Undergraduate Courses Offered
The following is a list of all Communication courses offered. To check the availability of any particular course, refer to the UWM Schedule of Classes or the UWM Academic Catalog.
Basic concepts for understanding communication in interpersonal relationships. Combines a theoretical approach with a skills approach to the study of interpersonal communication.
Prerequisites: none.
General Education Requirements: SS
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Summer 2020, Spring 2020.
Principles of public address in informative, persuasive and special occasion situations with emphasis on the theory, composition, and presentation of speeches.
Prerequisites: none.
General Education Requirements: HU
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Summer 2020, Spring 2020.
Analysis and application of communication principles and practices (interpersonal communication, teamwork issues, public speaking, technological communication) fundamental to successful participation in organizational and professional activities.
Prerequisites: none.
General Education Requirements: SS
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Summer 2020, Spring 2020.
Specific topics are announced in the Schedule of Classes each time the class is offered.
Prerequisites: none.
General Education Requirements: HU
Course Rules: Open only to freshmen. Students may earn cr in just one L&S First-Year Sem (course numbers 192, 193, 194).
Last Taught: Fall 2016, Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013.
Independent study under the supervision of an appropriate faculty or staff member. For further information, consult dept chair.
Prerequisites: 2.0 GPA; consent of instructor, department chair, and Assistant Dean for Student Academic Services.
Course Rules: May be retaken to 6 cr max.
Last Taught: Fall 2014, Fall 2013, Spring 2010, Fall 2009.
The purposes and basic processes of communication.
Prerequisites: none
Last Taught: Spring 2012, Fall 2010, Fall 2009.
Theory and research in fundamental concepts, antecedents, consequences, and effects of human communication; emphasis on range of approaches to the study of human communication.
Prerequisites: soph st; Commun 101(P).
Last Taught: Spring 2009, Spring 1998, Fall 1997, Spring 1997.
Designed specifically to increase students' understanding of and proficiency in various techniques and modes of persuasive speaking.
Prerequisites: Commun 103(P).
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Spring 2006, Fall 2005, Fall 1993.
Application of communication research and theory to the understanding of communication with, about, and among older adults.
Prerequisites: none
Last Taught: Fall 2020, Fall 2019, Fall 2018, Fall 2017.
Research experience under the supervision of a member of the Commun faculty.
Prerequisites: Commun 200(P); 3.00 overall gpa; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req; writ cons instr.
Course Rules: Offered as cr/no cr only. May be retaken to 6 cr max, w/3 cr max from any one faculty member.
Last Taught: Spring 2019, Fall 2016, Spring 2016, Fall 2015.
Undergraduate research participation in a project developed with a supervising member of the faculty or staff.
Prerequisites: acceptance to UROP; prior or conc reg in UROP seminar.
Course Rules: One credit for 45 hrs research. May be retaken to 9 cr max in any combination of UROP apprenticeship courses. Not open to jrs & srs.
Last Taught: Spring 2013, Fall 2011, Spring 2011, Fall 2010.
Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content, and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared program course work.
Prerequisites: acceptance for Study Abroad Prog.
Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic.
Last Taught: Fall 2019, Spring 2019, Fall 2018, Spring 2018.
Field experience in profit/nonprofit organization; course examines professional communication issues.
Prerequisites: 2.0 gpa overall; writ cons internship dir.
Course Rules: May be retaken to 6 cr max. Offered as cr/no cr only.
Last Taught: Summer 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016, Summer 2016.
Course created expressly for offering in a specified enrollment period. Requires only dept & assoc dean approval. In exceptional circumstances, can be offered in one add'l sem.
Prerequisites: none; add'l prereqs may be assigned to specific topic.
Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic.
Focuses on information-getting interviews. Discussion, practice, and analysis of interviewer effects, setting, question form, sequence, and wording.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of English Composition competency req.
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Spring 2020, Fall 2019.
Focused analysis of the processes involved in face to face communication, includes the examination of the communication variables which define, sustain, or change interpersonal relationships.
Prerequisites: jr st; Commun 101(P); satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Spring 2020, Fall 2019.
Factors affecting structure and function of communication in organizations. Emphasis on concepts and principles enhancing effective management of communication processes.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req; or cons instr.
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Spring 2020, Fall 2019.
Examination of communication related to leadership theory, practice, processes, and outcomes.
Prerequisites: jr st.
Last Taught: Spring 2020.
Examination of the actual and potential role of technology in facilitating satisfying communication relationships.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req; or cons instr.
