Ohio University
Graduate Catalog
Interpersonal Communication
The School of Interpersonal Communication expects its graduates to develop a specialist's depth in the study of human communication, as well as a generalist's perspective. Individualized programs of study are emphasized, though all students are required to complete four required courses listed under each degree program.
The school offers the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. Primary areas of study include interpersonal communication, organizational communication, and rhetorical and communication theory. Emerging areas of emphasis may be selected as primary areas of study in consultation with your advisory committee and with permission of the school's graduate committee.
Admission to graduate study is granted on the basis of recommendations of those familiar with your academic and other work, undergraduate and graduate grade-point average and class standing, scores on the Graduate Record Examination, submitted writing sample, and experiential and other nonformal learning.
Students with strong backgrounds in communication studies are eligible to be selected as graduate teaching associates. Applicants at both the M.A. and Ph.D. levels are considered for associateships. Graduate teaching associates serve as instructors in basic courses, assist in teaching advanced courses, help with the forensic program, or join faculty in research projects.
Applications for admission are accepted at any time. The graduate committee begins reviewing applications by early January, so early application is encouraged. April 1 is the date by which the school makes the majority of its financial awards to graduate students.
Master's Program
Earning a master's degree requires that you complete 45 hours, 40 of which must be in the classroom. The other 5 hours are awarded by completing either a thesis, a research paper, or a professional project.
M.A. candidates must maintain at least a 3.0 g.p.a. in all university work, a g.p.a. of at least 3.0 in all school courses, and no grade below a B- in any school course in the program of study.
A maximum of 12 quarter hours of graduate credit with grades of B or better may be accepted by transfer from approved institutions that offer the master's degree, provided the transferred coursework is acceptable to your advisory committee and is not more than five years old. At least 33 hours of graduate credit must be earned on the Athens campus.
All M.A. students are required to take INCO 600 Introduction to Graduate Study, INCO 610 Theories of Communication, INCO 618 Seminar in Interpersonal Communication, INCO 630 Organizational Communication, and INCO 640 History of Rhetorical Theory.
In addition to a full complement of daytime offerings, each quarter the school schedules a select number of graduate courses during evening hours. Such scheduling permits completing requirements for the M.A. degree through credits earned in either daytime offerings, evening offerings, or some combination thereof. Please contact the school for further details regarding these evening offerings.
Doctoral Program
To be admitted unconditionally, you must have received the master's degree or completed equivalent work (as approved by the graduate committee) at a duly accredited institution. If your master's degree did not include a thesis, you must present for evaluation by the graduate committee other evidence of your scholarly writing ability. Additional evidence of your ability to pursue study at the doctoral level is required, as documented from previous personal, professional, and academic experiences.
Required for the Doctor of Philosophy are 72 quarter hours of credit beyond the master's degree (or its equivalent), demonstration of research competency, and completion of a satisfactory dissertation. A maximum of 16 quarter hours of post-master's degree graduate credit with B or better grades may be accepted by transfer from approved institutions that offer post-master's (doctoral-level) work for application to your primary area, and eight hours of such work for application to each related area, provided the transfer work is not more than five years old and is acceptable to your advisory committee, the graduate committee, and the associate provost for graduate studies and research. At least 48 quarter hours of doctoral credit must be earned on the Ohio University campus. At least three consecutive quarters must be spent in full-time status on the Athens campus.
All Ph.D. students are required to take INCO 600 Introduction to Graduate Study, INCO 610 Theories of Communication, INCO 618 Seminar in Interpersonal Communication, INCO 630 Organizational Communication, and INCO 640 History of Rhetorical Theory.
Faculty
Interpersonal Communication (INCO) Courses
501 Field Research Methods in Communication (5)
Prereq: 600. Development of research methods such as content analysis, participant observation, Q-analysis, questionnaire design, sampling procedures, case studies, and unobtrusive measures.
Staff; Y.
510 Cross-Cultural Communication (5)
Analysis of processes and problems of communication as affected by national cultures; effects of differences in languages, values, meaning, perception, and thought.
Staff; Y.
512 Principles of Message Analysis (5)
Theory, research, and practice in analyzing human messages produced in natural settings. Survey of various coding methods: type/token ratio, content analysis, discourse analysis, and relational analysis; application of selected techniques to previously generated messages.
Staff.
530 Communication and the Campaign (5)
Processes of communication as applied in a campaign, defined as any organizational goal-oriented effort designed to influence behaviors of identifiable population. Emphasizes theory application in nonclassroom campaign situations (political, fund-raising, publicity, etc.).
Staff; Y.
533 Applications of General Semantics (5)
Chief formulations from general semantics and their applications to field of communication.
Staff.
540 Theories of Argument (4)
Relationship between formal logic and rhetorical systems of arguments; intensive study of fallacies and experimental findings related to study of argument.
Staff; Y.
542 Responsibilities and Freedom of Speech in Communication (5)
Ethical and rhetorical implications of constitutional guarantees on political, social, and religious speech; analyses of significant legal cases on freedom of expression.
Staff; Y.
