Communication Studies (COMM)
110—Visual Culture, 3 Cr.
Visual culture involves the study of
visual and digital messages. Students will analyze messages in the grphics
arts, cinema, and visual rhetoric for aesthetic qualities associated with the
human experience. Students will explore the skills for interpreting the visual
world in a more nuanced way. Visual Culture encourages students to use critical
and scientific tools to provide awareness and insights into the creative
processes associated with visual message production.
118—Introduction to Digital Media, 3
Cr.
Introduction to the concepts,
terminology, software, hardware and technology related to the production of
digital media. Students will be exposed to digital video editing, 3D modeling
and animation, Web design, digital image manipulation, and digital audio.
140—Principles of Visual Communication,
3 Cr.
This course is designed to
provide an overview of the theories of visual messages including human
perception, psychology of color and principles of design and the application of
those theories to visual communication. Students learn concept generation
techniques and explore design methodologies, as well as, develop graphic and
illustration techniques that support the visual expression of ideas.
141—Typography, 3 Cr.
Students will explore the expressive
potential of typographic form and gain a stronger understanding of the
importance of message and visual harmony in typographic communication.
Prerequisite: 140.
150—Fundamentals of Speech, 2 Cr.
This course focuses on the function of
verbal communication in society. The mastering of positive listening behaviors,
nonverbal communication techniques, and the skillful use of language are
stressed. Students practice extemporaneous speaking with emphasis placed on
outlining content, organization, and delivery.
205—Communication Theory, 3 Cr.
Course
investigates the major theoretical constructs relevant to the study of human
communication (interpersonal, small group, intercultural, etc.). Emphasis is on
understanding a variety of perspectives from which human communication can be
viewed. Students develop the ability to analyze critically the underlying
assumptions of theoretical models of communication. Prerequisite: PSYC-100,
171, or SOCL 125.
211—Communication Research Methods, 3
Cr.
Introduction to the research tools necessary to locate,
understand, evaluate, and synthesize social scientific arguments regarding communication
processes. Curriculum includes the philosophy of the social sciences,
measurement issues, basic experimental design, and an introduction to
statistics. Students gain the skills necessary to interpret scientific
arguments and conduct their own, original investigation of a major
communication theory. The studies are designed to resolve an argument between
competing perspectives for a communication outcome.
220—Layout Design, 3 Cr.
Further exploration of graphic design
processes and digital imaging techniques. Emphasis is placed on the development
of skills in the preparation of text, imagery and grid systems as it relates to
the production of page layout elements. Projects include the development of
information design, sales promotion collateral and editorial design
applications. Prerequisite: 141.
223—Web Design and Development, 3 Cr.
This course will build the students’
design and technical skills in the area of Web page design and development.
Course includes an introduction to HTML, fundamentals of web layout, interface
design, content organization, database integration, planning, site management,
and client relations. Prerequisite: 118.
230—Media, Technology and Culture, 3
Cr.
This course surveys the major concepts
and theories necessary for understanding communication practices in the 21st
century. The course emphasizes how media affects what people think about, how
people underestimate the effect of media on themselves, and how media affect
what we see as the causes and solutions to social problems and investigates
three aspects of media l literacy: computer literacy, information literacy and
visual literacy.
310—Organizational Communication
Theory, 3 Cr.
This
course explores the role of communication in creating successful organizations
as well as the major theories of organizational communication. Student will be
involved in identifying and defining primary concepts, and applying them to
discussions of real-world situations. Effective communication in global
organizations and critiques of organization communication systems and
structures are also presented. Prerequisite: 205.
311—Persuasion and Social Influence, 3
Cr.
Students
explore rhetoric, persuasion, and coercion through the use of symbols. The
course examines the cognitive, social, and rhetorical dimensions of attitude
change by considering how messages are used to affect the cognitions and
behaviors of individuals. The course focuses on the major theories of attitude
change, research on communication and conformity, rhetorical use of symbols,
and the effects of persuasive messages. Prerequisite: 205.
315—Principles of Public Relations, 3
Cr.
The
nature and role of public relations in a democratic society and worldwide,
activities of public relations professionals, major influences that affect
organizational behavior, ethics and professional development of practitioners
in the private and public sectors. Provides students with a theoretical
background for understanding and implementing communication planning, public
campaigns, crisis communication, and issues management. Prerequisite: 205.
316—Public Campaigns, 3 Cr.
Communication
campaigns are coordinated, large-scale efforts to exert individual and
collective influence. This course stresses practical applications of several
communication theories and allows students to assess message outcomes in the
context of competing audiences and interest groups. Students explore how
campaigns are planned, organized, executed, and evaluated. Comparisons are made
between public interest, political, religious, and commercial campaigns.
Prerequisite: 205.
318—Cross-Cultural Management, 3 Cr.
