Communication

class of students meeting on the lawn on UAF campus

College of Liberal Arts
Department of Communication
907-474-6591 

Department of Communication

B.A., Communication 

The communication program teaches students to communicate effectively and ethically in a rapidly changing world characterized by diversity in gender, culture and belief. It offers a comprehensive background in the discipline in preparation for employment or further education. Students majoring in other disciplines find communication electives valuable additions to their programs.

The program is both theoretical and pragmatic, designed to prepare students for the professional workplace or for advanced study.

Communication courses are available online and in the classroom.

Minimum Requirements for Communication Bachelor's Degree: 120 credits

Learn more about the bachelor’s degree in communication, including an overview of the program, career opportunities and more.


 


Accelerated B.A., Communication/M.A., Professional Communication

The accelerated B.A. in Communication/M.A. in Professional Communication allows students to accelerate through a traditional undergraduate communication concentration to begin completing core M.A. classes during their undergraduate years. Accelerated B.A./M.A. students also take two core undergraduate courses and two undergraduate elective courses at the graduate level. 

The accelerated B.A. Communication/M.A. Professional Communication builds foundational knowledge and provides practical application to teach students to communicate effectively and ethically in a rapidly changing world characterized by diversity in gender, culture and belief. Through coursework, research and service to the department, students develop a comprehensive background in the communication discipline, preparing them for employment or further education at the doctoral level. The B.A. Communication/M.A. Professional Communication also provides advanced education for individuals pursuing communication-related careers in public/nonprofit organizations, media organizations, healthcare organizations or higher education. 

The program is both theoretically and pragmatically oriented to prepare students for the professional workplace or doctoral study in communication.

Minimum Requirements for Accelerated Communication B.A./Professional Communication M.A. Degree: 138 credits

 

M.A., Professional Communication

The communication program prepares students to handle the challenges of communicating effectively and ethically in a rapidly changing world characterized by diversity in gender, cultural background and belief.

The M.A. in professional communication provides advanced education for individuals in or pursuing communication-related careers in public/nonprofit organizations, media organizations, healthcare organizations or higher education. Courses in Communication acknowledge that communication occurs between people who are diverse in a variety of ways, such as gender identity, cultural background and beliefs, and that such diversity is becoming increasingly apparent in an ever more complex and interdependent global society. The program is both theoretically and pragmatically oriented to prepare students for the professional workplace or for doctoral study in organizations.

Minimum Requirements for Professional Communication M.A. Degree: 33 credits


Minor, Science and Environmental Communication

The Science and Environmental Communication minor challenges students to consider how communication about science and the environment influences and shapes our understanding of the world around us. Students minoring in science and environmental communication will develop the skills necessary to work in careers such as science and environmental education, health communication, sustainability or policy development, and more.

Minimum Requirements for Science and Environmental Communication Minor: 15 credits


Courses

Communication (COM)

COM F121X      Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
3 Credits

Offered Fall, Spring and Summer

This course features the fundamental principles of effective oral communication, emphasizing interpersonal communication as well as public speaking. Through role playing, speeches and evaluations of other speakers, students explore the complexities of communication in today's society.

Attributes: UAF GER Oral Communication

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F131X      Fundamentals of Oral Communication: Group Context
3 Credits

Offered Fall, Spring and Summer

Presentational speaking skills: individual and group. Includes verbal/nonverbal skills, critical thinking in selecting and organizing materials, audience analysis and speaking presentation. Group skills include task and relational interaction, required interdependence, working across cultural differences, group decision-making and shared logistics of presentation. Student evaluations are based on nationally normed speaking competencies.

Attributes: UAF GER Oral Communication

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F141X      Fundamentals of Oral Communication: Public Context
3 Credits

Offered Fall, Spring and Summer

Speaking skills for individual presentation. Includes verbal and nonverbal skills, critical thinking in selecting and organizing materials, audience analysis, informative and persuasive speaking, and actual presentations. Student evaluations are based on nationally normed speaking competencies.