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Summer 2020, Spring 2020.
Reviews theory and research in nonverbal aspects of human communication. Consideration of specific research in such areas as proxemics, kinesics, paralanguage, interpretation of nonverbal messages.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Spring 2020, UWinteriM 2020.
Analysis of communication processes in groups and teams; includes examination of theories and research findings; addresses group and team participation and decision-making skills.
Prerequisites: jr st; Commun 105(P); satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req; or cons instr.
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Summer 2020, Fall 2019.
Theory and practice of instructional communication methods used to train employees of profit and nonprofit organizations.
Prerequisites: jr st; Commun 103(P) or 105(P); satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Last Taught: Spring 2018, Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016.
Nature, development, and applications of criticism, with major emphasis on contemporary communication situations.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of Oral and Written Communication Part A GER.
General Education Requirements: OWCB
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Summer 2020, Spring 2020.
Overview of U.S. intercultural communication, including communication issues for interracial and interethnic communication.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
General Education Requirements: CD, SS
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Summer 2020, Spring 2020.
The theory and practice of argumentation with emphasis on critical thinking, argument analysis, and preparation of policy and evaluative arguments.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
General Education Requirements: HU
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Spring 2020, Fall 2019.
Investigation of the relationship between communication and the processes of human conflicts. Focus upon the nature and origin of human conflict and communicative strategies which may be used to manage conflict situations.
Prerequisites: jr st; Commun 101(P); satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Summer 2020, Spring 2020.
Simulation-based, interactive workshop on improving student's understanding of the negotiation process; building communicative effectiveness as a negotiator in various business and personal contexts.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Last Taught: Spring 2020, Fall 2019, Fall 2018, Fall 2017.
Concepts, strategies and methods in the quantitative assessment of problems in the study of human communication as a behavioral science.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of Quantitative Literacy, Part A GER.
General Education Requirements: QLB
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Spring 2020, Fall 2019.
Concepts, strategies, and methods in the qualitative, social-scientific study of human communication. Emphasis on interviews, focus groups, and participant observation.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of Oral & Written Communication Part A GER.
General Education Requirements: OWCB
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Summer 2019, Summer 2017, Summer 2015.
Topics related to current social problems and communication.
Prerequisites: soph st; Honors 200(P); cons Honors College dir.
Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic to 9 cr max.
Last Taught: Spring 2000, Fall 1997.
Theory and process of health communication at multiple levels: individual, social network, organizational, community, and societal. Current research in health communication.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req; or cons instr.
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Summer 2020, UWinteriM 2020.
Social scientific approach to the study of communication in marital/family relationships. Examination of theory and research concerning communication processes in marital/family relationships.
Prerequisites: jr st; Commun 101(P); satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Last Taught: Fall 2020, Summer 2020, Spring 2020, UWinteriM 2020.
Course focuses on interactive relationships between gender, communication, and culture; in particular, the ways in which communication creates and perpetuates gendered identities and gendered interaction.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Spring 2020, Fall 2019.
Conceptual and analytical consideration of communication consequences and needs related to technological assimilation and designing work environments.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Spring 2020, Fall 2019.
Critical exploration and analysis of the internet as a communication phenomenon.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Last Taught: Fall 2020, Summer 2014, Spring 2013, Spring 2012.
Key issues in decision making and creativity at various organizational levels and across different decision making domains.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req; or cons instr.
Last Taught: Spring 2012, Fall 2011.
A survey of rhetorical theory in western thinking since ancient Greece.
Prerequisites: jr st; Commun 103(P); satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Last Taught: Fall 2018, Fall 2007, Fall 2004, Fall 2002.
Recent American and European theories of rhetoric as a dimension of human communication.
Prerequisites: jr st; Commun 103(P); satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Last Taught: Fall 2010, Spring 2008, Spring 2006, Spring 2005.
Current legal and regulatory issues that involve freedom of speech.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Last Taught: Spring 2012, Fall 2010, Summer 2010, Spring 2010.
Theories, research methods, and communication issues in cross-cultural, international interactions.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Summer 2020, Spring 2020.
Theory and research in argumentation and persuasion and application in the legal process.
Prerequisites: jr st; Commun 103(P) or 362(262)(P); satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Last Taught: Fall 2007, Fall 2005, Fall 2004, Fall 2003.
Consideration of principles and methods of persuasion, with practice in the analysis and preparation of persuasive messages.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Summer 2020, Spring 2020.
