Mass Communications Courses
COM 1050 INTRODUCTION TO MASS COMMUNICATIONS (3 credits)
Covers the basics of communication theory and how they apply to all forms of mass communication, discusses the historical development of a wide variety of communication media, and provides an understanding of how these are regulated within the United States and throughout the world. This course gives students the necessary foundation for further study and makes them more critical consumers of the mass media.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall and spring
COM 1070 INTRODUCTION TO JOURNALISM (3 credits)
Introduction to Journalism is a survey course designed to introduce students to the history, fundamentals and future of journalism. This course focuses on a chronological study of journalism, the basics of telling a story and distinctions between credibility, entertainment and opinion. This course can be used as an official COM Elective for the Radio, Journalism and TV/Multimedia Communications concentration within the Mass Communications Major.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: spring
COM 2600-2670 RADIO/TV PRACTICUM (3 credits)
This series of courses are offered for students of any major who are serving as directors of the student-run radio station or regular television program. A student may only use three credits (one of these courses) towards an elective for the department in any concentration. They can only use an additional three credits as elective credits towards graduation. Therefore, only 6 total credits will count towards major and graduation requirements. Any credits beyond the 6 will just be extra credits that appear on their transcripts. NO prerequisites are required for this course and it is open to any major on campus. This course can be used as an official COM Elective for the Radio, Journalism and TV/Multimedia Communications concentration within the Mass Communications Major.
Prerequisite: none
COM 2700-2770 JOURNALISM PUBLICATION PRACTICUM (3 credits)
This series of courses are offered for students of any major who are serving as directors of the student-run print publications. A student may only use three credits (one of these courses) towards an elective for the department in any concentration. They can only use an additional three credits as elective credits towards graduation. Therefore, only 6 total credits will count towards major and graduation requirements. Any credits beyond the six will just be extra credits that appear on their transcripts. This course can be used as an official COM Elective for the Radio, Journalism and TV/Multimedia Communications concentration within the Mass Communication Major.
Prerequisite: none
COM 2570 WRITING FOR MASS COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA I (3 credits)
News, news gathering, and news and feature structures are taught, including preparation of copy for publications. Experience will be gained through practice in writing and reporting techniques for print, broadcast, internet and social media formats.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall
COM 2580 WRITING FOR MASS COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA II (3 credits)
Advanced news and feature writing, for print, broadcast, internet and social media are the focus. Students gain further practice in reporting and in writing of articles, editorials, and interpretive journalism.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: spring
COM 2800 MASS COMMUNICATIONS THEORY (3 credits)
Discusses speech communications models, theories of interpersonal and mass communication, language and meaning, message organization, persuasive strategies, nonverbal communication, and listening behavior.
Prerequisite: COM 1050 or Department Chair permission
Offered: spring
COM 3020 BASIC RADIO PRODUCTION (3 credits)
This course introduces students to the basic processes and techniques of radio production. Specifically, this course will help the student to understand specific production techniques, writing for the radio, radio careers, and how radio operates as a business. This course can be used as an official COM Elective for the Journalism and TV/Multimedia Communications concentration within the Mass Communications Major.
Prerequisite: COM 1050 or Department Chair permission
Offered: fall
COM 3030 BASIC TELEVISION TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES (3 credits)
Covers the fundamentals of television production and the technology involved, the planning processes of producing any media product, and the stages of production. The course explores both single-camera and multi-camera television applications as well as new technologies. This is a hands-on course, which also covers the history of television technology and its advancement. This course can be used as an official COM elective for the Radio and Journalism Communications concentration within the Mass Communications major.
Prerequisite: COM 1050 or Department Chair permission
Offered: fall
COM 3040 HDTV EDITING/ INDEPENDENT FILM PRODUCTION (3 credits)
Focuses on the fundamentals of modern video editing with emphasis on computer-based video. The course explores recent advancements in digital video technology and how they affect the creative process, future applications for video in multimedia, and the art of producing interactive video-based programs for deployment on DVD or the Internet. Students receive intensive training in audio manipulation and sweetening, video quality control and special effects, and basic computer skills. This course can be used as an official COM Elective for the Journalism, TV/ Multimedia Communications, or Radio Communications concentration within the Mass Communications Major.
Prerequisite: COM 1050 or Department Chair permission. Available to CIT Majors without prerequisite.
