Graduate Faculty: Allison, Bruner, Cawyer, DeLoach, Gossett, Rhea, Wheeless.
The Department of Communication Studies offers the following degrees:
Students majoring in communication studies emphasize one of three areas: rhetorical studies, performance studies, or communication processes. Rhetorical studies includes theoretical, historical and critical examination of human discourse. Performance studies includes theoretical, historical, and critical examination of literary and cultural texts and events. Communication processes includes theory, research, assessment, and application of the social science of human communication emphasizing interpersonal and organizational communication.
The curriculum includes various analytical, critical, quantitative, and qualitative methodologies; analysis and criticism of public discourse; studies of freedom of expression; performance as a method of textual study, as an aesthetic event, and as social and rhetorical acts; quantitative and qualitative analysis of interpersonal interaction; study of persuasion, conflict, and social influence; quantitative and qualitative study of human communication systems and organizations; and data analysis techniques.
Teaching assistantships are awarded to prospective students with excellent academic backgrounds and potential as effective classroom teachers. Some teaching assistants may gain experience as debate assistants, performance assistants, or laboratory assistants. Application materials for teaching assistantships are available from the department office.
1. rhetorical analysis and criticism of persuasive public communication in historical, political and cultural contexts;
2. the role of communication in organizations, professions, and groups, including organizational communication systems, superior-subordinate-coworker communication, health communication systems, conflict management, interpersonal and professional relationships, and small group communication and decision-making;
3. performance of texts, literary and performance theory and criticism, intertextuality, phenomenology, and literary and rhetorical applications of narrative theory;
4. interpersonal communication, including receptivity and listening, informational reception apprehension, communication apprehension, intimate communication, gender and communication, communication style and assertiveness, health communication, mediation, interpersonal conflict, human information processing, and interpersonal influence;
5. legal communication, including investigation of theories and case law related to the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of speech, as well as applied research related to expert testimony; and
6. critical and cultural studies of communication, cultural values, ideologies, and politics.
The Office of Applied Communication and Research (OACR) is a research and outreach component of the Department of Communication Studies. The office offers professional assistance to public and private organizations, government agencies, educational institutions, legal and health professions, as well as volunteer groups and individuals. OACR houses a research laboratory for the department and coordinates its use. The laboratory also provides an educational, training, and special service facility for the department, university, and external clients of the OACR. Some graduate students participate in training and development, communication anxiety treatment, and assessment and intervention programs. Likewise, some have the opportunity to utilize technological expertise or engage in internships through the OACR.
All applicants must take the aptitude test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and must have the scores reported to the department prior to being considered for admission. Undergraduate students anticipating graduate work in this department should take the GRE in the fall semester of the senior year. Successful applicants generally have GRE scores of at least 1000 (verbal + quantitative) and have undergraduate grade point averages of at least 3.0 in the last 60 hours.
There are three options for the degree:
1. 36 hours of course work, including 6 hours in a minor area and 6 hours of thesis and oral examination;
2. 36 hours of course work, including 6 hours in a minor area, 3 hours of Research Problem in Communication (COMM 5910), plus comprehensive examination; or
3. 36 hours of course work, including 6 hours in a minor area, 3 hours of Graduate Internship in Communication Studies (COMM 5481), plus a comprehensive examination.
The Graduate School has a foreign language requirement for the Master of Arts degree.