General:

 

COMM 3063 - MEDIA/COMMUNICATION THEORY

 

 This class is all about taking the first layer of mud off of our eyes and seeing what is going on right under our noses and there’s a lot going on under our noses. As you may have learned in COMM1203 Media History, with the advent of each new communication technology, society changes forever. Part of the task of this class is to show exactly how we have changed and are changing and not all of it is pretty.

 

 

COMM 4703 - COMMUNICATION ETHICS & LAW

 

 In this class students will gain an understanding of how communication law is an extension of ethical media practices and that while there are laws in place to protect the rights of citizens, the ethical decisions media professionals make are equally if not more significant in the daily practices of such professionals. An emphasis will be placed on the ethical codes of media and our Christian ethos.

 

 

COMM 3703 - COMMUNICATION & THE CHRISTAIN FAITH

 

 Whether you are telling your story in print, broadcast or digital platforms; content is KING. In this class we will be sharpening our digital storytelling skills. We will write in this class. All of our lab assignments will contain written elements to help stretch our creative and critical thinking muscles. There are two lab tracks in this class on will be for students that started the Web series Philibuster and will now edit and post-produce it. The other track will be for those that have not worked on Philibuster. We will begin writing a new episodic series and learn the basic tools to produce and promote such a series for distribution.

 

 

Mass Media Studies:

 

COMM 3713 - SPECIAL TOPICS IN MEDIA COMMUNICATION

 

 In this class students will explore the art of storytelling, using the tools and techniques of the feature film industry. We will apply the concepts, theories and best practices of professional cinematography to produce/package short feature films for festival entry and digital platforms. Our goal will be to leave class job-ready for careers in the film or related industries. An emphasis will be placed on the ethical codes of media production and our Christian ethos.

 

 

COMM 4243 - MEDIA & SOCIETY

 

 Students will deepen their understanding of the social role of media and culture in society by learning how they help shape social norms. Students will trace the development of social movements by discovering their genesis in the media and following its progression to public policy.

 

 

COMM 3403 - MEDIA CRITICISM

 

 In this class students will gain an understanding of how media is produced, the underlying meanings and ideologies embedded as part of the producers’ decision-making processes and how to interpret these underlying elements. We will look at the social and cultural impact of media artifacts as mirrors and motivators of change. We will also learn how to professionally critique media objects for both underlying and apparent elements of quality of production. An emphasis will be placed on the ethical codes of media and our Christian ethos.

 

 

COMM 4803 - STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION

 

In this class students will gain an understanding of how motivational messages can have societally impactful consequences. Advertising and Public Relations are examples of cultural forms of rhetorical practices, but political communication and debate can have an even greater impact on how, through persuasive argument, cultural and societal shifts are fomented. Strategic Communication will examine all of these common practices under the umbrella of, what is also known as, integrated marketing communication. An emphasis will be placed on the ethical codes of media and our Christian ethos.

 

 

Production:

 

 

COMM 3153 - REPORTING

 

  In this class we will focus on reporting for digital media, which in essence will include legacy forms of reporting for both print and broadcast. Storytelling is at the heart of journalism as is truth. We will learn the elements of a print and broadcast story and how to apply ethical practices throughout the entire process of telling a journalistically sound story. We will pitch then investigate stories of social or cultural importance, collect all facts concerning the story, distill the facts into a focused report for both print and television broadcast.

 

 

COMM 4603 - DOCUMENTARIES/INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING

 

 Students will learn the concepts, techniques and best practices for investigative and long format reporting for multiple platforms including print, film, broadcast and digital -- documentary style storytelling. As a group they will enterprise a team report that will cover one major social issue and produce a Web-umentary site to include written, multimedia and interactive stories covering the various aspects of that issue from a Christian perspective.

 

 

COMM 3713 - BROADCAST NEWS STUDIO PRODUCTION

 

 In this class students will explore the art of storytelling, using the tools and techniques of the broadcast journalism industry. We will apply the concepts, theories and best practices of professional journalism to produce/package stories and shows for broadcast and digital platforms. Our goal will be to leave class job-ready for careers in the broadcast journalism or digital journalism related industries. An emphasis will be placed on the ethical codes of journalism and our Christian ethos.