Communication Course Descriptions
Scroll down to read descriptions of the communication courses offered at Carthage, or click on these links for additional resources:
Human Communication (SI)
CDM 1150 / 4 credits
This course provides a broad grounding in the history and current interdisciplinary understandings of human communication. Students will explore the role of identity/self and perception, verbal and nonverbal communication, listening, and culture in human interaction. These concepts will be further applied to the study of relationships, small groups, organizations, rhetoric, and media.
Prerequisite: None
Public Speaking (OC)
CDM 1200 / 4 credits
A study of the role, rights, responsibilities, and ethics of the speaker, medium, and audience in a variety of speech situations in a democratic society. Speaking techniques examined include the processes of invention, organization, and presentation in informative, demonstrative, persuasive, and ceremonial settings. Students must demonstrate effectiveness in integrating media (e.g., presentation software or other video or audio elements) into their speech communications. Targeted instruction is arranged as necessary to ensure basic competency in the technical use of presentation software.
Prerequisite: None
Visual Communication (AI)
CDM 1300 / 4 credits
An introduction to the practice of critical observation and analysis of static, dynamic, and interactive visual information. Students develop theoretical and applied skills in interpreting a wide range of visual information, and demonstrate their own abilities to design and produce visual information.
Prerequisite: None
Basic Adobe Creative Cloud
CDM 1925 / 4 credits
This course focuses on learning the basics of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign for students planning to work in the realm of communication, marketing, and other fields within the creative industry. Students taking this course should be a total beginner or have very limited knowledge of the programs. They will use these software tools to create and edit multiple small projects, a crucial skill for many majors seeking to gain entry into their professions. The steps of the creative process will also be introduced, from brainstorming to final solution. Students will be required to have access to a computer with Adobe CC, which can be found in several labs on campus.
Health Communication (SI)(IDP)
CDM 2100 / 4 credits
The primary purpose of this course is to investigate the phenomena of communication, theoretically and practically, as it occurs in health care contexts. Private and public messages, internal and external to health institutions, will be examined to explore how those messages affect health care decisions and outcomes. Health communication includes many diverse cultures and communities of practice, including patient-provider communication, marketing and public health campaigns, use of technology in health care, and communication within and across allied fields.
Prerequisite: None
Interpersonal Communication (SI)
CDM 2300 / 4 credits
Theories and research of one-to-one human interaction. Topics include communication models, identity, social roles and expectations, self-disclosure, listening, conflict, trust, and the development, maintenance, and termination of relationships. Survey and application of intra- and interpersonal communication in friendships, families, romantic partnerships, and other social and professional contexts.
Prerequisite: CDM 1150 or consent of instructor
Gender Communication (CL)(SI)(DIV)
CDM 2400 / 4 credits
In-depth study of interaction within and between groups with regard to gender, sex, and sexuality. Topics include the continua of gender and sexuality, gender development, cultural roles and expectations, verbal and nonverbal communication, rhetoric of gender/sex-based social movements, power and violence, and gendered communication in education, close relationships, organizations, and media. Cross-listed as WMG 200R.
Prerequisite: None
Nonverbal Communication (SI)
CDM 2450 / 4 credits
Comprehensive study of nonverbal codes and systems, including kinesics, proxemics, haptics, vocalics, olfactics, chronemics, oculesics, facial expression, and environments. Foundations of nonverbal communication will cover innate and socialized behavior development, and the role of perception on interaction expectancies. Particular exploration of the relationship between nonverbal and verbal interaction in social, intimate, professional, educational, and mediated contexts.
Prerequisite: None
Basic Digital Photography (FAR)(AI)
CDM 2500 / 4 credits
An introduction to photography in which students practice the art of photography, introducing them to the technical and stylistic aspects of digital photo making. Students are required to supply their own digital camera, which has manual capabilities such as aperture and shutter speed priority mode. Using Photoshop software, students will also work with their own photos in the digital realm, applying what they learn to select, manipulate, display, and print work.
Prerequisite: None
New Media Theory and Aesthetics (FAR)(CL)(IDP)
CDM 2600 / 4 credits
Students will learn and apply a variety of critical methods for understanding and evaluating the current landscape of new media. The course will investigate mobile technology, social networks, streaming, the internet and its cultures, as well as various other forms of emerging media (including VR, AR, and interactive technologies). The course is designed to provide students with a knowledge base for future work in emerging arts and sciences, digital production, screen arts and cultures, and other communication-related fields.
Prerequisite: None
Film Analysis (FAR)(CL)
CDM 2620 / 4 credits
This course will provide an introduction to the study of film. Students will learn about the history and economics of the film industry, engage in textual analysis of film, and/or consider film’s cultural impact.
Prerequisite: None
Film and New Media Production (FAR)(AI)(IDP)
CDM 2700 / 4 credits
This course engages students in the process of developing, writing, producing, shooting, and editing content for audio, video, virtual reality, and new media. Students study the process of media production by critical analysis of film texts and by active participation in the production process.
