COMMUNICATION
COURSE  DESCRIPTIONS

COMM 1307    INTRODUCTION TO MASS COMMUNICATION IN THE ELECTRONIC ENVIRONMENT
Credit: 3 (3 lecture)
Analyzes communication theory and mass media in 20th century society. Surveys history, operation, and structure of the American communication system. Identifies major legal, ethical, and sociocultural issues, studies basic communication theory, and the interrelations between media and the individual, media and society, and media and the future. Examines career potential and job prospects in today’s and tomorrow’s electronic culture.

COMM 1335    INTRODUCTION TO RADIO, TELEVISION AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA
Credit: 3 (3 lecture)
A survey and analysis of history and principles of radio and television broadcasting and production, including programming for varied audience segments and sponsorship. Studies history, technology, regulation, audience and economics of radio, television, and related electronic media. Studies basic skills and theories of image and sound, equips student to communicate through audio/visual media. Includes public cable, closed circuit television, production workshops, and individualized instructional modules. Field trip and community media guest lectures included.

COMM 1336    TELEVISION PRODUCTION AND DIRECTING I
Prerequisite: COMM 1335
Credit: 3 (2 lecture, 2 lab)
A concentrated course in the theory and application of principles, procedures, and techniques of television production. Uses lecture and laboratory setting with supervision by faculty.

COMM 1337    TELEVISION PRODUCTION AND DIRECTING II
Prerequisite: COMM 1335
Credit: 3 (2 lecture, 2 lab)
The preparation and direction of television programs with emphasis on the creative application of broadcast principles and informational techniques. Uses lecture and laboratory setting with supervision by faculty.

COMM 1382    TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL RHETORIC
Credit: 3 (3 lecture)
Develops skills of selection, organization, relevancy, and logical sequencing of ideas and information. Also develops skills in the use of rhetorical modes of narration, illustration, comparison/contrast, analysis, and classification. Includes audience analysis, oral, graphic, written expression, and basic
grammar review.

COMM 2129    COMMUNICATION INTERNSHIP I
Prerequisites: department approval. 15 hours/week applied work in a position related to career goal and degree plan in Communication
Credit: 1 (1 lecture, 1 lab)
Evaluation of skills/competency provided by both sponsoring company/organization and supervising faculty. Students may repeat course for maximum of four credit hours. Students may register for two sections per semester.

COMM 2305    PRODUCTION EDITING AND LAYOUT
Credit: 3 (3 lecture)
Trains students in basic copy editing for publication and in handling production copy from manuscript to finished publication, including photography choice, sizing, cropping and/or handling of various types of graphic illustrations. Covers publication layout (rough, finished), type choice, color and black/white rendering.

COMM 2310    EDITORIAL AND FEATURE WRITING I
Credit: 3 (2 lecture, 2 lab)
Trains students in writing newspaper and magazine feature articles and editorials. Examines topic selection and location of background source material, plus market and reader analysis. Discusses free-lance market and adapting style to different audiences and publications.

COMM 2311    PRINCIPLES OF JOURNALISM I
Prerequisite: ENGL 1301
Credit: 3 (2 lecture, 2 lab)
Provides training in news gathering, news writing, and editing. Develops skills in headline writing, layout and newspaper production with experience on student newspaper or area print publications. Field trips and careers are explored.

COMM 2315    PRINCIPLES OF JOURNALISM II
Prerequisite: ENGL 1301, COMM 2311
Credit: 3 (2 lecture, 2 lab)
Continuation of COMM 2311.

COMM 2327    ADVERTISING
Credit: 3 (3 lecture)
Enables student to conceive ideas, tailor and lay out advertisements geared for TV commercials, radio, magazines, and newspapers. Assignments are based on goals, objectives, product/service fact sheets and marketing considerations. Course integrates vital ingredients that enhance or impede advertising outcomes: product research, consumer behavior, semantics, social science knowledge, copy research and copywriting, visualization, media strategy, advertising agency knowledge, handling of client relations, and preparation of a portfolio. Field trip.

COMM 2328    PUBLIC RELATIONS
Credit: 3 (3 lecture)
Studies principles and practices of public relations. Provides hands-on techniques to influence positive public opinion within and outside of companies. Requires creation of feature and news articles, press releases, press kit, brochure and brief work plan utilizing the four-step planning process for resolving PR problems. Trains students to write good copy, construct PR goals and objectives, conduct practical research to determine public attitudes and opinion, arrange and conduct press conferences, and develop positive media relationships.

COMM 2331    RADIO AND TELEVISION ANNOUNCING
Credit: 3 (2 lecture, 2 lab)
The development of skills required for efficient announcing, acting, newscasting, and other speaking before microphone and camera. Students write and present radio, TV, audiovisual announcements and assignments. Utilize lectures, lab setting with supervision by faculty.

COMM 2332    BROADCAST JOURNALISM I
Prerequisite: department approval
Credit: 3 (2 lecture, 2 lab)
Studies fundamentals of broadcast news. Covers broadcast writing, performing, and standard broadcasting formats. Uses lecture and laboratory setting with supervision by both sponsoring commercial studio and faculty.

COMM 2339    SCRIPT WRITING: RADIO, TELEVISION, VIDEOTAPE, FILM
Credit: 3 (3 lecture)
Writing for production of programs and various documentaries, training materials slide/tape sets, and other situations requiring a production script.

COMM 2342    INTRODUCTION TO IMAGE AND SOUND
Credit: 3 (2 lecture, 2 lab)
Studies basic information, theories, principles, skills, and concepts required to equip the student to communicate through audio/visual media. Utilizes lectures, production workshops, and individualized instructional modules.

COMM 2391    TEXT EDITING AND REVISION FOR PUBLICATION
Prerequisite: COMM 2305, TECC 1343
Credit: 3 (3 lecture)
Skills developed for entry-level editorial position with printer/publisher or for corporate-level technical editing. Emphasis on newsletter and publications editorial responsibilities, image/readership identification, book editing, technical indexing.

 

Return to Top of Page
Late update: July 17, 2003