Courses
COM211 Introduction to Mass Communication (3 crs.)
Studies the structure and functions of the mass media in the United States. Examines from both theoretical and practical viewpoints the nature of the communicator, the nature of the audience, and the nature of the mass communication experience.
COM212 Media Writing (3 crs.)
Introduces the variety of mass communication mediums students may encounter in their professional careers. Focuses on preparation and presentation of various mass communication formats. Examines message construction, framing and interpretation from the perspective of print and electronic media, public relations, and advertising. Study of grammar, spelling, and Associated Press news style also a focus. Students will be administered a proficiency exam during the semester to test their abilities. Students must pass the proficiency test with a C or better to pass the course.
COM224 Writing for Broadcast Media (3 crs.)
Opportunity to write for radio and television including news, commercials, public service announcements, editorials, and radio music scripts. Keyboard skills required.
COM285 News Writing and Reporting (3 crs.)
Introduces basic news story genres. Emphasis on perception and selection of data from written reports, interviews, speeches, meetings, and the performing arts. Provides laboratory writing experiences. Keyboard skills required.
COM290 Advertising Copywriting (3 crs.)
Emphasis on writing advertising copy and headlines. Also examines design and layout of advertising for print and electronic media. Prerequisite: COM380.
COM293 Editing (3 crs.)
Devoted to the many responsibilities of the copy editor, including copy editing, head writing, and dummying pages. Prerequisite: COM285.
COM320 Communication Law (3 crs.)
Familiarizes students with legal and self-imposed regulation of mass communications in the United States. Deals, at a minimum, with libel, privacy, obscenity, free press/fair trial, contempt of court, copyright and legal and quasi-legal provisions, and agencies affecting advertising and radio and television. Prerequisite: Junior standing.
COM325 Current Strategies in Electronic Media Programming (3 crs.)
Provides insights into the programming of individual radio and television stations as well as those of major television and cable networks in the United States. Emphasis on issues involving program creation and development, scheduling, audience preferences, and broadcast and cable rating techniques.
COM331 Radio Production and Performance (3 crs.)
Initial production skills course designed for student with no previous experience who wishes to concentrate in the field of radio broadcasting. Focuses on duties of a radio performer/producer. Introduces student to techniques and procedures used by professional radio broadcasters and to aid the student in the development of basic broadcast skills.
COM335 Media Advertising and Sales (3 crs.)
Examines sales function of advertising in commercial media including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and the Internet. Theory and practical application in media advertising, sales, and research are explored. Media competitive advantages and disadvantages as well as sales techniques of each mass medium discussed.
COM338 Electronic Media Management and Regulation (3 crs.)
Involves the goal establishment, decision making, and policy execution processes of electronic media management and regulation, including broadcast and cable radio and television and the Internet. Provides the theoretical and practical bases of broadcast, cable, and Internet management and leadership and views these elements from the perspective of upper and middle management positions.
COM360 Introduction to Photography (3 crs.)
Introduces principles of photography and teaches basic competencies to produce black and white photographs. Students study history of photography, the techniques of photographic composition, and the basic processes of producing camera images in the darkroom. Assignments designed to teach how creative visual communication is achieved through use of black and white photography. Emphasis on practical technique of processing and printing black and white negatives. Students expected to develop an understanding of the relationship of photography to their professional goals.
COM362 Photojournalism (3 crs.)
For students who have an understanding of basic photographic equipment and photographic techniques. Examines and explores use of visual communication techniques in print media and websites. Covers history of photojournalism, technical aspects of photojournalism, and modern visual communication production techniques in both traditional and digital formats. Assignments designed to teach how to produce and edit visual elements and combine them with text for both print and web-based publications. Prerequisite: COM360.
COM370 Television Production (3 crs.)
Introduction to fundamentals of television production. Students obtain experience in the various roles of the television team including producer, director, floor manager, cameraman, etc., in correlated laboratory sessions.
COM375 Public Affairs Reporting (3 crs.)
Provides instruction in methods of gathering and reporting in the mass media information about government and politics, law enforcement agencies and the courts, labor, business and finance, and agriculture. Prerequisite: COM285.
COM376 Feature Writing (3 crs.)
Deals with specialized writing for newspapers and magazines and offers instruction and practice in developing ideas for articles, using research methods, and writing for mass audiences. Keyboarding skills required.
