Undergraduate Bulletin
Spring 2025
COM: Communication
COM 100: Introduction to Communication
A survey of key topics within the interdisciplinary field of communication. The course explores how communication is defined and how research in the field is performed and evaluated from a variety of methodological perspectives. Students are introduced to the history of communication as an academic area of study, the development of major theories and subdisciplines, namely communication studies, rhetorical studies, and mass communication. The course will introduce a number of prominent conversations in communication, including but not limited to interpersonal communication, organizational communication, science communication, health communication, intercultural communication, and small group communication. Students will also be introduced to basic quantitative, qualitative, and rhetorical methodological approaches. Students will apply the knowledge they gain to various aspects of their personal and professional lives, engage in critical thinking skills, and become familiar with the abundant career paths that a study in communication can provide.
3 credits
COM 106: Introduction to Mass Media
A survey of the historical evolution, content, and structural elements of mass media. This introduction to social science research approaches to the study of mass communication enables participants to understand mass media's political, economic, social, psychological influences on individuals and broader U.S. society. Students examine the effect and impacts of mass communication on contemporary society and consider how global media influence and are influenced by U.S. media. This course was previously known as JRN 106.
3 credits
COM 120: Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Focuses on the core principles underlying effective oral presentations and the development of effective presentations in public and professional settings. There is an emphasis on analyzing audiences, composing meaningful, coherent messages, conducting responsible research, developing effective arguments, and improving delivery skills to strengthen confidence and credibility. Students will develop skills that lay the foundation for success in future speaking endeavors in both professional and personal settings. This course will also focus on how to make critical judgments as an audience to public discourse. Upon completion of this course students will be more confident and effective speakers and listeners.
SBC: SPK
3 credits
COM 202: Intercultural Communication
An introduction to the field of intercultural communication that investigates and helps students apply theory and research in everyday communication. In an era of rapid globalization, it is critical that we be able to communicate across cultures in our personal lives and workplaces in ways that demonstrate dignity and respect. This course focuses on intercultural communication in everyday life, providing students with an overview of how culture influences communication. Covering a range of focus areas that include stereotyping and discrimination; formation of beliefs and values; and the relationship of communication to race, class, gender, and sexuality, the course will build students' intercultural awareness and prepare them to be responsive, responsible communicators.
3 credits
COM 206: Interpersonal Communication
A survey of major interpersonal communication theories and their applications in offline and online contexts. Students will learn research-based pragmatic theories and principles which explain what happens, why it happens, and the consequences in our relationships and lives. It enables students to develop a comprehensive and deeper understanding of themselves, the other person, the relationship, and the process of interpersonal communication. Students will become competent participants in interpersonal relationships online and off.
3 credits
COM 207: Media Writing
A hands-on approach to different forms of media writing online and in print. Careful examination of professional media writing enables students to understand informational and persuasive writing, evaluation, and judgment. Participants will understand the difference between journalistic writing and other forms of media writing and learn how media professionals construct different story forms based on ethical principles.
Prerequisites: Mass Communication Major or Minor; WRT 102
3 credits
COM 208: History of Mass Communication
A survey of the history of mass communication in the American colonies and the United States. Students examine the ways in which mass communication has shaped, and has been shaped by, technological, economic, political, social, and cultural changes across the globe. Students will apply the skills and tools used by historians and journalists to understand the presence of the past in their lives and the critical role they play in the ongoing history of mass communication.
Prerequisite: Journalism or Mass Communication Major or Minor
SBC: USA
3 credits
COM 225: Introduction to Video Production
This course is designed to prepare students to communicate and tell stories using the medium of video. Upon completion of this course, students should demonstrate competence in basic studio and field video production including camera operation, editing, lighting, and audio. The course will also introduce students to the various roles of multi-camera studio productions as well as remote single-camera productions.
Prerequisite: Communication, Mass Communication or Journalism Major; U2 and above standing.
3 credits
COM 305: Mass Communication Law & Ethics
Provides students with a model by which they can analyze, understand, and act upon the law and ethical considerations that journalists and mass media professionals and consumers face in the 21st century. The class will use case studies, the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics, the First Amendment Handbook from the Reporters Committee for the Freedom of the Press, and current newsworthy stories to build an analytical model.
