Communication (CAS)

083S (GS). FIRST YEAR SEMINAR IN COMMUNICATION (GS) (3) Introduction to major theoretical, critical, research and educational issues in human communication. Social Science emphasis.

084S (GH). FIRST YEAR SEMINAR IN COMMUNICATION (GH) (3) Introduction to major theoretical, critical, research and educational issues in human communication. Humanities emphasis.

100 (GWS). EFFECTIVE SPEECH (3) Introduction to public communication. Includes formal speaking, group discussion, analysis and evaluation of messages.

Option A. Principles of communication, implemented through presentation of speeches, with some attention to group discussion and message evaluation.

Option B. Principles of communication, implemented through group problem solving, with some attention to formal speaking and message evaluation.

Option C. Principles of communication, implemented through analysis and evaluation of messages, with some attention to formal speaking and group discussion.

101 (GS). INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (3) An introduction to fundamental theories, models and principles describing human communication according to its contexts.

126. DEVELOPMENTAL LISTENING (3) Introduction to effective listening, with an emphasis on studying, note taking, test taking, and research paper writing. This course is restricted and does not count toward the CAS major at University Park.

175 (GH). PERSUASION AND PROPAGANDA (3) An examination of campaigns of propaganda and mass persuasion in the twentieth century.

195. CAREERS IN COMMUNICATION (1). An introduction to a variety of careers in the field of communication.

197. SPECIAL TOPICS (1-9)

199 (GI). FOREIGN STUDIES--COMMUNICATION (1-9) Prerequisite: student must obtain departmental approval from the person in charge or the department Head.


200 (GI). LANGUAGE, CULTURE, AND COMMUNICATION (3). Introduction to language, language development, cultural literacy, culture, and intercultural communication.

201 (GH). RHETORICAL THEORY (3) History and theory of public advocacy and civic discourse.

202 (GS). COMMUNICATION THEORY (3) Survey of human communication studies in relational, interpersonal, group, organizational, intercultural, health, technology and mass communication systems.

203 (GS). INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION (3) Explore aspects of competent communication and learn the skills necessary to manage friend, romantic, family, and professional relationships.

204 COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODS (3) An overview of the skills necessary to evaluate numeric and text-based communication research. There is an applied emphasis on increasing student skills as a critical consumer of commonly reported data such as opinion polls and employee assessments.

205. THE VOICE AND ITS USE (3) Emphasis on procedures to improve vocal effectiveness in personal and professional communication. Not offered at the University Park campus.

211. INFORMATIVE SPEAKING (3) Planning, organizing, adapting, and presenting informative speeches and oral reports on technical and scholarly projects, both by manuscript reading and extemporaneously. Prerequisite: CAS 100.

213. PERSUASIVE SPEAKING (3) Planning, organizing and adapting the techniques of persuasion to achieve personal and public goals. Engaging in the critical assessment of persuasive messages. Prerequisite: CAS 100.

214 (W). SPEECH WRITING (3) Theory and practice of composing informative, persuasive, and ceremonial speeches. Emphasis on organization, supporting materials, and language in writing for oral presentation. Prerequisite: CAS 100.

215. ARGUMENTATION (3) Principles of public controversy: research and analysis of policy issues, practical reasoning and evaluation of evidence, composition and delivery of argumentative messages.

216. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE (3) Practice in presiding over and participating in meetings conducted under rules of order.

250. SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION (3) Participation in decision-making groups. Emphasis on skills of group discussion, leadership, teamwork, organization, and evaluation.

252. BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION (3) Interviewing, briefing, conferring, and decision making; analyzing and evaluating formal and informal patterns of communication in organizations.

271(GI). INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION (3). Introduction to culture and intercultural communication. Focus on topics such as language, identity, prejudice, and intergroup relations on a domestic and international level.

280 (W). STORYTELLING AND SPEAKING (3) Principles of oral performance from storytelling to the printed page. Includes oral performance of stories, speeches, prose, drama and poetry.

283. COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY I (3) Explores communication technology and information management. Intended for students in the Liberal Arts. (Former LA 283)

294. RESEARCH TOPICS (1-12)

295. INTERNSHIP (1-16)

296. INDEPENDENT STUDIES (1-18)

297, 298. SPECIAL TOPICS (1-9)

299 (GI). FOREIGN STUDIES--COMMUNICATION (1-12) Prerequisite: student must obtain departmental approval from the person in charge or the department Head.

300-LEVEL COURSES

302. SOCIAL INFLUENCE (3) Explores how humans influence others through communication strategies.

311. METHODS OF RHETORICAL CRITICISM (3) Principles for the analysis and evaluation of public discourse.

321. RHETORIC AND LAW (3) A survey of the literature on the role of persuasion in law, including trial advocacy, appellate argument, and judicial reasoning.

352. ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION (3). This course examines the function and structure of communication in both formal and informal situations.

353. HEALTH COMMUNICATION (3). Principles of evaluating messages related to health. Topics include provider-patient relationships, health promotion, aging, family and peer influences, and health information on the internet.

375. RHETORIC AND PUBLIC CONTROVERSY (3) Survey of important events in the history of public address, including speeches, debates, and persuasive campaigns and movements.

383. CULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY (3). Survey of cyberculture studies by reviewing literature and current issues, including communications, cultural studies.

395. FORENSICS PRACTICUM (1-2 per semester, maximum of 16) Provides students in debate the opportunity for supervised participation in the activity in class and in inter-college competition.

398. SPECIAL TOPICS (1-9)

399 (GI). FOREIGN STUDIES--COMMUNICATION (1-12). Prerequisite: student must obtain departmental approval from the person in charge or the department Head.


402. SPEECH AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR (3). General semantics, thought, and human behavior. Not offered at the University Park campus.

403. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION THEORY AND RESEARCH (3) Examining behavior within interpersonal encounters, with an emphasis on both theoretical and applied explanations for how and why people act during such interactions. Prerequisite: CAS 203.

404. CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND NEGOTIATION (3) Theories and strategies important for conceptualizing, developing, and managing conflict negotiation, mediation, and third-party intervention. Prerequisite: CAS 202.

405. FAMILY COMMUNICATION THEORY AND RESEARCH (3) Explores the nature and functions of communication in family life; emphasis on meaning, patterns, and styles of family communication. Prerequisite: CAS 101, CAS 202 or permission of instructor.

406 (H). HONORS COURSE IN COMMUNICATION ARTS & SCIENCES (3-6) Individual study and seminar in selected areas or issues of communication. Prerequisites: University grade average of 3.2; enrollment in the Schreyer Honors College.

411. RHETORICAL CRITICISM (3) Principles of rhetorical criticism examined through analysis of selected texts and critics. Prerequisite: CAS 201 or CAS(SPCOM) 100.

415. RHETORIC OF FILM AND TELEVISION (3) Rhetorical analysis of the artistic forms and cultural structures of film and television; intensive study of selected examples. Prerequisite: CAS 201.

420. RHETORICAL THEORY (3) Ancient, medieval, Renaissance, Enlightenment, and contemporary theories of rhetoric. Prerequisite: CAS 201.

422 (GI) (AAA S). AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNCATION (3) A focused study on the continuities between African and African American culture and communication.

426 (W). COMMUNICATION ETHICS (3) Ethical issues in public and private communication; role of communication in expressing and realizing individual and social values. Prerequisite: CAS 201.

438. RHETORIC OF DOCUMENTARY (3) Rhetorical analysis of the documentary in film, television, and other media; historical and critical analysis of functions and form. Prerequisite: CAS 201.

450 (W). GROUP COMMUNICATION THEORY AND RESEARCH (3) Selected theories of problem solving through group discussion, emphasizing participation and leadership. Prerequisite: CAS 250.

452 (W). ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION THEORY AND RESEARCH (3) Explores the nature and functions of communication in organizations; emphasis on writing and exploring concepts, tools, and skills for effective management of communication. Prerequisite: CAS 202 or 252.

452. ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION THEORY AND RESEARCH (3) Explores the nature and functions of communication in organizations; emphasis on concepts, tools, and skills for effective management of communication. Prerequisite: CAS 202 or 252.

453. HEALTH COMMUNICATION THEORY AND RESEARCH (3) Principles of communication about health across the lifespan and within heath-care contexts. Emphasizing cultural influences on the process of health communication. Prerequisite: CAS 353.

455 (GI) (WMNST). GENDER ROLES IN COMMUNICATION (3) Explores the literature on gender research in the discipline of human communication. Prerequisite: CAS 200.

470. NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION (3) Examining the ways in which nonverbal messages, such as gestures, posture, vocal intonation, and facial expressions, affect us on a daily basis. Prerequisite: CAS 202.

471 (GI). INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION THEORY AND RESEARCH (3) Explores intercultural and cross-cultural communication research theory and practice as applied within and across national boundaries. Prerequisite: CAS 271.

475. STUDIES IN PUBLIC ADDRESS (3) History and criticism of public discourse. Intensive analysis of selected public addresses and social movements. Prerequisite: CAS 201.

478. CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN POLITICAL RHETORIC (3) Analysis of the role of public discourse in contemporary campaigns, social movements, and political and social controversies. Prerequisite: CAS 201.

480. GROUP PERFORMANCE OF LITERATURE (3) Applying storytelling skills and performance theory to the group presentation of literature; criticism of literature through group presentations. Prerequisite: CAS 100.

483. COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY II (3) Theory and application of interactive internet-based communication and information management. Intended for students in the liberal arts. Prerequisite: CAS 283.

494. RESEARCH TOPICS (1-12)

495. COMMUNICATION ARTS & SCIENCES INTERNSHIP (1-18) Directed and supervised practicum in organizational communication. Prerequisite: approval of the department.

496. INDEPENDENT STUDIES (1-18)

497, 498. SPECIAL TOPICS (1-9)

499 (GI). FOREIGN STUDY--COMMUNICATION ARTS & SCIENCES (1-12) Prerequisite: student must obtain departmental approval from the person in charge or the department Head.



Department Head

Jon Nussbaum



Spring Course Listing (2004)

Spring 2004 rhetoric seminars

Undergraduate Newsletter

CAS 100: Resources for environmental topics

News and Events

Department of
Communication Arts and Sciences
234 Sparks Building
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: (814) 865-3461
Fax: (814) 863-7986