COM378 Computer-Assisted Reporting (3 crs.)
Introduces use of computers in developing, researching, and writing specialized statistical-based stories for newspapers and magazines. Students learn to cull web-based and digital databases for information, analyze and synthesize statistical information, develop story ideas through on-line and database searches, and write coherent stories based on the information. Keyboard skills required.
COM380 Public Relations (3 crs.)
Introductory course dealing with role and function of public relations in society. Emphasizes the application of theory and principles to the practice of public relations.
COM381 Promotional Publication Design (3 crs.)
Offers writers and designers study in print and web-based communication with primary emphasis on desktop publishing (Macintosh) and web-based publishing (DreamWeaver® and other web software). Examines practical application of basic contemporary design to printed and web-based materials such as newsletters, booklets, pamphlets, and advertising messages.
COM395, 396 Internship I and II (1-6 crs.)
Internship of three credit hours can be earned for service in an approved field. Qualifications include junior or senior class standing; 2.5 or higher QPA in the major; completion of at least five courses in the major, including courses necessary for successful work in the internship position; completion of a written analysis of the experience as prescribed by the faculty supervisor; approval of the communication/journalism faculty. Applications must be processed in advance through the Department of Communication/Journalism. Prerequisite: Junior standing and departmental permission.
COM400 Public Relations Writing (3 crs.)
Provides public relations majors with a variety of public relations writing experiences most likely to be encountered in business, government, education, journalism, and community organizations and offers practical exercises in progressive sequence. Different evaluation criteria applied to graduate/undergraduate students.
COM451 Electronic Field Production (3 crs.)
Designed to develop and train visual essayists—single camera videographers who link pictures, words, and sound to create electronic stories. Creates, develops, and polishes skills and techniques needed to produce video documentaries, corporate videos, and live event productions. Skills and techniques developed include telling the visual story without words; writing and shooting long-form TV stories, interviews, and features; learning visual grammar; perfecting video editing; and developing on-camera performance availabilities. Prerequisites: A television production course and a television writing course or permission of instructor.
COM452 Electronic News Gathering (3 crs.)
Focus is preparation for careers as professional electronic journalists. Emphasizes development of news judgment, journalistic responsibilities, and journalistic ethics. Students work in classroom and television environments to acquire and improve reporting, writing, and technical skills needed to succeed in the electronic newsroom. Introduces the culture of the broadcast news environment, including meeting deadlines and working in a team environment both in the field and in the newsroom. Prerequisites: A television production course and a televising writing course or permission of instructor.
COM460 Case Studies in Public Relations (3 crs.)
Reviews current public relations principles and practices as related to business, governments, institutions, and associations. Examines the application of PR principles and practices in the management of contemporary public issues and problems. Different evaluation criteria applied to graduate/undergraduate students.
COM470 Digital Photography (3 crs.)
Introduces principles of digital photography and teaches basic competencies to apply standard photo concepts to the realm of digital imaging. Students study history of digital photography, techniques of composition, and basic processes of producing digital photographs from electronic and traditional camera images. Emphasis on practical technique with electronic equipment (cameras, scanners, photo CDs, and other methods of image acquisition) and the manipulation of images through applications like Adobe Photoshop. Students are expected to develop an understanding of the relationship of digital photography to their professional goals. Different evaluation criteria applied to graduate/undergraduate students.
COM475 Book Production (3 crs.)
Principles and laboratory practices in book design and production. Topics include analysis of principles of design and layout; observing principles of typography; graphics; digital and traditional photography; titles and chapter headings; ethics of publishing; history and impact on society; promotional techniques; working with book editors; specialization; market positioning and launching. Visits to publishing houses. Graduate students conduct market research and participate directly in publishing projects in process, including proofreading, copyediting, and preparation for submission to authors and publishers
COM476 Magazine Design (3 crs.)
Provides opportunity to examine, discuss, and create periodical publications (magazines) in a variety of specialized formats. Develops skills in understanding and creating periodical publications by focusing on writing and design. Examines a variety of magazines to provide an understanding of content, typography, design, layout, and production. Students learn to develop promotional materials necessary to help develop an audience for a periodical publication. Students write and edit several stories for their own publication, which they create as a final project for the course. Students produce a 32-page magazine as this final project. Graduate students taking this course will conduct market research analysis and a strategic promotional plan in addition to standard coursework.