This
course focuses on understanding of cultural differences across and within
nations and the impact of cross-cultural difference on effective business
communication practices. Students will conduct in-depth comparative cultural
analysis, and develop effective global multicultural skills (e.g., cultural
sensitivity, intercultural communication, negotiations, and cooperation).
Prerequisite: 205.
319—Conflict and Negotiation
Management, 3 Cr.
An
intensive study of orientations toward managing disputes using specific
theories, processes and techniques currently employed in conflict
situations. Course emphasizes both organizational and interpersonal disputes
and also focuses on the role of mediation. Prerequisite: 205.
321—Digital Video I, 3 Cr.
This class will build the students’
skills in the area of digital video production through an examination of the
entire production process; pre-production, production, and post-production.
Emphasis on camera technique, composition, lighting, and editing techniques.
Basic film aesthetics will be explored. Prerequisite: 118.
328—Design for Sustainability, 3 Cr.
Sustainable design will examine the
interplay between production and consumption. This course will explore how the
graphic arts industry uses principles and frameworks for sustainable design, as
well as reviewing the fundamental properties of materials used in the design
and production processes. Students will engage in individual and
collaborative-based challenges in creating and delivering effective
communications while advocating sustainable design practice at each phase of
the development process. Through a series of presentations, case studies,
discussions, exercises, hands-on design projects and critiques, the class will
learn to transform conventional thinking into sustainable solutions.
Prerequisites: 140 and one course from 331, 332, HIST 354, MGMT 305, MKTG 351,
or SUST 210.
331—Illustration Techniques, 3 Cr.
This course is designed to gain
experience in creating digital imagery while exploring diverse illustration
techniques. Students will expand their visual repertoire by developing image manipulation
skills along with masking, compositing, layering and blending techniques in developing
digital collages, photomontages and mixed media compositions. Students will further
explore problem solving methods while developing a personal creative vision.
Prerequisite: 330.
332—Advertising Design, 3 Cr.
This
course is designed to develop strategic and conceptual skills along with
graphic design and basic illustration techniques. Students will explore the
strategies and methods that are essential to formulating a brand identity and
advertising concept, as well as developing the visual and verbal expression of
ideas. Prerequisite: 330.
335—3D Modeling, 3 Cr.
Introduction to concepts,
techniques, and software related to modeling and animating in 3D. The basics of
polygon-based modeling, texture mapping, lighting, and keyframe animation will
be explored. Includes an examination of industry standard applications.
Prerequisite: 118, 140, 141.
336—Web Design and Rich Media, 3 Cr.
Focus on developing user-centric web
design interfaces and rich media components that include animation and
interactive applications. Projects include the development of web sites via
Dreamweaver, as well as the development of various visual elements via Flash,
Photoshop and Illustrator. Prerequisites: 118, 140, 141.
337—Motion Graphics, 3 Cr.
This course will introduce students to
designing motion graphics for video and web. Emphasis will be placed on
planning, storyboarding, and conceptualizing in time-based media. Students will
become competent in designing still images, sequencing images, compositing
images, and producing motion graphics for various distribution methods. In
addition, students will examine the role of motion graphics in contemporary
culture and its effectiveness as a communication model.
414—Communication Law and
Ethics, 3 Cr.
This course
will survey how the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is interpreted and
applied to communication law in the United States through exploring court
decisions, laws and/or regulations and the various aspects of ethical decision-making
employed in developing and executing communication law. Through written and
oral communication assignments, and case study analysis students learn to
analyze communication laws and to apply a systematic ethical analysis to
determine the consequences of communication law making. By the
end of the semester, students will improve their written and oral communication
through defining clear message points, organizing information for clarity, and
conceptualizing and executing effective communication. Prerequisite: 305. Restricted to students with junior standing and higher.
421—Digital Video II, 3 Cr.
This course will build on skills gained
from Digital Video I and explore advanced topics in digital video production.
More advanced editing, lighting, and advanced compositional techniques will be
the focus. Includes an exploration of the film aesthetics through the analysis
of various film movements. Prerequisite: 321.
460—Portfolio Design, 3 Cr.
The capstone course taken in the
student’s senior year focuses on creating a professional portfolio consisting
of print and digital artifacts, research manuscripts, and/or examples of
professional writing. Students will design a self-promotion strategy, prepare
for interviews, and present their work to others in the university community.
475—Topics in Digital Media, 3 Cr.
This course will focus on a digital
media area in an in-depth manner. The topic will vary from year to year.
Prerequisites: 223, 321. Restricted to students with junior standing or higher.
Permission of instructor required. May be repeated for credit.
490—Communication Studies Internship or
Research Experience, 1-12 Cr.
Academic
internship or research experience for qualified students related to
communication studies. Permission of
instructor required. May be repeated for credit.