Attributes: UAF GER Oral Communication

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F181      Introduction to Communication Theory      (s)
3 Credits

Offered Spring

Students explore a range of communication theories. The course is organized into six units: (1) Overview, (2) Intrapsychic Communication, (3) Interpersonal Communication, (4) Group Communication, (5) Organizational Communication, and (6) Public Communication. Students also examine different methodological approaches to the study of communication theory.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F210      Argumentation and Critical Thinking
3 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

Introduction to argumentation, emphasizing the process of constructing and evaluating sound arguments based on reasoning, evidence, and strategy.

Prerequisites: WRTG F111X.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F211      Introduction to Science Communication: Theory & Practice
3 Credits

Offered Fall

This course provides an introduction to science communication theories, empirical research, contexts and practices. Students are challenged to develop an understanding of science communication as a discipline and practice.

Prerequisites: COM F121X, COM F131X or COM F141X.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F220      Professional Interviewing
3 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

The theory and practice of methods in selected interview settings: emphasis on interpersonal communication between two persons, questioning techniques, and the logical and psychological bases of interpersonal persuasion.

Prerequisites: WRTG F111X.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F300X      Communicating Ethics      (h)
3 Credits

Offered Fall, Spring and Summer

An examination of ethical choices which are communicated in everyday encounters. Examines human moral development from a variety of perspectives, including feminist interpretations. Creation and communication of human values explored through the discussion of a series of contemporary dilemmas.

Prerequisites: Placement in WRTG F111X; junior standing.

Attributes: UAF GER Ethics Req

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F312      Science Communication & the Environment
3 Credits

Offered Spring

Students will explore the internal and external communication factors that influence our understanding of and relationship with science and the environment.

Prerequisites: COM F211.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F313      Science & Intersectionality: Race, Gender and Sexuality
3 Credits

Offered Fall Even-numbered Years

This course introduces students to the complex factors that impact our experience in and connection to science and the environment. Using intersectionality as the framework to guide the discussion, students will consider critical aspects of self, including gender, race, sexuality and disability status.

Prerequisites: COM F121X, COM F131X or COM F141X; COM F211.

Crosslisted with WGS F313.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F321      Nonverbal Communication      (s)
3 Credits

Offered Spring Even-numbered Years

Non-lexical behavior in human communication, including consideration of space, physical environment, physical appearance and dress, kinesics, facial expression and non-lexical vocal behavior.

Prerequisites: Any lower-division communication course; WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F330      Intercultural Communication      (s)
3 Credits

Offered Spring

The nature and sources of problems in communication that may arise when persons with different cultural backgrounds interact. Emphasis on problems in intercultural communication in Alaska.

Prerequisites: Any lower-division communication course.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F331      Leadership & Team Dynamics      (s)
3 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

Current research and theory in intergroup and intragroup relations. Topics include the study of leadership, power, group structure, participation and conflict.

Prerequisites: COM F131X, COM F141X; any lower-division communication course.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F351      Communication and the Military
3 Credits

Offered Spring

In this course, students will explore the military as a context for understanding how communication (dys)functions and the impact on service members, intimate partner relationships, parent-child relationships and interactions with the civilian world.

Prerequisites: COM F121X, COM F131X or COM F141X.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F352      Family Communication      (s)
3 Credits

Offered Fall

Exploration of the functions of communication in marriage and the family, sequences and patterns of family communication, family communication as a continual process of coping with dialectical tensions, and the complexity of changing family life in Western societies.

Prerequisites: Any lower-division communication course.

Recommended: COM F422.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F353      Conflict, Mediation and Communication      (s)
3 Credits

Offered Fall

Examines conflict as a complex communication event, together with the role of the mediator in building constructive outcomes in conflicts. Emphasis on developing skills to engage in mediation.

Prerequisites: Any F100-level communication course.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F356      Gender and Communication
3 Credits

Offered Fall

Basic socialization differences exist in the communication practices of women and men in every culture, resulting in differing cultural constructions of male and female gender. Those differences are addressed in interpersonal, organizational and cultural contexts. Explores cultural female/male dichotomy as well as individual similarities.

