29 courses with the subject COM, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
COM 1213Digital Media Production I4
This course is based on the theoretical and practical exploration of design and production techniques using primarily audio and video as a medium of communication. Students will learn the basics of video production, audio mixing and editing. Our multi-station Mac Lab and production studio, along with our recording studio, offer professional-level software (Final Cut Pro and the Adobe suite) and hardware (camera, microphones, light kits, etc.) Students will develop the skills necessary to conceive, write, storyboard, shoot and edit several projects over the semester. PREREQUISITE: None
Students will study theories of mass communication and the role that the media and content creators play in modern society. The rise of print, electronic and digital media will be discussed and analyzed. Students will learn that media literacy is vital in today’s environment and will critique forms of mass communication including music, TV/movies, software applications and news. Special attention will be given to the rights, responsibilities, merging trends and practices of mass media. PREREQUISITE: None
This course is the first of a four-course progression in Public Relations and Social Media Management. This course will offer students a theoretical and historical perspective while introducing them to the foundational elements of PR. Students will be trained on software used to compile and edit the Yellow Jacket Newspaper and will write an article for one issue during the semester in which they take this course. Students will explore theories of public opinion, mass communication and audience research and apply that learning toward creating targeted messages in media such as print, direct mail, broadcast and cable television, web and mobile applications. PREREQUISITES: None
Fundamental visual art principles constitute the basis of effective visual communication. This hands-on course explores these fundamentals while applying the creative approaches unique to digital photography. Students will learn how to use advanced digital cameras (DSLR) to create an on-line portfolio, as well as techniques to manage and archive media. In addition, students will develop a framework to analyze and evaluate photographs, whether created by themselves or others. PREREQUISITE: None
This course is the second of a four-course progression in Public Relations and Social Media Management. Students will learn how to research and write investigative journalistic pieces. Investigative reporting assignments will contribute to the Yellow Jacket Newspaper. The class will edit each issue of the Yellow Jacket in small groups. Particular attention will be paid to sources, public records, and global searches, as well as privacy and ethical issues. Students will write and develop a series of projects that prepare for, respond to, and reflect upon investigative journalistic pursuits. PREREQUISITE: COM1403
This course builds on and deepens work with the fundamental visual art principles introduced in Digital Photography I. Students will employ advanced techniques using digital cameras and the college's digital darkroom (Adobe Photoshop). Students will enhance their online portfolios, as well as create hands-on communication projects that benefit the college community. The framework for analyzing and evaluating images will be expanded. PREREQUISITE: COM1410
This course is a survey of photojournalism, tracing the development from Civil War origins to contemporary practice. Changes in photographic technology and the resulting impact on the craft will be examined. Students will discuss the role of photojournalists who record history in a society built on images. PREREQUISITE: ENG1201 or ENG1601 or permission of instructor.
Students will be required to write four stories for the Yellow Jacket Newspaper, covering topics and events for Sports, Arts, Leisure, and Current/Campus Events. Students will collect and submit ethically-sourced quotations for each story from the AIC community and submit two original photographs with each submission by the designated deadline. Students may only take this one-credit course a total of three times. PREREQUISITE: ENG1202
An introduction to the basic principles and techniques of writing for the media. Formats include informational, persuasive and entertainment content for a variety of audiences across different types of media and platforms. Students will write scripted material for traditional media (radio, TV and print) and produce written content across various digital platforms, including podcasts, streaming audio/video, social media and other web-based industries. PREREQUISITE: None.
In this course, students will learn the craft of audio-based storytelling, utilizing the techniques of audio production and journalistic reporting. Special attention will be given to the podcasting industry and its use of fiction and non-fiction-based narratives. Students will learn how to combine precise writing, compelling interviews, and sound design to create broadcast-quality content. This class will examine individual style/personas, ethical concerns, and innovative models of presenting and distributing audio storytelling in a digital landscape. Students will be required to produce short and long-form projects in which they will learn the steps necessary to conceive, produce and distribute their work. PREREQUISITE:
Students will explore theories of Public Opinion, Mass Communication and Audience Research and apply that learning toward creating targeted messages in media such as print, direct mail, broadcast and cable television, web and mobile applications. PREREQUISITES: COM2630 203
This course covers the rights and responsibilities of mass media practitioners such as reporters, editors, moderators, influencers, etc., as well as the impact of conglomeration on mass media. This course looks at the values of those who work in the news/information business and the moral dilemmas they face in an increasingly complex and litigious society. The course includes lectures, case studies and guest speakers. Topics covered include privacy and an overview of libel law and the impact of conglomeration on the news business in general. PREREQUISITES: ENG1202 or ENG1602
This course focuses on the craft of scriptwriting for theater and film. While similar in form, screenwriting and playwriting require different approaches, both of which will be explored in this course. Topics include generating ideas, plot and story development, writing action and dialogue, and dramatic/cinematic structure and form. Students will be introduced to a wide range of film/stage play formats and styles through the study of traditional and modern plays and films. Students will experience practical work in the writing of scripts with attention to traditional dramaturgy. Students will be required to write a one-act play and the first act of a feature screenplay. PREREQUISITE: ENG2325
One approach to cinematic studies is to consider the films of certain recognized great directors. Among the directors to be considered in this course are Alfred Hitchcock, Spike Lee and Francois Truffaut. PREREQUISITE: None
COM 3403Public Relations III: Crisis and Communication Management3
This course is the third of a four-course progression in Public Relations and Social Media Management. Students will learn how to best respond to crisis in the world of PR management. Crisis offers the opportunity to think critically and creatively while compiling the information necessary to effectively respond. Units will include navigating cancel culture, DEI&B, political, legal and tragedy/devastation communication. Students will be offered case studies and will individually and in groups prepare crisis responses. Students will also learn how to manage crisis across twenty-first century platforms and modes of communication to ensure consistency.
