Curriculum Proposal
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Department: Department of Communication & Creative Arts
Author (Contact): Mary Beth O’Connor
School Document Number: LASS 15-21 COMM
prgm REV BANR ALGNMNT
School Approval Date: 10/5/2015
Date: August 18, 2015
CEP Review Date: 10/14/2015
Effective Term: Commencement of Purdue University Northwest
Senate Approval Date: 11/4/2015
Type of Proposal
(place an X in the proper box)
Course: X
addition X
Program: X
Experiential
Learning
General
Education
deletion X
revision X
Proposal Subject: (One sentence overview of the proposal. Examples: change in title, prerequisite and description of NUR XYZ. Create new plan of
study in XYZ department, etc.)
This document covers all necessary changes that the Department of Communication & Creative Arts at PUC needs to make to
reconcile their curriculum with Department of Communication at PNC for the purpose of unification.
Justification: (Explain the rationale for the proposed change.)
Unification to Purdue University Northwest:
I.
II.
CORE CHANGES: The Department of Communication at PNC & the Department of Communication & Creative Arts at
PUC have agreed to the new common core to unify the departments.
COURSE DESCRIPTION RECONCILIATIONS: The Department of Communication at PNC & the Department of
Communication & Creative Arts at PUC have agreed to all revised course descriptions to unify the departments.
III.
COURSE NUMBER & DESCRIPTION RECONCILIATIONS: The Department of Communication at PNC & the
Department of Communication & Creative Arts at PUC have agreed to all revised course numbers and descriptions to unify
the departments.
IV.
COURSE TITLE, NUMBER & DESCRIPTION RECONCILIATIONS: The Department of Communication at PNC &
the Department of Communication & Creative Arts at PUC have agreed to all revised course titles, numbers and descriptions
to unify the departments.
V.
COURSE ADDITIONS: The course additions for PUC are already taught at PNC & West Lafayette. Additionally, all
current PUC Communication courses will be included in the Purdue University Northwest Department of Communication &
Creative Arts Course Catalog. Finally, the course additions will enable a compatible and unified course catalog.
VI.
OTHER: Both the Department of Communication at PNC and the Department of Communication & Creative Arts at PUC
are in agreement that all course pre-requisites will match those of PUC. Every change and revision in this document has
been created for the purpose of unification and has been voted on and unanimously approved by the PUC
Communication & Creative Arts Department faculty, at their department meeting on Monday, 8/17/2015.
Curriculum Proposal 1
Current: (If proposal is for a course change, enter current course
Proposed: (If proposal is for a course change or new course, enter
information here. Include title, credits, pattern, course description
and course outcomes or objectives. If proposal is for a change in
plan of study, enter name here, and include current bingo sheet as
an attached document, labeled CURRENT.)
new course information here. Include title, credits, pattern, course
description and course outcomes or objectives. If proposal is for a
change in plan of study, or new plan, enter name here and include
proposed bingo sheet as an attached document, labeled
PROPOSED.)
I.
CORE CHANGES:
I.
PURDUE UNIVERSITY CALUMET DEPARTMENT OF
COMMUNICATION & CREATIVE ARTS CURRENT
CORE: (18 cr.)

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II.
PURDUE UNIVERSITY NORTHWEST DEPARTMENT
OF COMMUICATION & CREATIVE ARTS COMMON
CORE: (18 cr.)

COM 10300- Freshman Experience in
Communication
COM 22500- Rhetoric & Social Influence
COM 22800- Introduction to Communication
Studies
COM 25000- Mass Communication & Society
COM 30000- Introduction to Communication
Research Methods
COM 30900- Visual Communication or COM
34300- Fundamentals of Oral Interpretation
COURSE DESCRIPTION RECONCILIATIONS:
CORE CHANGES:
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II.
COM 20400 – Critical Perspectives on
Communication
COM 25000 – Mass Communication & Society
COM 30000 – Introduction to Communication
Research Methods
COM 31800 – Principles of Persuasion
COM 43500 – Communication & Emerging
Technologies – (Capstone)
Applied Communication Elective
COURSE DESCRIPTION RECONCILIATIONS:

COM 11400 – Fundamentals of Speech
Communication
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
A study of communication theories as applied to
speech; practical communicative experiences
ranging from interpersonal communication and
small group process through discussion to
speaking in standard speaker-audience setting.