Cross-listed with WGS F351.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F380      Women, Minorities and the Media      (h)
3 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

Basic socialization differences that exist in the communication practices of women and men in every culture are addressed in the interpersonal organizational and cultural contexts. Examination of how women and minorities are portrayed in the mass media, the employment of women and minorities in the media, as well as how.

Prerequisites: COM F131X or COM F141X; junior standing.

Cross-listed with WGS F380.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F400      Professional Internship
1-3 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

Practical training in a supervised, professional media environment. Participation at an approved publication, TV or radio station, or other media- or communication-related office agency, organization or business is required.

Prerequisites: Senior standing.

Cross-listed with JOUR F400.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 6 + 0

COM F401      Quantitative Research Methods in Communication      (s)
3 Credits

Offered Fall

Quantitative research methodologies employed in the conduct of research on communication phenomena.

Prerequisites: Any F300-level communication course; senior standing.

Stacked with COM F601.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F410      Public Engagement in Science Communication
3 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

This class offers both theory and practice for public engagement with science (PES). Students will design, execute and evaluate the effectiveness of a PES event and activity using the Theory of Change.

Prerequisites: COM F121X, COM F131X or COM F141X; COM F211.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F422      Communication in Interpersonal Relationships      (s)
3 Credits

Offered Spring

COM F422/F622 explores and emphasizes the ongoing co-construction of the relationship as communicative action. Topics include interpersonal relationships generally, patterns of coming together, relationship maintenance, relational and personal growth in relationships and relational conflict from a variety of paradigmatic and ontological positions.

Prerequisites: WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X.

Stacked with COM F622.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F425      Communication Theory      (s)
3 Credits

Offered Fall

COM F425/F625 explores theories of human communication, to acquaint students with the historical evolution of the discipline. Topics covered include the nature of communication as a discipline, critical and scientific inquiry and major paradigms or perspectives within which communication theories are created.

Prerequisites: Any lower division COM course.

Stacked with COM F625.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F431      Public Relations Campaigns
3 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

This course focuses on the application of public relations principles and practices, which is the research, planning and execution of the public relations campaign. It includes public relations writing for news releases and press kits, radio, television, and cable production, web and new technologies production, writing for newsletters and magazines.

Prerequisites: ABUS F263.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F432      Professional Public Speaking
3 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

Professional clear effective speaking. Uses evaluation criteria and assignments to build speaking competencies. Professional preparation for students whose career path includes public speaking.

Prerequisites: COM F131X or COM F141X; senior standing.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F433      Public Relations Theory and Practice
3 Credits

Offered Fall

Public Relations Theory and Practice examines current theoretical, methodological and practical approaches guiding public relations research and practice. Topics explored in this course include foundational public relations theories, critical perspectives of public relations, as well as theories within the many subdisciplines of public relations research.

Prerequisites: COM F121X, COM F131X or COM F141X; COM F181; COM F330; COM F356.

Stacked with COM F633.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F435      Political Media and Discourses of the American Right      (s)
3 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

This class uses "hands-on" discourse analytic techniques of student-collected media data in order to examine whether or not there is a unified rhetorical style associated with the American Right; the nature of the relationship between a message, its form and persuasion; and how moral stance are taken in political contexts.

Prerequisites: COM F131X or COM F141X; WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X.

Cross-listed with ANTH F435; LING F435.

Stacked with ANTH F635; COM F635; LING F635.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F441      Persuasion      (s)
3 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

Examination of communication situations which involve attempts to modify the beliefs, attitudes, values, intentions or behaviors of another individual or group of individuals. Explores the process, methods and ethics of attempts to affect change via persuasive communication.

