Courses Taught

COMM 1100 – Human Communication

This course is a broad approach to oral communication skills including intrapersonal, interpersonal, small group, and public speaking.

COMM 1110 – Public Speaking

The organization of materials and the vocal and physical aspects of delivery in various speaking situations.

COMM 2020 – Communication Sources and Investigations

This course introduces the approaches and paradigms used in communication research. Emphasis is placed on locating, reviewing, and evaluating communication research studies found in academic publications; the basic structure and function of a literature review; and communication research ethics. This course provides practical experience using the American Psychological Association formatting style.

COMM 2240 – Communication Law, Ethics, and Diversity

COMM 2240 provides an overview of law, ethics and diversity in mass media. It examines the basics of freedom of expression and press laws in the United States including freedom of information and access to government records. The course analyzes several approaches to ethics in media, journalism and public relations.  It also examines diversity in media, journalism and public relations.

MENT 3100 – Fundamentals of Media and Entertainment

This course is an introduction to media and entertainment studies. “Media studies” topics include not only media institutions, but also the context, history, and economics of media; meaning and ideology; effects on audience behavior; public life; and globalization. “Entertainment” focuses on any communication function used for entertainment purposes, including television, film, music, video games, sports, travel/tourism, museums, and theme parks. This course will address the history, challenges, trends, and career options in these areas.

MENT 4424 – Uses and Effects of Mass Media

This course examines research findings and commentary about mass media impact and use in the United States. An exploration of what mass media “do” to users and what users “do” with the mass media, and why these effects and uses are thought to occur. This course is useful for students interested in graduate work in mass media, professional media careers, media literacy, or more conscientious use of mass media and awareness of possible effects on themselves or others.

MENT 4436 – Topics in Entertainment Studies (Introduction to Digital Literacy)

This course is designed to familiar students with the five (5) major dimensions of digital literacy which include decoding (familiarity with the structures and conventions of digital media), meaning making (understanding the content, style, and purpose of digital text), using (ability to deploy digital tools appropriately and effectively for the current task), analysis (ability to to make informed judgments and choices in the digital domain), and persona (understanding of and sensitivity to reputation, identity, and membership to different groups within a digital context).