2009-10 Undergraduate Catalog Logo  

Idaho State University Undergraduate Catalog 2009-2010


Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies

Chair and Professor:  DiSanza

Professors: Gribas, Legge, Loebs

Associate Professor:  Lefevre, Partlow

Associate Lecturer: M. Eckert

Lecturers: Broadhead, Corrigan, Czerepinski, Dixon, T. Eckert, Haan, Leek, Sowell, Underwood

The Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies administers a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Communication and Rhetorical Studies, with emphases in Organizational Communication or Rhetorical Studies; an Associate of Arts degree in Communication and Rhetorical Studies, and minors in Organizational Communciation and Rhetorical Studies.

See Faculty Information   
See Department Web Page   
See Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science   
See Emphases   
See Associate of Arts   
See Minors   
See Courses   

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Communication and Rhetorical Studies

The primary objectives related to the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science programs in Communication and Rhetorical Studies are to help all students develop the following:

1. The ability to engage in critical thinking.
2. The ability to communicate effectively in writing.
3. The ability to communicate effectively through oral presentation.
4. The ability to construct and evaluate persuasive messages.
5. The ability to use effective information research strategies.
6. An understanding of the role of communication in interpersonal settings.
7. An understanding of the role of communication in group settings.
8. An understanding of the role of communication in organizational settings.
9. An understanding of the role of communication in historical/current events.
10. Knowledge and skill applicable in graduates’ professional lives.
11. Knowledge and skill applicable to graduates’ personal lives.
The Communication and Rhetorical Studies curriculum is structured on the basic assumption that people's ability to communicate orally in an effective manner is vital to successful social interaction. Two areas of emphasis are offered: Rhetorical Studies and Organizational Communication. The area of Rhetorical Studies is the humanistic study of speech from its origins in ancient Greece to the role of rhetoric in shaping the modern world. Organizational Communication is the social scientific study of the role of communication in the creation of interpersonal, small group, and organizational structures. In both areas of emphasis, our program is designed to meet a fourfold purpose: to study the nature and process of oral communication; to develop the student's ability to communicate clearly, confidently, and rationally; to understand the critical role of rhetoric in shaping historical events; to understand the methods of the social sciences and analyze communication situations according to those methods. Students who study in our program receive a broad liberal arts background which may lead to careers in law, business, public relations, management, teaching, the ministry, politics, broadcasting, personnel work, and public administration.


Select one of the following emphases:  Organizational Communication, Rhetorical Studies.  

Emphasis in Organizational Communication

Required Major Core Courses:

COMM 201        Business and Professional Speaking    3 cr
COMM 208        Group Communication                   3 cr
COMM 305        Argumentation and Debate              3 cr
COMM 308        Persuasion                            3 cr
COMM g408       Communication Theory                  3 cr
COMM g436       Rhetorical Criticism                  3 cr
COMM g437       Rhetorical Theory                     3 cr
COMM g441       Interpersonal Communication           3 cr

Required Organizational Communication Emphasis Courses:

COMM 254        Organizational Communication          3 cr
COMM g452       Conflict Management                   3 cr
COMM g454       Management Communication              3 cr
Organizational Communication Emphasis Electives:

(Must take 12 credits from the following:)

COMM 313	Internship          		    1-6 cr
COMM 355        Nonverbal Communication               3 cr
COMM g440       Gender and Communication              3 cr
COMM g442       American Rhetoric and Public Address  3 cr
COMM g447       Rhetoric of Hitler and Churchill      3 cr
COMM g451       Recent Rhetorical Issues              3 cr
                                              TOTAL: 45 cr

Emphasis in Rhetorical Studies

Required Major Core Courses:

COMM 201        Business and Professional Speaking    3 cr
COMM 208        Group Communication                   3 cr
COMM 305        Argumentation and Debate              3 cr
COMM 308        Persuasion                            3 cr
COMM g408       Communication Theory                  3 cr
COMM g436       Rhetorical Criticism                  3 cr
COMM g437       Rhetorical Theory                     3 cr
COMM g441       Interpersonal Communication           3 cr
Required Rhetorical Studies Emphasis Courses:
COMM g442       American Rhetoric and Public Address  3 cr
COMM g447       Rhetoric of Hitler and Churchill      3 cr
COMM g451       Recent Rhetorical Issues              3 cr
Rhetorical Studies Emphasis Electives (Must take 12 credits from the following:)
COMM 254        Organizational Communication          3 cr
COMM 313 Internship                 1-6 cr
COMM 355        Nonverbal Communication               3 cr
COMM g440       Gender and Communication              3 cr
COMM g452       Conflict Management                   3 cr
COMM g454       Management Communication              3 cr
TOTAL: 45 cr