Prerequisites: Journalism or Mass Communication Majors and Minors; U3 or U4 Standing
SBC: ESI
3 credits
COM 306: Modes of Media Criticism
An introduction and overview of methods of criticism that guides participants to analyze contemporary forms of media and media culture. Students systematically work through different types of critical media analysis, including textual, production, and audience-centered approaches. Participants learn to situate these methodological approaches within a critical and cultural studies framework. Each methodological approach is paired with a screening and readings that model the respective forms of criticism being explored in class. Through hands-on analysis of media (television, film, Internet, video games, advertising, etc.) and application of media/cultural studies theory, participants build the required skills to produce methodologically rigorous critical media analyses.
COM Maj/Min U3 or U4
3 credits
COM 307: Critical Media Theory
An introduction to critical theory as it relates specifically to media and mass communication. The course will survey the most significant theoretical developments in media and cultural studies in a chronologically structured order, following the Frankfurt School through contemporary critical/cultural studies of the media to cover the diverse and important debate on the relationship between individuals, society, and the media we create and consume. Participants engage in thoughtful debate and undertake their own examination of a specific theory or body of theory.
Prerequisites: Mass Communication Major or Minor; U3 or U4 Standing; One course that meets the HUM, ARTS, or LANG SBC requirements
SBC: HFA+
3 credits
COM 314: Communication Research
An introduction to the logic and methods of social science research as it is employed to study topics in communication. Students will be introduced to key principles of social scientific reasoning, including aspects of concept explication and effective measurement, evaluation and demonstration of causality, and reliance on empirical data. Topics include effective question wording, ethical treatment of research participants, experimental research designs, sampling and survey research, content analysis, interview, and projective techniques. In addition, students address key ideas in statistical analysis, including principles of inference, common descriptive statistics, and widely used tests of both bivariate and multivariate relationships. Presentation of this material includes training in effective use of appropriate statistical software. Based on this training, students should be able to contribute to sound research on communication-related topics in both the academic and professional environments.
Prerequisites: Communication Major or Minor; U3 or U4 Standing; C or higher in COM 202 or COM 206; Completion of the QPS requirement
3 credits
COM 315: Communication Theory
An overview of the study of communication theories with an emphasis on their development and application on practicum and research. Theories shape how we make judgments about reality, relationships, circumstances, and decisions in our lives. This course exposes students to theories of communication, both large and small, with the intention of better equipping them to make sense of the communicative aspects of their world.
Prerequisites: Communication Major or Minor; U3 or U4 Standing; C or higher in COM 202 or COM 206
3 credits
COM 316: Mass Communication Research Methods
A systematic overview of key contemporary research methods in media and mass communication. Based in social science methods, participants pursue a deeper understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods. The course provides opportunities to apply those methods through individual and team-based research projects. Participants will build on and apply their existing understanding of media and mass communication to explore the principles behind well-conducted research, including the design of research questions, a range of methodological approaches, development and application of these approaches, and standards related to research on human subjects.
Prerequisites: Mass Communication Major or Minor; U3 or U4 Standing; C or higher in COM 106 or COM 208; Completion of the SBC QPS requirement
SBC: SBS+
3 credits
COM 317: Mass Communication Theory
An overview of historical and contemporary theories of mass communication, media, and culture with particular focus on social and behavioral theory. The course covers key empirical theoretical perspectives on mass communication processes and examines the foundations of theoretical inquiry and applications of theory.
COM Maj/Min U3 or U4
3 credits
COM 346: Race, Class, and Gender in Media
A critical examination of race, class, and gender in contemporary media. The class will explore traditional and social media to understand how identity and social configurations shape and are shaped by media. Participants will analyze how media industries and media representations relate to national and global diversity and explore theories that seek to explain media's role in representing race, class, and gender and how media influence our experience of diversity. Course participants will produce a collaboratively designed media project that comments on and challenges misrepresentations.