Prerequisites: any F300-level communication course.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F442      Strategic Interviewing for the Career You Want
1 Credit

Offered Fall and Spring

Provides a practical one-credit, career-focused online asynchronous experience for students. Students will gain the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to research and understand what organizations are looking for in hiring, the dynamics of the interview process, and communication aptitudes and skills that distinguish top candidates.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F445      Organizational Communication      (s)
3 Credits

Offered Fall

Examines current foundational theoretical and methodological approaches to the construction of organizations via communication. Acknowledging historical, cultural and structural contexts, this course includes functional (message flow) as well as interpretive (metaphor, narrative) approaches to the study of organizational communication.

Prerequisites: COM F131X or COM F141X; any lower-division communication course.

Stacked with COM F645.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F462      Communication in Health Contexts      (s)
3 Credits

Offered Spring

Communication within the context of the healthcare exchange. Problems in health communication examined as well as how problems are complicated by aspects of diversity. Communication between healthcare professionals, between healthcare providers and healthcare consumers. Apply theory by designing, launching and evaluating the effectiveness of health campaigns.

Prerequisites: Any F300-level communication course; WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X.

Stacked with COM F642.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F467      Communication Activism, Advocacy and Social Movements
3 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

This course will delve into activism and social change from a local and global perspective in order to enhance students’ perspectives of social change as it manifests via communication. This course will also introduce and analyze activist rhetoric, strategies for social justice and methods for communicative organizing.

Prerequisites: COM F121X, COM F131X or COM F141X.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F475      Applied Communication in Training and Development      (s)
3 Credits

Offered Fall Even-numbered Years

Applies communication theory and research to organizational settings. Includes the identification and assessment of problems and opportunities that would benefit from the application of communication interventions including training, development and transformation technologies.

Prerequisites: Any F300-level communication course; WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F482      Capstone Seminar in Communication      (s)
3 Credits

Offered Spring

Original research to demonstrate ability to read and understand social research, synthesize information, formalize a research question and use research skills. This senior capstone course requires a research project presented in a public speaking forum.

Prerequisites: COM F131X or COM F141X; COM F401; WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F492      Seminar
1-6 Credits

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1-6 + 0 + 0

COM F498      Undergraduate Research
3 Credits

Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0

COM F600      Introduction to Professional Communication
3 Credits

Offered Fall

An introduction to professional practices important to communication careers. Professional writing and editing methods and techniques used in academic and/or professional careers. Development and presentation of professional reports, which would include quantitatively- and qualitatively-based support. A.P.A. style guide will be covered.

Prerequisites: Enrollment in M.A. in Professional Communication.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F601      Quantitative Research Methods in Communication
3 Credits

Offered Fall

Quantitative research methodologies employed in the conduct of research on communication phenomena.

Stacked with COM F401.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F602      Communication Research Methodologies: Human Science
3 Credits

Offered Spring

An introduction to research using a constructionist epistemology and the methodologies of the human science contexture. Includes evaluation and preparation of research using a variety of methodologies and to employ the data collection techniques that are implied by those methodologies.

Prerequisites: COM F601; COM F625.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F622      Communication in Interpersonal Relationships
3 Credits

Offered Spring

COM F422/F622 explores and emphasizes the ongoing co-construction of the relationship as communicative action. Topics include interpersonal relationships generally, patterns of coming together, relationship maintenance, relational and personal growth in relationships and relational conflict from a variety of paradigmatic and ontological positions.

Prerequisites: Enrollment in M.A. in Professional Communication degree.

Stacked with COM F422.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F625      Communication Theory
3 Credits

Offered Fall

COM F425/F625 explores theories of human communication, to acquaint students with the historical evolution of the discipline. Topics covered include the nature of communication as a discipline, critical and scientific inquiry and major paradigms or perspectives within which communication theories are created.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing.

Stacked with COM F425.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F631      Teambuilding
3 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

Small group communication theory and methods linked to professional applications. Ways to create, maintain and reward productive work teams. Face-to-face and mediated group sessions will be discussed as well as the impact of professional work groups on organizational teambuilding.

Prerequisites: COM F600.

