Courses

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Communication 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.

COM203 Art of Public Communication

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course covers the fundamentals of effective public speaking using various communication strategies, including verbal, nonverbal and cultural. The approach uses interdisciplinary theories and methods to study the art of communication and its application in addressing social justice and related regional/international issues. Emphasis is placed on evaluating messages across communication and media genres to apply ethical strategies, research and preparation, critical listening and thinking skills, and digital tools in delivering various types of effective communication.

Prerequisite: ENG101 Academic English I

COM203H Art of Public Communication

[3–0, 3 cr.]

Prerequisite: ENG101 Academic English I

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 Persuasive Communication

[3–0, 3 cr.]

Students are introduced to the theories and concepts of persuasive communication, attitude change, audience analysis, and strategies of persuasion.

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.

COM260 Advanced Public Speaking

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course can be given in ENGLISH or in 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): COM203 Art of Public Communication

COM301 Human Communication Theory

[3–0, 3 cr.]

Students learn how to apply communication theory and evaluate communication situations. The basic theories of human communication, mass communication, and new media and technology are explored. Topics include interpersonal communication, public communication, mass media, and contemporary issues associated with mediated communication.

Prerequisite(s): COM202 Interpersonal Communication

COM305 Communication and Conflict Management

[3–0, 3 cr.]

The course teaches students communication skills in negotiation, mediation, and arbitration processes and exposes them to a variety of public relations crises across corporate, nonprofit, and governmental settings, creating awareness of how to protect an organization’s reputation and ensure the trust of key stakeholders. Students learn both how to prepare strategic communication crisis plans proactively and how to develop and implement reactive crisis communication techniques.

Prerequisite(s): COM213 Public Relations or COM226 Principles of Advertising.

COM312 Media 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.

Pre-requisite: ENG102 Academic English II

COM313 Nonverbal Communication

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course focuses on the influence of nonverbal behavior on human interaction in a variety of contexts and settings, i.e. personal, workplace, and social. Students will work with various nonverbal cues including appearance, posture, facial expressions, and vocal cues.

COM316 Political Communication

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course can be given in ENGLISH or in ARABIC.

This course studies political communication through an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on various theories, methods, and practices of media and communication studies. The course covers concepts, histories, developments, and knowledge production on political communication and examines contexts and effects through local, regional, and transnational analyses.

Prerequisite(s): ENG101 Academic English I

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.

Co-requisite(s): COM213 Public Relations or COM226 Principles of Advertising.

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 Academic English II

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 Public Relations or COM226 Principles of Advertising.

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 Public Relations or COM226 Principles of Advertising.

Note: This course has not been taught since Fall 2022 and will not be taught in the academic year 2024–2025.

COM358 Small Group Communication

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This course introduces the concepts, methods, and techniques of leadership in communication and the process of thinking and problem solving in committees and small groups as well as participating in discussions and conferences.

Prerequisite(s): COM 202 Interpersonal Communication

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 Public Relations or COM226 Principles of Advertising) and ENG101 Academic English I

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 Public Relations or COM226 Principles of Advertising.

Note: This course has not been taught since Fall 2022 and will not be taught in the academic year 2024–2025.

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. The course may be repeated for credit.

Prerequisite(s): ENG102 Academic English II and Junior Standing.

COM498 Internship

[1–0, 1 cr.]

The Internship course provides students with the opportunity to gain professional experience in an off-campus setting. Students are required to complete the equivalent of two to three months full-time work at a recognized institution.

Prerequisite(s): Junior Standing.

COM499 Capstone Project

[3–0, 3 cr.]

This capstone course focuses on designing and implementing a communication campaign and/or research project, 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, using theories, advanced tools and methods for creating a professional-grade communication project. Students pitch, research, design, produce and revise their work with the guidance of a supervisor 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.

Prerequisite(s): Senior standing, COM213, COM226, JSC312.