Course Descriptions

Communication Arts/Broadcasting

COMM 099 Recitals 0 cr. This is a zero credit course required of all communication arts majors and minors, and is required each semester in attendance. It is designed to accumulate information about each student’s required attendance at predesignated communication arts department recitals. Grading Basis: S/U.

COMM 110 Fundamentals of Public Speaking 3 cr. (GE1) The theory and practice of public speaking with emphasis on topic selection, content, organization of material, language, methods of securing attention and maintaining interest, delivery and critical evaluation of informative and persuasive messages. May not be used as part of communication arts major, minor, or concentration.

COMM 120 Introduction to Broadcasting 3 cr. Basic introduction to commercial and non-commercial broadcasting.

COMM 191 Freshman Seminar 1 cr. Introduction of departmental requirements and opportunities. Communication majors or minors only.

COMM 194 Independent Study 1-3 cr. Independent or directed study of special topics in the study of communication. Communication majors or minors only.

COMM 210 Advanced Public Speaking 3 cr. An advanced course in the art of oral discourse. Emphasis is placed on professional presentations, adapting to diverse audiences, logic, persuasion, and rhetorical analysis. Prerequisite(s): COMM 110 or consent of instructor.

COMM 212 Interpersonal Communication 3 cr. Introduces fundamental concepts of communication between individuals. Exploring aspects of self expression, relationship communication- how people present themselves, and how others perceive them in return.

COMM 219 Mass Media and Society 3 cr. Basic communication theory and its application to mass communication with emphasis on social, cultural, and political implication of the media.

COMM 220 Broadcast Advertising and Applications 3 cr. This course will examine, through research ad field experience, the fundamental elements of electronic advertising practices and applications. Students will learn success factors that increase the power of advertising through mass media. Restricted to sophomore, junior, and senior status.

COMM 221 PR & Media Writing 3 cr. Introduction to basic writing skills in the field of public relations & the media. This is a writing intensive course. You will learn how to adapt message for various media & mediums. Specifically, you will learn to compose news releases, media advisories, internal communications information, and more. Active writing is a key component taught in this course. This course teaches students how to prepare professional public relations messages for print electronic media.

COMM 224 Publication Makeup and Design 3 cr. Introduction to the technical aspects of newspaper, magazine, and yearbook production.

COMM 225 Audio Production I 3 cr. Laboratory and lecture course with emphasis on the principles and techniques of radio production and programming.

COMM 244 Reporting and Feature Writing 3 cr. Introduction to news gathering, judgment, writing, history, conventions and style of the news story, the newspaper feature story, and the magazine article.

COMM 281 Reporting and Editing 1 cr. Laboratory course in which class members work on the campus paper and attend staff meetings. Repeatable for credit up to 8 cr.

COMM 283 TV Activities 1 cr. An opportunity for students to work on various video projects that they will produce for on and off campus. Repeatable for credit up to 8 cr.

COMM 284 Radio Activities 1 cr. An opportunity for students to work on various audio projects that they will produce for on and off campus groups. Repeatable for credit up to 8 cr.

COMM 285 Communication Arts Activities 1 cr. The participation in a significant capacity in any communication arts activity above and beyond the requirements of a specific course. Repeatable for credit up to 8 cr.

COMM 286 Promotion Activities 1 cr. The course provides students with an understanding of how to strategically plan promotions. Students are able to engage in real life events activities such as planning, marketing, advertising, production, writing, and more. Students are taught time management along side promotions. This course specifically directs students to have hands on experience within the Broadcasting Department. More directly, writing newsletters, promotions of channel 19, alumni relations, web site writing & creation, and advertising.

COMM 291 Sophomore Seminar 1 cr. Study of communication (people, events, activities) as determined by student/professor consultation. Communication majors or minors only. Grading Basis: S/U.

COMM 297 Internship 1-2 cr. Hands-on experience in the discipline Restricted to communication majors or minors or consent of instructor.

COMM 304H Communication and Popular Culture 3 cr. Includes analysis of audience, occasion, subject and speaker. Subject matter will include such media as movies, songs, television, humor, fashion, public demonstration, advertisements, architecture, etc. Includes text readings, group discussion, analytical essays, and a critical paper and presentation. Prerequisite(s): Admission to Honors Program or a 3.30 cumulative GPA or permission of the instructor.

COMM 311 Oral Interpretation 3 cr. The study of literature for performance with emphasis on written and verbal analysis. The technique of performance applied to oral reading of literature.

COMM 315 Persuasion and Argumentation 3 cr. An investigation of the structure, types, and tests of arguments with practical application in preparing and presenting persuasive speeches. Prerequisite(s): COMM 110 or consent of instructor.

COMM 316 Group Dynamics 3 cr. Study of techniques of group discussion and small group theory with emphasis on participating in various types of discussion and conferences.

COMM 317 Rhetorical Theory 3 cr. A study of the development of rhetorical critical standards and practices from ancient times to the present.

COMM 318 Organizational Communication 3cr. The course is a study of communication practices in organizations by examining organizational structure, leadership, team building, and ethics. The course will include communication areas such as diversity, conflict, stress, and technology.

