Communication Courses
The following is the most updated listing of courses offered by the Communication Department as published in the 2009-10 Undergraduate Course Catalog. Classes listed below are not offered every semester, so make sure to consult the class schedule schedule to find out what classes are being offered and when these classes will meet.
| Course Number | Course Title & Description | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 101 | Introduction to Mass Communication | (3) |
| An introduction to the field of mass communication. Explores the historical development and current structure of the mass media. Examines the process of creating mass communication messages and economic, legal and ethical issues facing media outlets. Every semester. Lecture 3 hours. | ||
| 130 | Basic Computer Skills for Communication Majors | (1) |
| Introduction to basic computer technology for mass communication. Basic elements of word processing, electronic mail, web page building and maintenance, and use of the World-Wide-Web for mass communication. Every semester. Laboratory 2 hours | ||
| 199r | Special Projects | (1-3) |
| Individual or group studies. Every semester. Laboratory 1 to 3 hours | ||
| 230 | Media Writing I | (3) |
| Introduction to factual writing style for the media and the presentation of information in multiple formats to diverse audiences. News and public relations writing, information gathering, and interviewing. Every semester. Laboratory 4 hours. Prerequisites: English 121 with a grade of C or better, keyboard proficiency of 30 wpm. | ||
| 231 | Media Writing II | (3) |
| Researching, structuring, writing, and evaluating news stories for print, radio, television and the Web. Comparisons of news, public relations and converging media. Every semester. Laboratory 4 hours. Prerequisites: English 122 and Communication 230 with grades of C or better, keyboard proficiency of 36 wpm, or approval of the instructor. | ||
| 271 | Introduction to Public Relations | (3) |
| Fundamentals of establishing and maintaining effective relations with organizational publics. Introduction to promotion methods and management of public relations function. Every semester. Lecture 3 hours. | ||
| 320 | Mass Communication Perspectives | (3) |
| History and development of mass media and mass media issues in American society. Cultural, technological, economic and societal consequences of the media. Every semester. Lecture 3 hours. Prerequisite: Communication 101. | ||
| 324 | Race, Gender and the Media | (3) |
| Examines U.S. mass media construction of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality within an historical context and investigates the role of women and minority groups in U.S. media industries. On demand. Lecture 3 hours. Prerequisite: junior standing or approval of instructor. May be registered as Women's Studies 324. Credit not allowed in both Communication 324 and Women’s Studies 324. | ||
| 333 | Persuasive Writing | (3) |
Preparation of persuasive copy to include advertising and promotional materials. Creative and conceptual aspects emphasized. Every semester. Laboratory 4 hours. Prerequisite: Communication 231. |
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| 335 | Publication Editing and Design | (3) |
| Introduction to publication design, with special attention to design principles and techniques of publication layout. Every semester. Laboratory 4 hours. Prerequisite: Communication 230. | ||
| 337 | World-Wide Web Production | (3) |
| A broad introduction to Web design with a focus on effectively presenting images, video, audio, and written material on the Web. Every semester. Laboratory 4 hours. Prerequisite: Communication 230. | ||
| 340 | Audio Production and Presentation | (3) |
| Producing and presenting content in radio and non-broadcast audio media, using both studio and portable facilities. Studio, control room, and field production procedures, recording and editing, music and sound effects. Every semester. Lecture 1 hour, laboratory 3 hours. | ||
| 345 | Video I | (3) |
| Introduction to the basic techniques and theory of visual media production. Emphasis on producing public affairs, educational, and entertainment content for television and multiple formats. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours. Prerequisite: Communication 231. | ||
| 350 | Television News Production | (3) |
| Principles and skills of producing television newscasts. Includes the production of two half-hour newscasts. Fall semester. Laboratory 3 hours. Prerequisite: Communication 231. | ||
| 355 | Documentary I: History, Theory and Practice | |
| Introduces students to the theory, history, aesthetics, editing practices, ethics, and political significance of the genre, as well as concept development and visual storytelling techniques. Includes analysis of significant documentaries and preparation of a treatment for a short documentary. | ||
