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English, Technical Communication & Media Arts Department
Southern Polytechnic State University
Atrium Building, J333
1100 South Marietta Pkwy
Marietta, GA 30060
678-915-7202
678-915-7425 (fax)
tcom@spsu.edu
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COMM 1000 Integrated Skills for International Students
Prerequisite: Departmental Approval
6-0-6
This course focuses on developing academic reading, writing,
speaking and listening skills for international students.
Students practice language and academic activities, such as
note-taking, basic research and discourse designed to support
concurrent academic course work.
COMM 1050 Holistic Communication for Non-Native Speakers of
English
Prerequisites: Department Approval
3-0-3
This course provides students with an opportunity for integrated
language study, with a focus on oral and written comprehension,
as well as written and spoken expression.
COMM 1100 Human Communications
Prerequisite: None
3-0-3
This course is a broad approach to oral communication skills
including intrapersonal, interpersonal, small group, and public
speaking. Students in this course will be expected to participate in
discussions on a frequent basis, take 12 short online quizzes,
complete a variety of unit assignments and take a proctored final
exam. (eCore Course - Online)
COMM 2000 Business Communication
Prerequisites: ENGL 1102, COMM 2400
3-0-3
Introduction to the communication skills needed in the business
world, learned through exposure to mock business situations. The
job search is covered, and emphasis is placed on writing business
correspondence and delivering business-related oral
presentations.
COMM 2060 International Communication
Prerequisites: TCOM 2010; either TCOM 2020 or 2030 or
concurrently
3-0-3
Study of international cultural differences, especially as they
influence oral and written communication in the workplace.
Cultures will be analyzed using established models. Special
topics will vary depending on faculty teaching the course.
Required for B.A. in International Technical Communication.
COMM 2150 Ethics and Communication
Prerequisite: ENGL 1102
3-0-3
This course will focus on analysis of relevant case studies in fields
of communication. Emphasis will be placed on critical reading,
writing and thinking. Comprehension of ethical issues in case
studies and other readings will be demonstrated through
completion of weekly writing assignments, formal and informal
written examinations, research reports, and active class
participation.
COMM 2170 Introduction to Media Studies
Prerequisite: ENGL 1102
3-0-3
This course provides students with a foundation in the study of
mass media and emerging new media. It provides an introduction
to the important key concepts and critical methodologies that are
essential to an understanding of the historical, social and political
effects of media as both technological tool and cultural artifact.
COMM 2400 Public Speaking
2-0-2
A general course in public speaking designed for students with
limited experience. This course deals with all aspects of effective
planning, preparation, and presentation of different types of
speeches. It focuses on basic principles of speech rather than on
professional presentations.
COMM 2500 Advanced Public Speaking
Prerequisite: COMM 2400
3-0-3
The study of principles and methods of selected forms of public
speaking and oral presentation for various purposes and
audiences. Speaking coverage ranges from speeches for special
occasions, argumentation and debate, persuasive speaking,
extemporaneous speaking and oral interpretation of literature.
COMM 2510 Intercollegiate Forensics
Prerequisite: COMM 2400 or concurrently
1-0-1
Training, practice, and participation in individual college forensics
events. Repeatable up to a 4-credit maximum
COMM 3000 Oral Communication for International Students
Prerequisite: ENGL 1101 and Departmental approval
3-0-3
Designed for international students enrolled in ETCMA degree
programs, this class addresses the specific needs of non-native
speakers in technical and professional communication to allow
them to develop the oral communication skills to become effective
communicators. Students will read, summarize, and analyze
various texts in various genres and make oral presentations. The
class promotes spoken language proficiency through small group
and individualized instruction in oral communication,
complemented by the development of critical reading, listening,
and writing skills.
COMM 3035 Organizational Communication
Prerequisite: ENGL 1102
3-0-3
This course provides an introduction to the fundamental
approaches, concepts and theories associated with the study of
organizational communication. Students will identify career
paths associated organizational communication and investigate
the flow of communication through organizational structures.
Emphasis will be placed on content application, team work and the
study of real life organizations.
COMM 3040 Health Communication
Prerequisite: ENGL 1102
3-0-3
This course will focus on the essential role communication plays
in health promotion and disease prevention. Strategies used to
influence both individuals and communities when making health
care decisions will be examined, and the students will become
familiar with the communication processes used in managing
individual and community health and health care programs.
Specifically, theoretical frameworks and communication
techniques will be examined that promote health. In addition,
students will gain an understanding of health communication
concepts, research,and practice. Topics discussed in this course
include health literacy, physician to patient communication,
effective public health messages and mass media campaigns,
social support, self-disclosure, health education, and risk and
emergency communication.
COMM 3050 Journalism
Prerequisite: TCOM 2010; either TCOM 2020 or 2030 or
concurrently
3-0-3
Study of technical and scientific reporting, including mass media
theory. Emphasis on making technical information understood by
a general audience. Students practice many in-house and
external forms of writing such as news releases, feature articles,
bulletins, brochures, and pamphlets. Cross-listed and ENGL 3050.
COMM 3060 Media, Culture, and Society
Prerequisite: ENGL 1102
3-0-3
Students will explore the relationship between various media and
a range of social and cultural concerns, including (but not limited
to): gender roles, representations of race and ethnicity, sex and
sexuality, family relations, and violence. The course will explore
various theories of how media both shape and reflect society.
COMM 3100 Rhetoric: History, Theory, and Practice
Prerequisite: TCOM 2010; either TCOM 2020 or 2030 or
concurrently
3-0-3
Introduction to rhetoric as the relationship between thought and
expression. Examines connections between rhetoric and writing,
between a public act and a personal thinking process, by exploring
classical and contemporary accounts of rhetorical history and
theory. Students apply theory to their own writing as they
explore the relationship between writers, readers, and subjects
and the range of options they have available to them as
communicators. Cross-listed as ENGL 3100.
COMM 3160 Media Theory and Practice
Prerequisite: ENGL 1102, TCOM 4030
3-0-3
This course will introduce students to major media theorists of the
20th and 21st century. Students will explore theories of print,
radio, film, television, and various digital media. Students will also
explore applications of theory to the production of media objects.
COMM 4060 Cross-Cultural Communication
Prerequisite/Co-Requisite: COMM 2000 or COMM 2060
3-0-3
This course is designed to introduce students to issues involved
with communication across different cultures. Communication
is the focal point, so we will consider all aspects of
communication in this course - both verbal and nonverbal.
COMM 4100 Small Group Communication
Prerequisite: TCOM 2010; either TCOM 2020 or 2030 or
concurrently
3-0-3
Study of the theory and practice of group interaction and
teamwork as it applies to group process. Focuses on such topics
as the function of roles in groups, conflict resolution, leadership in
the small group, gender differences, listening and negotiation
skills, and managing meetings. A collaborative project and
workshop activities reinforce these principles.
COMM 4600 Directed Study
Prerequisites: Twenty-one hours of courses in the major
variable credit 1-3 hours
A directed study for an undergraduate major who needs to
complete an undergraduate requirement in the major that is not
offered before the student's graduation date. The directed study is
also for an undergraduate major who wishes to pursue a special
area of communication not covered by the curriculum.