COM 11400 – Fundamentals of Speech
Communication
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
A study of communication theories as applied to
speech; practical communicative experiences
ranging from interpersonal communication and
small group process through problem
identification and solution in discussion to
informative and persuasive speaking in standard
speaker-audience situations.

COM 25300 – Introduction to Public Relations
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
Theories, methods, and practice of public
relations and their application in industry,
government, education, social agencies, and
other institutions.

COM 25300 – Introduction to Public Relations
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
An analysis of public relations theories, methods
and practices. The course examines public
relations environments, audiences, and message
strategies in industrial, governmental, educational,
social agencies, and other institutional contexts.
This class will satisfy the Experiential Learning
requirement pending approval of the Purdue
University Northwest Senates.
Curriculum Proposal 2

COM 30000 – Introduction to Communication
Research Methods
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
Introduction to the development and application of
historical, critical, and empirical research methods
pertinent to communication problems.
Fundamental concepts of problem identification,
sampling, surveys, historical sources, critical
models, reliability and validity of both
measurement and research design in
communication research. Helpful to have taken a
communication theory course such as COM
21400, COM 32000, COM 20100, COM 25000. It
is not recommended to take COM 30000
concurrently with COM 35300.

COM 31800 – Principles of Persuasion
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
Persuasion and its effects on behavior with
emphasis on evidence and reasoning and on
emotional and personal proof; practice in critical
reception as well as effective composition of
persuasive discourse.

COM 31900 – Rhetorical Tradition
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
A historical survey of major rhetorical theory as it
relates to the development of Western civilization,
with major emphasis on Aristotle and the New
Rhetoric.

COM 32000 – Small Group Communication
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
A study of group thinking and problem solving
methods; participation in, and evaluation of,
committee, and informal discussion groups.

COM 32500 – Interviewing: Principles & Practice
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
Theory and practice of methods in selected
things: informational, employment, and
persuasive. Emphasis on communication between
two persons, questioning techniques and the
logical and psychological bases of interpersonal
persuasion.

COM 30000 – Introduction to Communication
Research Methods
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
Introduction to the development and application of
historical, critical, and empirical research methods
pertinent to communication problems.
Fundamental concepts of problem identification,
sampling, surveys, historical sources, critical
models, reliability and validity of both
measurement and research design in
communication research.

COM 31800 – Principles of Persuasion
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
Persuasion and its effects on behavior, ranging
from individual influences to societal impacts.
Various perspectives and models of persuasion
are examined, including classical and modern
approaches. Both theoretical and pragmatic
considerations are introduced and a focus as well
on effective composition of persuasive discourse.

COM 31900 – Rhetorical Tradition
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
An explanation of major theoretical and
philosophical concepts concerning rhetoric as it
relates to the development of Western civilization;
the relationships between rhetoric and political,
social, and personal decisions are explored.
Ancient and modern authors will be read.

COM 32000 – Small Group Communication
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
A study of group thinking and problem solving
methods; participation in, and evaluation of,
committee, and informal discussion groups. Focus
on the roles, networks, and messages employed
by small group communicators. This class will
satisfy the Experiential Learning requirement
pending approval of the Purdue University
Northwest Senates.

COM 32500 – Interviewing: Principles & Practice
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
Theory and practice of methods in selected
interview settings: informational, employment, and
persuasive. Emphasis on communication between
two persons, questioning techniques and the
logical and psychological bases of interpersonal
persuasion.
Curriculum Proposal 3
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COM 33200- Television Production
(Class 2, Lab. 2, Cr. 3)
Basic principles of producing, writing, and
directing for television. Classroom television
productions are produced in the Purdue Calumet
television studio. Treats program types and
television criticism, and explores creative
treatment of visual, artistic, and nonverbal
elements of communication in television.
COM 33200- Television Production
(Class 2, Lab. 2, Cr. 3)
Basic principles of producing, writing, and
directing for television. Treats program types and
television criticism, and explores creative
treatment of visual, artistic, and nonverbal
elements of communication in television.

