Communication Studies
The Department of Communication Studies, Law, and Political Science offers degree programs that focus on human communication behaviors in public relations and advertising. At Fort Hays State University, you will complete a set of foundational courses that expose you to multiple aspects of the communications field, all to help you think about the many career options ahead.
Communication Studies Faculty Listing
Academic Programs
Communication - BA Communication Minor General Communication Certificate Organizational Communication Certificate Public Relations and Advertising CertificateCourses
This course examines theories and practices relevant to acquiring skill in interpersonal relations, small group communication and public speaking.
(May be taken four semesters.) Examination of argumentative theory and technique with emphasis on application.
Required for communication majors.
An overview of the art of cinema, concentrating on those techniques of filmmaking which shape motion pictures as a distinct art form. Although the course will include a short history of the development of the movie business, this is neither a history course nor a course in how to make films, but rather it is a course in how to view and understand motion picutres. A series of famous films will be shown and analyzed during the course.
This course is a three-hour survey course designed to provide a general introduction to the social impact of media on cultures and society. This course examines the history of media, media theory, and the social impact of communication technologies and media convergence, with a primary focus on the United States.
This course is designed to receive non-equivalent elective transfer credit.
Course provides students with the basic theories and principles of speech communication and skill in their application through directed practice. Emphasis is given to developing skills essential to the speaker-audience situation.
Examines the global communication intensive society of the present and future. Study of the forms, processes, and functions of communication focusing on the role of communication in creating and shaping our attitudes and behaviors.
Course provides prospective teachers with observational and participatory experience in their area of specialization. Students will be introduced to the classroom environment and teaching experience.
This course seeks to increase awareness of diversity issues by examining the role of communication in creating and resolving problems in sexism, racism and ageism. The role of communication in acculturation is also examined.
Course examines speech principles and practices relevant to effective person-to-person and small group communication.
Course provides a study of theory and practice of argumentation and academic debate.
Analysis of the functions of communication in organizational settings. Emphasis is placed on organizational structures and their effect on the communication process.
Course is designed to provide academic credit for a number of different areas in the Communication Department. The student will study one particular topic in depth.
Advanced photography course which stresses color work, professional portraiture, and other specialized photographic work.
Study and applications of Macintosh desktoppublishing technology and publication design.
This course is an overview of the field of advertising including advertising history; the idea systems behind advertising as a social/ economic institution; the perspectives of supporters and critics; and the principles and elements of design.
This course provides an overview of the field of public relations. Includes the development and contemporary status of the field, a grammatical review, social responsibility, and emerging technologies. The class examines professional ethics and the impact of public relations on society.
This course is designed to develop the professional-level writing skills expected of public relations communicators, emphasizing approaches required for different publics and media. Includes basic persuasive theories and application techniques involved in creating public relations messages, including planning, writing, editing, production and evaluation.
Studies the goals, objects and methods of communication research. An introduction to historical, dramatic, and quantitative research methodologies used in communication.
This course is designed to receive non-equivalent elective transfer credit.
Course in speech communication with emphasis on the practical application of theories and principles to the development of those speech skills essential to communication encounters in the business and professional world.
Communication is explored from three perspectives: 1) historical--examining both the behavioral rhetorical traditions, 2) theoretical--in the areas of theatre, interpersonal, organizational, and mass communication; and 3) futuristic directions in communication research. The course integrates prior courses into a conceptual whole and serves as the student's summative evaluation.
Course examines the effects of a variety of nonverbal behaviors during interpersonal interaction at home, play, and work. Topics include proxemics, haptics, oculesics, chronomics, gender and cultural variables, paralinguistics, body types and shapes and sizes, personal artifacts and clothing, kinesics, and olfactics.
Course examines the effects of a variety of nonverbal behaviors during interpersonal interaction at home, play, and work. Topics include proxemics, haptics, oculesics, chronomics, gender and cultural variables, paralinguistics, body types and shapes and sizes, personal artifacts and clothing, kinesics, and olfactics.
Psychological principles of influencing individuals and groups and the application of these principles to various areas of social activity.
Psychological principles of influencing individuals and groups and the application of these principles to various areas of social activity.
Course examines the effects of cultural variables on the communication process. Cross-cultural interpersonal variables are examined.
Course examines the effects of cultural variables on the communication process. Cross-cultural interpersonal variables are examined.
Course examines the means of changing implications so that language, in spoken or written form, more adequately describes life facts.
Course examines the means of changing implications so that language, in spoken or written form, more adequately describes life facts.
