Dr. Sprain's research program focuses on democratic engagement, studying how specific communication practices facilitate and inhibit democratic action. Because outreach and praxis are crucial to democratic engagement, much of her research is collaborative, funded, and focused on the theory–practice interface. Informed by work as a deliberative practitioner with the Colorado State University (CSU) Center for Public Deliberation (CPD), her research bridges conventional divisions among normative theory, empirical research, and practice. By working at the theory–practice interface, Dr. Sprain's research informs and improves democratic engagement on pressing social issues, such as climate change, water conflict, and community resilience.
keywords
deliberation, civic engagement, culture and communication, ethnography of communication, environmental communication, small group communication, social movement rhetoric, discourse analysis
COMM 1600 - Group Interaction
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Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023
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.
COMM 2400 - Discourse, Culture and Identities
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2020
Considers how communication is central to constructing who people are and examines social controversies related to talk and identities. Students learn to analyze and understand discourse, defined as everyday talk and conversation, through the practice of discourse analysis.
COMM 3000 - Issues in Communication
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Fall 2019
Explores select issues in communication. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours on different issues. Recommended prerequisites: COMM 1210 and COMM 1600.
COMM 4950 - Senior Thesis: Honors
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Spring 2024
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 6010 - Communication Research and Theory
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Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
Provides an introduction to graduate study of communication, offering an overview of the discipline and its scholarship. Required for MA and Ph.D. communication students.
COMM 6030 - Qualitative Research Methods
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Spring 2021
Introduction to the epistemology, methodology, and representational practices associated with qualitative communication research. Fieldwork methods emphasized include participant observation, interviewing, and document/artifact analysis.
COMM 6200 - Seminar: Selected Topics
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Fall 2019
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 6455 - Community-based Research Methods
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Fall 2021
Facilitates and supports graduate student-led community-based research. Working from multiple CBR traditions, students develop a thoughtful rationale for conducting CBR and practice a repertoire of CBR methods (e.g., group decision-making, managing ethical dilemmas, collaborative data collection and analysis, and communicating findings).
COMM 6940 - Master's Candidate for Degree
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019
Registration intended for students preparing for a thesis defense, final examination, culminating activity, or completion of degree.