Prerequisites: Communication, Journalism or Mass Communication Majors and Minors; U3 or U4 Standing
3 credits
COM 351: Team Collaboration
This course takes a team science approach to enhance project-based, cross-disciplinary collaboration. There is an emphasis on small group communication for enhanced collaboration among team members who offer a range of expertise, perspectives, and experiences. Students will work together on a variety of short projects that seek to address community needs, both within Stony Brook University and the broader Long Island community. Each project requires students to answer complex questions, communicate effectively and efficiently in small group settings, and assess their team's ongoing performance. Through this process students will gain clarity on their own communication styles, and learn key communication skills for effective leaders.
Prerequisites: Communication and Innovation (CBI) Minor; U3 or U4 Standing
SBC: EXP+
3 credits
COM 357: Health Communication
An exploration of the emerging specialty field of health communication. This course provides an overview of the field of health communication with attention to analysis and practice of health communication relationships and messages. Specifically, students will be provided the knowledge and skill sets of how to inform, empower, and/or persuade individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles as well as foster public debate and health policy change.
Prerequisites: Communication Major or Minor; U3 or U4 Standing
3 credits
COM 358: Nonverbal Communication
A systematic overview of the foundational knowledge of nonverbal communication. Students will learn the major theoretical and methodological approaches to studying nonverbal communication and relate them to specific nonverbal behaviors including touch, time, environmental contexts, emotion, physical appearance, and social communication cues. Drawing on the latest developments in nonverbal communication research, students will be asked to examine the ways in which nonverbal and verbal communication interact in daily life with the goal of improving communication outcomes. Contexts of focus include interpersonal settings, relationships, business settings, and public communication.
Prerequisites: Communication Major or Minor; U3 or U4 Standing
3 credits
COM 365: Talking Science
Designed to help undergraduate students in the sciences communicate effectively and responsively with multiple audiences, from peers and professors to potential employers and the media. Rather than a bag of tricks and techniques, this course will push a shift in the students' understanding of communication: 1) audience-centered, 2) goal oriented, and 3) dynamic. Among the techniques we use are improvisational theater exercises that will help you connect with an audience, pay close and dynamic attention to others, read non-verbal cues, and respond freely without self-consciousness. We also will strongly focus on storytelling as a medium through which this communication shift occurs.
Prerequisite: U3 or U4 Standing
SBC: SPK
3 credits
COM 386: Special Topics: Issues in Communication
Selected topics in communication. This course enables students to engage with timely and contemporary issues in the field of communication. May be repeated as the topic changes.
Prerequisites: Communication Major or Minor; U3 or U4 Standing
3 credits
COM 399: Special Topics in Mass Communication
Selected topics in Mass Communication. Topics may include U.S. and international contexts. This course enables participants to engage with timely and contemporary issues in mass communication and media. May be repeated as the topic changes.
Prerequisite: U3 or U4 Standing
3 credits
COM 400: Advanced Communication Research
An introduction to data analysis techniques commonly employed in the Communication field and related disciplines. The course will employ a commonly-used statistical package to illustrate concepts (e.g., Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, SPSS), and instruction will be provided on how to employ statistical software to conduct a variety of specific analysis techniques. These techniques will include descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, correlation and regression, and exploratory factor analysis.
Prerequisite: C or higher in COM 314 or Permission of Instructor
3 credits
COM 401: Organizational Communication
An overview of organizational communication that examines key theories and research on communication processes in organizations and enables participants to apply theory to case studies and real-world contexts. Class materials introduce contemporary approaches to studying communication systems within organizations of varying sizes, and considers organizational needs assessment along with a range of methods designed to help improve communication in organizations.
Prerequisites: Communication Major or Minor; U3 or U4 Standing
3 credits
COM 402: Crisis Communication
A rigorous examination of the processes and effects of communication associated with crises. The course will explore crisis typologies, theoretical approaches and applications, case studies, with contemporary peer-reviewed research forming the foundation of the course. Students will examine crises from the standpoint of culpable organizations, affected audiences, government entities, the media environment, and academics. Pre-crisis, crisis response, and post-crisis strategies will be considered in this course from a social scientific approach. The importance of ethical communication before, during, and after crises will also be emphasized.
