This practicum provides students with a workand-learn experience in the field of media and communication, both on or off campus. In addition to their workplace experience, practica students meet regularly as a class to explore workplace issues and communication challenges. Class sessions are formatted as a professional workshop, whereby students demonstrate leadership skills in public speaking, visual presentation, and group interaction.

Topics vary from year to year.

The study of argumentation theory as applied in the practice of debate for the careful analysis and advancement of propositions regarding important contemporary issues. Students participate in two one-on-one debates and one two-on-two debate.

The rhetoric of classical Greece and Rome, the medieval era, and modern and postmodern approaches to rhetorical practice are surveyed in relation to political, social, and mass media contexts and practices.

This course is about the nature of cross-cultural interaction. Cultural concepts and contexts are explored through taxonomies, theories, and comparative analysis. Through in-class and out-of-class activities, students become self-aware and other-aware. Students also experiment with cultural behaviours and cultural change, aiming to increase both explanatory and predictive cultural knowledge, and enhance behavioural competencies.

This course provides an in-depth look at communication in close relationships. The course begins with models of relational communication and proceeds with self- and other perceptions, verbal and nonverbal strategies and rituals, then the larger processes of communication in developing, sustaining, struggling, and ending relationships. Three featured topics include the role of conflict, verbal abuse, and personal style as factors in close relationships.

What makes this story so good? Compelling magazine and newspaper writing employs narrative nonfiction's creative tools to bring true stories to life. In this intermediate workshop-style course, students analyze examples of the best published memoir, personal narrative, travel writing, and immersion journalism to interpret the author's craft and formulate aesthetic principles to apply to their own creative work.

Playwriting is a workshop course designed for any student interested in developing their storytelling skills by writing for the stage. Students will study major components of playwriting, including dramatic formatting, structure, plot and character development, writing actionable dialogue, analysis, dramaturgy, and more. Students will deepen their understanding of these components and of the creative process through writing exercises, pitching ideas, reading work out loud, and respectfully providing and receiving feedback.

This course introduces students to the history, art, and craft of cogent short-form film and television writing. It involves theoretical and applied components. Topics include: concept, conflict, and character development, writing treatments, structure and plot point crafting, genre considerations, theme and character dynamics, mood and stylistic concerns, etc. Selective scripts from the course may be used in advanced production courses.

A hands-on seminar that explores the use of text, images, sound, video, data and graphics to tell stories in an engaging way. Students will leverage digital tools, social media platforms, and research to inform, educate or entertain. The course explores historical aspects, storytelling structures, design concepts, ethical issues, writing styles, and the business of media.