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.
335 Publication 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 Web Design (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 (3)
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.
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.
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 (3)
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.
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 Thesis (1- 3 hours per term, 4 hours for the two terms).
Every semester. See Departmental Honors. Student must submit an Individual Studies/Research Contract to the Records Office at the time of registration.
