A survey of communication principles and processes as they relate to interpersonal communication, small group communication, culture and communication, persuasion, communication in organizations, and mediated communication.

Provide opportunities for academic and professional development for students in Communication. Topics include student success strategies, finding the right major and minor, internships, networking, career planning, portfolio development, study abroad, etc. Required of all new freshmen in the College of Communication.

Principles and extended practice of rhetorical and stylistic elements of written and oral presentations with emphasis in workplace interactions. Individual work in various oral presentations and writing analysis, including informative, persuasive, celebration and group speeches. Students may not receive credit for both CMST 2300 and COMM 1100.

Surveys the historical, economic and cultural development of the mass media in America. Introduces the theoretic approaches utilized to understand the media's role in society.

Learn the fundamentals of statistics as applied within communication settings in order to prepare for professional careers in communication. Begin with foundational elements and extends to more complex tools for measurement and analysis. Topics include, but are not limited to, sampling, descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, probabilities, hypothesis testing, correlation, normal distributions, regression, chi-square, t-tests, f-tests, data visualization and ethical decision making with data. Use SPSS for analysis.

Taken in their first semester, the one-credit practicum in student media course is tied to five hours per week of work in student media. Students are part of the Live Wire desk, which helps students get access to all areas of the content and engagement opportunities at The Wire. These include all types of storytelling (digital, print, audio, video, creative), community outreach, analytics, and social media. Students wishing to continue working at The Wire, can take additional practicum credits or apply for paid positions within the organization. Students in the practicum report directly to the Director of Student Media and are assigned content weekly from editorial leadership within The Wire.

Students learn the concepts and equipment used to produce television programs, both live-to-air and streaming. Includes instruction in a traditional multi-camera studio and a virtual production studio.

Focuses on exploring the creative process and the impact creativity has on driving innovation across a variety of disciplines including business, engineering, health sciences and the humanities. In this hands-on, experiential course, students learn to work collaboratively and to apply design thinking methodology to solve complex community-based problems and identify solutions. Students practice using a variety of human-centered design problem-solving methods by observing human experience, analyzing challenges and opportunities, and envisioning innovative possibilities.

Introduction to the systematic process of asking and answering questions associated with communication inquiry. Various quantitative and qualitative methodologies are explored which enable students to design, conduct, interpret and evaluate research more critically.

Designed to fill the gap between data science, technology management, and communication, providing students the mindsets and skills to critically analyze, interpret, and communicate data in various contemporary contexts. Students will learn how to create informative data visualizations, interactive data dashboards, and compelling data stories utilizing platforms such as Microsoft Excel, Power BI, and Tableau. Students will obtain data science skills by exploring specific data visualization libraries in Python (e.g., Matplotlib, Seaborn) and R (e.g., ggplot2), thereby broadening their analytical toolkit.

Explores how the law both protects and limits freedom of expression, with a focus on the law’s impact on journalism, advertising, broadcasting, and digital media. Students examine key court cases interpreting the speech and press clauses of the First Amendment, analyze government regulations affecting communication, and apply legal principles to solve real and hypothetical cases. Students critically assess the law, particularly in light of technological change, and develop solutions for balancing free expression with other social goals.

Explore how ethical theories and core values shape media across cultural, social, historical, political and technological contexts. Apply those ideas to real cases from producer and consumer perspectives to build critical and media-literate thinking, grow as principled people and professionals and strengthen responsible, service-oriented and community-minded media practice and use.

History of the comparison among present structures of national media systems and the role of journalism within them. Principles of international news flow, gatekeeping, impact of technology, and the relationship between developing countries. Exploration of various models of press-government relationships.

Builds upon the foundation established in Speaking Data I, focusing on achieving proficiency and competency in data communication. Students will apply advanced techniques in transforming raw data into actionable insights and effectively communicating these insights. The three core modules include: 1) From Spreadsheets to Insights; 2) Making Your Case with Data; 3) Speaking Data with/through AI and Emerging Technologies. Students will work in interdisciplinary groups on a semester-long capstone project using local datasets from the City of Milwaukee Open Data Portal and other sources. Final deliverables will be submitted to relevant government and community leaders.

Students explore how racial and ethnic minorities are portrayed in the media, how media reinforces and/or challenges prejudice, and the effects of this on society and the individual. Surveys various forms of mass media, including but not limited to television, film, news, advertisements and social media.

Explore how media and pop culture shape what gender and sexuality look like, who gets seen, and how stories travel. Trace who frames, who benefits, and who disappears; follow the power from screen to scroll, explore clichés with close reads, remix representations, and publish critiques that spark conversation beyond the classroom.

Explore how media and pop culture shape what gender and sexuality look like, who gets seen, and how stories travel. Trace who frames, who benefits, and who disappears; follow the power from screen to scroll, explore clichés with close reads, remix representations, and publish critiques that spark conversation beyond the classroom.

