Dr. White's area of specialization is interpersonal communication with interests in personal relationships, nonverbal behavior, and communication learning. Her research examines how patterns of interaction shape relational processes and how relational transitions impact family communication. She has examined college student-parent communication about money and purchasing. Her work also examines how people learn about communication behavior and what types of difficulties they encounter in enacting communication processes, such as intervening in risky college drinking behavior.
keywords
interpersonal communication, relational communication, nonverbal communication, health communication
CMCI 1000 - Special Introductory Topics in CMCI
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Fall 2020
Investigates special introductory topics in media, communication and information. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours on different topics.
CMCI 3000 - Special Topics in CMDI
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Spring 2023
Investigates special topics in communication, media, design and information at the upper-division level. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours on different topics. Formerly CMCI 3000.
COMM 1600 - Group Interaction
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Spring 2026
Learn communication skills to be a better group member and enhance group effectiveness in a variety of professional and civic contexts. Practice group communication skills through an innovative group project and online simulation. Focuses on topics such as group development & socialization, decision making, conflict management, technology & virtual group work, difference & diversity, planning & coordination, leadership & management, and ethics. Required for COMM and COMN majors. Formerly COMM 1600.
COMM 2500 - Interpersonal Communication
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Fall 2025
Examines how communication processes such as language and nonverbal behavior shape perceptions of self, influence identity, and impact interpersonal roles and relationships. Students learn theories of human interaction and consider how this can be used to improve relational communication. Recommended prerequisites: COMM 1210 and COMM 1600.
COMM 3420 - Gender and Communication
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Fall 2025
Examines gender as a social practice that remains vital to identities, relationships, and institutions in contemporary society. Treats gender as something we do or enact through communication, rather than as something we are or have, and explores the implications of this shift in perspective. Investigates how gender interacts with sexuality, race, class, nation, age, ability, and other aspects of identity.
COMM 3510 - Family Communication
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Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024 / Fall 2025
Explores communication in families from various theoretical perspectives, such as social constructionism, systems theory, and dialectical theory. Communication patterns and processes created and sustained by family members are examined, including rules, roles, stories, rituals, myths, metaphors, themes, and cycles. Recommended prerequisites: COMM 1210 and COMM 1600.
COMM 4000 - Advanced Topics in Communication
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Spring 2018
Analyzes special interest areas of communication theory, research, and practice. Course format involves lecture, discussion, investigative analysis, and practical application. May be repeated up to 15 total credit hours on different topics. Recommended prerequisites: COMM 3210 and COMM 3300.
COMM 4100 - Seminar in Honors Thesis Writing and Research
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Fall 2018 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2023
Provides the opportunity for students writing an honors thesis to develop their understanding of the research process and to improve their research and writing skills.
COMM 4510 - Senior Seminar: Interpersonal Communication
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Spring 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2025 / Spring 2026
Reviews current theory and research on topics such as communication in intimate relationships, the darkside of relationships, and online relationship management.
COMM 4950 - Senior Thesis: Honors
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2022 / Fall 2022
For exceptional communication majors who wish to graduate with department honors and receive credit for writing an honors thesis. For students accepted into COMN Honors program and currently completing COMN Honors Thesis project.
COMM 6200 - Seminar: Selected Topics
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Spring 2018
Facilitates understanding of current and past theory and research on a selected topic in communication and the ability to develop new theory and research on that topic. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours on different topics.
COMM 6780 - Roles, Relationships, and Identities in Interaction
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Spring 2021
Examines how social roles influence communicative practices, the development of relationships, and the impact of relationships on identity. Considers these processes in contexts, such as personal relationships and institutional settings. Topic varies. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours on different topics.
