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“APPLICATION” COURSES Offered by Communication Studies Department
Fall 2015
Department
CRS
Title Description CMST
335
Gender Communication
CMST
336
Intercultural Communication CMST
385
Political Communication CMST
387
Communication & Legal Practice
CMST
393
Media, Intimacy & Identity
This course provides an examination of the communication styles of males and females in a variety of settings. Course surveys gender similarities and differences in verbal and nonverbal communication with an emphasis on how males and females perceive the world and how these perceptions affect the human communication process.
This course examines basic concepts, principles and skills for understanding the relationship between persons and culture and for improving communication between persons from different cultural backgrounds.
The act of deliberation is the act of reflecting carefully on a matter weighing the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions to a problem. It aims to arrive at a decision or judgment based not only on facts and data but also on values, emotions, and other less technical considerations. Though a solitary individual can deliberate, it more commonly means making decisions together, as a small group, an organization, or a nation. This course takes a unique approach to the field of political communication by viewing key concepts and research through the lens of deliberative democracy theory. This course focuses on how communication is central to democratic self-­‐governance primarily because of its potential to facilitate public deliberation. You will also be exposed to how citizens, government officials, elites, think tanks, the media, infotainment, and campaign ads influence public deliberation. This course counts as an applied communication course, which means that you will go beyond reading about deliberation to actually participating in public deliberation. You will participate in four public class debates, attend a city council public deliberation, as well as research and participate in your own moderated debate on a present controversial issue.
This course brings the legal trial to the classroom, providing students an opportunity to incorporate an array of communication principles and skills with the experience of trial practice. Students are introduced progressively to key aspects of communication and litigation and participate in exercises that culminate in mock trials before a jury.
In this class we will discuss the connection between interpersonal communication and social media. We will look at identity formation through interpersonal communication both in person as well as identity through social media. We will discuss how identity is performed in/with social media. We will discuss social media's place in our daily life and how media has enhanced and hindered intimacy with others. CMST
393
Family Communication CMST
393
Rhetoric of Women
CMST
393
Making Social Worlds
CMST
393
Culture, Crime & Punishment
This course examines aspects of interpersonal and relational communication within the context of the family system. Topics including family identity and the creation of shared family meanings, family intimacy, family roles, family power dynamics, managing family conflict and family stress, and intergenerational family relationships are investigated through the lens of the family communication system.
This course provides the opportunity to explore and analyze rhetorical texts created by women in a variety of contexts and for a range of purposes. The overall goal of the course is to examine the ways in which women develop and use rhetoric to function in, challenge, and change the world. Various texts including writing, speaking, visual and performing arts, as well as media forms will be sued to understand rhetorical situations, concerns and goals of women. Students will gain an understanding of feminist perspectives on communication as a foundation for critically questioning, evaluating and re-­‐envision the nature of communication in our socially constructed world. In this course, gender is viewed as a lens, platform, and position that significantly affects and can radically transform our personal, local, and global lives. Particular attention will be given to the ways in which gender and gender issues intersect with race, class, and sexuality.
"How one acts during 'critical moments' can change the world" (Pearce,
2007). This course is designed to help you apply everything that you
have learned and will learn about human communication. A particular
focus of this course will be on the Coordinated Management of Meaning
(CMM). CMM has been used extensively by both scholars and
practitioners to gain insight into social interactions. We will
explore how this theory can be used to improve communication in a wide
variety of contexts, from interpersonal relationships, to workplace
communication, to public dialogue and political discourse. By acting
wisely in the moments that shape our future, our communication can
build better social worlds (Pearce, 2007).