Staffing, organization, economics, salaries, law, labor negotiations, management of internal crises and community relations in the news media industry. Theoretical and practical approaches to the problems of management in the news business.

How the news media cover politics and how politicians deal with news coverage. Emphasis is on recent presidential campaigns, with special attention to ethical issues, the impact of new media, campaign advertising and strategies used by politicians and journalists.

Draws on books, films, television shows and other elements of popular culture to consider the historical and conceptual foundations of new media technologies and their impact on contemporary culture.

Draws on books, films, television shows and other elements of popular culture to consider the historical and conceptual foundations of new media technologies and their impact on contemporary culture.

Explores the complex relationship between media and the developmental stages of children and adolescents. Focuses on media literacy, educational media, and the effects of media consumption on developmental processes.

Various topics in communication to be announced in the schedule of classes.

Special topics of seminar to be announced in the Schedule of Classes. Variable topics.

0 credit is S/U grade assessment; 1-3 credits are graded.

Diederich Learning Labs are professional workshops on variable topics taught by industry leaders. Topics will be announced in the Schedule of Classes.

Provides students with the opportunity to apply theories, skills, and techniques in communication. S/U grade assessment.

Faculty-supervised, independent study/research of a specific area or topic in Communication.

The application of rigorous methodology in developing and writing a thesis under the direction of an adviser.

History of the comparison among present structures of national media systems and the role of journalism within them. Principles of international news flow, gatekeeping, impact of technology, and the relationship between developing countries. Exploration of various models of press-government relationships.

Students explore how racial and ethnic minorities are portrayed in the media, how media reinforces and/or challenges prejudice, and the effects of this on society and the individual. Surveys various forms of mass media, including but not limited to television, film, news, advertisements and social media.

Explore how media and pop culture shape what gender and sexuality look like, who gets seen, and how stories travel. Trace who frames, who benefits, and who disappears; follow the power from screen to scroll, explore clichés with close reads, remix representations, and publish critiques that spark conversation beyond the classroom.

Staffing, organization, economics, salaries, law, labor negotiations, management of internal crises and community relations in the news media industry. Theoretical and practical approaches to the problems of management in the news business.

How the news media cover politics and how politicians deal with news coverage. Emphasis is on recent presidential campaigns, with special attention to ethical issues, the impact of new media, campaign advertising and strategies used by politicians and journalists.

Draws on books, films, television shows and other elements of popular culture to consider the historical and conceptual foundations of new media technologies and their impact on contemporary culture.

Explores the complex relationship between media and the developmental stages of children and adolescents. Focuses on media literacy, educational media, and the effects of media consumption on developmental processes.

Various topics in communication to be announced in the schedule of classes.

Special topics of seminar to be announced in the Schedule of Classes. Variable topics.

An introduction to communication theory as both intellectual and professional practice, with special attention to how it applies to the study of organizations; media; health, science, and the environment; public life; technology; and relationships.

Explores professional and scholarly applications of research methodologies related to issues and problems in the study of organizations; media; health, science, and the environment; public life; technology; and relationships.

Offers a theoretically grounded exploration of leadership through the lens of communication, focusing on how messages, narratives, and interactions shape leadership practices. Students engage with diverse theoretical frameworks to critically analyze leadership concepts, examine the cultural and ethical assumptions embedded in dominant leadership models, and reflect on inclusive approaches to organizational and social influence. Core topics include communication strategies for motivating and mobilizing groups, ethical decision-making in leadership contexts, and the challenges and opportunities of leading across diverse and multicultural environments.

Explores the ethical and legal dimensions of communication in professional and scholarly contexts. Students engage with major ethical theories and legal doctrines that shape communication practice. Students learn to analyze complex communication problems through both normative and legal frameworks, critically evaluate texts and cases from diverse communicative settings, and articulate reasoned approaches to ethical and legal decision-making in communication practice and research.

Provides a theoretically informed and research-driven exploration of the advertising and public relations industries, tracing their historical development and the evolution of their interconnections. Students engage with key theoretical frameworks and scholarly debates that illuminate the political, economic, social, and cultural contexts shaping these industries. Focuses on critical thinking and analytical inquiry, encouraging students to analyze how advertising and public relations operate within broader media systems and global power structures. Through case studies and contemporary research, students examine international trends, emerging issues, and ethical controversies, critically assessing both the influence and the responsibilities of practitioners in shaping public discourse and consumer culture.

Project-based work covering the applications and process of design as they relate to photo editing, graphic design and video editing using a variety of software in Adobe Creative Cloud.

Analyzes crisis communication from a variety of theoretical and applied perspectives. Provides an understanding of the framework and tools necessary to successfully address communication in a variety of crises.