COMM 320 Public Relations Principles 3 cr. An introduction to the theory and practice of public relations, emphasizing management functions, its publics, writing skills, communications process, tools, and professional ethics.

COMM 322 Media Sales and Analysis 3 cr. A close up look at the business of broadcast advertising, including radio, TV, and cable.

COMM 323 Journalism History 3 cr. Examination of the news gathering function of the mass media with special emphasis on press theory and the development of thought of freedom of expression.

COMM 325 Campaigns and Strategies 3 cr. This course will explore marketing, public relations, and advertising relationships in today’s market. The textbook, classroom lectures, guest speakers, and assignments will build a solid foundation in the fundamentals needed to develop and implement campaigns and strategies in the field of public relations, advertising, and marketing. Prerequisite(s): COMM 320 and Junior or Senior status.

COMM 326 Media Announcing 3 cr. Theories, practices, and techniques of "on-air" presentation will be the focus of this course. Students will develop the skills necessary to perform a variety of media announcing tasks. Students will study the techniques and styles required to perform as media newscasters, interviewers, program hosts, commercial and public service announcers. Prerequisite(s): COMM 120 or consent of instructor.

COMM 327 Editing and Advising 3 cr. Introduction to the problems of administering and advising publications (especially student publications).

COMM 344 Investigative Reporting 3 cr. This course is an introduction to the subject matter, techniques and ethics of investigative reporting. It will include such topics as secondary sources, primary documents, people sources, computer-assisted reporting, writing projects, accuracy and ethics. Prerequisite: COMM 244.

COMM 354 Special Events Planning 3 cr. The course will introduce students to special event processes and techniques. Students will become knowledgeable about model workplace skills, leadership development, promotions, media relations, and production associated with an event. Site selection, program planning, and material development will be among other designations for the course.

COMM 360 Video Production I 3 cr. Emphasis on the operation of video, audio, and editing equipment. Prerequisite(s): COMM 120.

COMM 361 Broadcast News Writing 3 cr. Intensive survey and application of gathering, writing, and presenting.

COMM 362 Electronic News Gathering 3 cr. An introduction to the practical knowledge of basic electronic news gathering production techniques, as well as to learn to operate equipment associated with ENG. Students will learn the correct terminology and the basic formats of ENG. Prerequisite(s): COMM 360.

COMM 389 Directing Forensics 2 cr. Theory, philosophy, and practice in speech contest/festival design and of coaching individual forensic events and debate. Designed for the teacher who will be asked to coach speech on the secondary level. May be taken at the same time as student teaching.

COMM 390 Communication Arts Methods 3 cr. Methods and materials for creative teaching of speaking, listening, and theatre and broadcast activities, in today’s secondary school environment. Prerequisite(s): Admittance to Teacher Education.

COMM 392 Junior Project 1 cr. The course will include proposal writing procedures and defense, journal writing, research as dictated by the individual’s project, public relations policies leading to the public presentation of a recital. All in preparation for the Senior Recital. Prerequisite(s): COMM 099.

COMM 394 Independent Study 1-3 cr. Independent or directed study of special topics in the study of communication. Communication majors or minors only. Repeatable for credit.

COMM 395 Service Learning 3 cr. Students will utilize reflection and research (both primary and secondary) to (a) integrate personal community or global service experience(s). Communication majors or minors only.

COMM 397 Communication Arts Practicum 3 cr. Student Internship with application of specialized techniques in broadcasting, theatre, or other areas of communication arts. Grading Basis: S/U.

COMM 410 Advanced Problems 3 cr. Courses beyond the present offerings in broadcasting, speech communication, and theatre arts. No more than three courses may be accrued.

COMM 411 Communication Issues and Ethics 3 cr. The course will focus on current communications issues in social and workplace settings. Areas of study will include the history of free speech, the responsibility of the media, the responsibility of the individual as sender and receiver of messages, and ethical decision making.

COMM 412 Communication Law 3 cr. A study of the regulatory policies (federal, state, and municipal) in modern electronic and print media.

COMM 413 Gender Communication 3 cr. Course designed to explore the theories surrounding differences and similarities in male and female communication. Focus on ways in which gender roles originated and are sustained in a variety of contexts including families, organizations, institutions, peer groups, the media, and interpersonal relationships. Prerequisite(s): COMM 110 and Junior or Senior status.

COMM 460 Video Production II 3 cr. Use of TV video, audio, and editing equipment in various news and commercial applications. Prerequisite(s): COMM 360.

COMM 475 Broadcast Production 1-3 cr. The operations, techniques, and practices of broadcast production. Activities include originating, acquiring, organizing, and assembling news segments into a complete television program. Prerequisite(s): COMM 360. Repeatable for credit up to 8 cr.

COMM 492 Senior Project 3 cr. Special project undertaken during the senior year with the direct supervision of an instructor. Projects may be chosen from any area of the communication arts department. Prerequisite(s): COMM 099, 392, and consent of faculty.

COMM 497 Broadcast Practicum 4 cr. Internship in the mass communication field allowing the students to put into practice, in a professional setting, those techniques and theories learned in their coursework. Prerequisite(s): Completion of 40 credits in communications with a 2.75 GPA in major.