Communication
Chair: Lisa B. Keränen
Graduate Director: Amy Hasinoff
Undergraduate Director: Hamilton Bean
Program Assistant: Michelle A. Médal
Undergraduate Advisors: Sarah Fields and Yvette Bueno Olson
Internship Director: Lacy Lowrey
Office: Student Commons Building, 1201 Larimer Street, 3rd Floor, Room 3014
Telephone: 303-315-1919
Overview
The Department of Communication at the University of Colorado Denver enriches understanding of the roles of communication in everyday life, organizational settings and public affairs. While the roots of the study of communication trace back to the ancient arts of philosophy, rhetoric, and aesthetics, its contemporary practices speak to the opportunities and dilemmas of participating in a globalized, mediated and multicultural society. A major in communication develops knowledge and skills that are required for many different fields, including advertising, business, international relations, education, public service, government and politics, health care and public relations. Because college graduates are expected to change careers approximately seven times over the course of their lives, and because employers across a wide variety of fields seek applicants with strong oral and written communication skills, a degree in communication is a versatile and timely choice.
The department’s classes are organized in five pathways, including community service and public affairs, global and intercultural communication, health communication, media and cultural studies, and strategic communication. In addition, we offer a number of Inquiry and Analysis classes that bridge these areas. Across these pathways, students are encouraged to merge theoretical studies with practical applications, including in-service learning courses, travel study, internships, social justice projects and other experiential modes of learning. The Department of Communication seeks to cultivate the knowledge and ability to use communication to create a more equitable and humane world.
Undergraduate Information
Communication Major
Click here to learn about the requirements for a major in Communication.
Academic Honors
Academic honors are conferred at graduation on students whose achievements are above those required for the bachelor’s degree. Three levels of honors are available to students. Cum laude honors are automatically earned by communication majors with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a GPA of 3.5 in 39 hours of communication courses. Magna cum laude and summa cum laude honors require the completion of COMM 4700 Thesis and Project Practicum. Additional information about academic honors may be obtained from the undergraduate advisor in communication.
Undergraduate Internships
Internships are opportunities for students to work in communication-related positions in the community and to receive academic credit for that work. These internships provide a way for students to maximize their communication background and their understanding of concepts, theories, models and frameworks within the communication discipline.
Students typically receive 3 hours of academic credit for a one-semester internship in which they work between 15 and 30 hours a week.
For further information about internships, contact Lacy Lowrey at lacy.lowrey@ucdenver.edu.
Communication Minor
Click here to learn about the requirements for a minor in Communication.
Undergraduate Certificates
Click here to learn about the requirements for an Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Studies.
Click here to learn about the requirements for an Undergraduate Certificate in Global and Intercultural Communication.
Click here to learn about the requirements for an Undergraduate Certificate in Health Communication.
Click here to learn about the requirements for an Undergraduate Certificate in Mediation.
Click here to learn about the requirements for an Undergraduate Certificate in Strategic Communication.
Graduate Information
Please go to the Graduate catalog to read about our graduate programs.
Faculty
Professors:
Hamilton Bean, PhD, University of Colorado at Boulder
Sarah Fields, PhD, University of Iowa
Stephen J. Hartnett, PhD, University of California at San Diego
Professor Adjoint:
Monique L. Snowden, PhD, Texas A&M University
Associate Professors:
Larry Erbert, PhD, University of Iowa
Mia Fischer, PhD, University of Minnesota
Amy Hasinoff, PhD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Lisa B. Keränen, PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Associate Professors (Clinical Track):
Patrick Shaou-Whea Dodge, PhD, University of Denver
Assistant Professors:
Soumia Bardhan, PhD, University of New Mexico
Assistant Professors (Clinical Track):
Xiyuan Liu, PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago
Tamara Powell, PhD, University of California San Diego
Senior Instructors:
Yvette Bueno Olson, PhD, University of Miami
Kristy Frie, MA, Regis University
