Alan L. Sillars, Chair
Communication studies is a growing discipline that is engaged
in both social-scientific and humanistic approaches to the analysis,
understanding and improvement of human communication. The discipline
traces its roots to ancient Greek and Roman studies of the functions
of public discourse in society, but in the twentieth century
communication came to embrace the studies of interpersonal and
small group interaction, human relations in organizations, media
and society, and intercultural interaction. Although interdisciplinary
in spirit, the discipline has a core of knowledge, theory and
concepts concentrating on such things as symbols, messages,
interactions, networks, and persuasive campaigns. Uniting the
field is the belief that the role of communication in human
experience is basic to comprehending complex situations and
problems in the modern world. The discipline has roles in both
the broad traditions of liberal arts education and in the development
and refinement of practical skills.
The Department of Communication Studies at The University of
Montana-Missoula focuses on three broad areas of study: interpersonal
interaction and human relationships, organizational communication,
and rhetoric and public discourse. The knowledge and skills
the student may acquire in each of these areas are important
to functioning effectively in one's personal life, at work,
and as a citizen of the larger society in a rapidly changing
world.
The program in Communication Studies helps to prepare students
for such diverse professions as: public relations officer, marketing
analyst, human resources or personnel manager, community mediator,
political speech writer, health communication trainer, social
services director, or student services coordinator. Also, undergraduate
and graduate study can assist the student in pursuing advanced
studies for law, the ministry, and higher education. Students
majoring in Communication Studies are encouraged to take allied
course work in other fields and departments; typical areas for
minors and double majors in recent years have included: Human
and Family Development, Political Science and Public Administration,
Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, Anthropology, Business Administration,
Education, and Journalism.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the communication studies major, a student
must satisfy the following requirements:
1. Overall G.P.A. of 2.5.
2. Completion of COMM 111A and two other lower-division
COMM courses.
Students who intend to major in communication studies but who
have not yet met the above requirements are admitted to the
program as pre communication majors. Pre communication majors
may enroll in 100 and 200 level courses only. Students must
be fully admitted as communication studies majors to enroll
in 300 and 400 level courses. Before a student can graduate,
he or she must meet the requirements to become a communication
studies major.
Special Degree Requirements
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Refer to graduation requirements listed previously in the catalog.
See index.
Core Requirements
To graduate with a degree in communication studies, the student
must complete 35 total communication credits with 18 of those
credits in courses numbered 300 or above. A maximum of 6 credits
in COMM 360 may count toward a major in communication studies.
In addition, the following courses are required:
1. a course in statistics
2. COMM 110S Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
3. COMM 111A Introduction to Public Speaking
4. COMM 250L Introduction to Rhetorical Theory
5. COMM 460 Research Methods
To meet the Upper-division Writing Expectation for a major
in Communication Studies, students must successfully complete
one of the following courses: COMM 330, COMM 420, COMM 455,
or another course approved for this purpose by the University
curriculum committee.
Allied Fields
The major is advised to take courses in other academic units
throughout the University that will provide an increased understanding
of communication, such as anthropology, English, linguistics,
management, political science, psychology, social work, and
sociology. Of particular interest to students interested in
helping professions and associated content areas (e.g., children,
families, aging) is the human and family development minor.
Organizational Communication Option
Students who elect to concentrate in organizational communication
must complete:
1. All the core requirements listed previously.
2. COMM 320-Introduction to Organizational Communication.
3. At least 3 courses from the following: COMM 220
(Professional Communication), 240 (Communication in Small
Groups), 420 (Advanced Organizational Communication), 412
(Interpersonal Conflict), and 451 (Intercultural Communication).
4. 4 courses from the following list: ANTH 220S, BADM
100S, 340S; MGMT 344, 368, 440; MKTG 363; SOC 110S, 306S,
320; PSC 361 or 460.
All courses should be selected in consultation with a department
faculty advisor.
Communication and Human Relationships Option
Students who elect to concentrate in communication and human
relationships must complete:
1. All the core requirements listed previously.
2. At least 5 courses from the following: COMM 202S
(Nonverbal Communication), 310S (Communication and Emotion),
380 (Gender and Communication), 410S (Communication in Personal
Relationships), 411 (Family Communication), 412 ( Interpersonal
Conflict), and 451S (Intercultural Communication).
