Communication

An historical and critical survey of the role played by communication media in shaping culture. Media examined include books; newspapers; magazines; film; radio, recording, and popular music; television, cable, and mobile video; video games; and the Internet and World Wide Web. Also examined are the supporting industries of public relations and advertising, as well as theories and effects of mass communication; media freedom, regulation, and ethics; and global media. Attention is given throughout to improving students' media literacy.

This course covers the theories and practices of speech communication behavior in interpersonal, small group and public communication situations. The course is intended to enhance student understanding of and ability to use the basic skills of verbal and nonverbal communication, increase competence and confidence in delivery of presentations, enhanced critical thinking skills and enhanced interpersonal communication skills.

Introduces the student to contemporary announcing techniques, especially for radio and television, but also for other media. Emphasis is given to interpretation of copy, audio and video performance, voice analysis and improvement, interviewing techniques, pronunciation and articulation, and general speech improvement. Some attention is also given to ad-lib announcing, as well as news, music, and sports announcing.

A study of the democratic methods used to solve problems and conduct business in various kinds of group organizations. Includes a number of traditional face-to-face group activities as well as individual presentations.

An introduction to recording and manipulating sound, this course includes segments on sound behavior, equipment and software used for recording and manipulating sounds for broadcast, video, and film; signal processing, editing, and mixing. Supplies fee.

In this course, students will learn how to create and manipulate digital images captured from a camera, a scanner, or from scratch. Students will acquire the ability to manipulate and enhance digital images through the use of selection tools, image adjustments, filters, and blending modes. Fee for supplies.

This course is an introduction to the storytelling, digital technologies and techniques applied to create contemporary media content across a range of platforms. Hands-on video and audio projects will expose students to the basic methods and procedures of creating content for digital media. An emphasis is placed on story development and its pre-production, production, postproduction and delivery methodologies used across the disciplines of film, television and radio. Fee for supplies.

Introduces the basic tools, materials, and techniques of digital photography. Assignments are designed to develop skill in camera operation, composition, and editing and printing the digital photograph. Supplies fee.

Cognitive and experiential learning about interpersonal relationships. Students acquire insights about themselves and how they relate to others.

This course builds on student's basic exposure in COMM 137 to story, camera and editing techniques used by film and television professionals across a range of platforms. Hands-on experience will provide learning opportunities in operating a camera, as well as using both lighting and audio equipment to tell their stories. Students will also learn to integrate this technical knowledge into key development, pre-production, production, postproduction and delivery methodologies used across the disciplines of film, television, new and emerging media. Supplies fee.

A course dealing with definitions, basic objectives, and concepts of public relations. Attention is given to the role of public relations, research for public relations, publics and target audiences, communication concepts and channels, campaigns, and the legal and ethical environment of public relations. (Also taught as MKTG 241.)

This course teaches future communication professionals how to write and communicate confidently across multiple platforms. In addition to learning the basic reporting and interviewing skills needed for all media, students will learn how to repurpose broadcast and print news for the Internet. Students will also be introduced to the research skills used in the field of communication, and begin the process of senior portfolio development.

This course introduces students to both the theory and application of today's social media platforms and digital tools. Students will explore the development and influence of user-generated content as well as strategic use of branded content, all in the context of managing multiple digital channels. We will study theories on how content goes viral and examine case studies on ways viral videos have impacted the reputation of individuals and corporations. Overall, students will learn best practices in social media marketing as used by content creators, brands and major institutions.

This course offers the lower-division student opportunity to pursue investigations in fields of special interest under the direction of the departmental staff. Content and method of study must be arranged prior to registration. May be repeated for a total of 2 credits.

Provides academic departments an opportunity to offer courses in specialized or experimental areas, either lower or upper division, not listed in the undergraduate Bulletin.  May be repeated for a total of 3 credits.

An advanced study of the management of media organizations, this course includes segments on historical and contemporary management theory, ethics in management, financial and human resources, promotion and marketing, programming, and regulation.

The course focuses on the writing of narrative, specifically in the creation of novels and short stories, examining traditional and non-traditional plots, character development, dialogue, setting, and other literary techniques.(Also taught as ENGL 333)

A study and practice of the principles and techniques involved in persuasion. Elements include the psychology of persuasion; the relation of persuasion to imaging, advertising, and propaganda; and the role of persuasion in a free society. Students will demonstrate what they have learned by applying it to a persuasive campaign project of their own making during the semester.