e. j. Yoder, PhD, University of Denver
Instructors:
Miroslav Atanassov, PhD, Ashbury Theological Seminary
Victoria E. Cann, PhD, Communication University of China
Diann Logan, MA, University of Colorado Denver
Lacy Lowery, MA, San Diego State University
James McNeil, MA, University of Colorado Denver
Ali Nassiri, MA, University of Colorado Denver
Emeritus:
Brenda J. Allen, PhD, Howard University
Sonja K. Foss, PhD, Northwestern University
James F. Stratman, PhD, Carnegie-Mellon University
Barbara J. Walkosz, PhD, University of Arizona
Communication (COMM)
COMM 1001 - Presentations and Civic Life (3 Credits)
Democratic life is all about sharing ideas, debating key issues, and creating a sense of community—democracy is communication. This class teaches students how to deliver successful presentations in civic venues. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
COMM 1011 - Communication and Communities (3 Credits)
All day, every day, we communicate with others. This survey class teaches students the fundamental roles communication plays in our everyday lives, work places, communities, and interpersonal relationships. The course foregrounds the ways different communities practice different methods of communication. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Max hours: 3 Credits. GT: Course is approved by the Colorado Dept of Higher Education for statewide guaranteed transfer, GT-SS3.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Additional Information: Denver Core Requirement, Behavioral Sciences; GT courses GT Pathways, GT-SS3, Soc Behav Sci:Hmn Behav, Cul.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
COMM 1021 - Introduction to Media Studies (3 Credits)
We live in a media-saturated world: radio, TV, film, music, social media, smartphones and more. This class explores how media shape our everyday lives and how recent trends and shifts in media technologies are presenting opportunities for and challenges to democratic processes. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Max hours: 3 Credits. GT: Course is approved by the Colorado Dept of Higher Education for statewide guaranteed transfer, GT-SS3.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Additional Information: Denver Core Requirement, Behavioral Sciences; GT courses GT Pathways, GT-SS3, Soc Behav Sci:Hmn Behav, Cul.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
COMM 1041 - Interpersonal Communication (3 Credits)
Want to learn how to get along with others? How to understand yourself? This class teaches students about self-esteem, the attraction process, nonverbal communication, relationship development, family communication, conflict resolution, and more. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
COMM 1071 - Introduction to Journalism (3 Credits)
News is the lifeblood of democracy. This class teaches students the histories of, debates within, and best practices for journalism in print, digital, and other media. This class is writing intensive. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
COMM 1111 - First Year Seminar (3 Credits)
This is a special seminar format class for incoming first year students; topics vary by semester so check with the instructor. The class is especially helpful for adjusting to life in college. Restriction: Restricted to Freshman level students. Term offered: fall. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Freshman level students
Typically Offered: Fall.
COMM 2017 - Dialogue, Debate, and Disagreement (3 Credits)
This course is designed for bilingual and non-native English speakers who seek to cultivate academic American English writing skills and U.S.-style debate norms. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
COMM 2020 - Communication, Citizenship, and Social Justice (3 Credits)
Introduction to debates about and means of practicing citizenship and social justice. Issues may include democratic participation, electoral politics, community engagement, and civil rights. Note: No Credit for COMM 2020 and COMM 2021. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
COMM 2021 - Communication and Citizenship (3 Credits)
This course explores the complexities of citizenship in cultural, national, and global forms. The class addresses the roles communication plays in practicing citizenship via such topics as cultivating a sense of belonging, debating the allocation of rights, practicing different modes of civic engagement, and more. Note: No Credit for COMM 2020 and COMM 2021. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
COMM 2030 - Digital Democracy (3 Credits)
Constant technological innovation means most Americans experience democracy in online formats; this class equips students with tools for living in our digital age. Topics include analyzing websites, studying online political organizing, and learning how to produce materials for online advocacy. Term offered: spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Spring.
