Degree & Course Descriptions
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The following is only one source of information regarding a student’s program of study for a B.A. or B.S. in Communication. Note: Some courses required in the major will also fulfill requirements for the University General Education curriculum. Students should always meet with a faculty advisor for information on course scheduling, rotation, and selection and for planning an effective and efficient program of study. Major Courses: (grade of C or better required) COM 100 - Student Media (2 semesters) Communication Electives: (grade of C or better required) COM 201 - Relational Communication Note: Other coursework may be accepted as hours toward Communication Electives with approval of the Department Chair. *Field Experience: Student field experiences can be realized through the internship program. To be eligible, students must be classified as juniors or seniors and must possess a 2.5 or higher overall grade point average. Communication majors are required to complete a field experience as part of the degree requirements. This is accomplished through formal internship placement (COM 460) with an appropriate professional agency. Students may or may not be compensated for their internship experience. The scope of such experiences must exceed that of required communication practicum courses and should acquaint students with actual professional practices in their disciplines. A minimum of 120 hours of on-site experience is required for 3 hours of credit per semester. Required Minor: Communication majors are required to take a minor to focus some of their electives and to help maximize their career goals and interests. Minors range from 18-24 semester hours. Students are to make appropriate adjustments in free elective hours to ensure the minimum of 124 required semester hours required in the chosen curriculum. Communication majors may not minor in Communication. Additional B.A. Degree Requirements: Foreign Language (one area – minimum of 6 hours at the 200 level or above) Additional B.S. Degree Requirements: 8 semester hours of Laboratory Science (included in General Education Curriculum)
Communication Minor Minor Courses: (grade of C or better required) COM 102 - Introduction to Mass Communication COM 250 - Newsgathering COM 310 - Digital Culture Film Studies Minor To earn a film studies minor, students must complete and pass at least 18 hours of Film courses. Six of these hours must include: For the remaining 12 hours, students may choose a combination of any four film courses at the three and four hundred level. At least three hours must be completed at the four-hundred level. Courses with heavy film content from other disciplines may be counted toward the minor with Department Chair approval. Credits: 3 Introduction to the principles and practices of basic oral communication. Modification of existing behavior and/or the addition of new skills necessary in everyday interpersonal and public communication situations. Note: Open to all students. COM 102 - Introduction to Mass Communication Credits: 3 A survey of the development, history, and place in society of mass media from the printing press to the Internet. Note: Open to all students. COM 103 - Introduction To Media Technology Credits: 3 Laboratory and demonstration. Audio and video equipment operation and production techniques. Primary emphasis on basic television production techniques and video streaming technology. Note: Open to all students. COM 200 - Writing for the Media Credits: 3 Prerequisite: EN 101 and BU 157 or higher computer-based course A foundation course in news gathering and writing for print and broadcast media including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, advertising, and public relations. Practical applications on radio station WMUW and campus newspaper, The Spectator. COM 201 - Relational Communication Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 101 An analysis of the fundamentals of interpersonal and digitally-mediated interactive communication theory, principles and practices. COM 204 - Announcing for the Media Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 101, 103 Study, practice, and application of basic announcing techniques for radio and television. COM 210 - Advertising Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 200 or BU 333 A survey of contemporary advertising’s core components from initial concepts through final execution. Theoretical approaches include analysis of persuasive campaigns, media platforms, and regulatory and social environments. Practical, applied knowledge will be enhanced through hands-on development of advertising campaigns. COM 250 - Newsgathering Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 103 and COM 200 An advanced course in newsgathering and writing for print and digital media with a particular focus on convergence-based journalism. Students will prepare news content for multiple media platforms. Students are required to prepare content for both the print and online versions of campus newspaper, The Spectator, and radio station WMUW. COM 299 - Special Topics in Communication Credits: 1-3 Prerequisite: Permission of the Department Chair of Communication This course allows flexibility in offering selected topics in Communications. Note: May be repeated for a maximum of six hours. COM 303 - Images of Women in Film Credits: 3 An examination of how women have been depicted on celluloid in both American and international films, from the early silents to today’s