This course will expose students to advanced storytelling, editing techniques, production, and video. As a major component of the course, students will actively collaborate to develop, produce and deliver content intended for online delivery platforms. Supplies fee. 

This course focuses on writing for performance, which may include the creation of stage plays as well as screenplays. Students will coordinate with COMM 337 Video Production II students in the development of scripts for production during the semester. General concepts are included to provoke thought about writing on a much broader basis. This includes discussions on dialogue, characterization, conflict, action, and setting, as well as the differences in writing for screen versus stage.

A study of visual rhetoric, specifically the relationship between images and the messages they convey. The course will survey images in all areas of modern mass communication, including advertising, public relations, journalism, graphic design, photography, motion pictures, television and video, and the World Wide Web. Supplies fee.

This course studies the role of advertising in society, its impact on the economy, its function in business and marketing, and its communication aspects, including media applications. Attention is given to social, legal, and ethical considerations; the business of advertising; consumer behavior; and creative strategies and processes. (Also taught as MKTG 351)

A study of film, including its history and the major theories used to understand what is still a very young medium. The course provides an overview of the key ideas in understanding film, while also exploring the major movements in their social and cultural contexts that shaped filmmaking's development. Starting with some of the earliest films, the course progresses through the medium's evaluation, arriving at a deeper understanding of contemporary cinema. Along the way, we will take note of influential directors and their techniques that contributed to the making of a powerful global art form that still refuses to be defined.

A continuation of COMM 261, this course teaches the student how to cover news stories in all situations and using multiple media. Study will include writing for today's journalism, preparing content for multiple platforms, the history of journalism, editing and cropping, and ethical and legal issues. The student will refine his or her ability to write and photograph the news story, using audio, video, web, print and other media. Supplies fee.

A study of fundraising and the philanthropic tradition and its role in the successful operation of nonprofit organizations. Attention is given to the techniques of producing fundraising proposals and campaigns directed to individuals, foundations, corporations, and other philanthropic organizations.

This course deals with the relationship between writers and editors from both perspectives, with students during the semester taking on both the role of editors seeking writers to produce material as well as the role of writers seeking publication. Elements include working with writers, a production staff and deadlines. In addition, emphasis is placed on students publishing articles in on- and off-campus publications.

A study of the major principles of media law and media-related ethical concerns. Emphasis is given to the most important court decisions and statutory enactments in communication law, including prior restraint, libel and slander, fair trial/free press conflicts, and the First Amendment. Attention is given to building a personal approach to ethics within the context of the individual's relationships both with supervisors and with the public.

This course builds on student's exposure in COMM 237 to story, camera and editing techniques used by film and television professionals across a range of platforms. Hands-on experience will provide advanced learning opportunities in operating a camera, as well as using both lighting and audio equipment to visually bring their stories to life. Students will also learn to integrate their technical knowledge into key development, pre-production, production, postproduction and delivery methodologies used across the disciplines of film and television, new and emerging media. Supplies fee.

This course uses team projects to teach the tools and techniques necessary to work in the fields of advertising and public relations. Advertising assignments may include, but are not limited to, image and identity, political advertising, jingles and slogans, campaigns for large and small companies, and demographic and psychographic research. Public relations assignments may include but are not limited to, crisis management, special events, media relations, publications, and internal communications. (Also taught as MKTG 442)

This course presents the theoretical bases of interpersonal communication, group and public communication, mass communication, and communication in cultural contexts. Attention is given to the nature of inquiry and theory as well as several topics in communication theory, including interpersonal messages, cognitive processing, relationship development and maintenance, influence, group decision making, organizational communication, public rhetoric, media and culture, media effects, and intercultural and gender communication. There are ethical elements throughout the course as well as discussion integrating and relating the communication theories covered.

This internship course offers the advanced student university credit for on-the-job, off-campus work in film, radio, television, public relations or advertising under the joint direction of departmental staff and a supervisor at the organization or business selected. Ideally, the internship will occur the summer between the student's junior and senior years. Eligible for IP grading.

In this course, communication majors will finalize the contents of their portfolios before graduation. Students will also complete their senior thesis in this course, pursuant to their specific capstone class. This course required of all graduating communication majors and will be taken in their senior year.

This course offers the advanced student opportunity to pursue investigations in fields of special interest under the direction of departmental staff. Content and method of study must be arranged prior to registration. May be repeated for a total of two credits.

Provides academic departments an opportunity to offer courses in specialized or experimental areas, either lower or upper division, not listed in the undergraduate Bulletin.  Student may be allowed to repeat the course for credit.