Course Descriptions

COM1002 Introduction to Communication
40 hours, 4 credits

The course will introduce students to basic models and theories of the communication process. Students will learn about a variety of elements involved in communication. They will also explore how factors such as race, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status, and gender influence communication. Students will focus on developing an awareness of the effects of various types of communication on themselves and others. They will also develop practical skills for improving their ability to communicate in personal, social, and professional contexts. Specific topics will include perception, self-concept, verbal and non-verbal communication, effective listening, and communicating in culturally diverse settings.

Prerequisite: Passing grade in Developmental Education coursework or placement determined by Rasmussen University entrance placement exam score

COM1388 Communicating in Your Profession
40 hours, 4 credits

This course teaches communication theory and skills for developing professional documents and oral presentations for audiences in diverse workplace communities and disciplines. To equip students to communicate effectively, this course emphasizes thinking and writing within global contexts, in collaborative situations, and in various electronic environments.

Prerequisite: Passing grade in Developmental Education coursework or placement determined by Rasmussen University entrance placement exam score

COM1865 Locating and Evaluating Information
20 hours, 2 credits

This course provides a broad overview of information literacy concepts by introducing skills for locating, evaluating, and ethically using a variety of resources for a specific purpose. The course begins with the information cycle and the production of information, followed by the identification of a topic and research question, and the selection, evaluation, and integration of sources into an annotated bibliography.

COM3278 Explorations of Human and Computer Languages
40 hours, 4 credits

In this non-computer programming course, students will explore the relationship, including similarities and differences, between human language and programming language. Students will synthesize these languages by exploring shared and unshared characteristics including meaning, logic, and how they are learned. Students will address real-life debates around programming languages and HTML, as well as imagine how programming languages and HTML may acts as a global lingua franca, or common language, in the future.