School of Media & Communication
Ron DeMarse, Director
Email: Ron.DeMarse@wku.edu
Angela M. Jerome, Assistant Director
Email: Angela.Jerome@wku.edu
Jody Richards Hall, Office 216
Phone: (270) 745-4144
Website: http://www.wku.edu/smc
The School of Media & Communication houses a master’s degree in Applied Communication and graduate certificates in Communicating in Organizations and Communicating in Healthcare (see Graduate Studies’ Catalog for details on the School’s graduate programs).
The School also offers undergraduate majors in Advertising, Broadcasting, Communication, Film, Journalism, Public Relations, and Visual Journalism & Photography, as well as two minors (Broadcasting and Journalism Writing) and five undergraduate certificates (Digital Advertising, Personal Branding, Sport Media & Communication, Strategic Communications, and Workplace Communication).
The School fervently believes that a broad-based liberal arts and science curriculum is essential for a well-rounded understanding of society and that students and faculty should embrace a spirit of social awareness and service to diverse communities. As such, the School’s faculty encourage students to think critically, act ethically, and cultivate the ability to adapt intellectually and creatively to the opportunities and challenges of an increasingly complex information society.
The School also participates in regional and national competitions as well as hosts field trips, guest lectures, professional workshops, and other events to provide fellowship for students with common interests and to enhance student learning and post-graduation success.
Faculty
Professor
Kumi Ishii PhD (Communication Studies), Kent State University Kent Campus, 2004
Angela M. Jerome PhD (Communication Studies), University of Kansas Main Campus, 2002
Jennifer Mize Smith PhD (Communication), Purdue University Main Campus, 2006
Holly J. Payne PhD (Communication), University of Kentucky, 2003
Associate Professor
Jie-Young Kong PhD (Communication), Arizona State University-ALL, 2012
Assistant Professor
Crystal D. Daugherty PhD (Communication), University of Memphis, 2019
Senior Instructor
Gary K. Hughes PhD (Communication), University of Kentucky, 2014
Communication Courses
COMM 461G Organizational Communication 3 Hours
Theoretical examination of rhetorical principles operant in modern organizational communication systems.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
COMM 501 Qualitative Methods in Communication Research 3 Hours
Study of qualitative research designs and the procedures typically used in communication research. Includes general overview of interviewing and other qualitative research methodologies.
Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Organizational Communication (0012)
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; spring 2024; fall 2024
COMM 502 Quantitative Methods in Communication Research 3 Hours
Study of quantitative research designs and the procedures typically used in communication research. Includes general overview of survey, and other quantitative research methodologies along with statistical analysis using computer software.
Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Organizational Communication (0012)
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022
COMM 505 Introduction to Applied Communication & Research 3 Hours
Designed to bridge the gap between professional experience and academic rigor, this course equips graduate students with essential skills in applied communication and research. Students will develop advanced communication abilities, explore workplace-relevant research tools, and prepare for ethical information use and portfolio development.
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Masters Degree.
Enrollment is limited to students in Organizational Communication (0012)
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
COMM 510 Strategies for Teaching Communication 0 Hours
Designed to improve the teaching performance of COMM graduate assistants in teaching the basic public speaking courses.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
COMM 523 Health Communication 3 Hours
An examination of the role communication plays in the delivery of health care. Focus is on provider-patient relationships, other providers of care, health communication campaigns, health behavior change, and within health care contexts.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
COMM 528 Communication in the Nonprofit Sector 3 Hours
Survey of organizational communication issues and the ways in which they are uniquely situated in and applied to nonprofit organizations and philanthropy.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2023
COMM 547 Organizational Communication 3 Hours
An advanced survey of organizational communication theories, research, and current issues. This course emphasizes the application of theoretical frameworks to understand and improve communication practices within organizations, fostering ethical awareness and strategic analysis.
Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Organizational Communication (0012)
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
COMM 552 Democracy, Power, & Voice in Organizations 3 Hours
An in-depth look at the theoretical underpinnings and communication research related to participation, democracy, voice, and power in for-profit, non-profit, volunteer, and community organizations.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
COMM 553 Health Communication Campaigns 3 Hours
Examines and analyzes the critical role communication plays in planning, implementation, and evaluation of health communication campaign.
Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
COMM 561 Communication for Global Organizations 3 Hours
This course examines effective and context-appropriate communication among members of organizations operating in global environments across various work settings.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2023; fall 2024
COMM 564 Crisis Communication 3 Hours
Role of communication in crisis prevention, crisis readiness and crisis resolution.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022
COMM 566 Organizational Persuasion 3 Hours
This course examines persuasion in contemporary organizations. Students will analyze and create organizational persuasion from a number of perspectives.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
COMM 568 Organizational Belonging and Engagement 3 Hours
An in-depth examination of organizational membership, belonging, and engagement utilizing the framework of organizational identification. This course utilizes organizational identification concepts to identify, critique, and improve organizational practices and messages aimed at increasing organizational member connection and involvement.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2024
COMM 570 Seminar in Human Communication 3 Hours (repeatable max of 9 hrs)
Selected topics in communication theory: small group communication, language behavior, etc.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
COMM 571 Digital Communication for Organizational Success 3 Hours
This course explores the principles and strategies of effective digital communication across diverse work contexts.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2024
COMM 581 Applied Organizational Communication 3 Hours
Provides opportunities for students to apply theoretical concepts to various functions of organizational communication in industry and corporate contexts.
Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2022; summer 2023; summer 2024
COMM 586 Process of Group Communication 3 Hours
Practice in the group communication processes that lead toward successful team work in organizational contexts.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
COMM 590 Intercultural Communication Strategies 3 Hours
Provides a comprehensive framework for developing effective communication across cultural differences, blending theoretical insights with practical approaches to strengthen communication in diverse contexts.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2023; summer 2024
COMM 595 Independent Study in Communication 3 Hours
Permits students to conduct individualized communication research in an area of their interest.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; fall 2023; summer 2024
COMM 596 Graduate Internship in Communication 3 Hours
This course offers students a project-based work experience in an organization under faculty direction.
Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2023
COMM 598 Applied Communication Portfolio 1 Hour
This graduate portfolio capstone offers students the opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of applied communication. Students will curate a professional portfolio, refined and revised with faculty feedback, to showcase their skills, achievements, and growth throughout the program.
Prerequisite(s): COMM 505 with a minimum grade of B
Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Masters Degree.
Enrollment is limited to students in Organizational Communication (0012)
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
COMM 599 Thesis Research/Writing 1-6 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)
Thesis research and writing directed by faculty committee.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
COMM 600 Maintaining Matriculation 1-6 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)
Continued enrollment for thesis completion.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
Public Relations Courses
PR 521 Public Relations in Recreation and Sport 3 Hours
Specialized application of effective communication techniques for building relationships with internal and external constituencies that support marketing from the general practice of public relations.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None