Department of Communication

The Department of Communication offers a program leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Communications.

The Bachelor of Arts in Communications attempts to balance theory and performance-based skills in four areas of concentration: speech communication, radio/television, public relations and organizational communication, and journalism. As the four areas demonstrate, the disciplinary perspective of the Communications program tends to be centered in all areas of oral and mass communication. Major activities of the department include: CUTV, KCCU, broadcast contests, The Cameron Collegian (weekly campus newspaper) Speech and Debate Team, Summer Speech-Debate-Broadcast Camp, gifted and talented workshops for southwest Oklahoma and north Texas public schools, and high school Speech Demonstration Day. Four student organizations in the department are: Broadcast Club, Lambda Pi Eta, Pi Kappa Delta and the Society for Professional Journalism. (See Communication Department's web pages http://www.cameron.edu/communication).

BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE
MAJOR IN COMMUNICATIONS (170)

General Education Requirements

All Communications majors are required to keep a portfolio of their work. (See advisor for details.)

Required Core Courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 hours
RTV 1013, JOUR 2113, COMM 3393, COMM 3383 or PBRL 3823

Concentration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 hours
Majors must choose one or more of the following concentrations: Speech Communication, Radio/Television, Journalism, Public Relations and Organizational Communication.

Speech Communication
COMM 1133, COMM 2313, COMM 3313, COMM 3633, COMM 3713, COMM 4623
Electives (12 hours) may be chosen from the following courses or from courses in the areas of Radio/Television; Journalism; and Public Relations and Organizational Communication
COMM 2143, COMM 2533, COMM 3103, COMM 3113, COMM 3121-4, COMM 3353, COMM 3643, COMM 3833, COMM 3991-3, COMM 4773, COMM 4991-3

Radio/Television
RTV 2213, RTV 2313, RTV 3123, RTV 3323, RTV 3513, RTV 3911-2 (RTV 3911-2 Broadcast Lab 3 hours required)
Electives (12 hours) may be chosen from the following courses or from courses in the areas of Speech Communication; Journalism; and Public Relations & Organizational Communication
RTV 2113, RTV 3223, RTV 3353, RTV 3413, RTV 3931-3, RTV 4133, RTV 4333, RTV 4343, RTV 4923, RTV 4941-3, JOUR 4813
Radio/Television students may select three hours of their electives from the following:
THTR 1203, THTR 3303, THTR 3703

Journalism
JOUR 3013, JOUR 3043, JOUR 3133, JOUR 3343, JOUR 4133, JOUR 4813
Electives (12 hours) may be chosen from the following courses or from courses in the areas of Speech Communication; Radio/Television; and Public Relations & Organizational Communication
JOUR 3233, JOUR 3991-3, JOUR 4213, JOUR 4803, JOUR 4963, JOUR 4981-3, ART 1113, ART 1213, MM 1133, RTV 3413

Public Relations and Organizational Communication
COMM 3383 and PBRL 3823, JOUR 3013, JOUR 3043, COMM 3313, JOUR 3343, COMM 3633
Electives (12 hours) may be chosen from any following courses or from courses in the areas of Speech Communication; Radio/Television; and Journalism: RTV 2313, JOUR 3133, JOUR 4213, COMM 2313, COMM 3353, COMM 3833, COMM 4723, PBRL 4823, PBRL 4973
Students in Public Relations and Organizational Communication may select three hours of electives from the following: MGMT 3013, MKTG 3413, MKTG 4433

Students may choose another area of concentration for a minor or may choose a minor in another discipline.

Teacher Licensure/Certification

Cameron University offers a program leading to licensure in Speech/Drama. Consult the Teacher Certification Catalog for details.

COMMUNICATIONS COURSES (COMM)

1113* FUNDAMENTALS OF SPEECH, 3 hours credit
An introductory course designed to acquaint the student with the basic theory of the art of public speaking and listening. The course provides experience in the composition and delivery of oral presentations in a multi-cultural world. Topics include speech organization, forms of supporting materials, audience analysis, and critical evaluation of speeches. Lecture 3 hours.

1133* VOICE AND DICTION, 3 hours credit
A general study of the structure of the vocal mechanism; principles of vocal quality, articulation and pronunciation. Lecture 3 hours.

2143* DEBATE, 3 hours credit
Acquaints the student with the complexity of social problems, methods of research, methods of logical analysis and development, construction of briefs, and techniques of refutation; practice in preparation and delivery of sustained arguments. Lecture 3 hours.

