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A variety of courses are offered by the communication department, both for majors and non-majors, to provide a solid background in the field.
COMM 174. FILM APPRECIATION
An analysis of the aesthetic nature of film and how film has influenced society. 3 credit.
COMM 180. BUSINESS&PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
Students learn basic presentation skills including techniques for informative and persuasive speaking. The course focuses on audience analysis, research skills, organizational principles, writing, delivery, and critical analysis of presentations. 3 credits.
COMM 183. ELECTRONIC MEDIA PRODUCTION
Students are given basic instruction in producing video in and outside of the television station. Instruction combines theoretical concepts with practical field experience. 3 credits.
COMM 184. NEWSWRITING
A fundamental course in journalistic writing that focuses on reporting, writing, producing and presenting news stories in varied formats. Research strategies, interviewing, data collection, critique and history of journalism are also covered. Prerequisite: COMM 259 or Instructor Permission 3 credits.
COMM 185. COMMUNICATION IN SOCIETY
An overview of communication in the US and around the world including legal, ethical and social issues, this course examines the relationship between media and society, history of mass media, and development of communication industry. This survey class examines print journalism, movie industry, media research, magazines, advertising, public relations, new technologies and more. 3 credits.
COMM 190. NEW MEDIA
This course introduces students to technologies which have changed the role of communication professionals. Topics include implementation of the Internet to reach audiences, copyright issues and impact on media, discussion of new technologies such as animation, streaming media, and new digital technologies and formats. 3 credits.
COMM 230. PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
This course explores how and why organizations communicate with various public to help create, maintain, enhance and change organizational reputations. 3 credits.
COMM 240. COPYEDITING AND GRAPHICS
Practice in the skill of editing copy to ensure proper grammar, style and clarity. Students will learn design, typography, makeup and layout of print and web materials. Prerequisite: COMM 184.
COMM 259. FUNDAMENTALS OF WRITING
Students receive an intensive drill in grammar, punctuation, syntax, and word usage in contexts designed especially for future professional communicators. The class also gives considerable attention to current media contexts and appropriate writing styles. 3 credits.
COMM 260. EDITORIAL WRITING
With an emphasis on writing structure and style, this course focuses on researching and writing columns, analytical and persuasive editorials, interpretive in-depth articles, speeches and reviews for various media. Students study message strategies, research and develop effective texts appropriate to their audiences in various public contexts, and apply editorial judgment. Prerequisite: COMM 259 or Instructor Permission. 3 credits.
COMM 269. COMMUNICATION THEORY AND RESEARCH
This course will introduce students to the quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection used in the communication industry. They will also explore the theories of communication that have been derived from such research. 3 credits.
COMM 275. BROADCAST NEWSWRITING
Students learn preparation of copy and news packages for radio, television and streaming video. This course includes videography, video and audio editing, and news programming. 3 credits. Prerequisite: COM 184.
COMM 305. FUNDAMENTALS OF TELEVISION PRODUCING
Students learn the pre-production process, including audience analysis, outcome-based assessment and resource allocation. 3 credits. Prerequisite: COM 18.
COMM 315. COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES
This course provides instruction and experience writing and editing copy for public relations and promotional writing. The class explores a variety of tools at the professional communicator's disposal as well as how these are applied to various situations and audiences. Students develop competencies in creating content and understanding structure of writing for both print and web. Prerequisite: COMM 230 or Instructor Permission 3 credits.
COM 329. COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
This class explores the power of professional communication and the responsibilities it creates for practitioners. Various codes of ethics available within the industry will be explored and students create a personal code of values and principles of practice to guide their decision making in the field. 3 credits.
COMM 339. PERSUASION THEORIES
Students examine the basis theories regarding persuasion as they function in mediated messages. 3 credits.
COMM 350. VISUAL EDITING
Practical training and theoretical concepts of the process of selecting visual and aural components for editing. Students will work with the Avid editing system. Classroom instruction centers on basic editing principles and utilizes numerous examples. 3 credits.