Course views communication as a process of relating and evaluating. Emphasis is given to the study of communication theory applicable to face-to-face, spontaneous interactions in small groups.
Course views communication as a process of relating and evaluating. Emphasis is given to the study of communication theory applicable to face-to-face, spontaneous interactions in small groups.
Various forms of group discussion are studied with emphasis on developing skills in effective participation and leadership. Emphasis is on discussion, small group problem-solving and group dynamics.
Various forms of group discussion are studied with emphasis on developing skills in effective participation and leadership. Emphasis is on discussion, small group problem-solving and group dynamics.
Course examines the role of communication in managing conflicts. Conflict management theories such as assertiveness, shared decision-making, negotiation, mediation of conflicts and other skills will be examined.
Course examines the role of communication in managing conflicts. Conflict management theories such as assertiveness, shared decision-making, negotiation, mediation of conflicts and other skills will be examined.
Course covers basic theories and principles of effective listening. Emphasis is given to therapeutic, comprehensive, critical, discriminative, and appreciative listening.
Course covers basic theories and principles of effective listening. Emphasis is given to therapeutic, comprehensive, critical, discriminative, and appreciative listening.
Course designed to give students insights and skills into interpreting and understanding various biological, social and cultural influences on men and women. Students will discover how sex and gender affect their communication as well as how communication affects sex and gender.
Course designed to give students insights and skills into interpreting and understanding various biological, social and cultural influences on men and women. Students will discover how sex and gender affect their communication as well as how communication affects sex and gender.
This course presents the major theoretical and research orientations of organizational communication as it relates to organizational culture and climate. Focus is given to the communicative construction and management of "culture" and its resultant climate as related to all aspects of organizational life.
This course presents the major theoretical and research orientations of organizational communication as it relates to organizational culture and climate. Focus is given to the communicative construction and management of "culture" and its resultant climate as related to all aspects of organizational life.
This course focuses on the role communication plays in the implementation of human resource development. The course focuses on communication and interpersonal skills required for the effective hr professional.
This course focuses on the role communication plays in the implementation of human resource development. The course focuses on communication and interpersonal skills required for the effective hr professional.
This course focuses on the communication skills necessary to develop strong organizational recruiting and interviewing techniques. Emphasis is placed on developing innovative recruiting techniques and building interviewing skills.
This course focuses on the communication skills necessary to develop strong organizational recruiting and interviewing techniques. Emphasis is placed on developing innovative recruiting techniques and building interviewing skills.
This course is designed to help the student understand the importance of mentoring and coaching in organizations. The primary focus is on communication skills necessary to develop strong organizational coaching and mentoring programs within the organization.
This course is designed to help the student understand the importance of mentoring and coaching in organizations. The primary focus is on communication skills necessary to develop strong organizational coaching and mentoring programs within the organization.
Comprehensive survey of the methods, procedures, and techniques for directing and teaching the curricular and extracurricular secondary school speech program.
Comprehensive survey of the methods, procedures, and techniques for directing and teaching the curricular and extracurricular secondary school speech program.
Provides practical training and experience in writing and preparing copy for publications. Not for the student who has taken COMM 240 or COMM 541 or COMM 741.
Provides practical training and experience in writing and preparing copy for publications. Not for the student who has taken COMM 240 or COMM 541 or COMM 741.
For current and prospective high school journalism teachers and publications advisers. Organization, management, finance, and theory of scholastic journalism and publications advising.
For current and prospective high school journalism teachers and publications advisers. Organization, management, finance, and theory of scholastic journalism and publications advising.
Examination of the complexities facing new media communicators. Emphasis on examination of new media as the intersection of culture, communication, and technology.
Examination of the complexities facing mass communicators. Emphasis on criticism of the media.
Study of photojournalism; how to cover and supplement the news photographically.
Study of photojournalism; how to cover and supplement the news photographically.
Emphasis on polishing photographic technique. Creative aspects of photography, including composition, color, texture, special effects, and career opportunities are stressed.
Emphasis on polishing photographic technique. Creative aspects of photography, including composition, color, texture, special effects, and career opportunities are stressed.
This course provides an introduction to the production of multimedia. Components include conceptualization of the idea, storyboard preparation, and the preparation of digital images, video, and sound. All the elements are then integrated into a finished presentation using appropriate authoring programs.
This course provides an introduction to the production of multimedia. Components include conceptualization of the idea, storyboard preparation, and the preparation of digital images, video, and sound. All the elements are then integrated into a finished presentation using appropriate authoring programs.