3. At least 4 courses from the following list: AAS
327; ANTH 327, 328S, 446S; C&I 355; HFD 412; NAS 342H;
PSYC 116S, 240S, 245, 345, 346, 350S, 358; SOC 210S, 275S,
300, 330S, 340, 395, 421; SW 322S or 422.
All courses should be selected in consultation with a faculty
advisor. Students electing this option are encouraged to minor
in Human and Family Development.
Rhetoric and Public Discourse Option
Students who elect to concentrate in rhetoric and public discourse
must complete:
1. All the core requirements listed previously.
2. At least 4 courses from the following: COMM 241S
(Persuasive Communication), 242 (Argumentation), 350 (Persuasive
Speaking and Criticism), 380 (Gender and Communication), 450E
(Ethics in Communication), and 455 (Rhetorical Criticism and
Theory).
3. At least 3 courses from the following: ENLT 120L,
EVST 167H, 367, 427E; HIST 152H, 301H, 335E, 357, 358, 370H,
362, 364, 371H; PHIL 211, 471; PSC 150E, 341, 342, 461, 471
or 472; SOC 470.
All courses should be selected in consultation with a faculty
advisor.
Suggested Course of Study
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First Year
COMM 110S Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
COMM 111A Introduction to Public Speaking
COMM 250L Introduction to Rhetorical Theory
ENEX 101 Composition
MATH 117 Probability and Linear Mathematics
General Education
Total....................................................................................................................
Second Year
COMM electives
MATH 241 or PSYC 220 or SOC 202 or HHP 486 3-4
General Education
Electives
Total....................................................................................................................
Third Year
COMM 330 Message Composition (Writing course)
COMM 460 Communication Research Methods
Upper-division COMM electives
Upper-division electives
Electives
Total....................................................................................................................
Fourth Year
Upper-division COMM electives
Upper-division electives
Electives
Total....................................................................................................................
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Requirements for a Minor
To be admitted to the communication studies minor, a student
must satisfy the following requirements:
1. overall G.P.A. of 2.5.
2. completion of COMM 111A and two other lower-division
COMM courses.
Students who intend to minor in communication studies but who
have not yet met the above requirements are admitted as pre
communication minors. Pre communication minors may enroll in
100 and 200 level courses only. Students must be fully admitted
as communication studies minors to enroll in 300 and 400 level
courses.
Once admitted to earn a minor, the student must complete a minimum
of 20 credits in communication studies courses, with at least
9 credits in communication studies courses numbered 300 and
above. A maximum of 6 credits in COMM 360 may count toward a
minor in communication studies.
Courses
U = for undergraduate credit only, UG = for undergraduate or
graduate credit, G =for graduate credit. R after the credit
indicates the course may be repeated for credit to the maximum
indicated after the R.
U 110S Introduction to Interpersonal Communication 3 cr.
Offered autumn and spring. An overview of the process of
human communication with special emphasis on analyzing communication
patterns and improving interpersonal communication skills.
U 111A Introduction to Public Speaking 3 cr. Offered
every term. Preparation, presentation, and criticism of speeches.
Emphasis on the development of public speaking techniques through
constructive criticism. Credit not allowed for both COMM 111A
and COM 160A.
U 173 Introduction to Language 3 cr. Offered autumn.
Same as LING 173. A survey of the elements of language (structure,
meaning, and sound) including language use in its social and
cultural contexts.
U 195 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 9) Offered intermittently.Experimental
offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of
new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
U 202S Nonverbal Communication 3 cr. Offered spring.
Nonverbal code systems and how they function in human communication
including gestures, facial expressions, personal space, and
others.
U 203 Listening 3 cr. Offered spring. Principles and
practices of effective cognitive and empathic listening skills.
U 220 Professional Communication 3 cr. Offered autumn and
spring. Principles and practices of effective interviewing in
a variety of professional situations including screening of
clients and job candidates, performance appraisal, and data-gathering.
Advanced public speaking in professional contexts.