Offered: spring
COM 3050 PRODUCTION (3 credits)
Covers television production techniques and TV studio operations. Students produce and direct news shows, interview shows, commercials, on-location shoots, and dramatic scenes. This course can be used as an official COM Elective for the Journalism, TV/ Multimedia Communications, or Radio Communications concentration within the Mass Communications Major.
Prerequisite: COM 1050 and 3030 or with permission of instructor
COM 3060 COMPUTER GENERATED GRAPHICS AND ANIMATION (3 credits)
An introductory course. No prior experience with computers or TV equipment required. Emphasis is on the various capabilities of the Lightwave-3D Animation. The course offers hands-on experience in the operation of the equipment. Students produce their own computer-generated graphics and animations. The course benefits those who wish to create computer graphics and/ or animation commercially or as visual aids to instruction. This course can be used as an official COM Elective for the Journalism, TV/Multimedia Communications, or Radio Communications concentration within the Mass Communications Major.
Offered: fall
COM 3110 MASS COMMUNICATIONS LAW (3 credits)
Uses case studies to facilitate the student’s understanding of communication law, constitutional guarantees, libel, invasion of privacy, contempt, qualified privilege, copyright, and government regulatory agencies.
Prerequisite: COM 1050 or Department Chair permission.
Offered: fall
COM 3120 ETHICS IN MASS MEDIA AND SOCIETY (3 credits)
Uses case studies to examine the social responsibilities of journalists and other mass communicators, the media’s role in social change, and the media’s reactions to political, social, and economic pressures. Also included is a historical examination of the philosophies behind ethical decision making.
Prerequisite: COM 1050 or Department Chair permission
Offered: spring
COM 3210 INDEPENDENT VIDEO PRODUCTION (3 credits)
Focuses on television technology outside the traditional role of entertainment and commercial advertising. This course introduces the concept of independent video production, corporate video, and new multimedia applications and emphasizes the phases of production, planning, budgeting, and marketing. This course can be used as an official COM Elective for the Journalism, TV/Multimedia Communications, or Radio Communications concentration within the Mass Communications Major.
Prerequisite: COM 1050 and COM 3030 or Department Chair permission
Offered: spring (odd years)
COM 3310 ADVERTISING PRODUCTION (3 credits)
Deals with the fundamentals of advertising in print, electronic media, and new computer-based forms. Students study basic techniques of persuasion both on a logical and an emotional level. They also study the planning, designing, and production of such messages. This course can be used as an official COM Elective for the Journalism, TV/Multimedia Communications, or Radio Communications concentration within the Mass Communications Major.
Prerequisite: COM 1050 or Department Chair permission. Available to CIT Majors without prerequisite.
Offered: spring
COM 3350 PUBLIC RELATIONS (3 credits)
Course examines theories and practices relevant to public relations. It offers an examination of communication channels and media used for writing in public relations. Students focus on journal writing that involves the creation, development, planning, and processes affecting organizations, and public opinion. Ethics and laws affecting the practice of public relations are examined. This course can be used as an official COM Elective for the Journalism, TV/Multimedia Communications, or Radio Communications concentration within the Mass Communications Major.
Prerequisites: COM 1050; COM 2570 or COM 2580 or permission of the instructor
Offered: fall
COM 3410 HTML PUBLISHING AND WEB PAGE DESIGN (3 credits)
Focuses on Internet-based communication and new applications of on-line technologies. The course discusses the history and development of the Internet itself, the rise of the HTML format and JAVA scripting for Web publishing, and how other Internet resources interface with this language. Students learn to create Web pages, design Web sites, and make use of some of the newer plug-ins available for Web publishing and distribution. Finally, students study trends in Internet-based design and how present and future trends will create employment opportunities on the Internet. This course can be used as an official COM Elective for the Journalism, TV/Multimedia Communications, or Radio Communications concentration within the Mass Communications Major.
Prerequisite: COM 1050 or Department Chair permission. Available to CIT Majors without prerequisite.
Offered: fall
COM 3530 DESKTOP PUBLISHING (3 credits)
Serves as an introduction to the fundamentals of desktop publishing in the context of corporate communications. This course provides students with an understanding and an appreciation of how audio/visual materials can be used to communicate messages and concepts routinely used in the business world. These messages include print-based newsletters, electronic presentations, and the rudiments of Internet Web page design. The class also discusses the basics of computer filing and routine applications and skills. This course can be used as an official COM Elective for the Journalism, TV/Multimedia Communications, or Radio Communications concentration within the Mass Communications Major.