COMM 2045 - Workplace Communication (3 Credits)
This class focuses on theories and practices of leadership, team-building, relationship development, and other workplace communication skills. Students learn and practice communication strategies for managing workplace challenges. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
COMM 2050 - Professional Presentations (3 Credits)
Employers value clear, persuasive, and ethical communication. This class develops the communication skills used in business and professional settings, with an emphasis on sharing information, using media, and team-building. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
COMM 2051 - Introduction to Strategic Communication (3 Credits)
Learn how to lead your organization with coordinated messaging. This class teaches marketing & public relations, targeted political messaging, and organizational communication, and studies how strategic communication works in different media, civic, and professional environments. Students will not receive credit for this class if they have already received credit for COMM 4635. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
COMM 2075 - Researching and Writing in Comm (3 Credits)
This on-line class enables students to learn the research and writing skills that will enable them to excel in the rest of the classes they take to complete the Communication major. Because the course is intended for Communication majors, our readings and modes of analysis provide students an overview of the discipline in general and of the “Pathways” that structure our major. The class is writing intensive. Term offered: spring, summer, fall. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
COMM 2081 - New Media Production and Management (3 Credits)
This course develops skills in producing, distributing, and managing new media content using digital communication platforms; students also learn skills in management, networking, and new media leadership. Term offered: fall, spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
COMM 2082 - Introduction to Environmental Communication (3 Credits)
Climate change and environmental degradation are just two of numerous environmental crises that are debated, experienced, and shaped by competing interests. This class addresses communication about environmental and climate justice, sustainability, green marketing, and other topics. Term offered: fall, spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
COMM 2500 - Introduction to Health Communication (3 Credits)
Health industries are among the fastest growing sectors of the U.S. economy. This class enables students to begin thinking about their health, the health of their communities, and the health of the nation as systems of language and power. Term offered: fall. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall.
COMM 3072 - Media Writing Skills (3 Credits)
This class covers the major media writing types, including hard or straight news, features, reviews, editorials, web content, and social media, plus notetaking, interviewing, and editing skills. This class is writing intensive. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
COMM 3081 - Introduction to Digital Studies (3 Credits)
Develop marketable skills such as building websites, making interactive maps, recording podcasts, and analyzing data while also studying the cultural and ethical dimensions of these technologies. Cross-listed with COMM 5081, HIST 3260, and HIST 5260. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Spring.
COMM 3230 - Chinese Communication & Culture in Context (3 Credits)
This course is designed for CU Denver students studying at the ICB program in Beijing. For such students, the course introduces Chinese communication practices and cultural expectations, easing the student's transition into life in Beijing. Field trips are required. Term offered: fall. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall.
COMM 3231 - Famous U.S. Trials (3 Credits)
Interested in Law School? . . . This introduction to the history of the U.S. trial court system contextualizes significant trials in historic and cultural moments. The course explores the roles of legal communication and mass communication in contemporary representations of trials. Cross-listed with HIST 3231. Term offered: spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Spring.
COMM 3271 - Communication and Diversity (3 Credits)
Is America a melting pot or a raging fire of animosity? This class explores the complexities of communication across diverse identities such as race, ethnicity, gender, and political affiliation, and attempts to seek common ground by understanding our unique identities. Note: This course may count for the International Studies major or minor. See your INTS advisor for more information. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Additional Information: Denver Core Requirement, Cultural Diversity.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
COMM 3275 - Family Communication (3 Credits)
Communication within families can be loving, or terrible, or awkward. This class explores family communication processes in traditional and nontraditional families by examining conflict, family secrets, decision-making, and practical guidelines for improved communication patterns. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
COMM 3640 - TV, Culture, & Communication (3 Credits)
This course examines television theories and histories, from broadcast TV to internet streaming. Investigating TV industries and representations, students will gain an understanding of TV's role in contemporary culture. Term offered: spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Spring.
