This course is an introduction to the theory and practices of persuasion. Students will study both the production and critical evaluation of contemporary social influence. Motivation and attitudinal theories will be examined as they relate message, source, and receiver strategies. Students will learn to be effective producers and consumers of persuasive messages.

The student will be introduced to the skills and techniques of argumentation and will learn to effectively utilize the principles and techniques of advocacy and argumentation by applying them to both written and oral discourse. The course consists of three phases: theoretical, practicum, and evaluative.

The principles and practice of public relations. Lectures, reading, and discussion will introduce students to the theories, techniques, and application of public relations. In addition, case studies and group and individual projects will be used to refine and apply course concepts.

An introduction to the principles of communication research design and execution. This course will focus on qualitative methods which feature participant observation and on both descriptive and experimental quantitative methods. During this course, students will design, execute and report the results of a research project in communication. As a part of this effort, students will receive instruction, and will utilize computers, in the following areas: word processing, literature search, and statistical analysis.