200

COM 222 Media Aesthetics and Creativity

In this class, students will be asked to explore their own creative processes and develop identities as creative thinkers and producers of media. Students will research theories about creativity; explore aesthetic principles relating to two-dimensional, interactive and time-based media; and experiment with traditional and experimental narrative techniques. The focus will be on developing creative concepts in pre-production phases (e.g., sketching, storyboarding, storytelling, writing treatments and artist statements, experimenting with electronic media). Students will work both individually and in groups; research and synthesize substantive ideas from outside influences; and effectively present ideas in oral, visual and written forms.

Credit Hours: 4

COM 224 Mass Media and Society

Studies the fundamentals of communication theory to provide a foundation for understanding how the mass media work, how they influence us, how we can analyze them and how we can effectively use them. Students can apply these critical skills to their roles as responsible consumers and communication professionals. May be used to fulfill the general distribution requirements for the social sciences if not used for the major. 

This is a CORE foundation course for all communication majors.

Credit Hours: 4

COM 225 Media Writing

An introduction to the principles and practices of writing for major types of mass communication media, with an emphasis on content, organization, conciseness and clarity. Students learn different styles of writing for print media, broadcast media, the Web, advertising and public relations. This course also discusses the ethical and legal implications of writing for the media.

Credit Hours: 4
(W)

COM 226 Introduction to Scriptwriting for Motion Pictures and Television

Students learn and practice the principles behind the art and craft of scriptwriting for short, single-camera "motion picture" format, and multi-camera, live audience television (such as situation comedies). May not be used to satisfy general distribution requirements.

Credit Hours: 4
(W)

COM 232 Visual Literacy

It is one of the great ironies of contemporary existence that we are beset, informed, controlled and constructed by images, yet we receive almost no formal training in understanding and creating visual communication. Visual Literacy addresses this issue through interdisciplinary study of the terminology and theory of visual communication, with special emphasis on the relationship of visuality and cultural practice. Considering ideas from art history, photography, film, mass media and cultural studies, students are asked to analyze visual rhetoric, begin to see critically, articulate meaning and author visual rhetoric of their own. May be used to fulfill the general distribution requirements for the humanities if not used for the major.

This is a CORE foundation course for all communication majors.

Credit Hours: 4
(A)

COM 234 Topics in Communication

Credit Hours: 1-4

COM 236 Topics in Communication

Credit Hours: 1-4

COM 237 Topics in Communication

Credit Hours: 1-4

COM 241 Introduction to Sound, Image and Motion

An introduction to hands-on digital film production and post-production. Each student will complete a short documentary, narrative and experimental film. Technical instruction will include level-one instruction on non-linear digital editing software and an introduction to HD cameras. Students will be introduced to portable equipment at the cage (including cameras, tripods, audio recording tools and more) and production facilities, including the black box studio space. Class will be comprised of technical demonstrations, in-class shoots and critiques of student work. Basic history, theory and aesthetics of related media are presented.

May not be used to satisfy general distribution requirements. Laboratory fee required.

Credit Hours: 4

COM 242 Digital Citizenship

Digital Citizenship introduces digital media production as a means of self-discovery, self-expression and civic engagement through three key issues: how do we define and know our identities given the dominant ways we express them today? How, to what purpose and with what responsibilities do we express our identities outward into public spheres? And how can we use media authoring skills to recognize and solve social problems? Through Internet research, social media, blogging and image capture, manipulation and distribution, students will develop skills to go from casual users of various contemporary technologies to digital rhetoricians practicing active, engaged citizenship. 

This is a CORE foundation course for all communication majors.

Credit Hours: 4

COM 250 Practicum in Broadcast Management

Students are responsible for the programming and management of WUTV and WUTZ, the University's closed-circuit television and radio stations. Students are encouraged to register for 1 to 2 credit hours initially and to save 4 credit hours for officer positions. Students also may participate as volunteers for either station. (Limited to 6 credit hours total.)

Credit Hours: 1-4

COM 260 American Cinema

A basic introduction to film studies. Surveys the history of American narrative film with an emphasis on the cultural impact of film in society. May be used to fulfill the general distribution requirements for the humanities if not used for the major.

Credit Hours: 4
(A)

COM 261 World Cinema

An examination of world cinema movements. May be used to fulfill Third World requirements. May be used to fulfill the general distribution requirements for the humanities if not used for the major.

Credit Hours: 4
(A) (IG) (NW)

COM 283 Principles of Advertising

This course introduces students to the historical, cultural, economic, and social aspects of advertising. Students will discusses advertising’s relationship to marketing as well as its role in traditional and new media landscapes. This course also provides an overview of advertising management, advertising planning, advertising creativity and concepts, global advertising, and laws affecting advertising. (This course replaces COM 282, Survey of Advertising and Public Relations.)

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites

This course may not be taken if the student has already taken and received a passing grade in COM 282.

COM 284 Principles of Public Relations

This is an introductory course to public relations communication. The primary objectives of this course are to help students recognize the basic concepts and principles of public relations, to help them gain an understanding of the social importance of public relations in our community and organizations, and to help students personalize these concepts to their professional career interests. (This course replaces COM 282, Survey of Advertising and Public Relations.)
Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites

This course may not be taken if the student has already taken and received a passing grade in COM 282.

COM 285 Information Design

Draws from a variety of design theories to create and analyze workplace documents such as training, marketing and documentation materials. Emphasis will be placed on thinking creatively about how to make information as usable as possible, and choosing appropriate media and genre for communicative purposes. Students will put theory into practice by writing and designing portfolio pieces. May not be used to satisfy general distribution requirements.

Credit Hours: 4
(W)