Courses

Search for courses listed in this bulletin. To find a semester course schedule (including instructors, meeting times and locations), go to mynmu.nmu.edu.

SP 100 Public Address 4 cr.
  • Offered: Fall Winter Summer (Depending on Enrollment)

Theory and practice of public address as found in formal and informal speaking situations that confront people in business and other professions. Course requirements include presenting original speeches.

SP 110 Interpersonal Communication 4 cr.
  • Offered: Fall Winter Summer (Depending on Enrollment)

Study of theories of interpersonal communication and human resources to make students aware of major problems in communicating with others and to enable them to improve their understanding of themselves and others.

SP 120 Small Group Process 4 cr.
  • Offered: Winter
Development of participation and decision-making skills in small groups. Classes combine lectures on group theory with laboratory application and practical experience.
SP 200 Argumentation 4 cr.
  • Offered: Fall Summer (Depending on Enrollment)

Study of argumentation stressing research, reasoning, organization, composition and presentation.

SP 250 Research Methods and Careers in Communication 4 cr.
  • Offered: Fall
  • Prerequisites: Completion of EN 111 with a grade of “C” or better and SP 110 with a grade of "C-" or better.

An introduction to the research and writing requirements of the field of speech communication. Career options in the field are also considered.

SP 310 Communication Theory 4 cr.
  • Offered: Winter
  • Prerequisites: SP 250 or PR 250.

A survey of contemporary theories and paradigms relating to human communication. Principles of theory construction are also discussed

SP 320 New Media Literacy 4 cr.
  • Offered: Fall

The study of various forms of “new” media. Topics include description of and practices associated with various forms of new media, the ethics associated with usage, and the impact of new media on society. 

SP 401 Persuasion 4 cr.
  • Offered: Every Third Semester
  • Prerequisites: Junior standing.

The study of persuasion through communication. Topics include audience analysis, experimental design of studies in persuasion, and the application of persuasive theory to various examples of communication.

SP 402 Communication Criticism 4 cr.
  • Offered: Summer (Depending on Enrollment)
  • Prerequisites: EN 211 with a grade of "C" or better and sophomore standing.

The process of formally evaluating rhetorical activity, including songs, humor, films and television. As they learn the process of criticism, students survey a variety of communication events that have had a lasting impact on American culture.

SP 404 Communication and the Arts 4 cr.
  • Offered: Contact Department
  • Prerequisites: Junior standing.

Exploration into the study of communication aesthetics. The course examines a range of communication processes, concepts and techniques using the arts as its primary data base. Course includes some discussion of interpretive methods and consideration of various aesthetic mediums.

SP 410 Advanced Interpersonal Communication 4 cr.
  • Offered: Fall
  • Prerequisites: Junior standing.

Exploration and development of one’s awareness of, and conscious ability to use, various aspects of the communication discipline. Both intrapersonal and interpersonal communication are stressed.

SP 412 Nonverbal Communication 4 cr.
  • Offered: Infrequently
  • Prerequisites: Junior standing.

Development of an understanding of the range of phenomena included in the study of nonverbal communication. A study of the relationship of proxemics, kinesics, chronemics and haptics to the total human communication process.

SP 421 Organizational Communication 4 cr.
  • Offered: Every Third Semester
  • Prerequisites: Junior standing.

Designed to acquaint students with theories and principles of effective communication within organizational settings, with specific application of behavioral theories to contexts of communication relevant to organizations such as labor unions, hospitals, government agencies, business, military and educational institutions.

SP 422 Crisis Communication 4 cr.
  • Offered: Winter
  • Prerequisites: Junior standing.

Understanding the prodromal conditions that create crisis situations for businesses, organizations, and high-profile individuals and applying communication theories to create appropriate responses to a crisis situation. Through case studies, simulations, and creation of a crisis communication plan, students learn how to anticipate and plan communication strategies for the post 9/11 era.

SP 425 Communication Ethics 4 cr.
  • Offered: Infrequently
  • Prerequisites: Junior standing.

Principles and perspectives of ethical communication will be studied and applied to a variety of communication contexts. The impact of honest versus deceptive communication on the individual and society is evaluated.

SP 432 Environmental Communication 4 cr.
  • Offered: Every Third Semester
  • Prerequisites: Junior standing.

Understanding the social and cultural foundations for and strategic and tactical dimensions of the effective promotion of environmental policy, including the psychology of environmental communication; historical and cultural analyses of environmental rhetoric; environmental communication in government, business and communities; and the role of the media.

SP 434 Environmental Communication in an International Context: Brazil 4 cr.
  • Offered: Contact Department
  • Prerequisites: Junior standing.

This course is designed to introduce students to the environmental conditions in Brazil while focusing on the ways in which Brazilians communicate about and understand communications related to those conditions in the context of an integrated social science perspective. Following a series of on-campus workshops dealing with Brazil in general as well as a variety of social science perspectives, students will spend two weeks in Brazil studying and applying concepts. 

SP 480 Communication Capstone 2 cr.
  • Offered: Fall Winter
  • Prerequisites: SP 310, completion of 32 credits in the major and registration for graduation.

Taught as a seminar and focused on assessment of educational outcomes in the major as students finalize their preparations for graduate studies and/or entry into the workforce. Current and emerging issues in the field of communication studies, along with general current events, provide a basis for developing professional portfolios, reflecting on educational experiences, and completing various assessment-based tasks.

SP 492 Internship in Communication Studies 1-8 cr.
  • Offered: On demand
  • Graded: S/U
  • Prerequisites: Junior standing. Students must submit required forms to register for their internship before the end of the 4th week of a semester in which the internship will take place.

Practical, applied experience involving placement in a job situation.