Communication Sci&Disorders  

COMM 401 - American Sign Language I
Credits: 4.00
Introduction to the vocabulary, finger spelling, grammatical processes, phonology, syntax, and semantics of American Sign Language. Emphasis on applying principles of sign language; psychosocial aspects of deafness, and the deaf person as bilingual; grammatical processes that modulate meaning of sign in discourse; development of receptive language skills. Lab.

COMM 402 - American Sign Language II
Credits: 4.00
Emphasis on the advanced linguistic principles of American Sign Language including idioms slang and its place in the communication pattern of the deaf. Improvement of speed and accuracy in receptive and expressive skills for communicating with the deaf. Educational and vocational problems associated with deafness. Prereq: COMM 401 or its equivalent; juniors and seniors only. Lab.

COMM 520 - Survey of Communication Disorders
Credits: 4.00
Causes, diagnosis, and treatment of speech, language, and hearing disorders.

COMM 521 - Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanisms
Credits: 4.00
Anatomy, physiology, neurology, and function of the mechanisms for the production and perception of speech.

COMM 522 - Acquisition of Language
Credits: 4.00
Introduction to normal language acquisition; stages of children's developing language examined within a linguistic framework with attention paid to syntax, morphology, phonology, semantics, and pragmatics. Theories of language acquisition overviewed.

COMM 524 - Clinical Phonetics
Credits: 4.00
Application of the International Phonetic Alphabet to normal and clinical populations; use of broad and narrow transcriptions. Basic speech science, acoustic phonetics, and acoustic analysis of speech production.

COMM 536 - Introduction to Deaf Studies
Credits: 4.00
This course addresses various aspects of the deaf community, including the value of American Sign Language and the culture it reflects, professions within the deaf community, legislation affecting deaf people, educational approaches and controversies, activities and events relating to the population, and hearing-related issues.

COMM 537 - Understanding Deaf Culture
Credits: 4.00
This course examines deaf culture from a multidisciplinary perspective. The historical treatment of deaf individuals is explored within a sociological and cultural context as a backdrop to the emergence of deaf culture. Course content includes minority group dynamics, education of the deaf, the deaf community as a linguistic and cultural minority, and the importance of deaf culture.

COMM 575 - Have You Heard? The Fundamentals of Hearing and Hearing Loss
Credits: 4.00
This course will provide an overview of hearing loss including current issues and technology. Areas of study will focus on the incidence of hearing loss, terminology and definitions, service delivery models, educational trends, accessibility regulations and the impact of noise. Information about the various professionals, who work with individuals with hearing loss, and their respective roles, will also be provided. This 4 credit course is open to all undergraduates and it has no prerequisites.

COMM 630 - Organic Pathologies
Credits: 4.00
Neurological bases, diagnosis, and treatment of communication disorders; emphasis on motor speech disorders and aphasia. Prereq: permission.

COMM 631 - Articulation and Language Disorders in Children
Credits: 4.00
Research, diagnosis, and therapy procedures as applied to articulation and language disorders.

COMM 635 - Professional Issues in Speech-Language Pathology
Credits: 4.00
Introduction to the profession of speech-language pathology; review of issues related to scope of practice; professional ethics, certification/licensure, and current challenges facing the profession. Discussion of employment opportunities for speech-language pathologists. Writing intensive.

COMM 637 - Multicultural Issues in Communication Disorders
Credits: 4.00
The purpose of the course is to allow students to become informed about the complexity and the ways in which cultures differ. The students develop a comprehensive understanding of, cross cultural sensitivity to, and competence of one's own culture and the characteristics of the four major cultural groups in the United States. The students also develop intercultural skills for assessing and counseling individuals as mandated by our professional association policies and positions on language diversity in the clinical management of clients from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

COMM 638 - American Sign Language Teaching Assistant
Credits: 3.00
Students pursuing advanced training in ASL have opportunities to hone their own signing skills by assisting ASL instructors in classroom and other settings, serving as student mentors, ASL lab assistants, and tutors. Course may be repeated up to a maximum of 6 credits. Prereq: ASL I and II. Permission required.

COMM 660 - Special Problems
Credits: 2.00 to 8.00
Individual or group projects to enrich or expand theoretical knowledge and to afford an opportunity for applied experience. May be repeated to a maximum of 8 credits. Prereq: permission and arrangement with faculty.