Prerequisites: Communication Major or Minor; U3 or U4 Standing
3 credits
COM 403: Strategic Communication
An introduction to the dynamic field of strategic communication. Students who are interested in advertising, public relations, and integrated marketing communication will find themselves well suited in this course. The course addresses key factors that influence strategic communication processes. Students will be introduced to the basic terms and conceptual frameworks that strategic communication practitioners employ in their professions, and use that knowledge to assess real-world cases and engage in hands-on strategic communication planning.
Prerequisites: Communication Major or Minor; U3 or U4 Standing
3 credits
COM 404: Communication for Social Change & Public Advocacy
An examination of the theories and practices of social change communication and public advocacy. Students will analyze the roles of various forms of communication in catalyzing social and policy changes. It provides an overview of advocacy campaigns, legislative lobbying, issue branding, and community organizing in the United States, and other communication campaigns tied to public issues such as sustainability, social justice, and human rights. The course is devoted to providing real-world and hands-on experiences for students by including guest lectures from public advocacy experts and a semester-long campaign project. Along the way, students will be exposed to social marketing, stakeholder power analysis, communication strategies and tactics, and evaluation.
Prerequisites: Communication Major or Minor; U3 or U4 Standing
3 credits
COM 405: Political Communication
An exploration of the interdisciplinary field of political communication, looking at how media, political elites, and citizens interact. The course approaches political communication from both normative and empirical perspectives. The course begins with discussions on normative models for how political communication should contribute to democratic citizenship and governance. Students will then examine the deviations, limitations, and distractions of those normative ideals in practice across different contexts. The roles of various forms of communication will be examined in the US and international political processes. Course content explores macro perspectives on culture, ideology, and political economy; organizational models of news production and deliberation; and micro approaches in the political psychology of media use and cognition.
Prerequisites: Communication Major or Minor; U3 or U4 Standing
3 credits
COM 406: Risk Communication
An overview of theory-based knowledge about risk perceptions and empirically tested principles of designing effective risk communication messages. This course examines risks from the perspective of organizations, affected publics, and government entities. Students will learn concepts and theories about measuring, analyzing, and influencing risk perceptions in a variety of contexts including public health, science, and business settings. The importance of connecting risk and crisis communication will also be considered. Ethical principles of risk communication are integrated throughout the course.
Prerequisites: Communication Major or Minor; U3 or U4 Standing
3 credits
COM 407: Social Media Analytics
An introduction to analyzing social media data with an emphasis on the implications and applications for market research, communication strategy, and technology history. How do we know whether a new product is gaining market share? What features of the product are consumers discussing online? What type of consumers are most likely to buy a given product? How does the perception of a platform change after a crisis (e.g., COVID-19)? Social media data can provide valuable insights into users, brands, audiences, and technologies. This course provides the latest practical skills for collecting, analyzing, and visualizing social media data using real-world social analytics software.
Prerequisites: Communication Major or Minor; U3 or U4 Standing
SBC: TECH
3 credits
COM 414: Studies in Visual Culture
An exploration of the interdisciplinary field of visual culture that builds, among others, on the fields of art, cinema and media studies, gender studies, (post)structuralism, and critical/cultural studies. Participants explore key texts in visual culture that examine the diverse roles of looking and seeing in contemporary culture. Readings and discussions provide an overview of debates on a range of areas including: the gaze, bodies, and power; consumer culture and globalization; colonialism/postcolonialism; and scientific looking. Readings are paired with screenings to facilitate the application of theory and lively, interactive discussion. Objects of study include film & television, advertising, fashion, architecture, photography, painting, graphic design, and digital culture. The course integrates theory and methods in the analysis and critique of visual culture.
