of technological developments, evolution of popular genres, and the achievements of significant directors and their landmark films. Students may elect this course as DRAM 231. 3 hrs.

COMM 233: Television History and Criticism
A survey of the medium’s 50+-year history, including broadcast milestones, the entertainment and educational potential, and the imprint on American society. Students will examine American mass culture through the window of television programming, explore the economic dimensions of the medium, and investigate new technologies. Students may elect this course as DRAM 233. 3 hrs.

COMM 304: Advanced News Writing: Print
Advanced study of the techniques of writing for the media, with emphasis on the development of specialized skills and research techniques. Prerequisites: COMM 204 and 207. 3 hrs.

COMM 305: Organizational Communication
This course is designed to explore the broad theories and applications of organizational and managerial communication, and to develop critical skills to improve communication in business settings, including communication in management, interpersonal relationships in the workplace; communication in small group contexts such as meetings and team-building; conflict management; networking; nonverbals; and office politics. 3 hrs.

COMM 310: Advanced News Writing: Broadcast
This course explores the broadcast journalism industry, examining the history of the industry, the structure of the contemporary newsroom, and career opportunities in the field. Further, it gives students experience in writing and announcing radio and television news scripts. Prerequisites: COMM 101 and 204. 3 hrs.

COMM 312: Nonverbal Communication
This course examines the various theories, research, and applications of nonverbal communication in both personal and professional contexts. Areas to be studied include body movement and gestures; clothing and personal artifacts; facial expression and eye behavior; use of space and territory; touching behavior; paralanguage and voice characteristics; and deception detection. The above areas will be applied to the contexts of interpersonal relationships, the workplace, and cultural differences. 3 hrs.

COMM 315: Layout and Design
This course will instruct students in the editing of copy, the sizing and cropping of photographs, writing headlines, understanding typography, creating effective page designs, and mastering the necessary software for such activities. 3 hrs.

COMM 317: Gender and Communication
This course examines the theories and applications of gender studies in various communication contexts. Areas to be considered may include basic gender theories; roles and stereotypes; gender differences in verbal and nonverbal communication; processes of socialization; images of gender in the media; and mixed group v. same sex group interactions. Prerequisite: COMM 101 or permission of instructor. 3 hrs.

COMM 322: Interpersonal Communication
The study of communication as it affects the individual’s interaction with other people in relationships. The course includes consideration of such concepts as self-concept analysis, perception, self-disclosure, gender roles in communication, nonverbal communication, listening behavior, dyadic interaction, interpersonal conflict, and intercultural communication. Prerequisite: COMM 101 or permission of instructor. 3 hrs.

COMM 327: Intercultural Communication
The examination of the relationship between communication and culture. The course considers models and approaches designed to explain the cultural differences in communication, including dimensions of symbolization, acculturation, prejudice, stereotyping, and ideology. Cultural variants include race, ethnicity, gender, physical disability, sexuality, socio-economic class, and geographic location. Prerequisite: COMM 101 or permission of instructor. 3 hrs.

COMM 335: Persuasion (303)
The study of theoretical and applied persuasive communication as it is used in focused large-scale campaigns to exert social and political influence. Students will analyze both classic and current political and social campaigns as well as prepare and present their own campaign for a given organization. 3 hrs.

COMM 341: Advertising
An introduction to the concepts, methods, and materials of advertising, this course will explore the techniques of preparing a finished campaign from the research stage through market analysis to lay out, design, and final presentation to a prospective client. The course will employ a case approach. A final project is required. 3 hrs.

COMM 342: Public Relations
An introduction to public relations strategies for businesses and other organizations who must communicate with the public. The course will explore the media, methods, and ethics of how an institution interacts with a variety of audiences. 3 hrs.

COMM 343: Mass Communication
A critical analysis of the forms, messages, social impact, and economic structures of the mass media. Analysis includes such topics as the structure and design of media content; major genres of mediated messages; the symbolic functions of language and images in the media; the role of media in reinforcing and/or altering public perceptions of ideas, events, and people; and the global role of American media. Prerequisite: COMM 101 or permission of instructor. 3 hrs.

COMM 344: Small Group Communication
This course analyzes the processes of small group communication, particularly in the context of task-oriented and decision-making bodies. Areas to be considered include how individuals are forged into a group consciousness, the stages of group development, the dynamics of group interaction, productivity and satisfaction, team building techniques, leadership and other roles, the management of conflict, and decision-making. Prerequisite: COMM 101 or permission of instructor. 3 hrs.

COMM 350: Independent Study in Communication
This course involves an independent investigation of a topic of interest to the student, approved by a faculty director, that is not covered by the existing course offerings. Prerequisites: COMM 101 and permission of the department. 3 hrs.

COMM 351: Film Studies
This course focuses on the art of film and will explore such topics as film criticism, film genres (such as science fiction, film noir, or the musical), foreign films, film and society, the works of selected directors (such as John Ford, Alfred Hitchcock, Frank Capra, or Steven Spielberg), or studios. 3 hrs.

COMM 360: Topics in Communication
Intensive consideration of a single topic in communication. The topics for the course will vary from term to term and may range from a consideration of the work of a single individual to a study of a general movement. Open to majors and to others with the permission of the department. May be taken twice with different subtitles. 3 hrs.

COMM 364: Media Law and Ethics
This course analyzes media policies and practices with respect to their social impact, including such topics as government regulation of the media, the influence of pressure groups, field studies of media influence, laws concerning libel and privacy, and ethical issues confronting media practitioners. Prerequisite: COMM 101 and 204 or permission of instructor. 3 hrs.

COMM 475: Communication Theory and Research
The study of a variety of theories of communication as they frame questions and enable the discovery of answers. Theories range from basic conceptions of the communication process through interpersonal, public, and mass communication. These theories then provide the basis for the investigation of key questions concerning processes of communication. Prerequisites: senior standing and at least 27 hours in the major. 3 hrs.