COMM 3650 - Media and Society (3 Credits)
This class examines the intersections of new communication technologies, popular culture, and their impact on society. The class develops approaches for examining media as a key part of our everyday lives and as an object of scholarly inquiry. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Prereq: COMM 1021 with a C- or higher or permission from the instructor. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: COMM 1021 with a C- or higher.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
COMM 3660 - Social Media for Social Change (3 Credits)
Students analyze social media platforms, study and critique social movements that have harnessed the power of social media, and assess social justice events to understand how social media have been used to facilitate social change. Prereq: Students must have completed COMM 1011 and COMM 2020 with a C- or higher, or receive permission from the instructor, to enroll in this course. Term offered: fall, spring. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
COMM 3840 - Independent Study (1-3 Credits)
Independent Studies are an ideal vehicle for working one-on-one with a faculty member to produce an original publishable piece of scholarship, or other media format, or a civic engagement project. Speak to your favorite faculty member/teacher about the possibilities. Note: Students must submit a special processing form, completely filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments, and outcomes, to the CLAS undergraduate advising office for approval. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Repeatable. Max Hours: 6 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 6.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
COMM 3939 - Internship (1-6 Credits)
Employers love work experience, so advance your communication skills while polishing your resume by working with a community leader. Internships enable students to gain entry level experience while exploring career interests and working environments; to apply course theory and concepts to build communication skills in a workplace of their choosing; and to develop a portfolio to showcase their career-focused assets. Note: This course fulfills the communication department's exit class requirement. Prereq: Students must have completed 15 credit hours at CU Denver and have a 2.75 GPA overall and must work with the Experiential Learning Center advising to complete a course contract and gain approval. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Repeatable. Max hours: 9 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 9.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
COMM 4000 - Communication and Sport (3 Credits)
While sports are often sought for entertainment, they are more than just a game: they both mirror and shape our understandings of gender, race, class, sexuality, ability, nationality and more. This class addresses these issues while also thinking about sports in global frameworks. Cross-listed with COMM 5000. Term offered: fall, spring. Restriction: Restricted to students with junior standing or higher or permission from the instructor. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: junior standing or higher
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
COMM 4015 - Communication and Civility (3 Credits)
Examines the central role of communication in the creation of a civil and humane society. The definition, understanding, and practices of civility in public discourse and in professional, social, and personal relationships are explored. Film, literature, music, and other texts are utilized to illustrate key concepts and serve as catalysts for discussion. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
COMM 4020 - Feminist Perspectives on Communication (3 Credits)
For thousands of years, men have run the show—feminism challenges that injustice by inviting us to imagine more equitable ways of being in the world. This class examines major feminist thinkers to imagine different communication paradigms. Restriction: Restricted to students with junior standing or higher or permission from the instructor. Cross-listed with COMM 5020. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: junior standing or higher
COMM 4021 - Perspectives on Rhetoric (3 Credits)
Rhetorical criticism is the study of how language works to persuade. This class surveys major thinkers to offers students a range of methods, which are then applied to address specific case studies. Restriction: Restricted to students with junior standing or higher or permission from the instructor. Cross-listed with COMM 5021. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: junior standing or higher
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
COMM 4022 - Critical Analysis of Communication (3 Credits)
Are your beliefs rooted in facts or fictions, or a little of both? Does your race, or nationality, or gender influence your beliefs? This class surveys the research methods used to analyze messages from a range of critical perspectives. Cross-listed with COMM 5022. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
COMM 4031 - Perspectives on Communication (3 Credits)
This class reviews major theories for studying communication, demonstrating that the field of communication is an amalgam of differing, and sometimes clashing, perspectives. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
COMM 4040 - Communication, Prisons, and Social Justice (3 Credits)
This class examines the U.S. prison-industrial complex and enables students to envision ways of reducing crime and improving democracy by engaging in community service. Note: This course fulfills the communication department's exit class requirement. Strongly Recommended: Students complete COMM 2020 or COMM 2030 prior to taking this class. Cross-listed with COMM 5040. Term offered: fall, spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
COMM 4051 - Advanced Strategic Communication (3 Credits)
Provides senior-level training in hands-on communication environments where targeted messaging seeks specific outcomes. All students complete projects for community group, media outlet or corporation they choose. Students will not receive credit for this class if they have already received credit for COMM 4640. Note: This course fulfills the communication department's exit class requirement. Prereq: Students must have completed COMM 2051 or COMM 2071 or COMM 3680 with a C- or higher, or receive permission from the instructor, to enroll in this course. Cross-listed with COMM 5051. Term offered: fall, spring. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: Students must have completed COMM 2051 or COMM 2071 or COMM 3680 with a C- or higher.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
COMM 4071 - Advanced Media Writing Skills (3 Credits)
This class builds upon the skills learned in COMM 1071 and COMM 3072 by focusing on long-form writing suitable for magazines and websites. This class is writing intensive. Prereq: Students must have completed COMM 3072 with a C- or higher, or receive permission from the instructor, to enroll in this course. Term offered: spring. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: COMM 3072 with a C- or higher, or receive permission from the instructor, to enroll in this course.
Typically Offered: Spring.
COMM 4082 - Wilderness Communication (3 Credits)
This class engage issues of wilderness, communication, and environmental sustainability. Students read philosophical, theoretical, and academic literature on human symbolic constructions of wilderness. Field trips may be involved; talk to the instructor. Cross-listed with COMM 5082. Term offered: summer, fall. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Summer.
