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Elective Courses

WCS 101

WCS 101: Communication & Society

This course introduces principles and theories of communication applied in various contexts. Students will examine human communication, media studies, rhetoric, and professional communication through the lens of communication theory. They will develop their ability to use communication theory to analyze examples of effective public communication, such as persuasive advertising, powerful speeches, and objective journalism.

  • Prerequisite: N/A

  • This course counts as a Humanities or a Social Science course.

  • To see a sample syllabus for this course, click here

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WCS 135

WCS 135: Introduction to Visual Communication

This course provides students with a practical introduction to visual communication. The course includes genres across print, audio, visual and video materials. Media-rich lectures examine visual genres including advertisements, packaging, video game worlds, pop videos, movies, comics, manga, anime and short pieces from YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. Through these materials, students are introduced to the terminology and basic principles of contemporary multimodal design, and of procedural narrative mechanics. The course surveys a diversity of uses and applications of these visual communication techniques in media, business and also in research. Students use the theory and methods of multimodal analysis to assess Kazakh and other cultural content in Kazakh videos. The final project involves them in research analyzing public responses to multimodal media. 

  • Prerequisite: N/A

  • This course counts as a Humanities or a Social Science course.

  • To see a sample syllabus for this course, click here

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WCS 201

WCS 201: Introduction to Journalism

 This course builds upon communication principles and theories introduced in WCS 101, Communication and Society, and WCS 150, Rhetoric and Composition. The course introduces students to the fundamentals of news writing, photojournalism, media literacy, and media ethics. Students will engage with various readings and research findings in journalism. Activities will include group discussions, writing, evaluating, revising, and publishing. Students will also learn how to identify different journalism genres while becoming conscientious content creators and critical consumers of the media.

  • Prerequisite: WCS 101 (C- or higher) OR WCS 150 (C- or higher)

  • This course counts as a Humanities or Social Sciences Course

  • To see a sample syllabus for this course, click here

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WCS 203

WCS 203: Interpersonal Communication

This course builds upon communication principles and theories introduced in WCS 101, Communication and Society; WCS 150, Rhetoric and Composition; and WCS 200, Introduction to Public Speaking. Interpersonal communication is an interdisciplinary subject that synthesizes research in linguistics, psychology, biology, neuroscience, and communication. Students will examine how cultural perspectives and rhetorical situations influence the way we communicate and how we interpret the communication of others in personal and professional settings.

  • Prerequisite: WCS 101 (C- or higher) OR WCS 200 (C- or higher)

  • This course counts as a Humanities or a Social Science course.

  • To see a sample syllabus for this course, click here

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WCS 204

WCS 204: Gender & Communication

Students in this course will learn how to identify and analyze the forms of communication that enable and determine the construction of gender. Applying the tools of rhetoric introduced in WCS 150, students will examine theories about how gender is communicated verbally and non-verbally in the everyday and virtual worlds. Students will work in groups to analyze artifacts and present their analyses. Students will also work individually to research and select sources relevant to a chosen aspect of gender communication. At the end of the semester, each student will write and present grounded research of the relevance of the course materials to their own experience of gender communication.

  • Prerequisite: WCS 101 (C- or higher)

  • This course counts as a Humanities or a Social Science course.

  • To see a sample syllabus for this course, click here

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WCS 205: Intercultural Communication

This course explores intercultural communication from cognitive, affective, linguistic and behavioral perspectives. Students will examine the barriers impeding successful communication between people with different cultural backgrounds, explore the relationship between culture and communication in various professional and personal contexts, and develop their abilities to engage in self-reflection while exercising flexibility and sensitivity in intercultural encounters. Students will have opportunities to acquire knowledge of theories of intercultural communication, engage in intercultural encounters in both domestic and international contexts, and reflect on their own intercultural communication skills and to assess their own development in this area. The course is designed for students majoring in any subject.

  • Prerequisite: WCS 101 (C- or higher)

  • This course counts as a Humanities or a Social Science course.

  • To see a sample syllabus for this course, click here

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WCS 205
WCS 206

WCS 206: Health Communication

In this course, students will learn through a survey of theory and research in health communication. The course provides an overview of the interactions of people involved in the health-care process, communication in health care organizations, the public dissemination and interpretation of health-related messages, and cultural meanings of health and illness as they relate to physical, mental, and social health issues.

  • Prerequisite: WCS 101 (C- or higher)

  • This course counts as a Humanities or a Social Science course.

  • To see a sample syllabus for this course, click here

WCS 302

WCS 302: Argumentation & Debate 

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Students in this course will be introduced to argumentation theory in order to develop and hone skills in persuasion, debate, and advocacy. The course focuses on the oral construction of factual, value-based, and civic argumentation. Students will gain experience in formal debate, train in policy advocacy, and practice applying research techniques and skills in argumentation analysis.

  • Prerequisite: WCS 200 (C- or higher)

  • This course counts as a Humanities course.