Prerequisite: None
Exploring the Documentary (FAR)(CL)(ITL)
CDM 2800 / 4 credits
Film is an important and intrinsic medium for understanding our culture and its values. More specifically, nonfiction film has played a critical role in educating society on important issues and histories, often shaping public policy and opinion through production processes. Students will learn about the components of documentary and its production, while exploring the form’s history and various modes of representation that have been cultivated and conceptualized over the past century.
Prerequisite: None
Sports Media
CDM 2900 / 4 credits
This course will be a broad survey of sports and the communication media. The course will explore the history of media and sport, sports journalism, sports marketing, and technology’s influence on the sports marketplace. The course is a study of sports media, as well as a course where students write sports journalism and investigate careers in sports organizations and media.
Prerequisite: None
Rhetoric and Persuasion
CDM 3000 / 4 credits
A study of rhetorical theory as it provides models for the construction and criticism of public discourse. Classical and contemporary writings on rhetoric are explored in the context of theories of language, representation, communication, and ethics.
Prerequisite: CDM 1150 or consent of instructor
Journalistic Writing
CDM 3310 / 4 credits
This course develops awareness and understanding of the conventions and practices that lead to effective writing for various media outlets. Emphasis may include newspapers, magazines, television, the internet, and radio. The focus is on developing writing skills through exercises in a variety of formats and styles appropriate to specific media. Students will also understand the history of the journalism industry and the contemporary changes in the environment.
Prerequisite: None
Screenwriting
CDM 3320 / 4 credits
Screenwriting introduces students to writing for film, television, the web, and other mass media outlets. Students will identify and develop a script for short film, long-form, documentary, broadcast news, commercials, the web, and the other types and formats of screenwriting. Students will also apply the concepts of copyright, fair use, licensing, and creative commons.
Prerequisite: None
Social Media (SI)
CDM 3400 / 4 credits
This course examines digital technology as a medium of communication. Issues covered include the social, economic, civic, and global implications of the information age.
Prerequisite: CDM 1150 or consent of instructor
Mass Communication (CL)
CDM 3450 / 4 credits
An advanced survey of the media and their role in culture. This course examines the economic, textual, and cultural dimensions of several mass media.
Prerequisite: CDM 1150 or consent of instructor
Advanced Digital Photography
CDM 3500 / 4 credits
Advanced Digital Photography is an advanced class for participants who have taken basic digital photography and want to expand their photographic skills. The majority of the class time will be concentrating on the two broad goals of 1) thinking creatively about photography and 2) enhancing technical aspects of photography.
Prerequisite: CDM 2500
Communication Skills Assessment
CDM 3545 / 0 credits
This e-portfolio assessment for every Communication major must be taken during the spring of the third/junior year. Assessment is pass/fail. Students are expected to revise and resubmit if necessary. Students may repeat the assessment until a passing grade is earned in order to take CDM 4010. The website will have been developed in a previous course. Students are expected to update their websites during their program to include new or improved content, including scholarly research and writing, speech content in presentation software form, current resume, and optional elements (creative pieces, etc.).
Spring, taken during junior/third year
Communication Internship
CDM 3550 / 4-8 credits
An internship enabling students to gain practical experience in communication. The internship is typically arranged by the student, and must be approved by a department faculty member and by The Aspire Center. Students meet regularly with the supervising professor, maintain a log or journal of the experience, and complete a major paper documenting, analyzing, and interpreting the internship experience.
Prerequisite: None
Intercultural Communication (CL)(ITL)
CDM 3600 / 4 credits
Exploration of the various theories, opportunities, and problems related to communication by individuals within and across different cultural groups.
Prerequisite: CDM 1150
Organizational Communication (SI)
CDM 3700 / 4 credits
This course will help students understand organizational communication theories, models, and processes. Students will apply these principles in organizational communication through case studies and research presentations. Additionally, students will examine the impact of diversity, globalization, and leadership on organizational communication.
Prerequisite: None
Leadership and Small Group Communication (SI)
CDM 3900 / 4 credits
This course will examine how people work in small groups with an emphasis on elements that influence group productivity and effective communication: leadership, group development stages, group goal setting, social and task maintenance roles, membership diversity, motivation, problem-solving, decision-making, conflict resolution, argumentation, critical thinking, and ethics.
Prerequisite: None
Advanced Film and New Media Production (AI)
CDM 3950 / 4 credits
This course draws on principles and skills developed in CDM 2700. Students will design, produce, and edit several types of advanced video, audio, virtual reality, and/or new media projects, culminating in a single major work.
Prerequisite: CDM 2700 or consent of instructor
Communication Senior Seminar
CDM 4010 / 4 credits
This capstone experience provides communication seniors the opportunity to integrate and utilize the knowledge and skills they have acquired during their course of study. The course culminates in the completion and public presentation of a senior project or thesis.
Prerequisite: CDM 3545
Topics in Communication — relevant topic
CDM 200T/400T / 4 credits
Topics in communication.