Communication

The student will learn theories and skills for the oral performance of various types of literary texts, including dramatic literature, prose, and poetry. Also explores the development of programs on a theme.

COMM 103 — Interpersonal Communication. 3 hours.

Communication theory and its value in interpersonal relationships; attention is given to the development of insights regarding the process of communication as well as the developments of techniques and skills in the communication of ideas through class activities.

COMM 105 — Fundamentals of Communication. 3 hours.

This course, through the methods of public speaking, interpersonal communication, and small group communication, will enable the general education student to perform orally in various kinds of situations. Primary focus will be given to oral presentation skills, while integrating both theory and practice in interpersonal and small group communication skills. The course will also emphasize the importance of critical listening, audience adaptation, and responsible research.

COMM 110 — Introduction to Acting. 3 hours.

Study of the process of analyzing and creating roles for performance. Students will develop technical performance skills through scene work. Theories of acting will be analyzed and applied. Offered in alternate years.

COMM 120 — Introduction to Theatre. 3 hours.

The study of the theatre as an art form. This course will integrate various approaches to the study and appreciation of the theatre, including its performance and historical and literary aspects. Major project includes production work on the current school play. Offered in alternate years.

COMM 141— Introduction to Journalism. 3 hours.

An introduction to the journalistic writing style. Emphasis is on learning what is news, how to gather news, and how to write news stories. Students are encouraged to publish in the local press, especially the student newspaper.

COMM 171 — Fundamentals of Radio/Beginning Announcing. 3 hours.

Emphasizes the communication and performance skills that are essential for successful announcing. Topics include: interpreting copy, voice and diction, broadcast interviewing, and sports and music announcing. Students are given practical experience with broadcast studio equipment necessary for announcing. COMM 277 must be taken concurrently with this course.

COMM 175 — Nonlinear Editing. 3 hours.

An introduction to advanced editing with a nonlinear editing system. Students will integrate character generator, graphics, digital effects, and music. The principles of storytelling and visual continuity will be stressed. Students will have special projects tailored to their specific interests, which then can be used as a professional demonstration reel.

COMM 198, 398 — Dramatic Practicum. 1 hour.

Credit will be granted to persons who make major contributions to a theatrical production on campus. Participation may include acting, assistant directing, lighting, set design/construction, etc. Up to four credit hours may be earned in this manner. Determination of credit and major contribution is to be judged by the faculty member directing the production. Each practicum hour will require approximately four working hours per week.

COMM 200 — Introduction to Communication Studies. 1 hour.

An introduction to speech communication literature, to the place of speech communication among related academic communities, and to methods and modes of research in speech communication. Students will be required to investigate and report on a specific area of study with speech communication.

COMM 221 — Mass Media and Society. 3 hours.

History and current issues in mass communication; examines basic technology, social and regulatory control, economics, audience uses and gratification, and media effects on individuals and society. Prerequisite: COMM 105.

COMM 233 — Small-Group Communication. 3 hours.

Designed to help the student develop the skills necessary (problem-solving, creative thinking, decision- making) for effective communication in the small group through appropriate readings and by providing related group activities.

COMM 242 — College Publication Practicum. 1 hour.

The emphasis is on the development of skills in news writing, editing, and layout and design for the student literary magazine, newspaper or yearbook. Practicum may be repeated up to six credit hours, but only two hours are required for the journalism concentration. Each practicum hour will require approximately four working hours per week. The student's training will be under the direct supervision of the journalism instructor and the executive editors of the publications.

COMM 243 — Beat Journalism. 3 hours.

Newsroom simulation. Students are assigned weekly news stories on various beats on campus and in the community. Advanced reporting and writing techniques will be emphasized. Prerequisite: COMM 141.

COMM 272 — Writing for Radio and Audio Media. 3 hours.

Writing various forms of broadcast continuity, including commercial and non-commercial advertising copy, promotional, station imaging, interview questions, and conversational news copy. Special focus on "writing for the ear." Offered alternate years.

COMM 273 — Beginning Audio Production. 3 hours.

Basic concepts of multi-track audio production including commercial production, promotional, Public Service Announcement, and interview editing. Use of beds, sound effects, creation of sound effects and voice editing. COMM 277 must be taken concurrently with this course. Prerequisite: COMM 171.

COMM 277 — Broadcast Practicum. 1 hour.

Practical experience in the campus radio station by serving in a wide variety of areas from station management to staff announcer. Practicum may be repeated up to six credit hours. Each practicum hour will require approximately four working hours per week. Corequisite: COMM 171, 273, 374 or 375.