COMM 4111 - Theories of Leadership (3 Credits)
This class examines research and applications related to the major theories of leadership, and offers students the skills for practicing justice-based leadership. Cross-listed with COMM 5111. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
COMM 4152 - Religion & Communication (3 Credits)
This course focuses on the dynamics between religion, culture, and communication and how these have led to intercultural peace, centuries of war, and/or different visions of belonging. This class addresses these dynamics to improve intercultural dialogue and conflict resolution processes, foregrounding the search for justice. Cross-listed with INTS 4152, RLST 4152, COMM 5152, INTS 5152, and RLST 5152. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
COMM 4215 - Ethics in Communication (3 Credits)
Designed to help students identify and address the daily ethical challenges that occur in private, social, and professional contexts. Focus is on recognizing, analyzing, and resolving real-world ethical dilemmas using diverse approaches to ethical decision making. Cross-listed with COMM 5215. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
COMM 4221 - Research Methods: Qualitative (3 Credits)
This class applies qualitative research methods to human communication practices, including the processes of designing qualitative studies, collecting data, analyzing and interpreting data, and reporting results. Cross-listed with COMM 5221. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
COMM 4230 - Nonverbal Communication (3 Credits)
We all speak volumes without using words. This class studies nonverbal behaviors that accompany or replace verbal communication, including facial expressions, eye contact, gestures, vocal characteristics, touch and personal adornment. Cross-listed with COMM 5230. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
COMM 4240 - Organizational Communication (3 Credits)
Churches, schools, companies, NGOs, the government—these are all organizations. This class addresses the theories of how organizations succeed or fail and stresses functional workplace skills and practices. Restriction: Restricted to students with junior standing or higher or permission from the instructor. Cross-listed with COMM 5240. Term offered: fall, spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: junior standing or higher
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
COMM 4245 - Advanced Organizational Communication (3 Credits)
We all live our lives embedded in organizations. This class builds on COMM 4240 to explore theoretical perspectives on communication in complex organizations. Students analyze assumptions and craft pragmatic solutions. Cross-listed with COMM 5245. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
COMM 4255 - Negotiations and Bargaining (3 Credits)
This class engages Principled Negotiation theory and practice and involves numerous negotiation simulations. These are skills-based exercises that emphasize communication strategies and traverse a number of different negotiation contexts. Through the simulations, both group and dyadic work is practiced. Restriction: Restricted to students with junior standing or higher or permission from the instructor. Cross-listed with COMM 5255. Term offered: summer. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: junior standing or higher
Typically Offered: Summer.
COMM 4260 - Communication and Conflict (3 Credits)
Sometimes it seems like our days are full of conflict—why is that? This class studies the influence of communication on intrapersonal, interpersonal, intragroup, and intergroup conflict situations, and offers communication skills for building better relationships. Restriction: Restricted to students with junior standing or higher or permission from the instructor. Cross-listed with COMM 5260. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: junior standing or higher
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
COMM 4262 - Mediation (3 Credits)
Knowing how to help find mutually satisfying resolutions to conflict is a terrific life skill. This class explores theoretical and practical aspects of mediation in a variety of contexts ranging from divorce mediation to labor-management disputes. Restriction: Restricted to students with junior standing or higher or permission from the instructor. Cross-listed with COMM 5262. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: junior standing or higher
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
COMM 4265 - Gender and Communication (3 Credits)
Gender is constructed, performed, evaluated, and negotiated in our daily lives. This class explores scientific research on gender, gender stories in popular culture, the process of crafting and performing gender stories, and responses to gender performances. Restriction: Restricted to students with junior standing or higher or permission from the instructor. Cross-listed with COMM 5265. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: junior standing or higher
COMM 4268 - Communication and Diversity in U.S. History (3 Credits)
Explores issues of diversity and community in the construction of U.S. culture. Emphasis on legal and historical texts that codify or challenge majoritarian notions of difference and systems of social control. Cross-listed with COMM 5268. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
COMM 4270 - Intercultural Communication (3 Credits)
The age of globalization means we are all neighbors, working across national boundaries and even continents. This class examines the philosophies, processes, problems, and potentials unique to communicating across cultures to address issues of social justice and ethical intercultural practices. We will consider the important role of context in interactions across cultures and subcultures, globally, transnationally, and within the U.S. See your INTS advisor for more information. Restriction: Restricted to students with junior standing or higher or permission from the instructor. Cross-listed with COMM 5270 and INTB 6270. Term offered: fall, spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: junior standing or higher
Typically Offered: Fall.
