Courses
Communication Arts Courses
COM202 Interpersonal Communication
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course helps to increase students’ understanding, and implementation, of effective interpersonal communication behaviors. The course examines the basic verbal, and nonverbal, elements affecting communication among individuals, within the family, peer group, and work contexts. Topics include strategy development, relationship and conversation management, defensive communication, and cultural and gender issues in communication style.
Prerequisite(s): ENG102 or concurrently
COM213 Public Relations
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course details the principles of public relations, PR ethics, corporate social responsibility, public affairs, promotional campaigns, and media relations.
COM223 Argumentation and Debate
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course can be given in ENGLISH or in ARABIC.
Students will study the process of arriving at reasons and conclusions; practice debates; conduct projects on analysis, research, and arguments. The course focuses on online research and data collection, opinion formulation and support, and rebuttal of counter arguments.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 102 or concurrently
COM226 Principles of Advertising
[3–0, 3 cr.]
The course introduces students to the concepts, theories and methods of advertising in the digital age. It examines the impact of advertising on society and teaches students how to critically assess advertisements and how to plan, research, develop, and create successful advertising campaigns.
Prerequisite(s): ENG102 or concurrently.
COM260 Advanced Public Speaking
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course can be given in ENGLISH or ARABIC.
An introduction to public speaking, speech writing, and dealing with press interviews and media appearances. Students learn to write speeches and deliver them effectively to different live and online audiences, and use visuals and slides shows effectively. They also learn how to handle print, broadcast, and online journalists, and deal with recorded and live radio and TV interviews and talk shows.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 203.
COM301 Human Communication Theory
[3–0, 3 cr.]
Students will be taught how to use communication strategies in different relationship stages and in various contexts.
Prerequisite(s): ENG102 or concurrently
COM305 Communication and Conflict Management
[3–0, 3 cr.]
Students will be taught communication skills in negotiation, mediation, and arbitration processes as well as in conflict situations in group and organizational settings.
Prerequisite(s): ENG102 or concurrently
COM312 Communication and Gender
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course introduces students to the study of gender differences and gender role stereotypes as they affect communication in various contexts, (interpersonal relationships among friends, family, and romantic partners, within organizations, and media/advertising), and the implications and consequences of each.
Prerequisite(s): ENG102 or concurrently
COM313 Intercultural Communication
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course examines the role played by communication in the bridging and separating of cultures. It demonstrates how the norms, values, and expectations of the communication act itself differ from culture to culture, and how these differences affect intercultural encounters.
Prerequisite(s): ENG102 or concurrently
COM316 Political Communication
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course can be given in ENGLISH or in ARABIC.
The course examines the persuasive strategies used by mainstream politicians, social and NGO activists, and propagandists. It explores electoral campaigns and the interrelationship of politicians, voting public, and mass media.
Prerequisite(s): ENG102 or concurrently
COM350 Media Entrepreneurship and Information Architecture
[3–0, 3 cr.]
The course covers the principles of media entrepreneurship and information architecture in the digital age and examines the evolving media business models and how digital and mobile technologies are transforming media professions and products. Students identify ideas and opportunities, research market needs, map out content findings, create the content architecture, draw the user experience (UX) and the user interface (UI), define the engagement factor, and outline the content and media strategies. At the end of the course, students pitch their ideas for media businesses and products to local entrepreneurs.
Prerequisite(s): ENG102
COM353 Organizational Communication
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course will focus on the role of communication styles of managers and employees in the creation of corporate culture, the dissemination of messages within and among divisions of organizations as well as on the role of communication in the organization’s external environment.
Co-requisite(s): ENG102
COM354 Health Communication
[3–0, 3 cr.]
The course provides students with a critical understanding of the effects of the mass media and mediated communication on promoting and impeding public health goals. It emphasizes effective communication with public health stakeholders including scientists, news media, community leaders and the public. Students will develop the skills necessary to use media strategically to advance public health policies and social change.
Co-requisite(s): COM202
COM356 Media Relations
[3–0, 3 cr.]
The course covers theory and practice of media relations in the digital age. Students examine the factors influencing news coverage of business, government and NGO interests with emphasis on role the of social media, citizen journalism, blogs and mobile telephony in influencing the traditional news cycle. Students develop a strategic media relations campaign aimed at publicizing a product, service, idea, cause or issue and use a variety of online and offline publicity tools and techniques.
Prerequisite(s): COM213
COM357 Events Planning
[3–0, 3 cr.]
The course introduces students to the principles of events planning and management. Students learn how to formulate and manage the communication of various types of media events, including the planning, development, management, and implementation of festivals, entertainment events, corporate events, cultural events, and sports events.
Prerequisite(s): COM213
COM358 Leadership in Group Communication
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course introduces the concepts, methods, and techniques of leadership in communication. It allows students to understand and apply communication theories to leadership.
Prerequisite(s): COM 202
COM430 Writing for Advertising and PR
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This is an intensive writing course that covers all types of public relations and advertising writing, including news releases, brochures, newsletters, case studies, advertising copy, memos and crisis communication. Students will hone their skills while producing writing samples for their professional portfolios.
Prerequisite(s): COM213, COM215, ENG202
COM431 Strategic Communication
[3–0, 3 cr.]
The course covers the theories, skills and processes of strategic communication and its practice by business, government, politicians and nonprofits. Students learn how to plan, research, execute and assess strategic communication plans, integrating multiplatform media and managing relationships with various stakeholders. Students also learn how to analyze traditional and social media metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of media strategies.
Prerequisite(s): COM213, COM215, ENG202
COM488 Topics in Communication
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course presents diverse theoretical, and methodological, perspectives on selected topics in the field of communication. The course may offer an in-depth analysis of the relevant topics related to one area of communication, or explore issues across several areas. This class may be repeated if topics differ.
Prerequisite(s): COM202. Senior Standing, OR Consent of instructor.
COM498 Internship
[1–0, 1 cr.]
The Internship course provides students with the opportunity to gain professional experience in an off-campus setting.
Prerequisite(s): Junior Standing.
COM499 Capstone Project
[3 cr.]
This capstone project focuses on designing and implementing a communication campaign depending on the career interests and skills of the student in the areas of advertising, public relations, social/political communication, or interpersonal/organizational communication. Students are expected to engage in extensive research and critical analysis and use advanced tools and methods for creating professional-grade communication content. Students pitch, research, design, produce and revise their work with the guidance of a communication instructor and carry out a project from start to finish, implementing skills of research, marketing, and entrepreneurship and addressing budgetary, copyright, legal and ethical implications of their final work. English or Arabic language can be used in this project.
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing, COM 213, COM 226, JSC 312.
COM488 Topics in Communication
[3–0, 3 cr.]
This course presents diverse theoretical, and methodological, perspectives on selected topics in the field of communication. The course may offer an in-depth analysis of the relevant topics related to one area of communication, or explore issues across several areas. This class may be repeated if topics differ.
Prerequisite(s): COM 202. Senior Standing, OR Consent of instructor.