Associate of Arts in Communication and Rhetorical Studies

Students seeking an Associate of Arts degree in Communication and Rhetorical Studies must complete the following:
All of the General Education Goals (10A and 10B) 37-53* cr
 
COMM 101        Principles of Speech                  3 cr 
COMM 111    Speech Practicum                    1-4 cr 
COMM 117        Oral Interpretation: Textual Analysis 3 cr 
COMM 132        Voice and Diction                     2 cr 
COMM 201        Business and Professional Speaking    3 cr 
COMM 208 Group Communication      3 cr 
Additional COMM elective                              3 cr 
Electives to bring total to 64 cr                 variable 
                                              TOTAL: 64 cr                                
* The number of credits required for the General Education requirements  varies depending on the student's performance on proficiency or placement tests in English, foreign languages, and mathematics.


The Department offers Minors in Organizational Communication and in Rhetorical Studies.

Minor in Organizational Communication

Required Minor Core Courses:
COMM 305        Argumentation and Debate              3 cr
COMM 308        Persuasion                            3 cr
COMM g441       Interpersonal Communication           3 cr
Required Organizational Communication Minor Courses:
COMM 254        Organizational Communication          3 cr
COMM g454       Management Communication              3 cr
Organizational Communication Minor Electives:
(Must take 6 credits from the following):
COMM 201        Business and Professional Speaking    3 cr
COMM 208        Group Communication                   3 cr
COMM 313 Internship                 1-3 cr
COMM 355        Nonverbal Communication               3 cr
COMM g408       Communication Theory                  3 cr
COMM g452       Conflict Management                   3 cr
                                              TOTAL: 21 cr

Minor in Rhetorical Studies

Required Minor Core Courses:
COMM 305        Argumentation and Debate              3 cr
COMM 308        Persuasion                            3 cr
COMM g441       Interpersonal Communication           3 cr
Required Rhetorical Studies Minor Courses:
COMM g436       Rhetorical Criticism                  3 cr
COMM g437       Rhetorical Theory                     3 cr
Rhetorical Studies Minor Electives:
(Must take 6 credits from the following):
COMM 201        Business and Professional Speaking    3 cr
COMM 313 Internship                 1-3 cr
COMM g408       Communication Theory                  3 cr
COMM g442       American Rhetoric and Public Address  3 cr
COMM g447       Rhetoric of Hitler and Churchill      3 cr
COMM g451       Recent Rhetorical Issues              3 cr
                                              TOTAL: 21 cr

Communication and Rhetorical Studies Courses

COMM 101 Principles of Speech 3 credits. Basic course in oral communication that emphasizes the theory and practice of informative speaking, logical argumentation, persuasion, small group discussion, and interpersonal communication. Designed to explain the humanistic nature of human communication and to improve a student's ability to express ideas orally. Satisfies Goal 2 of the General Education Requirements. F, S

COMM 111 Speech Practicum 1-4 credits. Students speak on timely topics to community organizations in the symposium program. F, S

COMM 115 Intercollegiate Debate 1-3 credits. Students prepare for regional- and national-level intercollegiate debate tournament competition. Students may receive up to eight credits in speech and drama activities. PREREQ: Debate team member. F

COMM 116 Intercollegiate Debate 1-3 credits. Students prepare for regional- and national-level intercollegiate debate tournament competition. Students may receive up to eight credits in speech and drama activities. PREREQ: Debate team member. S

COMM 201 Business and Professional Speaking 3 credits. Advanced speech course emphasizes practical speaking needs of business and professional people. PREREQ: COMM 101. F, S

COMM 208 Group Communication 3 credits. Examines the process of human communication among members of organized groups. Topics studied include leadership development, norms, roles, cohesion, problem-solving techniques, and conflict. S

COMM 254 Organizational Communication 3 credits. Survey course covering the development of the organizational communication field. Students are introduced to various perspectives and theories for understanding and evaluating the role of communication in organizational systems. F

COMM 305 Argumentation and Debate 3 credits. Study of argument, analysis, evidence, reasoning, fallacies, briefing, and delivery. S