2313* SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION, 3 hours credit
A systems based approach to the study of group communication. Social bases of group development and dynamics, including norms, leadership, role structures, conflict, and social climates. Special consideration given to methods of group participation and decision-making. Lecture 3 hours.

2533* ORAL INTERPRETATION, 3 hours credit
A beginning study and practice in oral reading of literature, with emphasis on the oral expression of logical and emotional meaning in literature, and the selection of material. Lecture 3 hours.

3103* LISTENING, 3 hours credit
A study in the qualities of good listening for personal and organizational communication effectiveness. Performance exercises are used as teaching tools to improve skills. Lecture 3 hours.

3113* ARGUMENTATION AND ADVOCACY, 3 hours credit
Nature of argumentative controversy: studies in analysis, evidence, reasoning, and refutation; variables of form and methods. Lecture 3 hours.

3121-4 FORENSIC LAB, 1-4 hours credit
Preparation for the participation in intercollegiate forensics and competitive speech activities including debate, discussion, original oratory, extemporaneous and impromptu speaking and oral interpretation. May be repeated. Prerequisite: Departmental permission.

3313* ADVANCED BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL SPEAKING, 3 hours credit
Emphasis is placed on both theory and application of public speaking, speech criticism, and listening skills in culturally diverse business and professional settings. Students will employ presentation software when delivering a variety of business presentations such as informative, after dinner, persuasive, sales, and team speeches. Lecture 3 hours. Prerequisite: COMM 1113 or departmental permission.

3353* TEAM LEADERSHIP PROCESSES, 3 credit hours
Designed to enhance leadership skills and the knowledge of team leadership processes. Topics include the attributes of teams, critical evaluation of information and reasoning processes, creation of effective work climates, and contemporary approaches to leadership. The objective of this course is to learn how to provide leadership in the communication process of work teams. Lecture 3 hours.

3383* CORPORATE AND ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION, 3 credit hours
The theory and function of communication within businesses, government, hospitals, schools, industrial firms, and other organizations with emphasis on concepts and principles needed for effective communication. Lecture 3 hours.

3393* INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION, 3 credit hours
Improving communication between persons. Discovering and overcoming obstacles in person-to-person communication. Self-awareness of the student’s own communication behavior as well as that of others. Projects in listening, speaking and communicating nonverbally. Lecture 3 hours.

3633* PERSUASION, 3 hours credit
A study of persuasive communication, including social, psychological, and rhetorical theories of human motivation; audience analysis, methods of adaptation; emotional, logical and rhetorical appeals; analysis of persuasive premises in advertising, social and political campaigns; and special emphasis on ethical responsibilities of the speaker, media, and listener. Lecture 3 hours.

3643* POLITICAL COMMUNICATION ANALYSIS, 3 hours credit
Principles and methods of critical analysis will be examined, both historical and contemporary. Students will interpret and evaluate political persuasion. Emphasis will be given to speeches, campaigns, and movements. Lecture 3 hours.

3713* INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION, 3 hours credit
Students will analyze the basic elements of culture and how those elements interact with the communication process to affect relationships. Lecture 3 hours. Prerequisite: COMM 1113.

3833* CONFLICT MANAGEMENT, 3 hours credit
An analysis of conflict situations in personal, professional, and cultural contexts. Role of communication in creating, expressing, and influencing conflict messages and behaviors. Topics include theories of conflict, cooperative processes, dialogue, mediation, interpersonal barriers and power. Lecture 3 hours.

3991-3 WORKSHOP, 1-3 hours credit
Workshop designed to give intensive emphasis to a specific area of communication. May be repeated with a different topic for additional credit up to a maximum of six hours. Communication majors can count only three hours of workshop in any communication area toward the communication degree.

4623* COMMUNICATION THEORY, 3 hours credit
Advanced survey of major philosophical and theoretical issues in human communication research. Discussion of social scientific and humanistic perspectives, research methods, and theory development. Analysis and critique of contemporary theories in the field. Lecture 3 hours. Prerequisites: 9 hours of communication courses or instructor permission.

4723 ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION INTERNSHIP, 3 credit hours
Supervised work experience in a professional setting which relates to the student’s career objectives. The internship will allow practical experience in corporate and organizational communication. May be repeated for a maximum of six hours. Prerequisites: Upper-division standing and department permission.