With over two million people behind bars, the U.S. boasts the highest incarceration rate in the world. Since the 1970s, the incarceration rate has increased over 500%. People of color disproportionately populate “correctional facilities,” while immigrants and women represent the fastest growing imprisoned population. What explains the rising number of prisoners and the exponential construction of prisons at a time when rates of violent crime have decreased? What does this mass incarceration say about prevailing conceptions of “justice”? This course examines cultural constructions of crime and punishment. Although the course focuses primarily on the U.S. criminal justice system, we will attend to the global reach of this widening carceral net. Indeed, the “war on terror” has given a rhetoric of “law and order” renewed traction. Consequently, the course gives students the opportunity to examine one of the most pressing social issues of our time. Although relevant to students interested in studying law, the course argues that a purely legal response to the era of mass incarceration is inadequate. Instead, what is necessary is a more nuanced public debate, one that is in dialogue with the moral critiques of society hailing from prisoners, along with a willingness to advocate on behalf of a population many –including human and civil rights advocates—consider undeserving of dignity and basic rights: prisoners. We will focus our study of cultural constructions of crime and punishment in three different rhetorical cultures: mainstream public discourse, prisoners’ discourse, and prison activism discourse. These three arenas map onto the three units of the course: 1) Crime and Punishment in the Public Imagination; 2) Accountability, Healing, and Restorative Justice, and 3) Interventions & Transformations. CMST
393
Communication & Relationships
CMST 393-­‐05 is a special topics course designed to engage students in the study of social and personal relationships from a communication perspective. By seeing human relationships as ongoing, active communicative constructions, we will explore processes of “relating” that continually create, maintain, and dissolve interpersonal relationships. Specifically, we will study a variety of relational communication theories, micro-­‐level relational processes and skills, and cultural phenomena that impact, inform, and influence how we relate. As we move through the semester, we will work to reconcile theoretical understandings of relationships with practical skills and processes that can inform and improve your relationship communication. CMST
393
Prosocial Behavior & Communication
CMST
393
For the Love of the Game
CMST
393
Non-­‐Profit Communication & Campaigns
CMST
393
Advertising & PR Communication
CMST
393
Spiritualism & Loving Relationships
CMST
393
Entertainment, Management & Communication CMST
393
Media & Globalization CMST
393
Performance, Culture & Sexualities CMST
393/398
Mediation & Communication This course will identify pro-­‐social behavior and communication, contrast it with anti-­‐
social norms, and focus on the values inherent in the caring, sharing, and ways of building relationships and communities with an emphasis on the possibilities for both individual and collective growth and well-­‐being. Emphasis will be on the understanding of both individual and group behaviors that promote effective and cooperative pro-­‐social communication. This class will explore the elements of the course title: For the Love of the Game: Sport, Gender and Communication in a critical exploration of one sport, one theory and one communication problem/phenomenon of each student’s choice. The class will focus around legislation (such as title IX and more recent bills), rules, norms, rites and rituals along with interviewing and media representation of the above issues.
This is a creative community-­‐based learning (CBL) class in which each student volunteers 12-­‐15 hours with a nonprofit organization. Groups of 3-­‐4 students will work as a creative team to design and write communication campaign items for a nonprofit organization. These organizations will be approved nonprofits working with the Center for Service and Action. Students will interview the leadership team or founder of their chosen nonprofit organization in order to learn about the organization’s mission and what communication needs the organization needs the creative team to fulfill. The communication campaign items will be collected in a portfolio (both electronic and hard copy) to present to the nonprofit organization for future use.
This is an introductory course to the world of advertising and public relations, providing practical insights into how ad agencies and PR firms operate-­‐ and their critical roles in influencing how products, services, and ideas are introduced to and perceived by their target audiences.
In this course, students will learn the complicated dimensions of communication in loving relationships from a spiritual perspective. Exploring the nature of communication in any kind of loving relationship from a spiritual perspective, whether with parents and children, between siblings, or between romantic partners, will help bring about spiritual enrichment and transformation in our relationships with our family friends and lovers. The aim of this course is to explore ways to become better communicators by being grounded in spiritualism. It will seek to broaden the horizons of our minds and enrich our spiritual lives in our daily encounters with our loved ones. It is hoped that this course will not only lead us to a deeper experience and understanding of ourselves but also enable each one to be enriched and be inspired to search for more meaningful ways to communicate with our loved ones that will involve introspection, contemplation and action.
A “product” of the entertainment business can be a combination of many elements not simply film, television, music etc. Exploiting a product‘s potential in licensing, retail, theme parks, games etc. are all part of measuring its success. Along with our awareness of these “traditional” media, the relatively new world of digital media as a source of original entertainment, new marketing concepts and a whole host of capabilities facilitated by the internet has opened a “world” of opportunities that can even be under an individual‘s control. Entertainment Management will begin by focusing on the traditional organizational “models” in order to describe various structures and the functions of typical executives/managers within their organizations and within the industry. As we move forward we will also focus on the digital media world and how each of these media compliment themselves and stand-­‐alone. We will accomplish this in a variety of ways: through lecture; inviting industry professionals to our classroom; by readings and observation of today’s entertainment world; with a series of assignments to emphasize and underscore what we have learned from the foregoing.