COMM 308 Persuasion 3 credits. Advanced theory and performance course emphasizing principles of message composition, persuasive campaigns, and methods affecting attitude change in public communication. F

COMM 311 Speech Practicum 1-4 credits. Students speak on timely topics to community organizations in the symposium program. May be repeated for up to 4 credits. F, S

COMM 313 Internship 1-6 credits. Department approval required. Directed field experience with an approved agency. Learning contract required. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. PREREQ: Permission of instructor and department. F, S

COMM 315 Intercollegiate Debate 1-3 credits. Students prepare for regional- and national-level intercollegiate debate tournament competition. Students may receive up to eight credits in speech and drama activities. PREREQ: Debate team member. F

COMM 316 Intercollegiate Debate 1-3 credits. Students prepare for regional- and national-level intercollegiate debate tournament competition. Students may receive up to eight credits in speech and drama activities. PREREQ: Debate team member. S

COMM 355 Nonverbal Communication 3 credits. Explores the various dimensions of human interaction which supplement the verbal medium. Students study the dimensions of paralinguistics, time, space, form, and action, and develop an awareness of their own and others' behavior. F

COMM g408 Communication Theory 3 credits. Examines models of social science and how these contribute to the development of communication theory. Examines a variety of communication theories in interpersonal, small group, organizational contexts. Focus on history of theory development in communication. S

COMM g436 Rhetorical Criticism 3 credits. Study and application of various theories and methods of rhetorical criticism including Aristotelian and Burkeian principles. PREREQ: COMM g437 or permission of instructor. S

COMM g437 Rhetorical Theory 3 credits. Principal rhetorical theories from the Greeks through the 18th century and contemporary American theorists. Writings of Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Quintilian, Campbell, Blair, Whately, and Burke are stressed. F

COMM g440 Gender and Communication 3 credits. Course examines communication arenas from a perspective that focuses on gender and includes study of similarities and differences in female/male patterns. Topics include nonverbal, organizational, language, family and friendship. S

COMM g441 Interpersonal Communication 3 credits. Largely theoretical course, drawing from research in social sciences as well as speech. Focuses on communication variables associated with interpersonal communication including awareness of self/others, nature/functions of language, nonverbal behavior, norms, and roles. F

COMM g442 American Rhetoric and Public Address 3 credits. Has a dual purpose: to study the impact of rhetoric (oral and written persuasion) on major events in American history; to examine great speakers and rhetorical documents in their historical context. S

COMM g447 Rhetoric of Hitler and Churchill 3 credits. Rhetorical theory and practice of these influential leaders and the impact of their persuasion. Topics include Hitler's oratory, Nazi propaganda, and Churchill's World War II speeches. F

COMM g451 Recent Rhetorical Issues 3 credits. Study of the rhetoric of contemporary issues such as the Vietnam War, the Black revolution, and other current political and social topics, including the rhetoric of ongoing election campaigns. F

COMM g452 Conflict Management 3 credits. Examines the dynamics of everyday conflicts across a variety of settings, from personal to organizational. Principles of conflict, similar across all communicative contexts, are emphasized. Theory and its application are given equal importance. F

COMM g454 Management Communication 3 credits. Examines the communication goals and functions unique to organizational managers and leaders. Topics studied include socialization and training, leader-member relationships, incentive based systems of motivation, employee identification and commitment, and organizational development. S

COMM g491 Independent Research Projects 1-3 credits. Under the supervision of professors in the various areas of communication, students will prepare reports and carry out projects designed to promote professional growth. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. PREREQ: Permission of instructor and department. F, S

LEAD Courses

LEAD 201 Foundations of Leadership 3 credits. Introductory exploration of the modern dimensions of leadership. Students will link current theory and practices to personal self-assessment and behavioral applications.  F, S

LEAD 360 Student Leadership Practicum 1-3 credits. Supervised leadership experience through placement in a campus or community organization.  Includes discussion and analysis with peers. May be for up to 3 credits. PREREQ: LEAD 201. F, S

LEAD 480 Leadership Capstone 3 credits. Capstone overview for participants in the Leadership Minor, challenging the students to integrate their previous course work within the minor, and emphasizing the importance of community involvement, service, and ethical behavior. PREREQ: LEAD 360 and permission of the instructor. S



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Revised: August 2009