COMM 425. Digital Advocacy. 3 or 4 hours.

Social media, social movements and advocacy efforts in the digital era. Topics covered include hashtag activism, global movements, digital activism, online mobilization around social injustice. Course Information: 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Some sections may be offered fully online or in a blended-online and classroom course setting. Consult the Schedule of Classes for the mode of instruction. Use of computer and internet access is required for all online and blended sections. A high speed connection, while not required, is strongly suggested. Prerequisite(s): COMM 301.

COMM 435. Data, Privacy and Ethics in the Digital Age. 3 or 4 hours.

Datafication and privacy. Topics include commodification of personal information through various devices and platforms; the quantified self; legal, ethical, and contextual approaches to privacy; politics of algorithms. Course Information: 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Some sections may be offered fully online or in a blended-online and classroom course setting. Consult the Schedule of Classes for the mode of instruction. Use of computer and internet access is required for all online and blended sections. A high speed connection, while not required, is strongly suggested. Prerequisite(s): COMM 301; or admission to the MA in Communication, Digital Media, and AI.

COMM 440. Technology, Social Justice, and Sustainable Futures. 3 or 4 hours.

Complex interplay between technology, humans and the environment. Anthropocene and climate change. Sustainable design. Electronic waste. Environmental racism. Futurology and Afrofuturism. Technological diffusion and planned obsolescence. Course Information: 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Some sections may be offered fully online or in a blended-online and classroom course setting. Consult the Schedule of Classes for the mode of instruction. Use of computer and internet access is required for all online and blended sections. A high speed connection, while not required, is strongly suggested. Prerequisite(s): COMM 301; or approval of the department.

COMM 445. Politics of Platforms. 3 or 4 hours.

Exploration of the politics embedded in digital platforms’ policies and practices. Topics include content moderation, mis/disinformation, AI, digital activism, privacy and surveillance, influence, and community. Course Information: 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Some sections may be offered fully online or in a blended-online and classroom course setting. Use of computer and internet access is required for all online and blended sections. A high speed connection, while not required, is strongly suggested. Prerequisite(s): COMM 301.

COMM 510. Social Networks and Technology. 4 hours.

Foundational theory and methods of social and informational networks. Emphasis on social influence and social network sciences theories as they pertain to the field of communication and technology. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): COMM 500; and COMM 501; and COMM 502.

COMM 512. Digital Marketing and Public Relations. 4 hours.

Strategies for AI, digital, and social media engagement to create effective campaigns. Emphasis on proven theories and techniques to embed consumer cultures, enhance brand visibility, and leverage engagement.

COMM 514. Social Media Influencers, Branding, and Marketing. 4 hours.

Influencers as branding and marketing makers. Focus on social and technological implications. Topics like attention economy, AI-driven content creation, hyper-personalization, digital labor, and micro-celebrity covered.

COMM 515. AI and Digital Journalism. 4 hours.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Journalism issues and best practices. Focus on theory and practice. Responsible AI and reporting. Ethical & legal copyright issues. Fact-checking & transparency. Digital storytelling using AI tools & techniques.

COMM 520. Data Metrics, Research, and Digital Literacies. 4 hours.

Practices, procedures, and methods focusing on digital communication research using quantitative and qualitative approaches. Emphasis on research conceptualization, data analysis, social media metrics and AI, ethics, literacies.

COMM 594. Advanced Special Topics in Communication. 1-4 hours.

Student may register for more than one section per term. Advanced topics in communication theory and research. Subject matter varies. Course Information: May be repeated. Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.