U 240S Communication in Small Groups 3 cr. Offered autumn
and spring. Theory and research related to communication patterns,
cohesion, leadership, and decision making. Experiences provided
in task oriented groups and field analyses of group processes
provided.
U 241S Persuasive Communication 3 cr. Offered spring. The
use of communication in attitude and behavior change as experienced
in personal, organizational, and public contexts.
U 242 Argumentation 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring.
Prereq., sophomore standing. Development of argumentation skills
and critical judgment in decision making and debate. Includes
criticism, construction, presentation, and refutation of spoken
and written arguments.
U 250L Introduction to Rhetorical Theory 3 cr. Offered
autumn and spring. Prereq., COMM 111A. An overview of rhetorical
theory including an exploration of classical rhetoric, British
and Continental rhetorical theory, and contemporary theories
of language and persuasion.
U 295 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 9) Offered intermittently.
Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental
offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
U 310S Communication and Emotion 3 cr. Offered autumn
and spring. Study of how emotion pervades communication; how
emotion is communicated verbally and nonverbally; how communicating
or withholding emotion affects well-being; how emotion is managed
effectively through communication; how emotion is woven into
the larger social, moral and cultural fabric.
U 320 Organizational Communication 3 cr. Offered spring.
Theory and research on communication in organizations. Focus
on topics such as productivity, power, culture, socialization,
technology and globalization covering a wide range of organizations
including corporations, government, educational institutions
, non-profit agencies and media organizations.
U 330 Message Composition 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring.
Prereq., ENEX 101 and COMM 111A, and one lower division writing
course. The preparation and presentation of oral and written
messages with an emphasis on organization, style, and comparison
of effective oral and written communication.
U 350 Persuasive Speaking and Criticism 3 cr. Offered
spring.Prereq., COMM 111A. The persuasive process through the
criticism and creation of speeches and other rhetorical artifacts
emphasizing the role persuasion plays in creating and shaping
our culture.
U 360 Forensics/Honors 1-3 cr. (R-12) Offered every term.
Prereq., COMM 111A or COMM 242 or equiv. Preparation and participation
in competitive speech and debate, including British Parliamentary
debate and National Individual Events Tournament (NIET) speeches.
The team travels to regional competitions and hosts on-campus
and intermural debates and speaking events. Up to 6 credits
may apply toward a major or minor in communication studies.
U 380 Gender and Communication 3 cr. Offered autumn. Same
as WS 380. The meaning of gender in our culture and how gender
is displayed and perpetuated through our private and public
verbal and nonverbal interactions.
U 395 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 9) Offered intermittently.
Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental
offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
U 398 Cooperative Education Experience Variable cr. (R 6)
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., consent of instr. Extended
classroom experience which provides practical application of
classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval
must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Center
for Work-Based Learning.
UG 410S Communication in Personal Relationships 3
cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., COMM 110S. An examination of
the functions, types, and historical context of close personal
relationships with an in depth study of the role of communication
in friendships and romantic relations.
UG 411 Family Communication 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq.,
COMM 110S. An examination of communication in husband wife,
parent child, and extended family relationships. Topics include
intimacy, power, decision making, problem solving, identity
formation, and interpersonal perception.
UG 412 Interpersonal Conflict 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring.
Prereq., COMM 110S. The nature of interpersonal struggles across
a variety of contexts, focusing on styles, tactics, power, goals,
negotiation, and conflict intervention modes such as mediation.
UG 420 Advanced Organizational Communication 3 cr. (R-9)
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., COMM 320. Focus on one of
a set of specific topics. Topics include communication and quality
of worklife, communication and power in organizations, communication
and organizational socialization, and communication and new
technologies in organizations. Specific topics vary by semester.
Credit not allowed for repeat of the same topic.
UG 450E Ethics in Communication 3 cr. Offered spring.
Prereq., lower division course in Perspective 5 or consent of
instr. The study of ethical issues in human communication in
relation to traditional Western value systems.
UG 451S Intercultural Communication 3 cr. Offered autumn
and spring. Communication principles and processes in cross
cultural environments. Non Western cultures are emphasized by
contrasting them to Western communication norms.
