May 16, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions

Course Numbering System

The following lists include all courses normally offered at Albion College. However, not all courses are offered every year. When possible, courses offered in alternate years are designated. For details, students should consult the Class Schedule for each semester, available online at: www.albion.edu/registrar. The College reserves the right to add or withdraw courses without prior announcement, as conditions may require.

Unless otherwise stated, 100 level courses are intended for freshmen, 200 level for sophomores, 300 and 400 level for juniors and seniors.

A list of courses which meet the core and category requirements, organized by departments, is available online at www.albion.edu/registrar.

Further information may be obtained at the Registrar’s Office in the Ferguson Student, Technology, and Administrative Services Building.
 

Communication Studies
  

  • COMM 101: Introduction to Human Communication

    (1 Unit)
    An introduction to the study of communication. Students investigate communication theory, models, symbols and signs, verbal and nonverbal communication, interpersonal communication, group communication, organizational communication, mass communication, communication ethics and new communication technologies. Staff.
  

  • COMM 187: Selected Topics

    (1/4 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  

  • COMM 188: Selected Topics

    (1/2 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  

  • COMM 189: Selected Topics

    (1 Unit)
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  

  • COMM 202: Communication in Interpersonal Contexts

    (1 Unit)
    The course examines the theory and research behind interpersonal communication. Explores communication processes in dyads, families, teams, and in organizational settings. Teaches skills to improve students’ communication competence in both personal and professional environments. The course also covers self-awareness, self-disclosure, relational development, and conflict resolution. Erlandson.
  

  • COMM 205: Mass Communication

    (1 Unit)
    An introduction to the different modes of mass communication–from the printing press to the Internet–from historical and cultural perspectives in order to understand the impact of mass communication on society. Topics include mass communication’s production and reproduction of cultural mores and values, and the controversy surrounding media “effects.” Staff.
  

  • COMM 206: Event Marketing & Management

    (1 Uint)
    Event Management is a theoretical and practical study of events. While interdisciplinary in nature, event planning theories covered in this class will be within the framework of strategic communication. Students will learn the art of event planning through the creation and implementation of an event outline. Students will utilize qualitative and quantitative data in event evaluation. This class will contain an overview of a multitude of events, including nonprofit fundraisers, weddings, community events, corporate engagements, and private parties.
  

  • COMM 207: Communicating Gender

    (1 Unit)
    An exploration of the ways in which gender and communication interact. Students are introduced to research in the field and observe and analyze the ways in which our cultural construction of gender impacts on how we communicate and judge the communication of others. Erlandson, Staff.
  

  • COMM 208: Health Communication

    (1 Unit)
    Health communication is a rapidly growing field in the discipline because of its potential to aid in understanding and influencing outcomes in a variety of interpersonal, organizational, and mass communication contexts. Communication is the key to disease prevention, health promotion, and behavior change. This course will introduce you to the exciting and increasingly important topics in the health communication field.
  

  • COMM 209: Sport Communication

    (1 Unit)
    An examination of the role of communication in sports contexts. Students investigate communication theory and models and consider how communication in sports functions within a contemporary culture. Includes exploration of the media environment as well as culture in and around sport. Boyan.
  

  • COMM 211: Risk Communication

    (1 Unit)
    This course is an introduction to risk communication, giving a communication research perspective to wide-ranging applications of individuals’ risk perception and decision-making.  Although a good amount of the course draws examples from health and medicine, we take a broader view of risk and behavior that should be interesting for students of any background.  Specific topics will include the psychology behind risk-taking, public service communication about health and environmental catastrophes, crisis communication and public relations, and how gain-loss framing affects financially risky decisions.  
  

  • COMM 213: Intercultural Communication

    (1 Unit)
    An exploration of the role communication plays in defining and sustaining culture both globally and locally. By applying current research and theories in intercultural communication, students are introduced to major topics pertaining to communication between cultures. Topics include, but are not limited to: the way a culture’s deep meaning structure impacts the way people communicate, culture-specific verbal and nonverbal norms, advice on verbal and nonverbal behavior when doing business internationally, adjusting to culture shock and exploring various subcultures in the United States. Erlandson.
  

  • COMM 215: Social Media

    (1 Unit)
    An Examination of social media and the role in communication today.  Students investigate social media elements, media and interpersonal communication theories, communication stratigies, and socio-cultural implications of social media.  Topics include social media production and reproduction of cultural mores and values, consumption patterns of social media content, and implication of McLuhan’s “the medium is the message” perspective.
  

  • COMM 241: Public Speaking

    (1 Unit)
    A theoretical and practical study of speaking in public. Students are introduced to classical and contemporary critical standards of excellence in oral style and delivery, while they develop skills in the art of speaking effectively in informational and persuasive situations. Staff.
  

