COMM 2265 Theory, History and Practice of Talk Media
This course may be used to satisfy one of four elective courses required within the Communication major. This course offers an overview of the historical, theoretical, and practical elements of American talk media from the dawn of broadcasting to today. Beginning with early US radio, the class considers the ways in which economics, politics, technology, and culture have shaped American public discourse. The course concludes by giving students an opportunity to produce their own podcast, teaching skills that will allow them to not only create professional content, but also to understand better the communication history and theory they have studied throughout the semester.
Course overview
- Department
- Communication
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Periodically in the Fall
Requirements fulfilled
- Environmental Studies: Concentration — Environmental Communication: Critical Courses (at least 6 credits) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Communication: Electives (four courses, 12 credits): any 3-credit class offered by the department; COMM5589 Internship Practicum may count once (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.30 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.48 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 13
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Christopher Citorik | 4.2 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4–6 hrs/week | 13 of 15 |
| Fall 2025 | Christopher Citorik | 4.6 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.4 | 4.9 | 4.6 | 4.6 | — | 11 of 15 |
| Summer 2025 | Christopher Citorik | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4–6 hrs/week | 3 of 4 |
| Spring 2025 | Christopher Citorik | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4–6 hrs/week | 12 of 19 |
| Fall 2024 | Christopher Citorik | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4–6 hrs/week | 14 of 16 |
| Summer 2024 | Christopher Citorik | 4.7 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4–6 hrs/week | 3 of 4 |
| Spring 2024 | Christopher Citorik | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4–6 hrs/week | 13 of 20 |
| Fall 2023 | Christopher Citorik | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 of 16 |
| Summer 2023 | Christopher Citorik | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 of 4 |
| Spring 2023 | Christopher Citorik | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4–6 hrs/week | 16 of 18 |
| Fall 2022 | Christopher Citorik | 3.9 | 4.0 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.0 | — | 15 of 20 |
| Spring 2022 | Christopher Citorik | 3.6 | 3.8 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 4.4 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 4–6 hrs/week | 8 of 19 |
| Fall 2021 | Christopher Citorik | 4.3 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.5 | — | 11 of 19 |