COM 369. GLOBAL COMMUNICATION
An examination of interpersonal, organizational and mass communication as it occurs around the world, as well as the influence of communication systems on cultures. 3 credits.
COMM 370. COMMUNICATION LAW AND ETHICS
This course prepares future professional communicators to make informed media decisions, through understanding the historical, legal, and ethical context for judgment of issues in mass media through in-class discussion, simulation, and modeling. The legislative, regulatory and case law that governs professional communication with an emphasis on the law's role in protecting or in inhibiting communicators' activities is covered. Prerequisite: COMM 185. 3 credits.
COMM 377. FEATURE WRITING
This extensive writing course explores strategies for developing feature stories for web, newspapers, newsletters, and magazines. The class emphasizes gathering information and developing a story from nonfiction topics including personal experiences, personality profiles, consumer pieces, and travel articles. Students practice the skills necessary to write in varied formats for publication. Prerequisite: COMM 259 or Instructor Permission. 3 credits.
COMM 390. STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION I
Students will practice developing, executing and evaluating complex integrated communication plans. This course looks at various case studies and contexts including agencies, nonprofits organizations, brand strategy firms, corporations and more. Prerequisite: COMM 230 or Instructor Permission. 3 credits.
COMM 391. STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION II
Students develop and evaluate strategic planning principles for campaigns and program implementation, crisis planning and communication; issue management; integrated marketing communication, and more. This course allows students to refine skills learned previously in devising communication strategies by working with a regional nonprofit agency on a communication-related project. Prerequisite: COM 390 or Instructor Permission. 3 credits.
COMM 392. COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGNS
Students plan and develop integrated marketing, advertising and public relations campaigns. They perform situation analysis, identify objectives, develop strategies and tactics, write plan, produce branding/advertising, marketing and public relations campaigns materials, and develop plan for evaluation. The class culminates in a trade show attended by campus community, professional judges and local media. 3 credits. Prerequisite: COM 315 or Instructor Permission.
COMM 410. PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
Students are responsible for organizing and airing a series for Hurst TV and streaming video. 3 credits. Prerequisite: COM 30.
COMM 420. MEDIA MANAGEMENT
Students explore how professional communication production departments are organized, budgeted, and maintained. The course also examines the promotional efforts made by media to attract advertisers and consumers. 3 credits.
COMM 430. MAGAZINE EDITING&DESIGN
This course is designed to lay a foundation both for understanding current issues in magazine publishing field. Students will develop journalistic skills and knowledge about publishing including circulation, editorial content, staff organization and design elements. Prerequisite: COMM 184. 3 credits.
COMM 445. MULTIMEDIA STORYTELLING
This intermediate reporting and production course focuses on gathering information and relaying it to a mass audience through various technologies, including blogs, websites, and podcasts. The course also looks at how the digital revolution is changing traditional news media coverage. Prerequisite: COMM 184. 3 credits.
COMM 450. CONVERGENCE MANAGEMENT
This course ties together print, broadcast and computer skills, theory, and practice, for the new digital media world. Students are challenged to extend their knowledge by creating specific digital content for on-campus media (Merciad, Hurst TV, WMCE, podcast). 3 credits.
COMM 475. INTERNSHIP
Communication majors gain on-the-job training and experience applying theory and technique they have learned in the classroom to their chosen career interests. This supervised experience working with communication professionals relates academic training to professional experience. Supervised opportunities include working with approved regional, national and international approved business, industry, agency, or institution. Prerequisite: 64 credit hours and departmental approval. 3 credits.
COMM 485. SPECIAL TOPICS
This course focuses on issues relevant to future communication professionals and innovative topics in field of communication. Topics vary from year to year. 3 credits.
COMM 489. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
This capstone course focuses on portfolio development and provides students with opportunities and skills needed to secure an internship or job in the field of professional communication. Career-related issues include resume and portfolio development, interviewing, business etiquette and workplace standards. Prerequisite: Senior Status or Instructor Permission. 3 credits.
