Communication (COM)

A survey of the mass media and their interrelationship with each other and society. Emphasis will be placed on how mass communication functions in a multi-ethnic, multicultural, gender-diverse environment. Includes perspectives on the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communication.

Basic writing for electronic media. Includes news, short television scripts, features, public service announcements, and advertisements. Emphasis placed on how persuasive messaging is filtered through - and shaped by cultural imperatives - and by multi-ethnic, gender-diverse writers.

Practical training in television studio techniques, including various exercises in each production area. Includes introduction to both small scale (video podcast) and larger scale producing, writing and directing, including working with audio, FHD and UHD video and virtual sets.

Introduction to audio concepts and production methods for a variety of media venues. Includes recording, editing, basic multitracking, sound effects, and music selection for satellite and terrestrial radio, as well as other media opportunities. Diverse and inclusive techniques will be used.

Basic concepts of advertising, including history, strategy, engagement, segmentation, evaluation, and ethics.

Affords the students the opportunities to deepen their skills in the recording, editing, and mastering of audio for various media venues. Students will choose one of three "tracks" of interest that permits them to either: 1. Work alongside video production and editing students in a post-production environment to "sweeten" audio tracks; 2. Record and produce multitrack tracks for a contemporary musical or spoken work CD; or 3. Record and produce a series of complete radio commercials of varying length for selected local merchants.

This course serves as a foundation to the study of sports media, with an emphasis placed on public relations and broadcasting. An analysis of major concepts and theories as well as an examination of contemporary sports issues, philosophies, and cases. This course will provide professional pathways.

Learn analytical and critical skills to develop an awareness and understanding of the effects of media, including profit and emotional strategies, portrayals of diversity, stereotypes, love, myths, and other issues.

Explores the various relationships among the media and the entertainment industry, such as television, film, music, and gaming, while also analyzing cultural influences, diversity issues, societal trends, and image.

Media’s role in politics is constantly evolving. Classic media events like speeches, debate, and conventions have given way to memes, sound bites, and catchphrases, which have a natural impact on associate industries, including journalism, public relations, advertising, and media production. More importantly, the evolving landscape has revived dangerous practices in propaganda, fueled by emerging media platforms and technology. This course explores the evolving relationships between media platforms and American politics, including popular media, social media, journalism, and strategic communication. Informed by contemporary political communication theory and best practice, students will build knowledge and skill as effective, ethical political communication and media professionals.

Fundamentals of news reporting, writing and copy editing for digital media, dealing with modern newsroom issues, including diversity, community involvement and convergence. Requires out-of-class assignments.

This class will focus on the creation process and production aspect of one of the fastest growing aspects of audio production - Podcasting. This will primarily be a hands-on course. Students will learn the proper way to use the equipment (mixers, microphones, computer based audio capture software), how to format their recordings into a cohesive form for broadcasting (writing compelling material, voicing and recording the main program, and adding sound effects and music), as well as how to "polish" their finished product for broadcasting and internet production.

Teaches skills for copy editors and others in the processing of news, features, and press releases. Students learn to question statements of fact, challenge assumptions, edit for length, taste, ethics, and libel while correcting errors of both grammar and style, according to the Associated Press Stylebook.

Finding and gathering information needed for news stories that provide audiences with crucial information about their communities and society. Will cover the identification and interviewing of sources, the use of open records and open meetings laws, and digital access to public records and other sources in producing news stories.

Videography emphasizing field production and introduction to editing and post production provided with edit suites or straight from the student's laptop. Cameras and other loaner equipment provided. Students produce, direct, write, shoot, and edit individual productions. Productions involving diversity issues are required.

Arranging and editing text, photographs, graphics and other materials from diverse sources for digital media.

Basic concepts of public relations, including history, theory, organization and ethics. Writing emphasized. Major issues include diversity and inclusiveness in communication and public relations.

The development of professional public relations writing skills. Effective methods of conceptualizing, researching and presenting information to the relevant publics. Major issues include diversity and inclusiveness in communication and public relations.

An overview of the application and context of theoretical and practical approaches to social media.

Fundamentals of voice and diction applied to audio and video media delivery. Includes commercials, news, interviews, and ad-lib announcing for traditional broadcast and digital platforms.