COMM 4280 - Communication and Change (3 Credits)
Examines the role of communication in change processes of various kinds, including social change and diffusion of innovations. Cross-listed with COMM 5280. Prereq: COMM 2082 with a C- or higher or permission from the instructor. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: COMM 2082 with a C- or higher.
COMM 4282 - Environmental Communication (3 Credits)
Our world is shaped by policies and practices that threaten life on Earth. With such high stakes for making a more livable, just, and equitable future, this course examines storytelling, naming, framing, and the other communication concepts that are essential for navigating our shared planet. Prereq: COMM 2082 with a C- or higher permission from the instructor. Cross-listed with COMM 5282. Term offered: spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: COMM 2082 with a C- or higher.
Typically Offered: Spring.
COMM 4290 - Web Design (3 Credits)
Covers writing web pages in HTML, beginning Photoshop, style sheets, bitmapped animations, issues of usable layout, navigability, structure, typography, and color on the web. Projects require students to develop static web sites. Cross-listed with COMM 5290. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
COMM 4300 - Multimedia Authoring (3 Credits)
Analysis and evaluation of components of multimedia development and hands-on instruction featuring computer animation for advertising, training, and educational projects. Cross-listed with COMM 5300. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
COMM 4430 - Communication, China, and the US (3 Credits)
This course provides a senior-level opportunity to study how China and the USA have spoken about and to each other, from the Opium War through the Cyber Wars, thus situating both nations in a world of globalizing communication and interdependence. Note: this course fulfills the communication department's exit class requirement. Note: This course may count for the International Studies major or minor. See your INTS advisor for more information. Restriction: Restricted to students with junior standing or higher or permission from the instructor. Cross-listed with COMM 5430. Term offered: fall. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: junior standing or higher
Typically Offered: Fall.
COMM 4500 - Health Communication (3 Credits)
This class examines the role of communication in a wide range of health contexts. Topics include cultural constructions of health and illness, public health communication campaigns, client-provider interactions, telemedicine, community-based health programs, and medical journalism. Note: This course fulfills the communication department's exit class requirement. Cross-listed with COMM 5500. Term offered: fall, spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
COMM 4525 - Health Communication and Community (3 Credits)
This course provides a broad knowledge base about health disparities and culturally competent frameworks in healthcare by enabling students to engage in service learning projects with local health-related community groups. Note: this course fulfills the communication department's exit class requirement. Term offered: spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Spring.
COMM 4550 - Rhetorics of Medicine & Health (3 Credits)
This senior seminar explores why it matters how we talk and think about medicine and health. Case studies explore contagion, contested illnesses, the body, death, and biopower. The course requires extensive discussion of readings and an original research project. Note: This course fulfills the communication department's exit class requirement. Cross-listed with COMM 5550. Restriction: Restricted to students with junior standing or higher or permission from the instructor. Term offered: fall. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: junior standing or higher
Typically Offered: Fall.
COMM 4557 - Crisis and Emergency Communication (3 Credits)
This course examines strategic communication practices throughout the three stages of a crisis or emergency event. Special emphasis is placed on crisis planning, emergency messaging, media relationships, image restoration, ethical responses, and organizational learning. Cross-listed with COMM 5557, PUAD 4620, and PUAD 6620. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Spring.
COMM 4558 - Digital Health Narratives (3 Credits)
This course blends readings, discussions, and activities about health narratives with digital media production skills to teach students how to create compelling digital stories about health-related topics. Students produce digital messages for the community group of their choosing. Note: this course fulfills the communication department's exit class requirement. Restriction: Restricted to students with junior standing or higher or permission from the instructor. Cross-listed with COMM 5558. Term offered: spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: junior standing or higher
Typically Offered: Spring.