As students move into their third section of Digital Media Production, they will learn what is required to work in a professional production environment. Each student will select a core role in the production team- scriptwriter, producer, director, talent, camera operator, editor, or sound mixer/designer; they will be responsible for working in up to three of these core roles throughout the semester. Students will also be required to work practicum hours under the supervision of the division chair. Practicum work will include assisting in productions and mentoring students in Digital Media Production I and II. 204
Students will learn to write feature stories and opinion pieces for newspapers and magazines. In addition to learning the elements of good feature and opinion writing, this course shows how to take story ideas and turn them into published articles for newspapers, magazines and literary journals. Current feature and opinion stories will be discussed. Students will write a minimum of 15 pages (4500 words) in the genres. PREREQUISITE: None.
This course cultivates the development of a student's personal photographic style. Students will consciously explore a range of genres, such as nature photography, abstract photography, commercial photography and landscape photography. Students will also investigate a variety of tools, ranging from shooting film to using studio lighting. Culminating projects that benefit the college community will be created. PREREQUISITES: COM1410 and COM2411
This course explains the basic concepts of media research. Included are measurement and methodologies for measuring the effectiveness and impact of mass mediated messages (from radio, newspaper and TV to web site hits). Recognition tests, recall and association tests, opinions and attitude ratings, projectile methods, laboratory testing and content analysis are each explained and studied. Research applications focus mainly, but not entirely, on consumers of mass media. Quantitative as well as qualitative methods are discussed in detail.
The course covers the technical and creative aspects of transmitting converged media across a wide variety of platforms. This course utilizes student's skills in digital video photography, editing, and sound, emphasizing the potential of multiple platform presentation including social media, television, cable, streaming, and emerging media. Students will learn the importance of compressing/encoding media, non-linear editing, audio/video production and more. PREREQUISITE: COM1212 or COM1400
This 3-credit experience will offer students the opportunity to manage and maintain digital lab spaces in preparation for their professional internship and beyond. The digital media industry demands exposure to several disciplines within pre-production, production, and post- production; this course will sharpen the students' skills in each of these roles. Every student will be required to work 20 hours in our audio and video studios, scheduling and managing the spaces and mentoring lower-level students in their productions. Students will develop a keen understanding of professional decorum, and how to support and interpret workspace policies and procedures. Students will also meet and work with local/regional professionals (both freelance and those on staff) who can offer career advice and discuss emerging trends in the field. PREREQUISITE: COM3413 205
COM 4201Public Relations Practicum/Internship Preparation1
This one-credit experience will prepare students for their required professional internship. Students will develop PR resumes and will seek internship placement and navigate the process of securing placement. Class times will focus on deadline-based assignments including inquiries, cover letter, and interview. Students will also develop an internship statement of purpose and a portfolio of their written PR work to best showcase their abilities in the field of PR. Schedule and goal setting for internships will also be core experiences in this course. PREREQUISITE:
COM 4403Public Relations IV: Campaign and Executive Reporting4
This course is the fourth of the four-course progression in Public Relations and Social Media Management. This course will focus on campaign and executive reporting. It is vital to the success of any political campaign or executives’ office to have clear, concise, and branded PR. Political campaigns succeed or fail on the quality of its branding and consistency. From Obama’s success with “Yes We Can” to George H.W. Bush’s failure with “A Thousand Points of Light”. Mock press briefings will be a core experience as well as watching and analyzing the effectiveness of various campaign and executive briefings throughout modern history. PREQUISITES: COM1282, COM2630, COM2710, COM3403, COM3450
In their final section of Digital Media Production, students will write, produce, and edit a long- form project that will be the basis of this capstone course. Each student will create a 30-45- minute production in which they are the executive producer and main creative force. This capstone production will be completed under the supervision of the division chair and will require community outreach. Students will be required to identify a local community organization and work with them to create their production. The student will be required to work with these community "clients" to develop a program that fits with their needs.