UG 455 Rhetorical Criticism and Theory 3 cr. Offered
autumn. Introduction to study of rhetorical criticism and theory.
Current theoretical and methodological issues and approaches
including traditional criticism, experiential criticism, dramatism,
narrative criticism, feminist criticism, postmodern criticism.
UG 460 Communication Research Methods 3 cr. Offered autumn
and spring. Prereq., a course in statistics. Introduction to
the major types of communication research and the foundations
of quantitative research methods.
UG 461 Research Seminar 1-3 cr. (R-9) Offered autumn
and spring. Prereq., COMM 460 and consent of instr. Application
of quantitative and qualitative research methods to specialized
contexts. Emphasis on direct student involvement in research
activities.
G 480 The Rhetorical Construction of "Woman" 3
cr. Offered intermittently. Topics include the early women's
rights conventions, debates over marriage and divorce, "social
feminism" and women's sphere, the link between gender and
race; intersection of rhetoric and the contemporary understanding
of femininity.
UG 495 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 9) Offered intermittently.
Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental
offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
UG 496 Independent Study Variable cr. (R 9) Offered every
term. Prereq., consent of instr.
G 501 Seminar in Language 3 cr. (R 6) Offered autumn
even-numbered years.. Prereq., consent of instr.
G 502 Seminar: Nonverbal Communication 3 cr. Offered
autumn odd-numbered years. Prereq., consent of instr. Theory
and research on the codes and functions of nonverbal communication.
G 510 Seminar in Personal Relationships 3 cr. (R 6) Offered
autumn and spring. Prereq., consent of instr.
G 511 Survey of Interpersonal Communication 3 cr. Offered
autumn even-numbered years. Prereq., graduate standing in communication
studies or consent of instr. Survey of theories and research
in interpersonal communication including definitions of interpersonal
communication, its place in the field of communication, and
methodological issues. Overall emphasis on foundational readings
and recent research developments.
G 512 Seminar in Dispute Resolution 3 cr. (R 6) Offered
spring. Prereq., consent of instr..
G 520 Seminar in Organizational Communication 3 cr. Offered
spring. (R 6) Prereq., consent of instr.
G 521 Practical Issues in Organizational Communication 3
cr. (R 6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr.
G 540 Seminar in Instructional Communication 3 cr. (R 6)
Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr.
G 541 Teaching the Basic Course 2 cr. (R 8) Offered autumn
and spring. Prereq., consent of instr.
G 561 Qualitative Research Methods 3 cr. Offered autumn
and spring. An emphasis on the philosophy and practice of qualitative
inquiry, the development and use of descriptive frameworks,
and gathering and testing qualitative data to develop human
communication theory.
G 593 Professional Paper Variable cr. (R 3) Offered every
term. Prereq., consent of instr.
G 594 Topical Seminar Variable cr. (R 6) Offered intermittently.
Prereq., consent of instr.
G 595 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 9) Offered intermittently.
Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental
offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
G 596 Independent Study Variable cr. (R 9) Offered intermittently.
Prereq., consent of instr.
G 599 Thesis Variable cr. (R 6) Offered every term. Prereq.,
consent of instr.
Faculty
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Professors
Betsy Wackernagel Bach, Ph.D., University of Washington, 1985
Eldon E. Baker, Ph.D., Purdue University, 1966 (Emeritus)
George E. Cheney, Ph.D. Purdue University, 1985
Sally Planalp, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1983
Wesley N. Shellen, Ph.D., Ohio University, 1973
Alan L. Sillars, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin Madison, 1980
(Chair)
William W. Wilmot, Ph.D., University of Washington, 1970
Associate Professors
Sara E. Hayden, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 1994
James H. Polsin, Ph.D., University of Kansas, 1971 (Emeritus)
Assistant Professors
Shiv Ganesh, Ph.D., Purdue University, 2000
Steve Schwarze, Ph.D., The University of Iowa, 1999 (Visiting)
Adjunct Instructors
Rebecca O. Fielding, M.A., The University of Montana, 1998
Mary Morrison, M.Ed., The University of Michigan, 1976
Debra C. Stevens, M.A., The University of Montana, 1987
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