Recommended: COM F625.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F633      Public Relations Theory and Practice
3 Credits

Offered Fall

Public Relations Theory and Practice examines current theoretical, methodological and practical approaches guiding public relations research and practice. Topics explored in this course include foundational public relations theories, critical perspectives of public relations, as well as theories within the many subdisciplines of public relations research.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing.

Stacked with COM F433.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F635      Political Media and Discourses of the American Right
3 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

This class uses "hands-on" discourse analytic techniques of student-collected media data in order to examine whether or not there is a unified rhetorical style associated with the American Right; the nature of the relationship between a message, its form and persuasion; and how moral stance are taken in political contexts.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing.

Cross-listed with ANTH F635; LING F635.

Stacked with ANTH F435; COM F435; LING F435.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F642      Communication in Health Contexts
3 Credits

Offered Spring

Communication within the context of the healthcare exchange. Problems in health communication examined as well as how problems are complicated by aspects of diversity. Communication between healthcare professionals, between healthcare providers and healthcare consumers. Apply theory by designing, launching and evaluating the effectiveness of health campaigns.

Prerequisites: Enrollment in M.A. in Professional Communication degree.

Stacked with COM F462.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F645      Organizational Communication
3 Credits

Offered Fall

Examines current foundational theoretical and methodological approaches to the construction of organizations via communication. Acknowledging historical, cultural and structural contexts, this course includes functional (message flow) as well as interpretive (metaphor, narrative) approaches to the study of organizational communication.

Stacked with COM F445.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F661      Mentored Teaching in Communication
1 Credit

Offered Fall and Spring

Mentored teaching provides consistent contact on course-related issues between teaching assistants and mentoring faculty. May be repeated up to four times for credit.

Prerequisites: Enrollment in M.A. in Professional Communication; award of teaching assistantship in communication.

Special Notes: Teaching assistants are required to be enrolled in a mentoring teaching section while teaching.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 0 + 0

COM F675      Training and Development Communication
3 Credits

Offered Fall Even-numbered Years

Training and Development Communication offers students practical, current understandings of planned training, development and transformation processes as they are applied in the organizational setting. The information and class projects will help prepare training and development specialists, consultants and others whose interest is in this growing communication field.

Prerequisites: Enrollment in M.A. in Professional Communication degree.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F680      Communication and Diversity in the Professional World
3 Credits

Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years

Case study methods applied to the ever-expanding problems of communication in a changing workplace. The diversity of gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, physical ability, sexual orientation and age are reshaping the professional world at every level and communication professionals are increasingly called upon to formulate ways of accommodating this change.

Prerequisites: Enrollment in M.A. in Professional Communication degree.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F682      Seminar in Communication
3 Credits

Offered Fall and Spring

A variable content seminar intended to give students an opportunity to work closely with communication faculty in the study of topics, ideas or methodologies significant to the communication discipline (e.g., relational conflict, social construction, narrative research, etc.).

Prerequisites: Enrollment in M.A. in Professional Communication degree.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 3 + 0 + 0

COM F692      MFA Seminar
3 Credits

Offered As Demand Warrants

Lecture + Lab + Other: 1 + 4 + 0

COM F698      Non-thesis Research/Project
1-6 Credits

Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0

COM F699      Thesis
1-9 Credits

Every candidate for the communication concentration of the master's degree in professional communication will complete a thesis project. The requirement consists of an original piece of communication research directed by a member of the graduate faculty in the communication department. The completed and accepted thesis will be presented in an appropriate public forum.

Lecture + Lab + Other: 0 + 0 + 0

Faculty

Dr. Amy May

Assistant Professor
Communication

amay11@alaska.edu
BUNN 102
Troth Yeddha' Campus


Dr. Victoria McDermott

Assistant Professor
Communication

vmmcdermott@alaska.edu


Dr. Kevin Sager

Associate Professor
Communication

ksager2@alaska.edu
907-474-5060
Bunnell 101C
Troth Yeddha' Campus