| 361 | Advanced Reporting | (3) |
| Reporting and writing news from city and county sources, with emphasis on researching public documents. Explorations and discussions of news and its relationship to society. On demand. Laboratory 4 hours. Prerequisite: Communication 231 | ||
| 363 | Feature Writing | (3) |
| Nonfiction writing for newspapers, magazines and specialized publications. Spring semester. Laboratory 4 hours. Prerequisite: Communication 231 or approval of the instructor. | ||
| 366 | Creative Editing | (3) |
Principles and basic skills in newspaper , magazine, electronic and specialized publication copy editing. Fall semester. Laboratory 4 hours. Prerequisite: Communication 231. |
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| 400r | Special Topics | (3) |
| Specialized study of mass media designed to meet interests of students and faculty. On demand. Approval of instructor or head of the department. | ||
| 410 | Public Communication and Environmental Issues | (3) |
| Seminar concerning environmental policy, information, and education, environmental reporting, and environmental public relations. Also discusses risk communication and the multiracial environmental justice movement. On demand. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing. Completion of natural science/lab requirements, or approval of instructor. | ||
| 420 | Senior Seminar | (3) |
| Current issues in mass media and completion of a research project. Every semester. Prerequisite: Communication 320. | ||
| 445 | Video II | (3) |
Advanced visual media production theory and techniques. Emphasis on writing effective scripts, project management, and legal and ethical issues. Spring semester. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours. Prerequisite: Communication 345. |
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| 451 | Mass Communication Law and Ethics | (3) |
| United States legal system, elements of constitutional law, the law of mass communication. Personal and professional ethics as they apply to communications disciplines. Every semester. Lecture 3 hours. | ||
| 455 | Documentary II: Production and Post-Production | |
| Documentary video production and post-production, including advanced shooting, lighting, audio, and nonlinear editing. Students produce and edit a short documentary conceptualized and researched in Documentary I. Prerequisite: Communication 355 or approval of instructor. | ||
| 461 | Newspaper and Newsletter Editing and Design | (3) |
| Principles and practices of editing and evaluating news copy, writing headlines and captions, newspaper and newsletter layout and design practices, electronic editing, and newspaper and newsletter production processes. Every fourth semester. Laboratory 4 hours. Prerequisite: Communication 231. | ||
| 465 | The Advertising Campaign | (3) |
| Principles of campaign research, planning, implementation, and presentation applied to an account. On demand. Lecture 1 hour, laboratory 3 hours. Prerequisite: Communication 333. | ||
| 470 | The Public Relations Campaign | (3) |
Principles of campaign research, planning, implementation, and evaluation, and their application. Spring semester. Lecture 1 hour, laboratory 3 hours. Prerequisites: Communication 271 and 333. |
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| 480 | Directed Project | (3) |
| Guided project designed to demonstrate proficiency at professional level in a specific area. Every semester. Prerequisites: senior standing and approval of the department in the semester preceding enrollment. | ||
| 485 | Individual Internship | (3) |
| Working experience in a professional situation. Every semester. Prerequisites: senior standing and approval of the department in the semester preceding enrollment. | ||
| 495r | Departmental Honors | (1- 3 hours per, 4 hours for the two) |
Every semester. See Departmental Honors. Student must submit an Individual Studies/Research Contract to the Records Office at the time of registration. |
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| 497r | Research | (1- 3 hours) |
Every semester. Prerequisite: approval of the department head. Student must submit an Individual Studies/Research Contract to the Records Office at the time of registration. |
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| 498r | Individual Studies | (1- 3 hours) |
Every semester. Prerequisite: approval of the department head. Student must submit an Individual Studies/Research Contract to the Records Office at the time of registration. |
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| 499r | Group Studies | (1- 3 hours) |
| On demand. |