  • To see a sample syllabus for this course, click here

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WCS 335

WCS 335: Visual Rhetoric...COMING SOON

This course explores the expanding role of visual messages in the communication of information. Students will gain an understanding of the theoretical framework for why some messages are clearly understood, memorable and powerful, while so many others are ignored or forgotten. Additionally, students will learn basic design skills they can use to communicate effectively through a variety of visual media.

  • Prerequisite: WCS 101 (C- or higher)

  • This course counts as a Humanities or a Social Science course.

WCS 345

WCS 345: Computer-Mediated Communication

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This course introduces the practical and theoretical issues associated with the role of computer technology in human communication. Students will examine technologies such as new and social media, 3D virtual worlds, email, newsgroups, and chats. Students will analyze computer-mediated communication practices and the long-term implications of CMC such as the social structures that emerge among people communicating through these technologies. Students will also examine the design and implementation issues associated with the construction CMC technologies.

  • Prerequisite: WCS 101 (C- or higher)

WCS 360

WCS 360: Poetry Writing Seminar

This workshop-oriented seminar builds on the rhetorical and analytical skills introduced in 100- and 200-level writing courses. Students will create, workshop, and revise an original poetry collection. They will analyze each other’s writing as well as the writing of contemporary Anglophone poets. Doing so will refine their close reading skills. Students will conduct research to enrich their creative work, collaborate with their peers, and reflect on how their rhetorical and creative choices operate in the context of contemporary Anglophone poetry. Each student will finish the semester with a polished portfolio of 10 original poems as well as a collection of exercises and critical responses.

  • Prerequisite: B or higher in any of the following: WCS 210, WCS 220, WCS 230, WCS 240, WCS 250, WCS 260 AND successful application to the course.

  • This course is offered in Spring semesters.

  • This course counts as a Humanities course.

  • To see a sample syllabus for this course, click here

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WCS 361

WCS 361: Advanced Fiction Writing

This workshop-oriented seminar is devoted to reading, analyzing, composing, and revising creative writing and to the study of the creative process. The course is designed for advanced students who want to learn to refine their writing through a process of repeated editing and analysis. Each student will finish the semester by submitting an edited piece of writing for publication.

  • Prerequisite: WCS 260 (C- or higher)

  • This course counts as a Humanities course.

  • To see a sample syllabus for this course, click here

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WCS 363

WCS 363/WLL 363: Writing Speculative Fiction

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This is an advanced creative writing seminar. The primary focus is on reading, writing and discussing speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy, magical realism and horror) with the understanding of the unique advantages and tools these genres offer a creative writer. In addition, there will be an emphasis on using tools and narrative techniques that diverge from the traditional short story format. Students can expect to read and analyze a variety of contemporary authors; connect their writing to their primary discipline of study to enrich their creative work; work with peers on collaboration and revision; and gain experience in flash fiction, interactive narrative, collaborative fiction and hybrid fiction. By the end of this course students will assemble a portfolio of polished exercises as well as create a longer, finished work in the writing medium and genre of their choice. 

  • Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor (by application)

  • This course counts as a Humanities course.

  • To see a sample syllabus for this course, click here

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WCS 462

WCS 462: Creative Nonfiction

This workshop-oriented seminar is devoted to reading, analyzing, composing, and revising original and previously published creative nonfiction and to the study of the creative process. The course is designed for students interested in exploring narrative elements within factual stories that they have experienced, witnessed, or researched. Students will also refine their writing through a process of oral workshop and repeated revision. Each student will finish the semester with a portfolio of nonfiction short exercises and an extensive, researched longform manuscript.

  • Prerequisite: WCS 260/WLL 235 (C or higher) OR WLL course between 200 and 299.

  • This course counts as a Humanities course.

  • To see a sample syllabus for this course, click here

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WCS 465

WCS 465: Creative Writing: Autofiction

This workshop-oriented seminar is devoted to reading, analyzing, composing, and revising original and previously published longform autofiction and to the study of the creative process. The course is designed for students already familiar with creative writing techniques who want to explore longer narrative elements within personal stories. Each student will finish the semester with a portfolio containing a students’ analysis of their writing as well as an edited and extended manuscript.

  • Prerequisite: WCS 260 (C- or higher) and Instructor approval

  • This course counts as a Humanities course.

  • ​To see a sample syllabus for this course, click here

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WCS 485

WCS 485: Communication & Leadership ...COMING SOON

Students in this course will explore theories of rhetorical leadership and the role that communication plays in leadership. The course examines how leadership requirements are changing across the world and includes a critical analysis of the social, cultural, psychological, and emotional dynamics that shape effective leadership. Students will learn to address problems encountered by leaders and develop the behaviors, attributes, and communication skills needed to lead others effectively.

  • Prerequisite: WCS course between 201 and 209 (C or higher)

  • This course counts as a Humanities or a Social Science course

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