Theories of the processes and effects of mass communication, including the discussion and analysis of research findings on race, gender, and ethnicity. Also deals with numbers for journalists - basic math and statistics for journalists.

Supervised experience reporting, writing, and publishing as a staff member of the student-run news outlet, The Chanticleer. The course may be repeated for a total of three credit hours.

Supervised experience as a staff member of the student-run radio station, WLJS 91.9 FM. The course may be repeated for a total of three credit hours.

Supervised experience demonstrating skill in public relations and/or advertising. The course may be repeated for a total of three credit hours.

Supervised experience as a staff member of a student media team producing video news programming. The course may be repeated for a total of three credit hours.

Supervised experience as a staff member of a student media team producing live sports broadcasts and/or related programming in audio or video. The course may be repeated for a total of three credit hours.

Supervised experience producing mass communication in a variety of media. The course may be repeated for a total of three credit hours.

Study of legal systems of state and nation as related to media, including libel, privacy, copyright, access, contract, and First Amendment issues. (Writing Intensive Course)

Students will practice and develop the skills necessary for planning and producing effective multimedia programs. They will be introduced to planning strategies, production techniques, and software involved in multimedia production. Each student will demonstrate basic proficiencies across a wide spectrum of multimedia. Emphasis will be on visual, audio, and typographic design as well as the appropriateness of these elements for specific goals. The use of advanced electronic technologies will also be emphasized. Through a series of individual component assignments, students will develop a capstone multimedia presentation to be included in their portfolio.

The ethical foundations of the media and their interrelationships with the public and the government. The range of systems of freedom of expression around the world and their ethical implications. (Writing Intensive Course)

This course will develop and deepen video production skills with an emphasis on video post-production. Adobe After Effects and Photoshop and Audition Integration will be explored. Chroma Key, Keyframing, masking and other advanced techniques will be explored.

Through the analysis of real-life cases, the role of public relations and advertising strategies for message development and construction between an organization and its diverse stakeholders is explored.

Principles and practices of writing features. Requires out-of-class assignments. Major subjects include diversity and inclusiveness in journalism and mass communication. (Writing Intensive Course)

Students will learn data-driven decision-making; learn to assess metrics, and distill digital data for maximum value from R&D to customer service to social media marketing; use analysis to craft experiences that will reflect individual customer's needs, expectations, and behaviors; measure digital media ROI: sales, leads, and customer satisfaction and learn to track performance of paid, earned, and owned digital channels in addition to the use of other advanced tools for measuring consumer influence.

Fundamentals of research methodologies in mass communication. Prepares students to become familiar with, and develop the understanding and ability to apply social science research concepts to mass communication problems. Major topics to include, among others, sampling, survey research, basic statistics, and diversity issues in mass communication research.

News gathering and writing for the digital media with emphasis on deadline and beat reporting. Copy editing is included as are modern newsroom issues, such as diversity and community involvement. This is a capstone course - a culminating experience that integrates coursework, knowledge, skills and other experiences in digital journalism. It serves as a venue for learning outcomes assessment.

Instruction and practice designed to develop creative and persuasive messaging techniques used in integrated strategic communication, including extensive practice in professional writing for print, electronic, web, and social media platforms.

The capstone course in PR and Advertising where students develop objectives, planning, messaging, and creative media promotion through participation in research, planning, presentation, and problem-solving techniques to effectively address public relations issues, including diversity in communication. Students will engage in public relations and advertising campaign management. The course serves as a means of assessing program learning outcomes.

This course will familiarize students with a range of traditional media business models and ownership structures as well as examine the rapid changes and new media business opportunities across the industry brought by the convergence of traditional, digital, and social media, and the waning and limitations of traditional advertising and delivery models. Students will be introduced to issues of leadership and human resource management including diversity, equity, and the continuing role of media outlets in the communities they serve.

Principles and practices for gathering, writing, reporting and producing news for electronic media. Requires out-of-class assignments. This is a capstone course - a culminating experience that integrates coursework, knowledge, skills and other experiences in broadcast journalism. Major subjects include diversity in communication. It serves as a venue for the learning outcomes assessment.

Supervised study permitting students to pursue specific areas of interest in communication.

Supervised on-the-job experience with an appropriate media facility.