Prerequisite: COM 1050 or Department Chair permission. Available to CIT Majors without prerequisite.
Cross-listed: WRI 3530
Offered: spring
COM 3640 CINEMA APPRECIATION (3 credits)
Deals with classic cinema. This course uses films, film clips, videos, and lectures to teach film criticism and provide an understanding of the arts and skills involved in film-making. This course can be used as an official COM Elective for the Journalism, TV/Multimedia Communications, or Radio Communications concentration within the Mass Communications Major.
Prerequisite: COM 1050 or Department Chair permission
Offered: spring
COM 3660 PERFORMANCE FOR THE CAMERA (3 credits)
Provides training and practical experience in all aspects of performing on television. Students work in class as news anchors, interviewers, talk show participants, and dramatic actors. Student performances are videotaped to aid in evaluation of the student’s progress. This course can be used as an official COM Elective for the Journalism, TV/Multimedia Communications, or Radio Communications concentration within the Mass Communications Major.
Prerequisite: COM 1050 or Department Chair permission
Offered: spring
COM 4060 ADVANCED COMPUTER ANIMATION (3 credits)
Teaches advanced professional techniques for producing computer animation and graphics using Light-Wave 3D software. Students will be expected to produce animation applications for cartoons, computer games, TV commercials, and motion picture special effects. This course can be used as an official COM Elective for the Journalism, TV/Multimedia Communications, or Radio Communications concentration within the Mass Communications Major.
Prerequisite: COM 1050, 3060 or Department Chair permission
Offered: as needed
COM 4210 4250 INTERNSHIP (5 credits)
Experiential learning through placement with local media and other community agencies. Weekly written reports and contact with the instructor are required. The student must spend at least 30 hours on the job for each one hour credit. COM 4210 and COM 4230 do not count toward the major requirements. COM 4230, 4240, or COM 4250 can be used toward the 15 semester credits of electives. A maximum of 3 semester credits of internship are to be applied to the degree requirements. This course can be used as an official COM Elective for the Radio, Journalism and TV/Multimedia Communications concentration within the Mass Communications Major.
Prerequisite: COM 1050 or Department Chair permission
Offered: fall and spring
COM 4410 ADVANCED WEB PAGE DESIGN (3 credits)
This course builds on the basic skills in Web page design, introducing advanced multimedia applications created by Adobe Flash. The course also leads the students through a refresher course in the basics of design and usability and the basic client/ server relationship. The second half of the course will introduce strategies in database management on the Internet. Students taking this course will get a realistic picture of how the Internet is managed and where the technology is leading. This course can be used as an official COM Elective for the Journalism, TV/Multimedia Communications, or Radio Communications concentration within the Mass Communications Major.
Prerequisite: COM 1050 or Department Chair permission
Offered: spring
COM 4700 SENIOR SEMINAR (1 credit)
This class provides students with an opportunity to review many of the topics covered in previous mass communication classes offered in the total curriculum. The content is offered in such a way as to assist students in applying for and getting their first job in the communication field and will aid them in creating realistic career strategies in this field. Successful students will learn interview techniques, create appropriate demo reels and portfolios, and learn what is expected from them as entry level employees in the communication industry in a number of capacities. The intent is to prepare students to represent themselves and the university well in the job market.
Prerequisite: none
COM 4850 SPECIAL TOPICS IN MASS COMMUNICATIONS (3 credits)
Concentrates on unique and in-depth study which may involve research and travel. This course can be used as an official COM Elective for the Journalism, TV/Multimedia Communications, or Radio Communications concentration within the Mass Communications Major.
Prerequisite: COM 1050 or Department Chair permission
Offered: as needed
COM 4990 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN MASS COMMUNICATIONS (TBA)
Offers an opportunity for a well-qualified, upper-division student to engage in special research in his/her major. Requires approval by the faculty advisor, the supervising professor, the department chair, and the Provost. Credit to be determined. This course can be used as an official COM Elective for the Journalism, TV/Multimedia Communications, or Radio Communications concentration within the Mass Communications Major.
Prerequisite: COM 1050 or Department Chair permission