Why do digital assistants have women's voices? Are highways racist? This course explores the influence of gender and race on communication technologies. Drawing on communication, gender studies, critical race studies, and science and technology studies, this class engages in a social examination of everyday technologies. We examine the historical relationship between gender, race, and technology and understand how design decisions influence the meanings of communication tools. Students are required to have taken two 500 level CMN courses (C-) prior to this course, unless granted instructor permission.

The goal of this course is to study the role of the media in American politics, and what media evolution means for future politics. Topics such as political campaigns, media effects, news reporting, framing terrorists, etc. are studied in depth. Timely topics such as "are the media liberal or conservative?" are debated in class. Research projects and papers study questions related to important social issues such as women in the media. Students are required to have taken two 500 level CMN courses (C-) prior to this course, unless granted instructor permission.

Uses rhetorical analysis and criticism to evaluate communication practices in courtroom disputes. Compares conventional American litigation to alternative methods. Explains how stages of a trial shape communication options and norms. Illustrates common subjects and forms for judicial reasoning. Students are required to have taken two 500 level CMN courses (C-) prior to this course, unless granted instructor permission.

Working from a rhetorical perspective toward communication as persuasive action, students learn to analyze environmental communication in public spheres. Communication about the environment is examined in visual and popular culture, print and digital news, advertising and marketing, science communication, corporate communication and advertising, and campaigns and movements. Special attention to issues of public engagement, citizen activism, and public advocacy. Students work on a semester long case study in which they analyze, evaluate, and respond to communication about an environmental problem in a local town. Students are required to have taken two 500 level CMN courses (C-) to take this course, unless granted instructor permission.