Rhetoric of radical movements in the United States including the American Revolution, the abolitionist and free love movements, Black Nationalism, women's liberation, and contemporary radical movements.
Prerequisites: jr st.
Course Rules: Counts as repeat of Commun 651 w/similar topic.
Last Taught: Spring 2014, Spring 2011.
Rhetorical analysis and historical survey of public and persuasive discourse by African Americans from the early nineteenth through the twenty-first century.
Prerequisites: soph st and satisfaction of OWC-A.
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Spring 2020.
Rhetoric of women's rights and its relationship to equality and participation.
Prerequisites: jr st.
Course Rules: Counts as repeat of Commun 651 w/similar topic.
Last Taught: Spring 2012.
Theory and practice of health communication at the interpersonal level, including such topics as personal relationships, provider-patient interaction, technology, and interpersonal education and prevention.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req; or cons instr.
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Fall 2019, Fall 2018, Spring 2012.
Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content, and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared program course work.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req; acceptance for Study Abroad Prog.
Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic.
Last Taught: Spring 2020, Fall 2019.
Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content, and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared program course work.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req; acceptance for Study Abroad Prog.
Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic.
Last Taught: Spring 2020, Fall 2019.
Course created expressly for offering in a specified enrollment period. Requires only dept & assoc dean approval. In exceptional circumstances, can be offered in one add'l sem.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req; add'l prereqs may be assigned to specific topic.
Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic.
Models, theories, and contexts of relational communication between people from different nation states, viewed from interpersonal, small group, organizational, and rhetorical perspectives.
Prerequisites: jr st; Commun 350(P) or 450(P); satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req; or cons instr.
Last Taught: Fall 2020.
Models, theories, and contexts of relational communication between people from different nation states, viewed from interpersonal, small group, organizational, and rhetorical perspectives.
Prerequisites: jr st; Commun 350(P) or 450(P); satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req; or cons instr.
Last Taught: Fall 2020.
Theories, strategies, and methods in the design of health promotional and disease prevention interventions. Development of ethical and culturally responsive communication strategies.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req; or cons instr.
Last Taught: Spring 2008.
Advanced research experience under the supervision of a member of the Commun faculty.
Prerequisites: jr st; commun major or minor; 3.00 overall gpa; Commun 200(P), 335(P), or 370(P); satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req; writ cons instr.
Course Rules: Offered as cr/no cr only. May be retaken to 6 cr max, w/3 cr max from any one faculty member.
Last Taught: Spring 2019, Spring 2018, Fall 2016, Spring 2016.
Prerequisites: jr st; declared commun major or minor; 3.00 gpa in Commun; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req; writ cons instr.
Course Rules: May be retaken to 6 cr max, with max of 3 cr from any one faculty member.
Last Taught: Spring 2010, Fall 2009, Fall 2007, Spring 2007.
Theory/methods in designing/developing communication courses/programs for academic (college)/organizational (training) environments. Students design/develop instructional materials for online and/or onsite delivery.
Prerequisites: jr st; 9 cr Commun 300-level or above; declared Commun or BAOA major; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req; or cons instr.
Last Taught: Fall 2005, Spring 2003.
Theory/methods in designing/developing communication courses/programs for academic (college)/organizational (training) environments. Students design/develop instructional materials for online and/or onsite delivery.
Prerequisites: jr st; 9 cr Commun 300-level or above; declared Commun or BAOA major; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req; or cons instr.
Last Taught: Fall 2005, Spring 2003.
Research-oriented approaches to interpersonal communication/conflict management. Specific topics announced in Schedule of Classes when course is offered.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic to 9 cr max.
Last Taught: Spring 2008, Fall 2007.
Research-oriented approaches to organizational/professional communication. Specific topics announced Schedule of Classes when course is offered.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic to 9 cr max.
Last Taught: Spring 2010, Fall 2009, Spring 2009, Fall 2002.
Research-oriented approaches to rhetorical/public communication. Specific topics announced in Schedule of Classes when course is offered.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic to 9 cr max.
Last Taught: Fall 2009, Fall 2007, Spring 2002.
Theories and research related to the role of communication in cultural adjustment processes, cultural training, and evaluation of training.
Prerequisites: jr st; Commun 350(P) or 450(P); satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req; or cons instr.
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Spring 2009.
Theories and research related to the role of communication in cultural adjustment processes, cultural training, and evaluation of training.
Prerequisites: jr st; Commun 350(P) or 450(P); satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req; or cons instr.
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Spring 2009.
Applying theory and principles from across the major to a focused learning experience.