The course includes an overview of professional standards and practices, media and marketing research, program planning, and communication techniques used by public relations professionals. A complete PR campaign will be developed and presented.
The course includes an overview of professional standards and practices, media and marketing research, program planning, and communication techniques used by public relations professionals. A complete PR campaign will be developed and presented.
A study of the factors in crisis situations, including development of crisis plans, handling of the media, coordination of internal disciplines, collection and dissemination of information and restoration of public confidence. Crisis theories and the design and use of written and oral strategies will be examined.
A study of the factors in crisis situations, including development of crisis plans, handling of the media, coordination of internal disciplines, collection and dissemination of information and restoration of public confidence. Crisis theories and the design and use of written and oral strategies will be examined.
This course examines the creative process, including idea generation and execution of advertising copywriting and storyboards. The course will encompass the concepts of consumer motivation, perception, learning and attitudes as related to advertising tactics and strategies.
This course examines the creative process, including idea generation and execution of advertising copywriting and storyboards. The course will encompass the concepts of consumer motivation, perception, learning and attitudes as related to advertising tactics and strategies.
This course focuses on the function of media, the relationship between advertising and marketing, the role of research, research sources, media mathematics, identifying target audiences, scheduling, and media avenues (Newspapers, magazines, radio, etc.).
This course focuses on the function of media, the relationship between advertising and marketing, the role of research, research sources, media mathematics, identifying target audiences, scheduling, and media avenues (Newspapers, magazines, radio, etc.).
This course involves the analysis and development of advertising campaigns aimed at gaining attention and acceptance of selected target audiences. An advertising campaign for a client will be developed.
This course involves the analysis and development of advertising campaigns aimed at gaining attention and acceptance of selected target audiences. An advertising campaign for a client will be developed.
An opportunity to learn and practice the craft of writing dramatic scripts for the theatre and motion pictures. Dramas developed in this course may receive production in department's directing program.
This course surveys the social media networking industry and explores the effective practice of social networking tools and platforms for business and professional purposes. Additional attention focuses on the effective utilization of communication skills in the use of these internet-based tools and platforms. Students in this course will study how and why social media is used for professional purposes, with the aim of discovering strategic networking and communication techniques. In addition, students research social media theory, especially in its relevance to the history and future application.
This course surveys the social media networking industry and explores the effective practice of social networking tools and platforms for business and professional purposes. Additional attention focuses on the effective utilization of communication skills in the use of these internet-based tools and platforms. Students in this course will study how and why social media is used for professional purposes, with the aim of discovering strategic networking and communication techniques. In addition, students research social media theory, especially in its relevance to the history and future application.
A general survey of the history, theory, and literature of the theatre in its relationship to the development of western culture. The purpose of this course is to enhance the students' appreciation of the arts.
An historical study of the theatre from classical Greek times up to the late 19th century.
Designed to give upper-level students an opportunity for in-depth study into areas of communication. Content will vary according to the needs of the upper-level student population.
Designed to give upper-level students an opportunity for in-depth study into areas of communication. Content will vary according to the needs of the upper-level student population.
Special study by the student in his/her field of particular concentration.
Special study by the student in his/her field of particular concentration.
Special problems encountered by the student in his/her field of concentration.
Special problems encountered by the student in his/her field of concentration.
Designed to give concentrated training in an area of communication.
Designed to give concentrated training in an area of communication.
Course is designed to provide practical experience in teaching and administration of communication.
Course is designed to provide practical experience in teaching and administration of communication.
Emphasis on polishing photographic technique. Creative aspects of photography, including composition, color, texture, special effects, and career opportunities are stressed.
Course is designed to provide practical experience in teaching and administration of communication.
Designed to give upper-level students an opportunity for in-depth study into areas of communication. Content will vary according to the needs of the upper-level student population.
Internal and external public relations functions in organizations as they relate to management and marketing decisions, organizational planning and control, and personnel issues.
Theoretical course designed to give graduate students breadth of knowledge in the diverse field of communication. Special attention is given to integrating contemporary theories of communication (general communication, journalism, information networking and telecommunications, and theatre).
Provides a collaborative learning experience in organizational communication and leadership behaviors through student interaction and instructor feedback. This course focuses on the development of communication and leadership behaviors based on contemporary thinking in the field.
Course examines research methods in communication, theatre, journalism, public relations/advertising and information networking and telecommunications.
Advanced course in applying communication research methodologies to specific research topics.
Fort Hays State University
600 Park Street
Hays, KS 67601-4099
785-628-FHSU (3478)