176 Telitha E. Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities strategies specifically geared toward the needs of their organization or field of interest. Prerequisite: MPC 6010 or permission of MPC program director. MPC 6350 - Visual Communication in the Workplace Credits: (3) Visual messages are a powerful way to inform, persuade and educate. Within the workplace, the ability to effectively communicate goals, ideas and client information through combinations of visual and textual elements is an invaluable skill. This course introduces students to philosophical and theoretical perspectives that enable effective visual presentation in the organization. It also exposes them to practical design principles, skills and tactics that generally guide effective screen and print design. Additionally, students will learn how to critically analyze visual communication materials and aids according to standards that reflect sensitivity to fairness, diversity, good ethics and effectiveness. MPC 6400 - Leadership Communication Credits: (3) Communication is the core of organizational leadership. This course is designed to explore both the theoretical and practical aspects of leader- and foliowership embedded in complex environments with an emphasis on recognizing and managing change. Leadership in organizations will be examined from a variety of perspectives including historical, ethical and critical. Key topics include leadership traits and skills, leadership roles and behaviors, power and influence, theories of leadership, leading change, ethical leadership, and developing leadership skills. The course includes experiential activities using cases, role plays, and action learning projects to develop relevant skills. Prerequisite: MPC 6010 or permission of MPC program director. MPC 6450 - Advanced Organizational Co m m un ication Credits: (3) This course provides a graduate-level overview and introduction to the discipline of organizational communication in a global world. Class readings and discussions will include topics such as organizational structure/process, rationality and decision-making, (sub) cultures and socialization, individual and collective identities, networks, leadership, teams, power/control, conflict, change, technologies, and ethics. Case studies from current events and guest speakers will be used to apply theoretical concepts to actual organizational life. MPC 6500 - Topics in Professional Communication Credits: (3) variable title The study and application of professional communication in contemporary society is dynamic and ever changing. This course will provide students with opportunities to explore specialized topics in a seminar format. This course may be taken twice as elective credit with different titles and topics. Prerequisite: MPC 6010 or permission of MPC program director. MPC 6600 - Strategic Communication Credits: (3) Effective strategic communication and planning is essential to any organization. This course helps students to understand and develop skills to create and manage internal and external messages for different situations, industries, and locations. Students prepare for effective strategic communication by asking and answering the right questions about the goals of the organization, its members, stakeholders and others who impact its operation, such as regulatory bodies. Effective strategic communication and its planning consist of the optimal use of people, budgets, tactical elements, and media in a chaotic, changing world. Prerequisite: MPC 6010 or permission of MPC program director. MPC 6620 - Conflict Resolution and Mediation Credits: (3) Communication is at the center of any negotiation or mediation process. It is in and through communication that resolution becomes possible. This class will explore the key interpersonal skills that are central to managing the processes of conflict resolution and mediation competently. MPC 6700 - Research Methods for Professional Communication Credits: (3) Communication must be measured in order to evaluate its effectiveness, to refine and improve results, and to demonstrate value to an organization. This course reviews methods available to professional communicators to measure and evaluate research regarding the performance of a particular communication medium or an integrated communication campaign. Students receive instruction on commonly used professional research methodologies such as focus groups, surveys, usability studies and test-and-control methods to learn how to run studies on a "shoestring budget." For projects with research budgets, students learn what to look for when hiring a research firm and how to evaluate and implement the research findings. Prerequisite: MPC 6010 or permission of MPC program director. MPC 6900 - Thesis/Project I Credits: (3) Typically taught: Fall [Full Sem] In this course students will begin their theses or projects under the direction and with the support of their faculty committees. They will write, present and have their thesis or project proposal approved. Prerequisite: MPC 6010 or permission of MPC program director. May be repeated 2 times for a maximum of 9 credit hours. *Please note that students who, for any reason, do not finish their thesis or project or program of courses within the two-year framework suggested in this program, must pay continuing enrollment and tuition the semester they defend their thesis or project. MPC 6950 - Thesis/Project II Credits: (3) Typically taught: Spring [Full Sem] This course will allow students to complete their workplace project or traditional academic thesis. Students will prepare, present and defend their projects or theses during this semester for review and approval. This course is rep eatable for a total of two times for a total of nine credit hours of which only three will apply to degree completion. Prerequisite: MPC 6010 or permission of MPC program director. *Please note that students who, for any reason, do not finish their thesis Weber State University 2014-2015 Catalog