4773 SPEECH/DRAMA METHODS, 3 hours credit
Study of the basis program of speech-drama in the secondary schools; organization of materials, procedures and techniques of instruction. Teacher Certification students must be admitted to teacher education prior to enrollment in this course. Visitation and observation of the teaching situation. Lecture 3 hours. Prerequisites: Department permission and 20 hours communications and theatre arts.

4991-3* SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-3 hours credit
Directed individual or group study of selected topic(s) in communication. The course may be repeated for a total of six hours. Prerequisite: Junior standing.

JOURNALISM COURSES (JOUR)

2113* INTRODUCTION TO JOURNALISM, 3 hours credit
Mass communication and the importance of the media’s role in American society. Lecture 3 hours, Co-requisite: ENGL 1113.

3013* NEWS WRITING, 3 hours credit
A concentrated study of the techniques of obtaining and writing news that focuses on interpretive reporting, in-depth interviewing, reporting and writing. Students will work directly to support The Cameron Collegian. Lecture 3 hours, Prerequisite: JOUR 2113.

3043* PHOTOJOURNALISM I, 3 hours credit
The study of the principles and techniques of photography with an emphasis on composition and design. Students will learn and use digital darkroom techniques with the use of scanning software and image editing software. Lecture 3 hours.

3133 NEWSPAPER REPORTING, 3 hours credit
A laboratory for students to expand the techniques developed in News Writring (JOUR 3013). Students will work directly to produce The Cameron Collegian. Laboratory 6 hours. Prerequisite: JOUR 3013.

3233 ADVANCED NEWSPAPER REPORTING AND DESIGN, 3 credit hours
A laboratory for students to continue to expand the techniques developed in News Writing (JOUR 3013) and Newspaper Reporting (JOUR 3133). Advanced Newspaper Reporting and Design will also provide students the opportunity to directly help design and produce The Cameron Collegian. Laboratory 6 hours. Prerequisites: JOUR 3013, JOUR 3133, JOUR 3043 and JOUR 3343.

3343* MEDIA GRAPHICS, 3 hours credit
Explores techniques, processes, and procedures for the publication of print media with an emphasis on the elements of design using the pagination program InDesign and the image editing software Adobe Photoshop. Lecture 3 hours.

3991-3 WORKSHOP, 1-3 hours credit
A workshop designed to give intensive emphasis to a specific area of journalism. May be repeated with a different topic for additional credit to a maximum of six hours. Communication majors can count only three hours of workshop in any area of communication toward the communication degree.

4133 NEWS EDITING, 3 hours credit
Study of editing and makeup techniques required in newspaper and magazine fields. Lecture 3 hours. Prerequisite: JOUR 2113.

4213 PHOTOJOURNALISM II, 3 hours credit
The continued study of the principles of photography with an emphasis on composition and design. Students will continue to employ digital darkroom techniques in coordination with various modes of expression: print, video and online. Lecture 3 hours. Prerequisite: JOUR 3043 or instructor’s permission.

4803* MASS MEDIA HISTORY, 3 hours credit
European background and development of the colonial press. Emergence of the partisan and penny newspapers. Evolution of personal and independent Journalism. Lecture 3 hours. Prerequisite: 12 hours of Journalism or permission of the instructor.

4813 MASS MEDIA LAW, 3 hours credit
The principles by which mass media exercise their public functions and fulfill legal obligations to society. Right to know, truth and fairness, responsibility, libel, privilege, fair comment, privacy, contempt, copyright, and regulation of advertising. Lecture 3 hours. Prerequisite: JOUR 2113 and Junior standing.

4963 JOURNALISM INTERNSHIP, 3 hours credit
Field experience in Journalism under close supervision of employer and professor. Lecture 3 hours. Prerequisite: 12 hours of Journalism or permission of the instructor.

4981-3* SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-3 hours credit
Directed individual or group study of selected topic(s) in journalism. The course may be repeated for additional credit with departmental permission. May be repeated for a total of 6 hours. Prerequisite: Junior standing.

PUBLIC RELATIONS COURSES (PBRL)

3823* PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC RELATIONS, 3 hours credit
Study of current concepts in public relations as a management function in business, industry, government, and education. Practical work in producing public relations tools. Lecture 3 hours. Prerequisite: Junior standing. Lecture 3 hours.

4823 CASE STUDIES IN PUBLIC RELATIONS, 3 hours credit
Detailed analysis of current case studies in the planning and execution of public relations activities. Emphasis given to fact-finding, researching audiences, setting objectives, charting programs, execution, and evaluation. Lecture 3 hours. Prerequisite: PBRL 4223.