Prerequisite: WRT 300 or U3 or U4 Standing
3 credits
COM 415: Data Analysis and Storytelling
A skill-building exploration of communicating empirical data to different audiences using stories. Using existing data, students practice interpreting data and implementing storytelling tools to create clarity and meaning within goal oriented narratives about topics from climate change, to population health, and plant science. Through the Alda Method® for science communication, students learn to engage in clear and vivid communication that ensures data is communicated with integrity and accuracy, which leads to improved understanding by the public, media, patients, elected officials, and others outside of their own discipline. The Alda Method® supports experiential learning by integrating teaching strategies from improvisational theater, communication, journalism, public health, and other relevant fields.
Prerequisites: Mass Communication Major or Minor; U3 or U4 Standing
SBC: STAS
3 credits
COM 434: Argumentation and Persuasion
An introduction to persuasive communication and social influence and study of foundational theories and important frameworks that guide the practice of persuasion in applied settings. Students will learn how changes in attitudes and behavior may generally result and particular attention will be paid to message features that are believed to generate predictable effects. How such effects may be moderated by source, audience, and context factors will also be examined. Students will practice persuasive arguments through both written and oral communication.
Prerequisites: Communication Major or Minor; C or higher in COM 100; U3 or U4 Standing
3 credits
COM 436: Environmental Communication
An overview of the growing field of Environmental Communication. Over the past decades, an important body of scholarship has emerged in Environmental Communication that includes a number of edited books, dozens of peer-reviewed publications in a wide range of prestigious journals, a series of edited conference proceedings, and an international, peer-reviewed journal, Environmental Communication: A Journal of Nature and Culture. The course gives students an opportunity to participate in engaged research with a local community on an environmental or sustainability problem and link what they have learned through the course materials with action.
Prerequisite: Communication or Mass Communication Major or Minor; U3 or U4 Standing
3 credits
COM 487: Independent Study
Intensive study of a special topic undertaken with close faculty supervision. May be repeated with a different topic.
Prerequisite: Permission of Undergraduate Program Director
0-6 credits, S/U grading
COM 491: Mass Communication Senior Project
A required capstone course for all mass communication majors. Students produce a major project that combines a strong research base with creative elements. Each project will have written, visual, and/or interactive components and must include a public outreach component. Students may choose between (1) a creative multimedia project (e.g., short film, documentary, podcast, etc.) that centers on a mass communication topic that is research-based, or (2) an academic research paper that is an original analysis of a mass communication topic (e.g., gender portrayals in the media). Students attend a weekly seminar and work independently to create public-facing work that meets professional standards. They interact with members of the community and because the work is publicly available, students are exposed to the full range of community response.
Prerequisites: Grade of C or higher in COM 306 and COM 307 or COM 316 and COM 317
3 credits
COM 494: Mass Communication Internship
Participation in local, state, and national public and private agencies and organizations. Students are required to submit written progress reports and a final written report on their experiences to the faculty sponsor and the department. May be repeated up to a limit of 6 credits.
Prerequisites: U3 or U4 standing; Permission of Undergraduate Program Director
SBC: EXP+
0-6 credits, S/U grading
COM 495: Communication Senior Project
A required capstone course for all communication majors. Students produce a major project that combines a strong research base with creative elements. Each project will have written, visual, and/or interactive components and must include a public outreach component. Students may choose between (1) a creative multimedia project (e.g., short film, documentary, podcast, etc.) that centers on a communication topic that is research-based, or (2) an academic research paper that is an original analysis of a communication topic (e.g., the role of communication in presidential election). Students attend a weekly seminar and work independently to create public-facing work that meets professional standards. They interact with members of the community and because the work is publicly available, students are exposed to the full range of community response. The final project will be judged on the accuracy, thoroughness, and originality of the project, the clarity and power of the writing and production, and the value added through presentation of research and findings using multimedia platforms. Students will be expected to work independently, demonstrate initiative and enterprise, and meet deadlines.
Prerequisites: C or higher in COM 314 and COM 315
3 credits
COM 496: Communication Internship
Participation in local, state, and national public and private agencies and organizations. Students are required to submit written progress reports and a final written report on their experiences to the faculty sponsor and the department. May be repeated up to a limit of 6 credits.
Prerequisites: Communication Major or Minor; U3 or U4 Standing; Permission of Undergraduate Program Director
SBC: EXP+
1-6 credits, S/U grading