570 Effective Classroom Communication for Teachers and Trainers (4)
Prereq: 1 yr teaching K-12. Focuses on interpersonal communication in classroom environment; emphasis on communication between students and teachers. Taught in seminar format at regional campuses only during summer session.
Staff; Y.
571 Nonverbal Communication for Teachers and Trainers (4)
Covers nonverbal behavior of teachers and trainers in the classroom. Messages communicated by the classroom environment and how the environment shapes students' learning patterns are also covered. Taught in seminar format; small group activities to develop greater sensitivity to nonverbal communication are provided. Readings. Taught in seminar format at regional campuses only during summer session.
Staff; Y.
572 Organizational Communication for Teachers and Administrators (4)
Focuses on the problems of communication within an education-oriented organization. Particular emphasis on elements that help or delay the adoption of change, conflict management, and on practical knowledge and skill for communicating successfully in an educational setting. Taught in seminar format at regional campuses only during summer session.
Staff; Y.
573 Effective Listening and Small Group Communication for Teachers and Trainers (4)
Focuses on steps to more effective listening and working in small groups for teachers and trainers. Familiarizes teachers and trainers with the keys to active listening, the stages of group development and decline, how to manage groups, and improve their cooperation and productivity. Taught in seminar format at regional campuses only during summer session.
Y.
574 Family Communication for Teachers and Trainers (4)
Explores issues of family communication for classroom teachers and organizational trainers. The definitions and nature of contemporary families are explored. Children's view of the family and peer relationships are highlighted. Conflict, stress, decision making, and problem solving are discussed. Special activities for the teacher and trainer are provided. Taught in seminar format at regional campuses only during summer session.
Staff; Su; Y.
600 Introduction to Graduate Study (5)
Definition of field of communication, methods of structuring field, and research concerns within areas of field. Examination of theory and function of research. Analysis of representative types and methods of research.
Staff; Y.
601 Measurement Methodology in Communication (5)
Measurement principles, instruments, and techniques in communication; problems and procedures in testing, measuring, and evaluating communicative attitudes and skills; development and availability of relevant standardized tests.
Staff; Y.
610 Theories of Communication (5)
Survey of contemporary communication theory, emphasizing cross-disciplinary contributions to such theory.
Staff; Y.
611 Language and Symbol Systems (5)
Role of verbal and nonverbal signs and symbols in communication. Emphasizes human symbolizing capabilities and relationships between symbolic structures and physical reality.
Staff; Y.
612 Communication in Social Conflict (5)
Roles of communication in conflict and conflict in communication. Communication strategies for reducing or managing conflict in social situations.
Staff; Y.
613 Communication and Persuasion (5)
Process of communication and attitude change, survey of general theories and typical research, analysis of contemporary persuasion.
Staff; Y.
614 Negotiation and Mediation (5)
Explores communication dynamics involved in negotiating and mediating interpersonal and organizational disputes. Examines research and ethical issues relevant to communication within the contexts of negotiation and mediation.
Y.
618 Seminar in Interpersonal Communication
Provides advanced graduate students with opportunity to identify and analyze basic components of dyadic communicative system including multivariate nature of both relationships and effects.
Y.
620 Nonverbal Communication (5)
Survey of major theories and research areas in field of nonverbal communication. In-depth analysis of research in areas of student interest.
Staff; Y.
621 Gender and Communication (5)
Prereq: 600 or equiv. Explores variations in communicative behaviors related to biological sex and psychological gender. Examines female and male communication in intrapersonal, interpersonal, small group, public, and organizational settings.
Staff; Y.
622 Communication in the Family (5)
Prereq: 600 or perm. Examination of the communication concepts that are basic to understanding interaction in the family. Provides a framework for analysis of family communication. Explores communication issues that relate to conflict, power, intimacy, and the development of relationships. Presents a model of effective communication in the family. Consideration of verbal and nonverbal communication behaviors.
Staff; Y.
630 Communication in Organizations (5)
Introduction to organizational communication. Specific objectives include development of historical progress, examination of major research issues such as information flow, network analysis, communication overload and underload, exploration of theoretical foundations in organizational decision making, superior-subordinate communications, organizational effectiveness, and change processes.
Staff; Y.
631 Communication Audits in Organizations (5)
Examination and discussion of literature covering methods of assessing communication in organizations. Designed to give students practical skill development through actual assessment, data analysis and interpretation, and client report preparation.
Staff; Y.
632 Instructional Training and Development in Communication (5)
Includes philosophies of organizational development; theories of instructional design, emphasizing stages of planning implementation, and evaluation; and communication training skills, including needs assessment and evaluation, writing objectives, application of communication content, and selection of instructional modes and resources--all investigated within business, professional, and governmental organizational contexts.
Staff; Y.
640 History of Rhetorical Theory (5)
Covers main concepts and principal figures in the history of rhetorical theory. Begins with Classical Greece and ends with Postmodernity.
Staff; Y.
642 Modern Rhetoric (5)
Aims, tasks, and significance of rhetoric in relation to human communication processes. Distinctions among speculative, critical, canonical, and performative perspectives in rhetorical inquiry.
Staff; Y.