liberated cinema. Emphasis is placed on the student’s ability to evaluate the presentation of women in these films, based within the context of the society and the era that produced individual films as well as the place of women within a traditionally male-dominated commercial business industry, and how that presentation has evolved since the early days of the cinema. Note: Also listed as FLM 303 and WS 303 COM 307 - Advanced Writing for the Media Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 200 A survey of the concepts and practices of in-depth reporting, such as gathering information from sources, making and communicating observations in writing, verifying material, and assembling stories for various media (including print, broadcast, and Web). Practical applications will include writing articles for The Spectator and other news sources. COM 310 - Digital Culture Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 102 and COM 200 This course examines the development, uses, and effects of digital technology on culture. COM 320 - Mass Communication and Society Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 102 and COM 200 Introduction to basic principles, theories and methods of mass communication and public opinion research. COM 325 - Visual Design Credits: 3 Prerequisite: Computer-based course This course addresses visual literacy in both theory and practical application. Theoretical topics addressed range from visual perception to legal and ethical issues related to images and other content. Practical applications include creation of print and multimedia products. Students will use digital photography and software applications to address the visual elements of integrated design. COM 331 - Audio Production Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 103, 204 An audio production course with emphasis on production of announcements and programs. Particular attention given to program content, aesthetics, as well as programming practices in commercial and non-commercial radio in light of competing and emerging media. Practical application on campus radio station WMUW. COM 400 - Practicum Credits: 1 Prerequisite: 12 hours in Communication and permission of the Department Chair of Communication Practical experience will be gained through assigned work with WMUW, the university radio station, The Spectator, the campus newspaper, and other campus labs or offices such as the Public Affairs Office. This course will be repeatable for up to two hours. COM 410 - Media Law & Ethics Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 102 and 12 hours in Communication This course provides students with an overview of the legal and ethical environment in which mass media operate. Aspects of freedom of speech, limitations on speech, intellectual property rights, and related topics will be covered. COM 413 - Public Relations Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 200 An overview of the principles and proven techniques in gaining public acceptance for a product, an occasion, a cause, or an institution along with governmental public affairs. Crisis Management by the Public Relations Professional will be a recurring and important component. Attention is given to writing the publicity article, preparing brochures, planning promotion campaigns for selected subjects through various mass media and crises communication. Also included will be the Legal Environment and Ethics involved in Public Relations. Case studies of practiced techniques and application of principles and ethics of public relations. COM 425 - Advanced Visual Design Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 325 or Permission of the Department Chair of Communication. This course addresses visual literacy, project planning, and design execution in both theory and practical application with online multimedia designs. Students are introduced to advanced topics and developing issues. COM 431 - Video Production Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 103 A production course with emphasis on producing and directing video programs. COM 454 - Problems in Mass Communication Credits: 3 Prerequisite: 12 hours in Communication and permission of the Department Chair of Communication Independent study. Projects will be assigned to fit student needs and/or interests. Note: May be repeated for a maximum of six hours credit. COM 460 - Internship Credits: 3 Prerequisite: Advanced standing, 2.5 QPA overall and in major A practical, structured program of work experience with a participating employer. Interns must be employed a minimum of 120 hours, must be supervised by the employer and a faculty member, and must have a tangible academic component (journal, research paper, portfolio, etc.), which should be submitted at the end of the internship period. Note: Internship may be taken twice for a total of 6 hours. COM 465 - Communication Senior Seminar Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 250, 310, 320, and senior standing Capstone course in communication that includes survey and application of theory and research methods, creation of original career projects designed to showcase students’ talents, and completion of comprehensive portfolios designed to market students to prospective employers and graduate programs. COM 499 - Special Topics in Communication Credits: 1-3 Prerequisite: COM 200, advanced standing, and permission of the Department Chair of Communication This course allows flexibility in offering selected advanced topics in Communications. Note: May be repeated for a maximum of six hours. |