COM 35300 – Problems in Public Relations
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
Approaches to problems in public relations as
they occur in industry, government, education,
social agencies and other institutions. It is not
recommended to take COM 30000 concurrently
with COM 35300.
COM 35300 – Problems in Public Relations
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
Approaches to problems in public relations as
they occur in industry, government, education,
social agencies and other institutions.

COM 49000 – Internship In Communication
(Class 1 to 3, Lab. 0 to 3, Cr. 1 to 3)
Experiential, supervised training in public
relations, journalism, telecommunication, oral
interpretation, speech education, organizational
communication, or public communication.

COM 49100 – Special Topics in Communication
(Class 1 to 3, Cr. 1 to 3)
Intensive study of selected topics, varying from
semester to semester, from the literature or
practice of communication.
COM 49000 – Internship In Communication
(Class 1 to 6, Lab. 0 to 6, Cr. 1 to 6)
Variable title, variable pattern, variable credit (16). Experiential, supervised training in one of the
areas of specialization in communication.
Students will work in an organization under
supervision and are required to devote to the
internship the number of hours per week which
the organization supervisor and academic
coordinator have established. Students will spend
a minimum of five hours per week at the place of
the internship. Students will be evaluated by the
organization supervisor and the academic
coordinator.
COM 49100 – Special Topics in Communication
(Cr. 1-6)
Variable pattern. (Variable credit, 1-6.)
III.
COURSE NUMBER & DESCRIPTION
RECONCILIATIONS:
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III.
COURSE NUMBER & DESCRIPTION
RECONCILIATIONS:

COM 42000 – Introduction to Organization
Communication
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
Examination of the communication concepts and
practices related to the function and success of
organizations. Formal and informal channels will
be analyzed on the basis of use, source content,
potency and trustworthiness. Readings and
analyses will focus on goals, reliability and
applicability appropriate of organizational settings.
Types of organizational settings. Types of
organizations to be studied will include industrial
giants, governmental agencies, social and
educational administrative bodies, and formal task
COM 32400 – Introduction to Organization
Communication
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
An introduction to fundamental concepts and
basic research related to communication behavior
in organizational settings. Formal and informal
channels will be analyzed on the basis of use,
source content, potency and trustworthiness.
Curriculum Proposal 4
groups.
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IV.
COM 41800 – Communication and Gender
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
An exploration of how men and women differ in
the communication behavior by examination of an
array of communication concepts and contexts.
An exploration of gender differences as
developed through our perceptual processes, our
socialization processes, and our communication
processes. To provide the student a better
understanding and awareness of the gender
differences in order to improve combination
behaviors and to enable better understanding of
why effective communication between men and
women is often difficult to accomplish.
IV.
COURSE TITLE, NUMBER & DESCRIPTION
RECONCILIATIONS:

COM 21200 – Approaches & Theories to the
Study of Interpersonal Communication
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
Introduction to the contemporary theories of
interpersonal communication, with particular focus
on the practical implications of the theories for the
process of interpersonal and intrapersonal
communication.