643 Religious Rhetoric (5)
Pulpit oratory examined through analyses of selected clerics including Luther, Wesley, Whitefield, Beecher, Brooks, Fosdick, Sunday, Graham, and others. Rhetorical analysis of revivalism, camp meetings, social gospel, and ecclesiastical and polemic debates.
Staff; Y.
644 The Rhetoric of Protest and Reform (5)
Rhetorical analysis and criticism of speaking during reform and revolutionary protest movements. Selected areas include American Revolution, antislavery debates, Populists, Progressives, labor unrest, women's rights, and civil rights agitation.
Staff; Y.
645 The Rhetoric of the World Wars (5)
Analysis and criticism of wartime communication, its principal modes, techniques, media, and effects. Theory and practice as reflected in WWI and II.
Staff.
646 Analysis and Criticism of Legal Rhetoric (5)
Analysis and criticism of principal modes, types, and styles of western legal rhetorical communication as mirrored in selected cases, jurists, attorneys, decisions, and arguments, with western legal communication studies as unique mode of rhetoric focusing upon English-American jurisprudence and courtroom advocacy. Case study method employed. Critical analysis accomplished.
Staff.
647 Analysis and Criticism of Political Rhetoric (5)
Analysis and criticism of principal modes, media techniques, and effects of western political rhetorical communication. Theory and practice as reflected in major campaigns, administrations, and movements in both open and closed societies.
Staff.
690 Independent Study (1-15)
Readings on special problems under planned program approved by advisor. Projects must be approved prior to registration.
Staff.
691 Internship (1-15)
Prereq: written proposal and perm. Experience in communication-related activities in organizational environments.
Staff.
694 Research (1-12)
Prereq: perm. Individual research on special problems. Projects must be approved prior to registration.
Staff.
695 Thesis (1-15) Staff.
701 Research Designs in Communication (5)
Prereq: 601. Nature and selection of communicative research problems; development of strategies, techniques, and appropriate designs; critical evaluation and development of experimental and descriptive procedures.
Staff; Y.
702 Communication Historiography I (5)
Prereq: 600. Bibliographic, analytical, and interpretive skills for dealing with published primary source materials, including letters, speech texts, and audiovisual recordings in their historical contexts. Designed to help students become skillful library users, situate a research problem in context, and analyze primary historical materials.
Staff; Y.
703 Communication Historiography II (5)
Prereq: 702. Techniques for research using archival material: transcripts, unpublished speeches, letters, diaries, artifacts (e.g., scrapbooks, museum exhibits), memoirs, manuscripts. Readings exemplify a variety of historical philosophies. Students research an original problem of their own definition within the theme of the quarter; the writing of conference papers is encouraged. Course builds on the pedagogical skills introduced in 702 by developing students' ability to critique bibliographies, argumentation, and prose style.
Staff; Y.
704 Qualitative Research: Ethnography of Communication and Conversational Analysis (5)
Provides students with an understanding of how to conduct communication research projects using two qualitative research methodologies that stress the collection and analysis of naturalistic data--ethnography of communication and conversation analysis. Students will learn to design and implement communication studies using ethnography of communication and conversation analysis.
C. Beck; Sp; Y.
710 Communication and Information Diffusion (5)
Analysis of major approaches to data and information diffusion systems on local, regional, national, and international levels. Emphasis on acquisition analysis and dissemination of data as information, including critical points of interface and interaction between a system and its users.
Staff; Y.
721 Communication Process in Small Groups (5)
Theory and research in group social system, group modification of individual judgment, leadership styles, group vs. individual goals, and intragroup lines of communication in small problem-solving and learning groups.
Staff; Y.
722 Listening Behavior: Theory and Research (5)
Analysis and evaluation of listening process in terms of theory, research, and operational characteristics.
Staff; Y.
730 Communicative Process in Organizations (5)
Prereq: Ph.D. student. Interaction between organizational structure and communication within organizations. Emphasis on theoretical and methodological analysis. Primary focus on conducting major research project.
Staff; Y.
733 Organization Communication Consulting: Foundational Perspectives (5)
Prereq: Ph.D. student. A focus on theoretical perspectives to organizational communication consulting and organizational development. Review of theory and research on communication training, consulting practices, communication variables involved in the client/consultant relationship, as well as intervention techniques.
Staff; Y.
740 Rhetorical Criticism (5)
Theories and methodologies of selected modern critics. Exploration of interdisciplinary dimensions in criticism of rhetorical interactions. Class and individual projects.
Staff; Y.
780 Topics in Communication (1-5)
Communication topics of interest to faculty and students not covered by regular classes. Each offering will consider a different topic on one-time-only basis. May be repeated.
Staff; Y.
790 Interdisciplinary Seminar (3-12)
794 Research (3-12) Prereq: perm. Individual research on special projects. Projects must be approved prior to registration.
895 Dissertation (1-24)
Return to 1995-1997 Graduate Catalog Table of Contents
University Publications and the Computer Services Center revised this file ( https://www.ohio.edu/~gcat/95-97/areas/inco.html
) April 13, 1998.
Please e-mail comments or suggestions to " gcat@www.cats.ohiou.edu ."