Prerequisites: sr st; 9 crs Commun 300-level or above; declared Commun major; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req; or cons instr.
Course Rules: May not be retaken for cr, but may be repeated for higher grade.
Last Taught: Spring 2007, Fall 2006, Spring 2006, Fall 2005.
Taught in seminar format.
Prerequisites: sr st; 9 crs Commun 300-level or above; declared Commun major; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req; or cons instr.
Course Rules: May not be retaken for cr, but may be repeated for higher grade.
Last Taught: Spring 2005, Fall 2004, Spring 2004, Fall 2003.
Course focuses on learning about the mediation process, related theories, and its application in a variety of contexts. Students receive twenty hours of mediation training.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Last Taught: Spring 2020.
Course focuses on learning about the mediation process, related theories, and its application in a variety of contexts. Students receive twenty hours of mediation training.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Last Taught: Spring 2020.
Selected great speakers and their speeches on major issues in American history.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Last Taught: Fall 2019.
Selected great speakers and their speeches on major issues in American history.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Last Taught: Fall 2019.
The role of communication in both maintaining and challenging social structures and hierarchies.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Last Taught: Fall 2020.
The role of communication in both maintaining and challenging social structures and hierarchies.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Last Taught: Fall 2020.
The various forms of international mediatory activity employed to bring sustainable peace to areas gripped by ethnic and social conflict.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req; or cons instr.
Last Taught: Spring 2014, Spring 2013.
The various forms of international mediatory activity employed to bring sustainable peace to areas gripped by ethnic and social conflict.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req; or cons instr.
Last Taught: Spring 2014, Spring 2013.
Communication issues surrounding education and prevention of HIV infection both in the United States and across the world.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Last Taught: Spring 2012, Fall 2011.
Communication issues surrounding education and prevention of HIV infection both in the United States and across the world.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
Last Taught: Spring 2012, Fall 2011.
Field experience in a profit/nonprofit organization; course examines professional communication issues.
Prerequisites: jr st; declared Commun major or approved program of sudy; 9 cr Commun 300-level or above; 2.5 overall gpa; satisfaction of GER English Composition and Math competency reqs; writ cons internship dir.
Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in organization to 6 cr max.
Last Taught: Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Summer 2020, Spring 2020.
Advanced independent work under the supervision of a Commun faculty or instructional academic staff member. Students must submit a study proposal. For more information, consult dept dir of undergrad stds.
Prerequisites: jr st; 2.0 GPA; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency requirement; consent of instructor, department chair, and Assistant Dean for Student Academic Services.
Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic.
Last Taught: Spring 2018, Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Summer 2014.
Specialized Courses: Variable Content and Independent Study
In addition to offering standard coursework, the Department of Communication offers undergraduates opportunities for specialized study.
Variable Content Courses
The content of the following varies each semester. Specific topics are announced in the Schedule of Classes:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMMUN 192 | First-Year Seminar: | 3 |
| COMMUN 631 | Current Topics in Interpersonal Communication/Conflict Management: | 3 |
| COMMUN 641 | Current Topics in Organizational/Professional Communication: | 3 |
| COMMUN 651 | Current Topics in Rhetorical/Public Communication: | 3 |
| COMMUN 660 | Communication Capstone Seminar: | 3 |
| COMMUN 662 | Seminar in Communication: | 3 |
Independent Study Courses
These courses offer students the opportunity to work and study on a one-on-one basis with a faculty member. Students interested in taking any of the following should contact an individual faculty member to determine the faculty member's willingness to sponsor the enrollment:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMMUN 199 | Independent Study | 1-3 |
| COMMUN 288 | Research Practicum | 1-3 |
| COMMUN 588 | Research Practicum | 1-3 |
| COMMUN 597 | Practicum in Teaching Communication | 1-3 |
| COMMUN 699 | Advanced Independent Reading | 1-3 |
Cross-listed Courses
The following courses offered by other academic units may be used to fulfill the requirements of the undergraduate major and minor in communication:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGLISH 209 | Language in the United States | 3 |
| ENGLISH 430 | Advanced Writing Workshop | 3 |
| PEACEST 203 | Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies | 3 |
Related Courses
The following courses offered by the Department of English may be of interest to students in communication but may not be used to fulfill requirements of the major and minor:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGLISH 205 | Business Writing | 3 |
| ENGLISH 206 | Technical Writing | 3 |
| ENGLISH 435 | Rhetoric and Professional Writing | 3 |
| ENGLISH 436 | Technical Documentation | 3 |