4973 PUBLIC RELATIONS INTERNSHIP, 3 hours credit
Field experience in public relations in organizations, business, and industry. Prerequisite: 12 hours of Journalism and public relations or permission of the instructor.

RADIO/TELEVISION COURSES (RTV)

1013* FUNDAMENTALS OF BROADCASTING, 3 hours credit
Survey of components of broadcasting and other electronic media systems in America, including technical aspects, history, legal and social issues. Lecture 3 hours.

2104* AUDIO AND VISUAL PRODUCTION, 4 hours credit
Production of audio and visual support and layout for multimedia. Not applicable for Communications majors with RTV concentration or RTV minors. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours. Prerequisite: MM 1133.

2113 BROADCAST ANNOUNCING, 3 hours credit
A course designed to meet specific needs of the radio-television announcer; instruction includes drills to develop effective vocal communications as a means of improving radio-television presentation and delivery. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours.

2213* BASIC RADIO PRODUCTION, 3 hours credit
Introduction to equipment and various aspects of radio station operation. Including: air-checks, commercial production and news. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory.

2313* BASIC TELEVISION PRODUCTION, 3 hours credit
An introduction to the basic principles, procedures, and techniques of television production. The course includes video control, special effects, operation of cameras and editing machines, composition, lighting, staging, and directing, on-camera announcing and interviewing. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours.

3123* BROADCAST PROGRAMS AND RATINGS, 3 hours credit
Principles governing the selection of programs; preparation of broadcast schedules; and audience measurements. Focus will include program types, rating systems, program and audience analysis in radio, television and cable. Lecture 3 hours.

3223 ADVANCED RADIO PRODUCTION, 3 hours credit
Theory and practice in the operation of advanced audio recording, and sound creation, and transmission equipment. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisite: RTV 2213 or department permission.

3323* TV FIELD PRODUCTION AND EDITING, 3 hours credit
Advanced techniques in field production for commercial and industrial television. Emphasis will be given to pre- and post-production stages, as well as training for independent assignments and "electronic news gathering." Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisite: RTV 2313.

3353 PRODUCING THE DOCUMENTARY, 3 hours credit
Preparation for the participation in all phases of documentary production. The course will function as a team process with students participating in one or many aspects of the production. May be repeated for a maximum of six hours. Laboratory 6 hours. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

3413* BROADCAST NEWS, 3 hours credit
Theories and practices of broadcast news gathering, writing and delivery to develop professional attitude and skills in radio and television news. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisite: RTV 1013.

3513* BROADCAST WRITING, 3 hours credit
Concept and practices of writing for radio and television. Emphasis on writing commercial copy, public service announcements and broadcast news. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisites: RTV 1013 and proficiency in typing.

3911-2 BROADCAST LAB, 1-2 hours credit
Preparation for and participation in all phases of radio and television; may be repeated. Prerequisite: Department permission.

3931-3 WORKSHOP, 1-3 credit hours
Workshop designed to give intensive emphasis to a specific area of broadcasting. May be repeated with a different topic for additional credit up to a maximum of six hours. Communication majors can count only three hours of workshop in any communication area toward the communication degree.

4133* BROADCAST MANAGEMENT, 3 hours credit
Intensive investigations into station management functions, advertising and sales, network and labor relations, internal organizational structures, operational procedures, budget planning, and government regulations. Lecture 3 hours.

4333* CORPORATE VIDEO, 3 hours credit
Theory and uses of video in business and industry including writing, planning, and production, as well as television programs for instructional and corporate applications. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours. Prerequisite: RTV 2313.

4343* GRAPHICS FOR VIDEO PRODUCTION, 3 hours credit
An examination of the principles, procedures, and techniques used in creating graphics for video production. While special emphasis is placed on graphics creation for the television medium, students will explore the use of graphics for non-broadcast applications such as distance or adaptive learning. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours. Prerequisites: RTV 2313 and RTV 3323.

4923 RADIO/TELEVISION INTERNSHIP, 3 hours credit
Supervised work experience in a professional setting which relates to the student's career objectives. The internship will allow practical experience in radio/television. May be repeated for a maximum of six hours. Prerequisites: Upper division standing and department permission.

4941-3* SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-3 hours credit
Directed individual or group study of selectee topic(s) in broadcasting. The course may be repeated for credit up to 6 hours. Prerequisite: Junior standing.

* Liberal arts and sciences course.