COMM 4575 - Designing Health Messages (3 Credits)
Examines the roles of communication in the design and impact of health messages/campaigns. We will design and assess health communication messages/campaigns in a participatory, process‐oriented way using varied communication tools. Cross-listed with COMM 5575. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
COMM 4600 - Media Theory (3 Credits)
Surveys a broad array of critical and interpretive approaches to the study of media. Approaches include political economic, semiotic, rhetorical, psychoanalytic, feminist, and cultural. Cross-listed with COMM 5600. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
COMM 4601 - You Are What You Eat: Food as Communication (3 Credits)
Food is a source of identity, culture, and belonging. It communicates heritage and belonging. Because food provides communication channels for much of who we are as individuals, as a community, and as a society, this course analyzes food as a form of communication. Note: This course may count for the International Studies major or minor. See your INTS advisor for more information. Restriction: Restricted to students with junior standing or higher or permission from the instructor. Cross-listed with COMM 5601. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: junior standing or higher
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
COMM 4610 - Communication, Media, and Sex (3 Credits)
This class develops the tools to think critically about representations of sexuality and to understand the social construction of sexuality, the role of sexual representations in mass media and society, and the complex relationships between sexual acts, identities, and desires. Restriction: Restricted to class level Junior, Senior, or permission of instructor. Cross-listed with WGST 4610. Term offered: fall, spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: junior standing or higher
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
COMM 4611 - Rhetoric of Global Food Policy (3 Credits)
This course examines stakeholder relations, agendas, and debates about global food policy using rhetorical concepts and analysis. Topics include the framing of debates about agriculture, hunger and obesity, the greening of food governance, sustainable food systems, and more. This course fulfills the communication department's pathway course requirement. Cross-listed with INTS 4611. Prereq: Junior standing or higher. Term offered: spring, fall. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: junior standing or higher
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
COMM 4620 - Health Risk Communication (3 Credits)
We are bombarded all day with communication expressing a sense of risk, of danger, of threats to our individual and communal well-being. This class acquaints students with contemporary theory, research, and practice in health risk communication across a variety of threats both real and imagined. Strongly Recommended: COMM 4500. Cross-listed with COMM 5620, ENVS 5620, and PBHL 4620. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
COMM 4621 - Visual Communication (3 Credits)
If an image is worth a thousand words, then what happens when we ingest thousands of visual images each day? This class explores the social, cultural, and behavioral effects of visual images in a variety of contexts, including graffiti, film, advertising, art, and architecture. Prereq: COMM 1021 with a C- or higher. Cross-listed with COMM 5621. Term offered: spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: COMM 1021 with a C- or higher.
Typically Offered: Spring.
COMM 4660 - Queer Media Studies (3 Credits)
Queer Media Studies, a discussion-based seminar, investigates the history of a variety of LGBTQ+ media — including news, film, television, comics, games, music, and the Internet. Students engage in a variety of media projects to explore LGBTQ+ histories, queer aspects of media production, reception, and media messages. Restriction: Restricted to students with junior standing or higher or permission from the instructor. Cross-listed with COMM 5660, WGST 4660, WGST 5660. Term offered: fall, spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: junior standing or higher
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
COMM 4665 - Principles of Advertising (3 Credits)
Provides a fundamental understanding and appreciation of advertising in today's global society, including consumer motivation, buying behavior, research, creative development, and media planning. Prereq: COMM 1021 with a C- or higher. Cross-listed with COMM 5665. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: COMM 1021 with a C- or higher.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
COMM 4680 - Mass Media Law And Policy (3 Credits)
Covers issues of mass communication and the law and ethics, including issues of the First and Fourth Amendments, communication regulations, intellectual property, public access and obscenity. Cross-listed with COMM 5680. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
COMM 4681 - Communication Issues in Trial Court Practices and Processes (3 Credits)
Introduces students to communication and language research aimed at improving the fairness, reliability, and validity of court and judicial processes, including lawyer-client interviews, interrogatories, jury selection, jury instructions, witness examination, and the use of language evidence in court. Strongly Recommended: ENGL 2030. Cross-listed with COMM 5681. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
COMM 4682 - Political Communication (3 Credits)
Examines the communication processes involved in mediated political events. Topics include the stages of the campaign process, media coverage of the political campaign process, and literacy skills needed to understand political advertising. Cross-listed with COMM 5682. Prereq: COMM 2020 or COMM 2030 with a C- or higher. Term offered: fall. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall.
COMM 4683 - Media in the Courtroom (3 Credits)
Law and Media: From the ever-present onscreen legal dramas and criminal procedurals to the presence of media in real-life courtrooms, law and media are hopelessly intertwined in the US. This course examines how televised versions of law potentially impact real-life courtrooms and vice versa. Repeatable. Max hours: 6 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 6.
