COMDIS COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

COMDIS 270  INTRODUCTION   TO  COMMUNICATIVE  DISORDERS       GI          3 u
 The course provides an overview of communicative disorders across the lifespan. Topics include normal communication behavior, the causes and impact of speech, language and hearing disorders, legislation and regulations, resources, cultural and diversity issues, and the role of professionals in the identification and treatment of individuals with communicative disorders.
 

COMDIS 272     PHONETICS AND ITS RELATED PROCESSES        3 u
This course provides a basic understanding of phonology (the study of the structure and function of sounds in a language), and articulatory, physiological and acoustic phonetics. Students are trained to use the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and a variety of informal protocols to record American Standard English, as well as the speech of clinically diverse populations (e.g., non-native, non-standard, multicultural speakers).

 COMDIS 278     SPEECH SCIENCE I: ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY        3 u
This course provides information regarding the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory, phonatory, resonatory, articulatory and nervous systems underlying speech production.
Prereq: COMDIS 270 or consent of instructor.

 COMDIS 355/555     LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND DISORDERS IN CHILDREN        3 u
This course provides an overview of oral language development and its relationship to the development of social skills, literacy and learning. Language characteristics of children with exceptional educational needs are described and strategies for improving their communication skills are discussed.
Prereq: Restricted to students with Professional Education admission. Coursework in child growth and development is highly recommended.

 COMDIS 371     INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL PRACTICUM IN COMMUNICATIVE DISORDERS        3 u
This course provides an introduction to the tasks and related competencies associated with clinical practice in speech-language pathology. Students will develop an understanding of treatment principles, procedures and programs used in clinical practice, and gain an understanding of the responsibilities and professional issues associated with the practice of speech-language pathology across work settings. By the end of the course the student will demonstrate knowledge of the scientific method, and treatment, management and communication skills used in the clinical and supervisory processes.
Prereq: Communicative Disorders major or cons instr.

 COMDIS 375     SPEECH SCIENCE II: SPEECH ACOUSTICS, SPEECH PHYSIOLOGY AND SPEECH PERCEPTION        3 u
This course provides a basic understanding of the principles of general and speech acoustics, speech physiology and speech perception.
Prereq: COMDIS 272 and COMDIS 278 or consent of instructor.

 COMDIS 376     ARTICULATION AND PHONOLOGICAL DISORDERS        3 u
A study of the development of normal articulation and phonology and of the etiologies, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of articulation and phonological disorders.
Prereq: COMDIS 270 and COMDIS 272 or consent of instructor.

 COMDIS 380/580     SPEECH AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT        3 u
This course provides an introduction to the process and sequence of normal speech and language development in children birth to school-age. Theories of language acquisition and the role of cognition, the environment, and caregivers are discussed. A language sample is analyzed and interpreted using knowledge gained in the class.
Prereq: Restricted to students with Communicative Disorders Major or consent of instructor.

 COMDIS 381     HEARING SCIENCE         3 u
A study of physical and psychological phenomena involved in audition to include 1) anatomy and physiology of the auditory system, 2) acoustics for the study of hearing, 3) development of pure tone hearing tests, 4) methods for measuring thresholds, and 5) psychophysical attributes to sound.
Prereq: COMDIS 270 or consent of instructor.

 COMDIS 385/585     FLUENCY DISORDERS         3 u
This course provides for the study of the theories of the cause and onset of fluency disorders such as stuttering and cluttering. It further introduces basic clinical and experimental approaches to these disorders.

 COMDIS 424/624     ORGANIC SPEECH DISORDERS         3 u
This course provides a basic understanding of how structural malformations of the vocal tract influence speech and voice production. The primary focus of study is on applying the principles of speech and voice science to communication deficits associated with structural changes in the vocal tract (for example, voice disorders, cleft palate speech disorders, and swallowing dysfunction).
Prereq: COMDIS 375 or consent of instructor.

 COMDIS 426/626     NEUROGENIC COMMUNICATIVE DISORDERS        3 u
This course provides a basic understanding of the neuroanatomic and neurophysiologic mechanisms underlying speech and language. The primary focus of study is on neuropathologies and how they influence brain/language relations (aphasia, dementia) and sensorimotor control for speech and swallowing (dysarthria, dysphagia).
Prereq: COMDIS 278 or consent of instructor.

 COMDIS 444/644     OCCUPATIONAL HEARING CONSERVATION        3 u
This introductory course assists the student in developing and managing an occupational hearing conservation program. Topics include the effect of noise on hearing, noise and hearing measurement, selection and fitting of hearing protectors, federal and state rules and regulations regarding hearing conservation, and the medicolegal and compensation aspects of hearing loss.
Prereq: Jr st or cons instr.

 COMDIS 450     METHODS: COMMUNICATIVE DISORDERS         3 u
A study of procedures and materials used in the public schools by speech language pathologists. The course aids the student in the development of a workable philosophical approach for dealing with children who have communicative disorders and are attending school.
Prereq: EDFOUND 212 or EDFOUND 222 or EDFOUND 478. Restricted to students with Professional Education admission.

COMDIS 460/660     PRACTICUM IN COMMUNICATIVE DISORDERS        3 u
This course offers supervised practicum experiences: observation of communicative disorders, clinical work on-campus and/or off-campus, and supervision of practitioners or students. Client availability, student level of academic and clinical training, and supervisory expertise will influence student enrollment and section assignment. This course is repeatable for as many times as needed. Prereq: Undergraduate enrollment requires departmental approval and graduate students must enroll every semester.

COMDIS 472/672     ASSESSMENT IN COMMUNICATIVE DISORDERS        3 u
This course introduces the theoretical and practical aspects of the assessment process in communicative disorders. Issues and methods involved in clinical decision-making are reviewed through case studies and applied activities. The interpretation and documentation of information collected during the assessment process are also discussed.

 COMDIS 481/681     LANGUAGE DISORDERS IN CHILDREN        3 u
This course introduces theoretical and clinical issues in child language disorders. Principles and methods relating to the assessment and management of developmental language disorder are discussed. The development of both content knowledge and applied skills are emphasized. Prereq: Communicative disorders major or consent of instructor.

 COMDIS 482/682     AUDIOMETRY         3 u
This course is designed to provide information regarding the disorders of hearing and how different auditory evaluation procedures of the auditory system aid in the identification of specific types of hearing disorders. Training in performing different audiological testing procedures is provided as well as the interpretation of auditory test results.
Prereq: COMDIS 381 or consent of instructor.

 COMDIS 483/683     AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION        3 u
This course reviews current approaches to augmentative and alternative communication. Alternative methods of communication other than speech and methods for augmenting residual speech skills are discussed. The course focuses on the development of basic skills for evaluating and providing intervention programs for individuals using alternative and augmentative communication systems.
Prereq: Consent of instructor.

 COMDIS 490/690     WORKSHOP     Repeatable         1-6 u

COMDIS 491/691     TRAVEL STUDY     Repeatable         1-3 u

COMDIS 494     SEMINAR     1-6 u
Repeatable. Prereq: Jr st and cons instr.

 COMDIS 496/696     SPECIAL STUDIES         1-3 u
Repeatable. Prereq: Jr st. or cons dept chp.

 COMDIS 498     INDEPENDENT STUDY         1-3 u
Repeatable. Prereq: Jr st or cons dept chp.
 
 

Registrar's Office - UW-Whitewater For comments: registrar@mail.uww.edu. Last revised on May 20, 2002 by MAR URL: http://www.uww.edu/catalog