COMM 704 - Basic Audiology
Credits: 4.00
Normal hearing process and pathologies of the auditory system. Hearing screening, pure-tone testing, and speech audiometry. Prereq: COMM 521 or permission.

COMM 705 - Introduction to Auditory Perception and Aural Rehabilitation
Credits: 4.00
Research, testing, and clinical procedures of auditory perception, applied to the communicatively impaired. Prereq: COMM 704; permission.

COMM 734 - American Sign Language III
Credits: 4.00
Builds upon the information covered in Introductory ASL I and II. Development of basic grammatical rules, vocabulary, manual alphabet/numbers, visual-gestural communication, and information related to Deaf Culture are covered. All lectures, laboratory activities, outside assignments build upon rudimentary competency in receptive and expressive use of ASL and develop fluency and competency. Class is conducted using ASL only. Prereq: American Sign Language I and II.

COMM 735 - American Sign Language IV
Credits: 4.00
Builds upon the information covered in Introductory ASL I, II, and III. Development of basic grammatical rules, vocabulary, manual alphabet/numbers, visual-gestural communication and information related to Deaf Culture are covered. All lectures, laboratory activities, outside assignments build upon rudimentary competency in receptive and expressive use of ASL and develop fluency and competency. Class is conducted using ASL only. Prereq: American Sign Language I, II, and III.

COMM 736 - Clinical Assistant
Credits: 2.00
This course is designed for seniors who are majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CS&D). This course offers an opportunity to gain pre-professional clinical experience by serving as an assistant to a graduate clinician who is participating in a practicum at the UNH Speech-Language-Hearing Center. Clinical assistants will be able to take an active part in the treatment of an individual with a communication delay, disorder or difference. The undergraduate's role in the clinical process will be contingent upon his or her level of training and assigned responsibilities. The supervising clinical faculty is responsible for overseeing the intervention program. Prereq: Seniors who are majoring in CS&D and have a GPA of 3.3 or above. Permission of the instructor is required. Enrollment is limited and varies each semester depending on the number of clients available. May be repeated up to a maximum of 4 credits.

COMM 738 - Linguistics of American Sign Language
Credits: 4.00
This course provides linguistic study of the major structural aspects of phonology, morphology, syntax, lexicology, and discourse in American Sign Language. Concepts of language variation, dialect, creolization, and bilingualism are studied. Taught primarily in ASL. Prerequisites/Proficiencies: COMM 733 - Elementary American Sign Language II Minimum grade of: C.

COMM 739 - Introduction to Aphasia in Adults
Credits: 4.00
The course introduces the student to the relationship of brain and language and the resulting language processing problem following cerebral vascular accident (CVA). Differential diagnosis of language symptoms and treatment strategies are discussed and observed in clinical situations. Permission required.

COMM 740 - Treatment of Adults with Acquired Brain Injury
Credits: 4.00
This "hands-on" multidisciplinary experience enables students to acquire clinical skills and professional competence in a community-based day program where they assist adults with acquired brain injury meet their physical, emotional, cognitive-linguistic, social, spiritual, recreational, and vocational needs. Permission required.

COMM #775 - Advanced Language Acquisition
Credits: 4.00
Careful examination of theoretical perspectives and landmark studies provides the foundation for the exploration of advanced topics in language acquisition. Current approaches to child language research guide students to approach the course context from a scientific perspective. Prereq: COMM 522, permission.

COMM 777 - Speech and Hearing Science
Credits: 4.00
Physical, acoustical, and perceptual correlates of normal speech production and audition. Includes theoretical models with the generation, transmission, detection, and analysis of speech signals.

COMM 779 - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Internship
Credits: 4.00
The internship will allow students in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Minor to expand their knowledge about the needs, challenges and experiences of deaf and hard of hearing individuals. The internship locations will be varied and matched, as closely as possible, to the student's particular interests. Potential placement opportunities include a school for the deaf, a public agency or vocational setting which provides services for deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Prereq: COMM 533, COMM 536, and COMM 733; permission. Cr/F.

COMM 795 - Independent Study
Credits: 1.00 to 8.00
Individual or group projects involving directed study of an area of communication disorders that students wish to explore in greater depth than is covered in the required curriculum. May be repeated to a maximum of 8 credits. Prereq: permission.

COMM 798 - Special Topics
Credits: 1.00 to 4.00
New or specialized topics not covered in regular course offerings. May be repeated for a total of 8 credits. Special fee on some topics.