English 
A skill that speaks for itself.
In every corner of the world, there is a need for great communicators. No matter your field of study or your future career — whether writing a report, leading a team or delivering a board presentation — the ability to communicate well and effectively is essential.
You can also add experience to your communication minor by getting involved with on-campus student organizations, from publications like Writer’s Ink to the Forensic (Speech and Debate) Team, or visual production groups such as Reel Fanatics Film Club.
The minor in communication at William Woods University will enrich any degree you choose to pursue and increase your marketability as a job candidate. With coursework in mass media, communication theory and law and countless electives to choose from in introduction to speech, small group leadership, interpersonal communication, feature writing and more.
The minor in communication at William Woods University includes 9 required course credits and 9 elective course credits.
Minor Requirements
Core Credits: 9.00
|
An introduction to the field of mass communication, its influence, and its ubiquity. Students will study the industries and history of print, broadcast, and digital media. credits:
|
Media & Mass Communication -i | 3 |
|
This course will introduce students to the structure, importance, and practical use of communication theory as it relates to their personal, professional, and social lives. Students will discover how theory can help them better understand, investigate, and critically answer questions about the nature of communication in today’s interconnected world. We will examine theories from a variety of communication contexts, including but not limited to intercultural, organizational, public, mass media, and interpersonal. This course is geared towards all undergraduate students who are interested in how theory and research can help them become more skilled communicators. credits:
|
Communication Theory | 3 |
|
This course examines the theoretical and historical foundations of how we think about freedom of expression and its relationship to democratic culture. We will discuss landmark speech controversy cases and analyze how freedom of expression has been influenced through digital technology. We will explore the degree to which censorship has both historical and contemporary relevance within our society and consider how these systems of thought are communicated to public audiences. We will cover current freedom of expression topics including but not limited to social media, corporate power, free speech on campus, and free speech in politics. credits:
|
Freedom of Expression | 3 |
Required Elective - 9 Credits
|
Designed to introduce the student to the area of oral communication with exercise covering the various phases. credits:
|
Intro To Speech Communication -O | 3 |
|
Designed to train the speaking voice by means of supervised exercises and drills. The course also serves as an introduction to phonetics. credits:
|
Voice & Diction -O | 3 |
|
In this class skills-based immersion into journalism, students will learn the foundations of journalism by reporting and writing the news using multiple platforms, including print, broadcast and the internet. credits:
|
Writing for Multimedia | 3 |
|
An introduction to the creation and design of communication materials. Students will produce a variety of digital content designed for an audience. credits:
|
Visual Communication & Design -X | 3 |
credits:
|
Introductory Projects | 3 |
|
Participation with KWWU staff. Students will work a weekly 1 hour radio show and attend staff meetings and lectures designed to enhance their skills. May be repeated for credit. credits:
|
Radio Broadcasting | 1 |
|
This course will acquaint students with several theoretical and practical approaches to argumentation. The course covers concepts of argumentation such as, but not limited to, narrative argument, stock issues, argument analysis, rhetorical framing, refutation, constructing a debate case, logical fallacies, using evidence, and language and style. Students will also debate value and policy resolutions and learn how to evaluate debates. In presidential election years, the course will include a unit on presidential debates while covering the concept of framing within presidential campaigns. credits:
|
Argumentation and Debate -O | 3 |
|
This course introduces students to the practical and scholarly domain of Sports Communication. We will examine contemporary issues related to communication, sport, and culture. The course will introduce students to the nuanced ways sport reflects and actively shapes culture and society. We will cover topics ranging from how sports organizations function through the integration of athletes, managers, and audiences through communication. Additionally, the course will address the changing shape of sports media institutions, fan identities, the politics of race, class, gender, and sexuality that are revealed and struggled over within sports cultural contexts. Finally, the course will explore how the sports industry has evolved and continues to grow as a cultural phenomenon. credits:
|
Sport Communication -Q | 3 |
|
This is a course of discovery. Though the analysis of a particular kind of communication – argumentation – we will attempt to reveal the means of persuasion available to those who wish to influence others. credits:
|
Logic and Persuasion -i | 3 |
|
Contemporary Media Ethics explores the following aspects of media decision-making: news, persuasion in advertising, persuasion and public relations, and entertainment. Student participation is required. credits:
|
Contemporary Media Ethics -U | 3 |
|
Students will gain an intermediate level of understanding in contemporary film and video production techniques and styles while creating content suited for advertising, marketing, and production house content. credits:
|
Video Production | 3 |
|
Ethics in sexuality is a course that explores all aspects of sexual decision-making. Students will study the biology and psychology of sexuality and explore a variety of sexual issues and topics. A constant focus will be maintained on prescribing individual ethical beliefs to sexual situations. Students participation is required. credits:
|
Ethics in Sexuality -U | 3 |
|
Devoted to the theory, methods, and practice of oral communication through the mediums of prose and poetry, including selection and arrangement of suitable material. credits:
|
Oral Interpretation of Literature | 3 |
|
This course will focus on the study of persuasion and examine how it used as an instrument of communication within the news media, social media, popular culture, health, politics, and human relationships. We will learn how persuasion can be used in both productive and unproductive ways, paying careful attention to the speaker’s motivations for their message and the effect these messages have on people and society. credits:
|
Persuasion -X | 3 |
credits:
|
Independent Study | 3 |
|
This course examines communication in interpersonal relationships. There is a balance between theoretical and practical approaches. credits:
|
Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
|
Students will engage in advanced storytelling and video production techniques as applied to short-form content, both fiction and non-fiction, for both entertainment and informative/persuasive purposes. Prerequisites: Recommended that students have taken or are currently enrolled in ENG215 Movies in America. credits:
|
Short Form Narrative Film Production | 3 |
|
Students critically examine the basic tenets of success film screenwriting (character, plot, motif, theme, etc.) and the relationship between screenwriting and central aspects of film production (casting, acting, cinematography, storyboarding, etc.) as manifested in various narrative films, both contemporary and classic in origin. Prerequisite: ENG210 and COM231 (or concurrent enrollment in COM232) credits:
|
Screenplay Analysis and Treatment | 3 |
|
Small Group Communication is designed to increase students’ understanding of group dynamics, particularly in decision-making task groups. Traditional topics such as role negotiation, leadership, and decision processes will be explored, emphasizing the need for balance between socio-emotional and task dimensions. credits:
|
Small Group Communication | 3 |
|
In this course we will look closely at the ways gender is communicated within various cultural and institutional settings (how we come to know what it is to be a woman or a man), the multiple ways humans communicate within and across gender lines (how we express ourselves as gendered individuals and why we do it many different ways), and the relationships of the two. credits:
|
Gender Communications | 3 |
|
This hands-on digital video production course is designed for beginning level students. Students will be introduced to basic equipment, techniques, and theories of digital filmmaking. Students will gain a fundamental understanding of the pre-production, production, and post-production skills associated with digital filmmaking. credits:
|
Equine Video Production | 3 |
|
Students will gain an advanced skill set in film production while focusing on techniques used in documentary filmmaking and other non-linear, experimental formats. credits:
|
Documentary and Experimental Film Production | 3 |
|
A news reporting and writing course that focuses on media coverage of public policy, legal, and social issues and problems. Students will use reporting techniques to produce news stories for presentation to the general audience. Prerequisite: COM 110 credits:
|
Public Affairs Reporting | 3 |
|
This course will focus on both practical and theoretical knowledge about social media. Students will learn about the effects and influence social media has on people, societies, and groups. credits:
|
Social Media | 3 |
credits:
|
Interdisciplinary Honors Studies | 3 |
|
The development of disciplines controlling vocal and visual mechanics and interpretative performances for announcers, newscasters, interviewers, and narrators of various radio and television programming. Prerequisites: COM110 credits:
|
Announcing and Reporting I | 3 |
|
A continuation of COM373. This course continues to develop the student’s ability to communicate effectively utilizing electronic media. Further development of the voice and an ”on-air” persona together with further versatility in news and commercial delivery. (Course Fee) Prerequisite – COM373 credits:
|
Announcing and Reporting II | 3 |
|
Requires a minimum of 120 clock hours in an approved work situation. The student must submit a log documenting the work dates and times and describing the work activities according to at lease three pre-approved objectives. In addition, the student will submit three essays describing and evaluating each of the following: the role of the on-site supervisor, the quality of the work environment, and the usefulness of extended internships. The student will also prepare a resume. Requires the permission of the division chair. credits:
|
COM Internship I | 3 |
credits:
|
Advanced Projects | 3 |
|
Students will demonstrate their ability to interest readers in significant, research-based subjects by writing about them in the context of non-fiction stories that have characters, show development and follow a structural arc from beginning to end. credits:
|
Feature Writing | 3 |
|
n this course, students will learn practical application for leadership theory. Students will practice creative leadership outside of class and improve their personal leadership skills. Prerequisites: COM316 credits:
|
Leadership Communication | 3 |
credits:
|
Senior Seminar | 3 |