Explores methods used to measure the impacts and effectiveness of digital communication across a variety of audiences and platforms (text, audio, video, and web). Topics include measurement, analytics, user experience and the integration of return on investment (ROI).

Explores media and communication practices that shape public discussions of health communication and policy. Examines how communication influences health behavior, policy development, and the public's understanding of health issues. Students analyze the role of media, advocacy, and strategic messaging in influencing health outcomes and policymaking at local, national, and global levels.

Analyzes the rhetorical and political practices that help sustain the public life of democratic societies. Helps students understand political communication and how to become informed, critical consumers of political campaigns by focusing on key theories and research in political communication. Enables students to critically evaluate scholarly work and apply theoretical frameworks to contemporary political contexts.

Examines how media representations, communication practices, and cultural narratives shape our understanding of climate-induced migration. As climate change intensifies displacement and challenges political borders, media play a critical role in framing migrants’ experiences, influencing public opinion, and shaping policy responses. Explores the intersections of media, power, inequality, and human rights, while also briefly considering how affected communities use storytelling and communication to assert agency and imagine alternative futures.

Discusses podcasting for journalists and other content creators. Demonstrates how to critically understand podcasts and their impact. Examines the storytelling process for podcasting; how podcasts are recorded, edited and launched; the various types of podcasts; and understanding the target audience for podcasts. Explores monetization and also ethics involving podcasting content as well as the societal impact/implications of podcasting in a broader context. Working knowledge of Adobe Audition is highly recommended.

Discusses strategies for creating and evaluating textual, audio, and video materials for different platforms and audiences. Topics may include digital content management, writing for the web, branding and social journalism.

Directed individual/group investigation of a selected topic or problem in communication. May be taken more than once when topics vary.

The O'Brien Fellowship in Public Service Journalism practicum offers students the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with a professional journalist on an in-depth reporting project for an entire academic year and earn up to six credits. O’Brien interns are treated as entry-level reporters who help research, suggest, and write multimedia stories, gather data and more.

Faculty-supervised, independent study or scholarly research of a specific area or topic in communication.

S/U grade assessment.

S/U grade assessment.

Fee. S/U grade assessment. Designated as less than half-time status only, cannot be used in conjunction with other courses, and does not qualify students for financial aid or loan deferment.

Fee. S/U grade assessment. Designated as full-time status. If a student is already registered in other courses full time, this continuation course is not needed.

Fee. S/U grade assessment. Designated as full-time status. If a student is already registered in other courses full time, this continuation course is not needed.

Fee. S/U grade assessment. Designated as full-time status. If a student is already registered in other courses full time, this continuation course is not needed.

Fee. S/U grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of less than half-time status. Requires that the student is working less than 12 hours per week at their field placement.

Fee. S/U grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of half-time status. Requires that the student is working more than 12 to less than 20 hours per week at their field placement. Consent required.

Fee. S/U grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of full-time status. Requires that the student is working 20 hours or more per week at their field placement. Consent required.

Fee. S/U grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of less than half-time status. Requires that the student is working less than 12 hours per week toward their master's comprehensive exam. Consent required.

Fee. S/U grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of half-time status. Requires that the student is working more than 12 to less than 20 hours per week toward their master's comprehensive exam. May be taken in conjunction with credit-bearing or other non-credit courses to result in the status indicated, as deemed appropriate by the department. Consent required.

Fee. S/U grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of full-time status. Requires that the student is working 20 hours or more per week toward their master's comprehensive exam. May be taken in conjunction with credit-bearing or other non-credit courses to result in the status indicated, as deemed appropriate by the department. Consent required.

Fee. S/U grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of less than half-time status. Requires that the student is working less than 12 hours per week on their professional project. Any professional project credits required for the degree should be completed before registering for non-credit Professional Project Continuation.

Fee. S/U grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of half-time status. Requires that the student is working more than 12 to less than 20 hours per week on their professional project. Any project credits required for the degree should be completed before registering for non-credit Professional Project Continuation.

Fee. S/U grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of full-time status. Requires that the student is working 20 hours or more per week on their professional project. Any professional project credits required for the degree should be completed before registering for non-credit Professional Project Continuation.

Fee. S/U grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of less than half-time status. Requires that the student is working less than 12 hours per week on their master's thesis. All six thesis credits required for the degree should be completed before registering for non-credit Master's Thesis Continuation.

Fee. S/U grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of half-time status. Requires that the student is working more than 12 to less than 20 hours per week on their master's thesis. All six thesis credits required for the degree should be completed before registering for non-credit Master's Thesis Continuation.

Fee. S/U grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of full-time status. Requires that the student is working 20 hours or more per week on their master's thesis. All six thesis credits required for the degree should be completed before registering for non-credit Master's Thesis Continuation.