Download Program and Course Descriptions

Aurora University Course Catalog
2016-2017
Undergraduate Course Descriptions
Note: In addition to the courses listed below, each program may offer, as appropriate,
the following types of specialized coursework and special learning experiences:
1810, 2810, 3810, 4810
Selected Topics
2830, 3830, 4830
Directed Study
3850, 4850
Workshop
2880, 3880
Travel Study
2940, 3940
Career Investigation Field Experience (internship)
4940
Career Application Field Experience (advanced internship)
2980, 3980, 4980
Independent Study
For information on currently offered Selected Topics courses in each program, consult
the Class Schedules. For information on directed studies, travel study, independent
studies, undergraduate research opportunities, and internships in any academic
department, contact the Program Chair, Academic Advisement or Registrar’s Office.
Course Numbering System:
The course numbering system is comprised of three letters for the departmental
program and four digits for the course number.
Course Level Definitions:
Below 1000-level: Preparatory course; credit does not count toward graduation
requirements.
1000-level: Designed as a foundation or introductory course primarily for first- or
second-year students; typically there are no prerequisites. Upon successful completion
of these courses, students will be expected to:
• demonstrate the ability to communicate course content effectively at the college
level, orally and in writing; and
• fulfill course objectives related to content.
2000-level: Intermediate-level course or an introduction to a particular discipline.
Students entering these courses are expected to possess foundational knowledge and
skills consistent with successful completion of the first year of college. Open to students
who meet the prerequisites. Upon successful completion of these courses, students will
be expected to:
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• write at a level exceeding first-year proficiency; and
• demonstrate skills of analysis and application in regard to course content.
3000-level: Designed to focus on specific topics, methods and approaches within a
particular academic discipline. Typically designed for upper-class students. In general,
may be open to second-year students who have completed prerequisites. Upon
successful completion of these courses, students will be expected to:
• engage in critical thinking, reading and writing that is consistent with the academic
discipline.
4000-level: Designed as advanced courses within a major or minor for upper-class
students who meet appropriate prerequisites. Students will be expected to synthesize,
integrate and apply prior coursework to the academic discipline and professional field.
Courses bearing numbers in the 5000 series are open to advanced under graduates
who meet the prerequisites, or with permission from the program chair. Courses with
5000 numbers that are integral to undergraduate programs are listed by title following
the undergraduate descriptions for each program. Courses bearing numbers in the 6000
series are open to graduate students only and courses bearing numbers 7000 and 8000
are open to doctoral students only.
Prerequisites:
In most cases, prerequisites are expressed in terms of Aurora University courses
that students are required to have completed before entering a given course. Except
where noted, successful completion of a transfer course that is deemed by Aurora
University to be equivalent to the prerequisite course is considered to meet prerequisite
requirements. Faculty have established specific alternative means of meeting
prerequisites (e.g., portfolio evaluation, placement test or permission of instructor) as
noted within the prerequisites for the course.
In all cases, prerequisites may be waived or modified by the academic dean responsible
for a course, or by the dean’s designate. Aurora University recognizes that prerequisite
learning may occur in many settings. If you believe that your prior learning from noncollege sources may have prepared you to succeed in advanced coursework, you
should contact the academic dean offering the course for information about waiver of
prerequisites in specific instances.
Speech Communication Minor
20 semester hours
Speech communication is a very flexible and adaptable minor that works well in
combination with majors such as theatre, English, history, political science, business
and education.#To receive a minor in speech communication, a student must complete
20 semester hours of the following courses:
Required Courses:
COM1550 Professional Communication (4)
COM2250 Human Relationships and Interactions (4)
COM3200 Persuasion and Consumer Culture (4)
Selected Courses: Choose two courses*
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COM3000 Navigating Organizations (4)
COM3500 Intercultural Communication (4)
COM3810 Special Topics in Communication (4)**
COM4100 Communication Research (4)
COM4940 Communication Internship (4)**
THE1200 Introduction to Theatre (4)
THE1300 Acting I (4)
*Communication or media studies majors must select two unique electives not already
used to fulfill the requirements of the major or another minor.
**To be eligible for the minor, this course requires approval of course/internship content
as relevant to minor.
Course Description(s)
COM1550 Professional Communication
Students learn principles for effective written and oral communication in professional
settings, with significant in-class presentation and out-of-class topical research.