  • COMM 242: Professional Communication

    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: For students in the Carl A. Gerstacker Institute for Business and Management, or permission of instructor.
    Focuses on individual communication skills that enhance professional and career development, including skills needed in the business world. Develops writing skills, presentation skills, and the ability to communicate and work with others. Erlandson, Staff.
  

  • COMM 287: Selected Topics

    (1/4 Unit)
    Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  

  • COMM 288: Selected Topics

    (1/2 Unit)
    Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  

  • COMM 289: Selected Topics

    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  

  • COMM 300: Communication Research Methods

    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisites: COMM 101  and at least one 200-level communication studies course.
    Provides an overview of the concepts and tools by which communication research is designed, conducted, interpreted, and critically evaluated. Aims to help students become knowledgeable consumers and producers of quantitative and qualitative communication research. Hill.
  

  • COMM 303: Communications in Sports Organizations

    (1 Unit)
    Provides an understanding of organizational communication theories and practices as they relate to the creation, maintenance, and change of culture and practices in sports organizations. This course will examine the impact of internal and external communication environments and how sports organizations adapt their communication and culture in response. Students will practice application, analysis, and critical thinking about communication in sports organizations through research projects. Staff.
  

  • COMM 306: Public Relations

    (1 Unit)
    A theoretical and practical examination of the public relations field, including internal and external communications as well as media relations. Students occasionally gain practical experience by participating in a major campaign. Staff.
  

  • COMM 308: Heath Disparities

    (1 Unit)
    Understanding and recognizing the preventable differences in health as well as health care is inherent in working toward reducing and eliminating the inequality experienced by so many due to their race, gender, age, religion, language, sexual orientation, mental and physical ability, socio-economic status, and geography. This course will cover the historical, cultural, and current issues facing these groups through a social ecological perspective that highlights the importance of communication in not only perpetrating and reinforcing these health inequalities but also in alleviating them.
  

  • COMM 309: Sports Marketing

    (1Units)
    This course will examine the history and contemporary application of sports marketing as a
    method to achieve goals. Emphasis will be given to how sports teams use sports marketing
    strategies, including marketing research, market segmentation, branding, sponsorships, licensing,
    global sports marketing, and public relations to achieve business objectives aimed at specific
    constituencies, including consumers, employees, and athletes.
  

  • COMM 310: Health Communication

    (1 unit)
    Health communication is a growing field of research because of its potential to aid in understanding and influencing health outcomes in a variety of interpersonal, organizational, and mass communication contexts. Communication is the key to prevention, promotion, and chance. This course will introduce you to the exciting and important theory and research being developed in the health communication discipline.  Price
  

  • COMM 311: Environmental Communication

    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: COMM 101
    A study of how the natural environment is socially constructed through its representation in word and image. After introducing students to fundamental environmental terminology, the course will consider a number of key environmental communicators, their ideological positions, and how they shape their messages. This will be followed by a discussion of audiences and environmental communication ethics. Offered occasionally. Staff.
  

  • COMM 312: Political Communication

    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisites:  COMM 101 and at least one 200-level course, or permission of instructor.
    By focusing on the interaction between media, politics, and public opinion, the course provides a survey of the field of political communication, with special attention paid to the role of political communication in democratic society, the audiences for political communication, what it means to be a citizen of the United States today, the effects of media on citizens’ engagement with politics, and the interaction of politics and popular culture. Hill.
  

  • COMM 330: Advertising

    (1 Unit)
  

  • COMM 351: Persuasion

    (1 Unit)
    A theoretical analysis of the process of influencing belief, attitude or behavior through appeals to reason, emotion and ethos. Students investigate experimental and rhetorical theories in the field and the ethical considerations of persuasion. Staff.
  

  • COMM 387: Selected Topics

    (1/4 Unit)
    Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  

  • COMM 388: Selected Topics

    (1/2 Unit)
    Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  

  • COMM 389: Selected Topics

    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
    An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
  

  • COMM 391: Internship

    (1/2 Unit)
    Offered on a credit/no credit basis. Staff.
  

  • COMM 392: Internship

    (1 Unit)
    Offered on a credit/no credit basis. Staff.
  

  • COMM 401: Seminar

    (1/2 Unit)
    Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing and permission of instructor.
    A detailed study of significant and relevant problems in communication studies. Specific topic for consideration will be determined before registration. Staff.
  

  • COMM 402: Seminar

    (1 Unit)
    Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing and permission of instructor.
    A detailed study of significant and relevant problems in communication studies. Specific topic for consideration will be determined before registration. Staff.
  

  • COMM 411: Directed Study

    (1/2 Unit)
    Staff.
  

  • COMM 412: Directed Study

    (1 Unit)
    Staff.