In this course, students will first be introduced to key international communication theories and will then be asked to consider whether the introduction of Web 2.0, inexpensive mobile technology and other recent digital media advances are reinforcing or disrupting existing patterns of globalization.
Exploration of performance as a site of communication and embodied practice. This course will examine the many ways in which performance exists and operates in our culture with a focus on personal narrative, ethnographic fieldwork and literature. In addition there will be a focus on deconstructing sex, gender, sexuality as rich sites of theoretical interpretation and performative interaction.
When thinking about the legal profession, many people think about the courtroom as the primary focus of action. But the reality is that far more cases settle out of court, often by resorting to mediation or other alternative dispute resolution (ADR) practices. Mediation is a process that depends on a great deal of communication savvy; whether you are participating as the mediator, a lawyer, or as a client, understanding the communication principles that are at work in the give-­‐and-­‐take of mediation can help you achieve more satisfying results.
In this class we will focus on principles of negotiation, based on a communicative understanding of conflict, persuasion, and situation analysis. We will then apply those principles to a mediation context—which will sharpen the general negotiation skills with an eye toward the legal issues (discovery, authority, agency, confidentiality, etc.) that sometimes complicate the mediation process. This class will rely heavily on a learning-­‐ by-­‐doing approach. You will be asked to prepare for and participate in simulation exercises that push you to enact the principles you are learning about. You will take turns “playing” the part of the lawyer, the client, and the mediator. You will experience what it is like not to have “all the information” about the players and to have “secrets” that you are trying to protect from discovery. You will be asked to negotiate deals that involve financial, familial/personal, and professional concerns. Preparation for these simulations is essential, as is regular attendance at all class meetings!
CMST
393
Advocacy & Activism
This course will fuse theory and practice through the lenses of public policy and student activism/advocacy. We will research, discuss and be motivated by student-­‐
identified social injustices and indentify means to shape policy for a more democratic and just world. Together we will (re)discover our voices, exercise our right to speech and be heard. Students will refine their persuasive speaking/writing skills; put theory into practice via hands-­‐on fieldwork; research and develop communication strategies for (re)framing of issues; and empower themselves to work for a better tomorrow for all. CMST
490
Communication Practicum Communication Practicum provides students with an opportunity to gain practical experience in a communication related field in preparation for obtaining a position after graduation. This course provides an opportunity for directed experiences in applying the principles and skills of communication theory while performing specific tasks in the workplace. Students will engage in self-­‐exploration, career search, goal and objectives development, resume and cover letter construction, employment and informational interview methods, and interpersonal skills development. Students will be able to continue to explore and develop career interests and talents while participating in the internship setting, experience networking, and learn transferable workplace skills. Students will understand the value of learning in the internship setting further through reflective writing throughout the semester. This class may be taken once as an application and is a prerequisite for CMST 491. All internships are subject to instructor approval. CMST Upper Division Elective Courses
These courses are not Application courses. These are Upper Division Electives only.
Department CRS
Title CMST
398
Popular Culture and the Law
The objective of the course is to provide the students with a
foundation for understanding the importance and complex relationship
between an ever evolving popular American culture and American
jurisprudence. We will journey through American history, examining
the areas of impact, divergence and convergence of varying forms of
American media and the legal systems. We will examine the role that a
fast evolving American population and its social underpinnings
(ethnic, gender, moral, spiritual, political, etc.) plays in the law.
Students will be asked to explore these issues within themselves. At
the conclusion of the course the student will have a broader
understanding about how both culture and law have developed in our
county over time, and will be asked to debate these themes in class
and in writings. We will examine the language of law, and the role
that it plays in our everyday life, just as does popular media.
Description CMST
398
Mediation & Communication CMST
398
Leadership and Communication CMST
491
Communication Practicum II When thinking about the legal profession, many people think about the courtroom as the primary focus of action. But the reality is that far more cases settle out of court, often by resorting to mediation or other alternative dispute resolution (ADR) practices. Mediation is a process that depends on a great deal of communication savvy; whether you are participating as the mediator, a lawyer, or as a client, understanding the communication principles that are at work in the give-­‐and-­‐take of mediation can help you achieve more satisfying results.