Students analyze the needs of divergent audiences and craft messages using
technology tools and media appropriate for effective professional communication.
The course focuses on the structure and effective delivery of ideas, use of language,
supporting evidence, reasoning and emotional appeals, diction, pronunciation and
nonverbal communication, and listening. Topics include making effective informative
and persuasive presentations, communication ethics, organizational and workplace
diversity, interviewing, and conflict management.
Semester hours: 4
COM2250 Advertising
Advertising is a creative communications process between messenger and consumer.
This course offers an overview of advertising trends and developments in the U.S.
and around the world. Students will study current and emerging advertising issues.
This course studies the research foundation and methods used in creating advertising
for print, broadcast and online media. Topics include history, ethics, social dynamics,
economic implications for society and the global spread of advertising.
Semester hours: 4
COM3200 Persuasion and Consumer Culture
This course explores theoretical and applied approaches to the ways attitudes are
formed and changed, the relationship between attitudes and behavior, and how
messages transmitted personally and through the mass media are shaped to influence
attitudes and behavior. Students will critically examine media theories and practices
from diverse ethical, economic and political perspectives to further appreciate the
relationship between media messages and society. Students will also study the rhetoric
of persuasion established by Aristotle, which is foundational to our modern persuasive
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practices and applications in areas, such as public address, politics, propaganda,
advertising and public relations.
Semester hours: 4
Prerequisite(s): COM1550.
COM3000 Navigating Organizations
This course will provide students with a solid grounding in the theories, principles, and
strategies of organizations and group communication as it is applied in diverse contexts.
Students will gain familiarity with relevant research and applications as well as the
practical strategies and techniques of working in organizational and group contexts and
will participate in coursework that relates to a wide variety of real-life communication
situations and settings.
Semester hours: 4
Prerequisite(s): COM1550 or ENG1000.
COM3500 Intercultural Communication
The course focuses on effective communication of ideas, theories, and practices in a
diverse, multicultural world. Differences in perception, worldviews and values will be
explored, and both verbal and nonverbal messages will be examined. The course will
encourage the discovery and analyses of experiences that occur when people from
different cultures communicate different ideas, feelings and information.
Semester hours: 4
Prerequisite(s): COM1550 or ENG1000.
COM3810 Special Topics in Communication
This is a periodic course reflecting faculty research interests. Students may repeat the
course on a different special topic for a maximum of 12 semester hours.
Semester hours: 4
Prerequisite(s): Will vary with special topic. May require instructor approval.
COM4100 Communication Research
This course guides students in the methods of inquiry found in the communication
and media studies research literature. These methods include experiments, surveys,
textual analysis and participant observations/ethnographies. The course examines the
underlying philosophical assumptions associated with these methodologies as well as
their unique strengths and limitations. Students’ conceptual understanding of these
methodologies and their ability to become critical consumers of research findings are
the major objectives of the course.
Semester hours: 4
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Prerequisite(s): COM3200 or instructor approval.
COM4940 Communication Internship
The purpose of the Communication Studies Internship is to enable Aurora University
students to acquire work experiences in the communication professional’s business
world. This experience is designed to expand on the learning experience and to
integrate and reinforce skills and concepts learned in the classroom. The internship
provides a practical experience in a structured employment environment. Students
may repeat this course involving a different internship experience for a maximum of 12
semester hours.
Semester hours: 4
Prerequisite(s): Major in communication or media studies or minors in speech
communication, strategic communication, graphic design, multimedia journalism or film
studies. Must meet university requirements of at least junior-level standing. Students
must seek advance approval from a communication faculty mentor prior to registering
for the communication internship.
THE1200 Introduction to Theatre
This course is designed to introduce the student to a brief history of theatre and the
functions of the playwright, actor, director, producer, critic and designers. The course
will help develop an appreciation and understanding of the theatrical experience.
Semester hours: 4
THE1300 Introduction to Acting
This course is an introduction to the study and fundamentals of acting. Through
exercises in movement, voice, imagination, and game playing, the student actor will
develop control over body and movement, learn techniques to reduce performance
anxiety and stage fright, sharpen focus and concentration, heighten imagination, and
develop skills needed to define and support the life of a character.
Semester hours: 4
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