Courses

• CN101 Introduction to Communication (3) PGC

  Theory and methods of intrapersonal, interpersonal, small group, organizational, public, intercultural, and mass communication.

• CN151/PG151/SY151 Statistics for Social Science (3) (SS1/SS2)

  Students will study descriptive and inferential statistics and how they are both important in analysis of different types of research involving human participants. Emphasis will be on statistical concepts and how they are applied in the Social Sciences. Using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences), a widely-used software in the Social Sciences, students will learn how to select and utilize appropriate statistical tests to analyze datasets. The overall goals are to increase understanding of the importance of statistics in the scientific method, specifically research design and analysis, and to enhance critical thinking skills. The knowledge and skills gained in this course will allow students to advance in higher level courses such as Research Methods and lay a foundation for their own research design, data collection, and data analysis.

• CN185 Introduction to Radio Production (3)

  Introduction to the radio industry and workings of a radio station.

• CN186 AQ Sound Management Staff Practicum (1)

  Experience working for AQ Sound in one of the following staff positions: Station Manager, Programing Director, Music Director, News & Sports Director, Promotions Director, Technology Director, Treasurer, Secretary. Only available for Credit/No Credit. Prerequisites: CN185 or department chairperson approval.

• CN205 Public Speaking (3)

  Basic skills for effective informational, persuasive and special occasion public speaking including voice, movement, composition, organization, ethical implications and audience analysis. Prerequisite: CN101.

• CN206 Interpersonal Communication (3)

  Principles underlying communication behavior, focusing on feedback, nonverbal communication, decision making, listening, communication barriers and breakdowns, persuasion, and conflict. Prerequisite: CN101.

• CN207 Family Communication (3)

  Analysis of roles, power, space, and variables of cohesion and adaptability in familial systems, with interpersonal and personal subsystems.

• CN208 Nonverbal Communication (3)

  Elements of nonverbal communication: body and gestures, paralanguage, facial and eye behavior, arrangement and use of space. Prerequisite: CN101.

• CN212/BS212/PS212 Parliamentary Procedure

  Designed to familiarize the student with fundamental practices in the process and procedures of rules of order as practiced in organizations and businesses.

• CN285 Understanding Mass Media (3)

  Analysis of the dynamics of mass media and its influence on society; criticism of the rhetoric of mass media; techniques for consuming media messages. Prerequisite: CN101.

• CN300 Listening (3)

  Listening combines context theories dealing with various aspects of the listening process with skill application to encourage applied and theoretical competence. Prerequisite: CN101.

• CN301 Intercultural Communication (3)

  Analysis of verbal and nonverbal language relativity and potential barriers and breakdowns in communication between individuals of differing cultures, subcultures, including not only national and ethnic differences, but also differences in age, sex, vocation, financial status, etc. Prerequisite: CN101.

• CN302 Communication Ethics (3) WI

  Principles and perspectives of ethical speech communication are studied and applied to a variety of private and public communication situations. The impact of honest versus deceptive communication of the individual and society is evaluated. Prerequisite: CN101.

• CN303 Principles of Persuasion (3)

  Theory and methods of changing, modifying, and reinforcing attitudes and behaviors through communication. Prerequisite: CN101.

• CN305 Advanced Public Speaking (3)

  Advanced theory and skills for effective informative and persuasive public speaking including audience adaptation, research, composition, organization, support, voice and movement. Prerequisite: CN101, CN205.

• CN307 Small Group Communication (3)

  Principles and perspectives of communication in small groups including development, roles, norms, conflict, language and nonverbal communication; techniques of decision making and problem solving, information sharing and public presentations. Prerequisites: CN101, CN205, CN206.

• CN310 Special Topics in Communication (3)

  Offered as timely issues concerning communication arise.

• CN311/WS311 Gender Communication (3)

  Principles and perspectives of the similarities and differences in men’s and women’s communication. Presents skills that men and women can use to communicate more effectively. Prerequisite: Sophomore

• CN315 Comm. Lab Theory & Practice (3) SS1/SS2

  Theory and practical application of the communication lab facilitation process. Designed to highlight the applied role of communication in the facilitation of client interaction, with an emphasis on, but not limited to: facilitation methods, facilitator-client relationship, lab functioning/climate, and constructive feedback design. Prerequisite to acting as a facilitator within the communication lab. Prerequisites: CN101, CN205, CN305* *CN305 may be enrolled in concurrently.

• CN316 Communication Lab Facilitation (1-3) SS1/SS2

  Up to three (3) semester hours (enrollment may be repeated to obtain a total of three semester hours) of experience facilitating the communication lab. Facilitators will assist clients with honing communicative and public speaking related activities, including but not limited to: topic generation, organization, audience analysis, self-presentation, and verbal/nonverbal delivery across varying contexts. Only available for Credit/Fail. Instructor approval required. Prerequisites: CN101, CN205, CN305, CN315.

• CN350 Crisis Management (3)

  A pragmatic and theoretical perspective on the role of communication before, during, and after an organizational crisis. Prerequisite: Sophomore

• CN360: Conflict Resolution 1 (3)

  Introduces theoretical concepts related to interpersonal conflict, conflict styles, tactics, power, and relationships through conflict theory, research, observation and practice. Fulfills half the requirements (along with CN361 and 40 hours of observation) to become a State Court Administrative Office approved mediator and listed in court rosters in Michigan to mediate general civil cases (e.g. employment, contract, landlord/tenant, neighborhood disputes) as well as work for Michigan’s dispute resolution centers. Prerequisites: CN101, CN206.

• CN361: Conflict Resolution 2 (3)

  Description dictated by the SCAO requirements (not unique to Michigan) for 40-hour mediator trainings, including substantive content, teaching formats and methods, satisfying the training requirements for court-approved mediators in Michigan and other states. Retention of syllabus and manual are needed for mediator approval. Course does not satisfy all requirements of the Michigan Court Rules for approval as mediators (MCR 2.411); additional requirements are discussed. Prerequisites: CN101, CN206, CN360.

• CN397 Field Experience in Communication (Variable)

  Up to six (6) semester hours of internship or experience in a field directly related to communication. Only available for Credit/No Credit. Prerequisite: Department chairperson approval.

• CN398 Readings in Communication (Variable)

  Individually negotiated program of readings on a selected topic established between instructor and student. Contracts filed with Registrar. Prerequisite: Department chairperson approval.

• CN399 Independent Project (Variable)

  Individually negotiated project in a selected area related to communication established by contract between instructor and student. Contracts filed with Registrar. Prerequisite: Department chairperson approval.

• CN401 Organizational Communication (3)

  Human communication in organizations, including groups and dyadic communication operating in the organizational structure. Prerequisites: CN101, CN206, Junior or instructor approval.

• CN406 Advanced Communication Theory (4) SC

  Survey of principal communication theories; an introduction to theory building. Must be taken at Aquinas College. Offered only in the fall semester. Offered only in the sixteen (16) week format. Prerequisites: CN101, CN205, CN206, CN285, CN307.

• CN498 Research Methods (4) WI

  Quantitative and qualitative methods applied to communication; practicUm in research methods; presentation of the research project. Must be taken at Aquinas College. Offered only in the spring semester. Offered only in the 16-week format. Prerequisites: CN101, CN205, CN206, CN305, CN307, CN406.