In this class we will focus on principles of negotiation, based on a communicative understanding of conflict, persuasion, and situation analysis. We will then apply those principles to a mediation context—which will sharpen the general negotiation skills with an eye toward the legal issues (discovery, authority, agency, confidentiality, etc.) that sometimes complicate the mediation process. This class will rely heavily on a learning-­‐ by-­‐doing approach. You will be asked to prepare for and participate in simulation exercises that push you to enact the principles you are learning about. You will take turns “playing” the part of the lawyer, the client, and the mediator. You will experience what it is like not to have “all the information” about the players and to have “secrets” that you are trying to protect from discovery. You will be asked to negotiate deals that involve financial, familial/personal, and professional concerns. Preparation for these simulations is essential, as is regular attendance at all class meetings!
In this course we will explore a wide range of human behavior as it relates to leadership development and communication. Employers often rank a candidate’s leadership skills as a main factor in the hiring process, yet very few courses address this topic in depth. Despite all of the recent advances in technology that help us live and work more efficiently, the bottom line is that one’s measure of success continues to rely upon how one communicates with and values others. This course offers students an opportunity to research, practice, and apply leadership skills. By observation and inquiry of effective leadership skills the student will gain an awareness of leadership theory and practice their leadership skills in small groups. Students will learn about leadership, strengthen leadership skills, and learn to value their potential for leadership. This course will integrate theory and practice to build leadership competencies required in today’s global workplace. This course is largely experiential: students will participate in discussions, small group tasks, and project teams. Students will engage in an online journal throughout the semester and formulate a personal philosophy of leadership. Understanding leadership theory and practicing leadership skills in college will prepare students to empower others as they prepare to enter the workforce and engage fully in their communities today and in the future.
Prerequisite: CMST 490 Building on students’ knowledge of how to conduct information-­‐gathering interviews and to interview effectively for a job, the student will learn to structure and conduct job and appraisal interviews. Other topic areas will include leading at work, giving and receiving constructive criticism, mentoring relationships, group communication strategies, planning and running meetings, negotiation, conflict resolution, time management, PowerPoint and Prezi presentations, effective writing for business, and seminar facilitation. Students will develop their interests, hone their talents, and practice transferable workplace skills while participating in the internship setting. All internships are subject to instructor approval. A. Is it true that only CMST 393 counts as ApplicaMon Course? No, there are many other classes that count as Applicaqon Courses. Please see below. B. What counts as ApplicaMon Courses? Choose any 6 of the following Applicaqon Courses to meet the graduaqon requirement: 330 Advanced Forensics 335 Gender Communicaqon 336 Intercultural Communicaqon 375 Organizaqonal Communicaqon Advanced Topical Seminar 376 Communicaqon & Consulqng 385 Poliqcal Communicaqon 386 Rhetoric of Social Movements 387 Communicaqon & Legal Pracqce 393 Topical Seminars in Communicaqon Studies (Offerings may vary each semester based on the experqse of individual professors) (Students may repeat this course providing the subject maser is not the same) 490 Communicaqon Pracqcum (This course can no longer be repeated; students who are interested in applied internship may consider 491 as an “upper division elecqve”.) 495 Senior Thesis (The student must obtain the wrisen approval of the faculty member direcqng the thesis project and the Department Chairperson the semester prior to wriqng the thesis) C. Do we count CMST 398, CMST 331 and CMST 491 as ApplicaMon Courses? No. They do not count as one of the 6 required Applicaqon Courses. However, we count them as upper division University elecqves. D. What exactly are ApplicaMon courses? Advanced courses in which students "apply" communicaqon concepts, theories and research methods to address "real world" issues/problems in concrete contexts. They range in subject maser and conceptual content, yet remain consistent with our departmental mission in social jusqce, requiring students to apply their knowledge for the purpose of sustaining a more humane and livable world. Applicaqon courses are creaqve and/or theoreqcal in focus in the criqque and/or producqon of persuasive messages (in oral, wrisen, visual, or electronic form) adapted to target audiences to accomplish ethical and effecqve change. Students learn to analyze communicaqon messages, understand the relaqonship between communicaqon, audience, and context, and demonstrate a commitment to culqvaqng criqcal thinking skills about the complex role of communicaqon in society locally and globally. Applicaqon courses may also offer student opportuniqes to develop their group and community-­‐oriented communicaqon skills by working in teams or partnering with organizaqons on and/or off-­‐campus in service learning contexts or internships. E. Can I get some informaMon about the content of each ApplicaMon Course offered in Fall 2014? Yes, please see our website at hsp://cfa.lmu.edu/programs/communicaqon studies/. You may also see the table below for specific course descripqons. The Department has provided the course descripqon for each of the Applicaqon Courses offered in Fall 2014.