Media Communication Major Requirements (B.A. or B.S.) (51 Credit Hours)
Requires 51 semester hours including:
COMM 221 Introduction to Media Studies (3 Credit Hours)
Examines the history of mass communication with an emphasis on the evolution of media. This course enhances media literacy by addressing the history of media through the societal, economic, technological, and political spectrums through which the media is influenced and influences. Formerly ENCO 221.
COMM 232 Layout & Design I (3 Credit Hours)
Students learn the basics of layout and design using publishing software including Photoshop and Illustrator. Photography, Lightroom, and graphic design will be introduced.
COMM 234
Digital Career Management (3 Credit Hours)
Students explore various aspects of life and career management within the field of Communications and related disciplines. This course provides students with the skills to manage large projects from inquiry through concept to final product, understand their digital footprint, prepare for a career, and to create the space and beginnings of a personal portfolio.
COMM 235
Social Media I (3 Credit Hours)
Competency in the online arena requires an understanding of the Internet as more than “just another channel” or promotional vehicle. Students are introduced to the history, theory, technology, and uses of social media. Social Media (such as Twitter, Facebook, blogging, etc.) are technologies enabling individuals to create, collaborate, and share messages with audiences of all sizes.
COMM 261
Writing & Speaking for the Media (3 Credit Hours)
Students learn basic journalism writing—the fundamentals of writing and speaking for print, broadcast, internet and emerging media, focusing on writing and speaking to inform, the editing process, and integration of visual and audio elements. Application work includes hard news pieces and short feature pieces: The News Story.
COMM 322
Persuasion (3 Credit Hours)
Examines classical and contemporary theories and applications of rhetoric, persuasion, propaganda, social change and the processes involved in attitudinal changes.
COMM 331
Video Production I (3 Credit Hours)
In studio production applicable for a variety of digital platforms. Work will include television, web, and social media. Specific topics covered include pre-production planning, writing, and strategy, production skills involving camera, lenses, lighting, switchers, directing, and related post-production activities including editing.
COMM 332
Layout & Design II (3 Credit Hours)
Students build upon Layout and Design I lessons—looking more in depth at the software (Illustrator, InCopy, and InDesign), theory and practice of layout and design within print, online, and magazine. This course focuses on more complex products such as packaging, those with multiple pages, and single page pieces which are part of a larger campaign.
COMM 340
Social Media II (3 Credit Hours)
Students will understand how to determine a target audience, how to figure out what interests them, and when and how to reach them. Students will navigate around social platforms and know when to use which platform. They will also explore the behavioral and psychological factors that drive social media, how to use social media without spending money to build community and market a brand, and to design effective communication strategies of social networks through storytelling.
COMM 342
Writing & Speaking for the Media II (3 Credit Hours)
Building upon the journalistic writing and speaking skills from Writing and Speaking for the Media I, students continue to hone their skills in writing and speaking for print, broadcast, internet and emerging media. Students apply strategies of persuasion, storytelling, and marketing through blogging, vlogging, and video production. The editing process is more fully highlighted and explored in this course. Prerequisite: COMM 261.
COMM 363
Web I, User Experience & Design (3 Credit Hours)
Students learn and practice designing a website using digital strategy with the user in mind. This course covers market research, graphic design for the web, project management, and digital strategy.
COMM 364
Web II, Development (3 Credit Hours)
Students study and implement how to deconstruct a website design in order to build a site using WordPress’ Content Management System and learn how to develop a mobile responsive site that communicates a message. Prerequisite: COMM 363.
COMM 453
Strategic Storytelling (3 Credit Hours)
When you share a brand’s message via stories, you are more likely to impact the target audience. The impact of great stories is measured in how they affect people’s emotions and perceptions. This course shares some of the greatest brand stories (and some to learn from). Students will produce a package and a plan for stories designed to captivate stakeholders and produce results for an organization. The emphasis of this course isn’t so much direct outcomes, but great stories that help us achieve those outcomes.
COMM 462
Media Law (3 Credit Hours)
Examines segments of the U.S. laws which govern mass media including freedom of the press (First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, libel, invasion of privacy, pornography/obscenity). This course will address laws and regulations pertaining to print, radio, broadcast, and web media, with an emphasis on broadcast media. Prerequisite: junior standing.
COMM 472
Mass Communication Capstone (3 Credit Hours)
In this course, students complete a semester long group media project and also write and produce a film. Students are also responsible for all aspects from idea development, production, casting, editing through promotion, and presentation on Premiere Night. Prerequisite: junior standing. Formerly ENCO 472.
Choose 1 of the following (3 hours):
COMM 211
Public Speaking (3 Credit Hours)
Examines the principles and process of speech communication through applied oral presentations in a small group public speaking setting. Discussion and application of basic theories of human communication and role of audience in the communication process.
COMM 422
Video Production II (3 Credit Hours)
This course builds upon Video Production I and emphasizes location and field production. Specific topics covered include advanced production skills: camera, lenses, lighting, directing and editing. Genres, styles, basic shots, and reproducing shots will be explored. Work will include advertising and PR products and will frequently be on-location (some instudio work). Prerequisite: COMM 331
Choose 1 of the following (3 hours):
COMM 336
Layout & Design III (3 Credit Hours)
Students build upon Layout and Design II lessons—exploring theories, styles, and approaches through implementation and practice. This course focuses on more complex products such as packaging, print design, typography design, illustration, and campaign development. Prerequisites: COMM 221, COMM 232, and COMM 363. Odd years only.
COMM 443
Social Media III (3 Credit Hours)
Mobile internet usage continues to explode, and it has been predicted that it will overtake desktop internet usage in the next five years. Successful businesses need to understand the current mobile landscape and how to harness the power of mobile marketing to reach key target markets. This survey course will examine how mobile marketing fits into the overall digital and social media strategy. We will investigate geo-marketing, localized marketing, designing for mobile media, mobile websites, mobile advertising, m-commerce and mobile spending, SMS, and mobile apps. Students will develop a creative mobile marketing campaign that integrates with a traditional marketing plan.
COMM 464
Web III: Projects (3 Credit Hours)
Students will learn how to develop an integrated digital media campaign. Through strategic planning, students will develop a web project from initial inquiry through media ready implementation. Prerequisites: COMM 363, COMM 364, COMM 235, and COMM 340.
