Course Descriptions

Communication Courses

COM 210 Mass Communication and Society (3) - Survey Study of history, organization, mechanics, and theory of mass media. Various media are examined to understand their influence on society and individuals. Required for Communication majors and minors. Fulfills core requirement for English.

COM 211 Speech (3) - Study of the principles of effective public speaking with emphasis on speech construction, audience analysis, and organization. Includes practice in extemporaneous speaking. Required for Communication majors and minors. Fulfills core requirement for English.  

COM 212 Interpersonal Communication (3) - Overview of the communication process in context of interpersonal communication. Emphasis on verbal and nonverbal messages and development of self-awareness, perception, and listening and responding skills. Required for Communication majors. Fulfills core requirements for English for students matriculated prior to Fall 1993.

COM 220 Principles of Acting (3) - Study of movement on stage, various acting styles, improvisations, projections of character, and speech technique.

COM 225 Oral Interpretation (3) - Logical and aesthetic meaning in drama, prose, and poetry for oral performance. In-depth work on pronunciation, articulation, emphasis, phrasing, expression, and delivery. Designed to develop basic proficiency in the physical and vocal skills necessary for the meaningful reading of literature.

COM 250 Writing for Mass Media (3) - Fundamentals of reporting and writing for mass media. Emphasis on journalistic writing skills and techniques, interviewing and information gathering, and information organization and presentation. Required for Communication majors and minors.

COM 260 Communication Practicum (1-3) - Performance of assigned activites for student radio station, campus newspaper, or other campus organizations under faculty supervision. *NOTE: Students work at least two hours per week for each semester hour of academic credit. No more than 8 hours for COM 260 and COM 430 combined will count toward graduation. Students are not eligable to receive academic credit for work/study positions. Permission of faculty supervisor and department chair required. Recommended for freshmen and sophomores. Only Communication and Corporate Communication majors may register for 3-credit practicums. 

COM 315 Group Process (3) - Principles of communication as they function in decision-making and problem-solving groups. Emphasis on roles, norms, leadership, methods of group discussion, and problem-solving. Fulfills core requirements for English for students matriculated prior to 1993.

COM 320 Research Methods in Mass Communication (3) - An introduction to the significant questions about the processes of mass communication and the strategies that can be used to answer such questions. Includes a variety of both qualitative and quantitative research methods.

COM 330 Desktop Publishing (3) - Theory and practical application of visual elements of layout and design using computer application for text, graphics, and other elements of the printed page.

COM 340 Radio Production (3) - Theory and practice of radio production. Topics considered include: editing, station management, commercials, public service announcements, and various program formats.

COM 345 Television and Video Production (3) - Theory and practice of television and video production. Topics considered include: camera operation, editing, and production of commercials, public service announcements, and various program formats.

COM 350 Advanced Journalistic Writing and Editing for Print Media (3) - Concepts, theories, and practices of various forms of investigative and public affairs reporting with emphasis on developing in-depth news gathering and writing skills. Course also covers fundamentals of editing: copy editing, headlining and layout. Prerequisite: COM 250.

COM 355 Broadcast Writing and Journalism (3) - Theory and practice in writing for braodcast media. First half of course focuses on creative broadcast writing (advertising, television comedy and drama scripting) and its formats. Second half of course emphasizes broadcast journalism. Prerequisite: COM 250.  

COM 360 Introduction to Advertising and Public Relations (3) - History, concepts, and theories of how business and industry use and interact with various media to disseminate messages and establish images.

COM 365 Advertising/Public Relations Writing (3) - Creative writing think-tank and lab for practice in developing advertising/public relations campaigns and their specific elements. Focus on market research, ad writing, special event planning, media crisis, and client presentation.

COM 370 Mass Media Law and Ethics (3) - Introduction to legal and ethical issues associated with mass media, including freedom of expression, libel, privacy, access to information, protection of news sources, free press-fair trial, copyright, and government regulation of broadcasting. Required for Communication majors. Prerequisite: COM 210.

COM 385 Film as Communication (3) - History of film with special emphasis on production principles of filmmaking and developing principles of film interpretation. Fulfills core requirement in English.

COM 410 Special Topics in Communication (3) - In-depth study of selected topics related to communication. Possible topics include new technologies, documentary, cultural and gender issues in communication, photography and photojournalism, and advanced desktop publishing.

COM 420 Mass Communication Issues and Ethics (3) - Social, legal, professional and ethical issues related to mass media's influence on individuals and society. Capstone course. Required for Communication majors. Senior status required.     

COM 430 Media Internship (1-6) - Experience with local newspaper, radio or television stations, advertising or public relations firms, or other media-related or affiliated businesses and organizations. Junior and Senior Communication majors and minors only. Students work at least three hours per week for each semester hour of academic credit. No more than a total of 8 hours for COM 260 and COM 430 will count toward graduation. By arrangement with department chair. Open only to Communication majors and minors and Corporate Communication majors. 

COM 440 Advanced Acting (3) - Advanced study of movement on stage, various acting styles, improvisations, projections of character, and speech technique. Prerequisite: COM 220. 

COM 445 Advanced Television and Video Production (3) - Workshop format for the writing, editing, and production of advanced individual video project. Projects may range in scope from artistic to mainstream/consumer orientation. This course in geared for the development of a professional portfolio. Prerequisite: COM 345.

COM 460 Advance Advertising and Public Relations (3) - Workshop format. Development and presentation of advertising/public relations campaigns for client organizations. Application of communication theory and research technique to analysis of advertising/public relations problems in organization and cultural environments. Prerequisite: COM 360.  