COMM 280 — Writing for Television and Video. 3 hours.

A survey of television and video script formats. Each student will not only study script formats, but will also be required to write original scripts in these areas.

COMM 290 — Basic Video Production. 4 hours.

This production and post-production course will train students in the fundamentals of camera work, general lighting, and linear editing, with special emphasis placed on shooting and editing video projects. Each student will be part of their own production team that works on several projects. Upon completion, students will possess a working video vocabulary and be prepared for more advanced courses.

COMM 295 — Investigative Reporting. 3 hours.

Sometimes called "depth reporting," students implement research techniques using computer sources and public records to develop deeper, richer, longer stories on more complex issues than routine news. Prerequisite: COMM 141.

COMM 300 — Service Learning. 1 hour.

Each major within the department will utilize the student's particular communication skills in the context of service to the off-campus community. Typical service learning experiences may include helping a nonprofit organization with a special project (i.e., video, brochures, fundraising, dramatic presentations, etc.). A minimum of 30 clock-hours must be spent on the particular project. Each service learning project must be approved and supervised by the student's adviser.

COMM 305 — Professional Communication. 3 hours.

This course is designed to give the student frequent and intense experience in public speaking and debate. This course emphasizes the importance of clarity and understanding of informative messages and power of persuasive messages. Attention is given to the process of analyzing an issue, structuring arguments, using evidence, and handling refutation and rebuttal in oral communication. Prerequisite: COMM 105.

COMM 320 — Directing. 3 hours.

An examination of the directorial process from script analysis to actual theatrical production. This course examines such topics as dramaturgy, blocking, stage movement, casting, rehearsal, production, and communication with designers. Students will provide direction for scene work in class and work on a scene or one-act play for the Department of Communication's annual "Night of Performance." Prerequisites: COMM 120. Offered in alternate years.

COMM 330 — Public Relations and Communication. 3 hours.

This course will examine both skills and strategy involved in designing effective public relations messages. It will do so through writing exercises, analysis of case studies, and the design of a campaign to improve the image of an organization. This course will also address ethical issues related to public relations.

COMM 342 — Persuasion and Media Influence. 3 hours.

A study of principles and techniques of attitude and behavior change at group and societal levels. Special attention will be given to the use and misuse of propaganda. Term project will include the production of an actual persuasive campaign based on principles developed earlier in the term. Prerequisite: COMM 105.

COMM 344 — Journalism Layout and Design. 3 hours.

Students organize, edit and lay out all elements of a newspaper including stories, headlines and photographs. The course will examine technical as well as philosophical issues in editing and design.

COMM 345 — Online Journalism. 3 hours.

Students publish online by creating a Webzine or online news magazine. Emphases include writing in the unique Web style and "layering" story-relevant media components such as video, audio, photos, interactive tables, etc. Prerequisite: COMM 141 or permission of instructor.

COMM 346 — Magazine and Feature Article Writing. 3 hours.

A study of various magazine formats and nonfiction article types will precede intensive feature writing assignments. Students will be encouraged to submit articles to various markets. Prerequisite: COMM 141 or approval of instructor. Offered in alternate years.

COMM 347 — Organizational Communication. 3 hours.

The purpose of this course is to examine and develop some proficiency in the skills that are necessary to effectively communicate within organizations as well as between organizations and their constituencies. Of particular interest are topics such as conflict resolution, developing trust, clear presentation of organizational image, and decision-making in organizations. Offered in alternate years.

COMM 348 — Journalism in a Democratic Society. 3 hours.

Presents the history and role of the free press within the United States and other democratic societies. Examines basic economic, political, and social issues of tension that exist within journalism.

COMM 349 — Intercultural Communication. 3 hours.

Similarities and differences of communication patterns across cultures are the foci of this course. Of particular concern will be communication rituals, nonverbal signals, and communication patterns of cultural groups.

COMM 364 — Dramatic Literature/History. 3 hours.

Survey course examining representative plays from each period of theatre history. Special attention is paid to the cultural and historical factors influencing the development and decline of each period. Prerequisite: LIT 205.

COMM 371 — Studio Production. 3 hours.

Students organize, write, produce, and direct an in-studio program. Students acquire familiarity with all positions, including camera, lighting, audio, and floor-directing. Prerequisite: COMM 290 or permission of instructor.

COMM 372 — Remote TV Productions and Editing. 3 hours.