COM 35100 – Mass Communication Ethics
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
A survey of various ethical approaches applied to
situations confronting contemporary mass
communicators and will formulate a framework
which can be used for resolving ethical questions
in their professional work.
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COM 35400 – Introduction to Health
Communication
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
Survey of theory and research in health
communication, including interaction between
patients and providers, communication in health
care organizations, health care campaigns, and
cultural meanings of health and illness.
Exploration of the communication competencies
needed by health care professionals (doctors,
dentists, nurses, social workers, therapists, etc.)
in the performance of their health care tasks.
COURSE TITLE, NUMBER & DESCRIPTION
RECONCILIATIONS:
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COM 21400 – Comparative Theories of
Interpersonal Communication
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
Introduction to the contemporary theories of
interpersonal communication, with particular focus
on the implications of the theories for the process
of interpersonal and intrapersonal communication.
Investigation and comparative analysis of
rhetorical theories, linguistic theories and
psychological theories will be emphasized, as will
be construction and analysis of models of
communications.
COM 40300 – Communication Ethics
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
Through research and discussion, students will
develop an understanding of the ethical issues
confronting the mass media and will formulate a
framework which can be used for resolving ethical
questions in their professional work.
COM 37100 – Health Communication
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
Exploration of the communication competencies
needed by health care professionals (doctors,
dentists, nurses, social workers, therapists, etc.)
in the performance of their health care tasks. The
course will emphasize helper-helpee interviewing,
verbal and nonverbal skills, group interaction,
intercultural communication, health care
organizations, and therapeutic communication.
COM 37600 – Communication and Gender
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
An exploration of how men and women differ in
the communication behavior by examination of an
array of communication concepts and contexts.
Focus is on communication processes that create
symbols of gender and how those processes
recreate the meanings of gender in the lives of
individuals and groups.
Curriculum Proposal 5
V.
COURSE ADDITIONS:

COM 20400 – Critical Perspectives on
Communication
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
Introduction to critical thinking and writing about
communication. Draws on humanistic and
qualitative traditions to help students learn and
apply critical approaches to understanding
communication.

COM 24000 – Introduction to Oral Interpretation
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
The study and application of basic theories of oral
interpretation including the analysis and
presentation of literature. Focus will be placed on
the careful study of meaning and emotional
content.

COM 25100 – Communication, Information, and
Society
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
This course provides an introduction to
information and communication technologies,
including media and computer-related
technologies. Basic information and technical
literacy skills are developed, while discussing
fundamental concepts of mediated communication
in 21st century contexts.

COM 25200 – Writing for Mass Media
(Class 2, Lab. 2, Cr. 3)
Labor intensive course teaches basics of
newspaper writing, broadcast writing, news
releases, and online journalism.

COM 26100 – Introduction to Digital Video
Production
(Class 2, Lab. 2, Cr. 3)
Basic production principles and practices.
Emphasis on pre-planning and conceptualizing
skills in addition to practical production
techniques.

COM 35800 – Specialized Reporting
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
Study of, and practice in, methods of journalistic
research and presentation; preparation of in-depth
newspaper stories based on student research.

COM 41500 – Discussion of Technical Problems
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
Principles of speech communication related to
interpersonal and group discussions on technical
topics and problems; practice in using these
modes in situations typically encountered by
technologists.
Curriculum Proposal 6

COM 43500 – Communication & Emerging
Technologies
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
Both historical and contemporary perspectives of
the reciprocal influence of new and changing
technologies and the processes and practices of
communication. The impact of print, telegraph,
telephone, radio, and television will be surveyed,
along with cable systems, direct broadcast
satellites, and videotext.

COM 44200 – Problems in Television Directing &
Producing
(Class 3, Cr. 3)
A studio in which students address problems
encountered in both dramatic and nondramatic
formats as they write, produce, and direct
programs during the semester. Emphasis on
organizational skills, program analysis, and
aesthetic judgment.
Impact on Students: (Explain how students will be affected by the proposal. Benefits to students should be listed.)
Once the merger commences, this proposal will positively impact the students of Communication at Purdue University Northwest by
providing more flexibility and allowing them to take the same courses in Communication at either campus.
Impact on Other Departments: (Explain how other academic departments may be affected by the proposal, and summarize any discussions with
other departments about the proposal. If adding or deleting a course, explain how other departments may be affected.)
The curriculum adjustments and revisions in this document will not change the relationship between the Department of
Communication & Creative Arts and other departments at Purdue University Calumet.
Impact on University Resources: (Curriculum changes affect university resources. Explain here how instructional, lab, computer or library
resources may be affected by the proposal. It is especially important to address the possible need for additional faculty.)
The university will save resources by unifying the Department of Communication at PNC and the Department of Communication &
Creative Arts at PUC.
Impact on General Education Requirements: (If the proposal fulfills or changes general education requirements in your department, explain this
here.)
None. All General Education courses will still be offered using the same course numbers and titles.
Curriculum Proposal 7