COM 490 Independent Study (3) - Directed readings, discussions and research of specific topics in communication. By arrangement with the instructor and with permission of the Divison Chair and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

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Business Courses 

(Correlating courses for Corporate Communication majors)

BUS 105 Microcomputer Business Applications (3) - Introduction to microcomputer business applications software with emphasis on developing the skills needed for effective use of personal computer productivity tools common in a business environment. The course emphasizes integrated use of these tools in problem-solving and the business decision-making process. Software instruction includes, but is not limited to, electronic communication, word-processing, basic spreadsheet, database management, electronic slideshow presentations, Web page and Internet accessing applications. Should be taken in the freshman year.

BUS 203 Management (3) - Study of the principles of management. Attention is given to the applying of principles to general and functional management of enterprises by concentrating on problem-solving and analysis techniques suitable for public and private management activity.

BUS 216 Principles of Marketing (3) - Introduction to basic concepts and principles of marketing management. Topics include: market identification and analysis, production planning and development, and pricing, promotion, and distribution strategies.

BUS 218 Investor Relations (3) - This course provides a broad overview of a corporation's financial reporting function and the financial information (what the numbers mean, not how they are collected), and how to communicate that information to interested corporate stockholders including shareholders, employees and the investment community.

BUS 303 Organizational Behavior (3) - Covers concepts of general and specific individual human behavior within organizations and design principles for formal and informal structure. Examines theories of behavior at the individual, group, and organizational levels of analysis. Topics Include: individual differences, motivation, small groups, leadership, structural designs, Contingency Theory, and organizational culture. Prerequisite: BUS 203.

BUS 315 Investment (3) - Nature, mechanism and risks of investments; analysis of securities with emphasis on those of corporations, formulation of investment policies for individuals, institutions, and trust funds. Prerequisite: BUS 218 or 221.

BUS 403 Human Resource Management and Organizational Design (3) - Study of the principles, practices and problems of human resource management. Emphasis on planning, organizing and controlling the organization's human participants with the goal of realizing human potential. Traditional tools of HR management are supplemented with contemporary ideas. Human resources issues concerning the formal structure design and informal culture are examined with attention to motivation, development, performance and appraisal, communication, decision making, and conflict resolution. Cases of actual practice are discussed, and a project is required. Prerequisite: BUS 203. 

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Music Courses

MUS 050 Walsh University Chorale (1) - The Chorale is a performance ensemble (open to all) which studies, rehearses and presents sacred and secular music from major musical periods. performances traditionally include a Christmas Program and a major Spring Concert. Additionally, the choir enhances various religious and academic ceremonies and traditions which occur througout the academic year. *Students may receive a credit hour per semester regardless of the number of semesters they participate in the Chorale. Students also may register to take choir for no credit without charge. Does not fulfill core curriculum music requirement.

MUS 060 Instrumental Music (1) - The instrumental music ensemble (open to all) rehearses and performs in concerts and events throughout the semester. *Students may receive a credt hour per semester regardless of the number of semesters that they participate in the instrumental music ensemble. Students also may register to take Instrumental Music for no credit without charge. Does not fulfill core curriculum music requirement.

MUS 102 Understanding Music (3) - Introduces the student to perceiving and enjoying music as a listener. Special attention is given to relating music as a discipline to other broad disciplines of knowledge. (Formerly Music Appreciation)   

MUS 202 American Musical Theater (3) - Focuses on the nature and historical development of American musical theater and its attendant interdisciplinary implications. Prerequisite: MUS 102.

MUS 322 Music Education (3) - Principles and procedures for teaching music in elementary school. Course includes basic elements of music theory to provide sufficient background for teaching music in the classroom; study of the child voice and its care; rote songs; materials for rhythmic expression and listening; teaching skills and methods which a classroom teacher must have to work effectively.

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Art Courses

ART 101 The History of Art (3) - Survey of the arts (architecture, painting, and sculpture) from prehistoric to present.

ART 102 Visual Order (3) - Fundamentals of design as seen in basic laws of nature. Experiences in structured principles of space, shape, and color.

ART 103 Drawing (3) - Fundamentals of drawing developed through individual creative sensitivity. Various experiences using a wide range of basic drawing media.

ART 201 Painting I (3) - Drawing and painting used as a medium for creative expression of the visual form. Course develops mental creativity through various motivations and develops drawing and painting through color media. Prerequisite: ART 102 and 103.

ART 202 Painting II (3) - Continuation of Painting I. Prerequisite: ART 102, 103, and 201.  

ART 203 Printmaking (3) - Basic study of printmaking experiences in various techniques of printing applied to present-day methods. Prerequisite: ART 102, 103, and 201.

ART 210 Special Topics in Art History (3) - In-depth study of a selected topic in Art History. Possible topics include: American Art, African Art, Asian Art, Art of the Rennaissance, and Religious Expression in Art.

ART 220 Special Topics in Art (3) - Intensive practical instruction in a specific area of applied art. Possible courses include digital art, ceramic, sculpture, watercolor painting, and photography.

ART 301 Crafts (3) - Experience in designing and working with a variety of craft media including fabric, wood, metal, and clay. Prerequisite: ART 102 and 103.

ART 324 Art Education (1) - Study of child development through understanding of visual creative expression and mental growth. Art experiences as related to child's level of development and individual expression. Prerequisite: ART 102.

ART 401 Graphic Design (3) - Study of letter and design layout; application of letter forms in layout and illustration. Prerequisite: ART 102 and 103. 

*(#)- denotes number of credit hours