COM481 Interactive Media Design (3 crs.)
Study in interactive communication with primary emphasis on desktop publishing (Macintosh) and the practical application of contemporary interactive design to print and on-line materials and messages using the Macromedia Director design program. Prerequisite: Rudimentary experience with Apple OSX or permission of instructor. Different evaluation criteria applied to graduate/undergraduate students.
COM482 Internet Communication (3 crs.)
Introductory course with the fundamental knowledge concerning the construction, use, and importance of world wide web media for the communications industries. Students construct an actual website concentrating on the usability of web pages and websites while applying skills gained in class to work with real world clients.
COM490, 491, 492 Selected Topics in Communication/Journalism (3 crs.)
Opportunity to offer courses in areas of departmental major interest not covered by the regular courses. Prerequisite: Junior standing.
COM499 Communication/Journalism Senior Capstone (3 crs.)
Required for all graduating seniors. It provides an integration of previous courses in and outside the major. Students analyze and synthesize past learning and relate it to issues and problems in mass communication. Course requirements tailored to meet each student's specific career plans or career focus. Focus on assisting students in establishing a professional identity. Prerequisite: Senior standing.
COM500 Communication Theory (3 crs.)
Analyzes communication theory as it relates to media and audiences and studies the effects of communications on the attitudes and actions of society.
COM511 Modes of Film Communication (3 crs.)
Reviews the theory, history, and criticisms of films; analyzes the content and roles of various modes of film such as documentary, exposition, etc.; provides writing opportunities for the film medium.
COM516 Photographic Communication (3 crs.)
Surveys the history of photography; studies the theory of photography including light, exposure, optics, photographic chemistry, color and composition, and provides background in using photography as a communication tool.
COM526 Emerging Mass Media Technologies (3 crs.)
Reviews and analyzes the role of developing and future telecommunications media technologies and their implication for today's media and society.
COM530 Law and the Media (3 crs.)
In-depth study of the law that affects media. Focuses on the reasoning behind regulation, the impact of the laws, and the need for changes in current regulatory schemes. Legal research skills and methods are stressed.
COM536 World Broadcasting Systems (3 crs.)
Comparative study of international broadcasting program policies, economic systems, control, and organization. The use of broadcasting in international affairs as an instrument of propaganda, culture, and information dissemination. Monitoring of overseas broadcasts, and discussions with representatives of domestic and foreign broadcast agencies.
COM544 Advanced Communication Problems (3 crs.)
Students identify a communication problem related to their professional project or to their thesis. Students then suggest possible solutions and produce or procure the materials needed to implement the solution chosen. Prerequisite: COM500.
COM561 Press and Public Affairs (3 crs.)
Investigates the relationship between print and electronic mass communication systems and local, state, and national governments, including regulatory agencies and barriers to the free flow of information. Considers the roles and functions of the press in reporting public affairs in the light of topical issues.
COM570 Fund Raising and Association Public Relations (3 crs.)
Introduction to the fundamentals of raising funds for education, religious, health, and social welfare organizations. Study includes a review of the conventional techniques used in reaching traditional funding sources. Association organization, membership development, and volunteer support round out the course.
COM594 Selected Topics (1-3 crs.)
COM600 Introduction to Mass Communication Research (3 crs.)
Surveys major trends in mass communication research, including sociological and psychological perspectives, which have built our knowledge about how communication systems work. Through the examination of classic studies in the mass communication field, the student is introduced to a variety of research settings and techniques including readability, persuasion, content analysis, interviewing, questionnaire design and sampling. Prerequisite: COM500.
COM603 Professional Project in Mass Communications (3 crs.)
Students design a project of professional and intellectual interest that contributes both to their knowledge and to the field of communication/journalism. Prerequisites: COM500, 544, 561, 600. (This is an individualized instruction course open only to students who are working with an adviser on the professional project option.)
COM609 Internship I (1-3 crs.)
COM610 Internship II (1-3 crs.)
COM612 Thesis I (3 crs.)
Prerequisite: Prior approval of department chair.
COM613 Thesis II (3 crs.)
Prerequisite: Prior approval of department chair.