COMM 4688 - Senior Seminar: Transitioning from College to Career (3 Credits)
Ready to graduate? Then take this class, which prepares students to enter the job market and to integrate and reflect on their experience in communication. Must have senior standing. This course fulfills the communications department's exit course requirement. Restriction: Restricted to students with senior standing. Term offered: fall, spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restrictions: Restricted to Senior standing.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
COMM 4700 - Thesis and Project Practicum (3 Credits)
Focuses on strategies of research design and writing for undergraduate students working on theses for Latin honors. Students pick their own research topics. Note: This course fulfills the communication department's exit class requirement. To be eligible to enroll in this course you must be a senior majoring in communication, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and have a GPA in your communication coursework of 3.5. Cross-listed with COMM 6700. Term offered: fall, spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
COMM 4710 - Topics in Communication (1-3 Credits)
Special classes for faculty-directed experiences examining communication issues and problems not generally covered in the curriculum. Cross-listed with COMM 5710. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Repeatable. Max hours: 15 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 15.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
COMM 4720 - Dynamics of Global Communication (3 Credits)
This class explores global communication dynamics by analyzing the relationships between world media, international events, economics, and geopolitics. Note: This course may count for the International Studies major or minor. See your INTS advisor for more information. Cross-listed with COMM 5720. Restriction: Restricted to students with junior standing or higher or permission from the instructor. Term offered: fall, spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Prereq: junior standing or higher
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
COMM 4722 - Communicating Latinx Cultures (3 Credits)
Communicating Latina/o/x Cultures centers historical and contemporary vernacular and institutional discourse sand narratives about, by, and for Latina/o/x people and communities. Drawing on theories, methods, and practices to understand the complexities of Latina/o/x cultures and lives, we will investigate how different actors and activists express and experience borders, migration, dispossession, citizenship, colonialism/coloniality, colorism, white supremacy, environmental racism(including anti-Blackness), mono- and multilingualism, self-determination struggles, power, representation, resistance, and mutual support networks for alternative worldmaking. To situate these concepts and concerns, we will explore contexts and places ranging from Colorado to the Caribbean. Term Typically Offered: Spring. Cross-listed with COMM 5722, ETST 4722, and ETST 5722. Max hours: 3 credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Spring.
COMM 4750 - Legal Reasoning and Writing (3 Credits)
Introduces the fundamentals of legal reasoning and legal argumentation through intensive class discussion, formal debate and writing. Attention is given to the relationship between case and statutory law and their application in trial and appeals courts in the United States. Strongly Recommended: ENGL 1020, ENGL 2030 and any 3000 level English course. Cross-listed with COMM 5750, PSCI 4757, PSCI 5747 and ENGL 4750. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
COMM 4760 - New Media and Society (3 Credits)
Does social media foster democracy and social justice or does it spread misinformation and extremism? In this course, students will investigate the social and political aspects of new media by examining the complex relationships between media technologies, industries, and society. Prereq: COMM 1021 and COMM 2020 with a C- or higher. Cross-listed with COMM 5760. Term offered: fall, spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
COMM 4840 - Independent Study (1-3 Credits)
Independent Studies are an ideal vehicle for working one-on-one with a faculty member to produce a publishable piece of scholarship, or other media format, or a civic engagement project. Speak to your favorite teacher about the possibilities. Note: Students must submit a special processing form, completely filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments and outcomes, to the CLAS undergraduate advising office for approval. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Repeatable. Max hours: 12 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 12.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
COMM 4880 - Directed Research (1-6 Credits)
Students will engage in original research projects supervised and mentored by faculty. Students must work with faculty prior to registration to develop a proposal for their project and receive permission to take this course. Note: Students must submit a special processing form, filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments, and outcomes, to the CLAS undergraduate advising office for approval. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Repeatable. Max hours: 6 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 6.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
COMM 4995 - Global Study Topics (1-15 Credits)
Go see the world! This course is reserved for CU Denver faculty-led study abroad experiences. Versions go to China, Guatemala, Spain, Italy, and others. Destinations vary based on the semester so check with the Department for details. Students register through the Office of Global Education. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Repeatable. Max hours: 15 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 15.
Additional Information: Global Education Study Abroad.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.