Focuses on projects in a non-studio environment using portable video equipment. Provides practical experience in remote shooting. Projects include shooting commercials, press conferences, sports events, dramas, and music videos. Students will also learn how to edit their projects on a digital linear editing system. Prerequisite: COMM 290.

COMM 374 — News and Interviewing for Audio Media. 3 hours.

Organization and operation of a radio news department; gathering, writing and recording news for audio broadcast, internet and pod cast. Instruction and practice in announcing news, news services, handling of wire copy, use of actualities and telling stories with audio only. Conducting and editing of news, and long-form interviews. COMM 277 must be taken concurrently with this course. Prerequisite: COMM 273. Offered alternate years.

COMM 375 — Radio Programming/Advanced Announcing. 3 hours.

Lecture based class discussing and developing advanced skills and techniques related to the programming of radio. Historical perspective of programming will be given, discussion of actual techniques used by programmers using music, promotions, imaging, jingles and personalities. Critiquing air talent, music scheduling, audio production, copy writing, advanced imaging, and staff management is a sampling of projects. COMM 277 must be taken concurrently with this course. Prerequisite COMM 171. Offered alternate years.

COMM 391 — Communication Ethics. 3 hours.

A variety of ethical systems (Christian, utilitarian, Aristotelian, etc.) will be used in this course to assist the student in developing a means of making and evaluating ethical decisions in communication. A case study approach will be used to examine the role of ethics in public relations, journalism, and broadcasting. Prerequisite: COMM 105.

COMM 399 — Special Topics in Communication. 3 hours.

Each "Special Topics" course will explore in-depth one particular topic within one of the major areas of study: Radio, Journalism, Theatre, Corporate Communication, Television and Video Production, and Film Studies. "Special Topics" courses will rotate among these six areas of study.

COMM 400 — Journalistic Editing. 3 hours.

Primary attention is given to editing copy for accuracy, grammar, punctuation, and AP style. Layout, photos, tables, online formats, and legal concerns are also considered. Prerequisite: COMM 344 or permission of instructor.

COMM 420 — Journalistic Opinion Writing. 3 hours.

Study and practice in how news media influence public opinion. Emphasis on writing editorials and editing opinion pages. Prerequisite: COMM 141.

COMM 425 — Television News. 3 hours.

An in-depth study of television news. From reporting a breaking story to scripting and composing the shot, students will learn key elements of the TV news business. Producing and reporting will be the key factors, along with the daily newsroom routine.

COMM 450 — Senior Seminar. 1 hour.

Designed to integrate previous studies in speech communication, this course stresses refinement of students' analytical abilities and public-speaking skills by providing opportunities for individual projects. Other considerations include preparation for graduate school and career options. Prerequisite: COMM 105.

COMM 457 — Communication Theory. 3 hours.

The purpose of this course will be to provide an in-depth look at some of the dominant theories being used in the study of human communication today. Some of the topics to be covered will be symbolic interactionism, rhetorical sensitivity, coordinated management of meaning, systems theory, and information processing. Prerequisites: A total of at least 15 hours in the major, or approval of the instructor. Offered in alternate years.

COMM 459 — Media Theory. 3 hours.

Examines the major theories that describe, predict, and critique mass communication and media effects. It will review the dynamic roles that mass media play in both reflecting and shaping society and media consumers.

COMM 460 — Philosophy of Human Communication. 3 hours.

Reading and detailed study of the theories of principal rhetoricians from ancient to modern times. Attention will be given to research techniques in rhetoric; students will conduct a major research project. Prerequisites: A total of at least 15 hours completed in the major, or approval of instructor. Offered in alternate years.

COMM 466 — Communication Internship. 1–6 hours.

The student will intern under the supervision of a professional in an off-campus organization. The internship must be served in an area appropriate to the student's course of study. The practicum should not be taken until after the junior year or until most required courses in the major have been completed. A minimum of 40 clock hours per credit hour must be spent on site. The student is expected to be an active participant in securing the practicum experience. Students must be registered during the term of the internship.

COMM 476 — Broadcast Management. 3 hours.

Survey of management issues most commonly encountered in broadcast media management. Projects cover management issues exclusive to media and day-to-day management, including sales management, financial statements, and planning of needed advertising for radio stations. Also discussed are regulatory issues and laws; FCC regulations; rule-making procedures that govern the broadcast industry; and how policies evolve from changes in society, politics, technology, and the marketplace. Explores media research methods, including market research by station managers; research methods of Arbitron, Nielsen and other media research organizations. Prerequisites: COMM 171 and 3 hours of COMM 277. Offered alternate years.