49 courses with the subject CMS, 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.
CMS 1301Introduction to Human Theory3
Credits: 3 hrs Unknown stories, unheard stories, untellable stories; here are some ideas you may learn about in this course. Stories help communicators make sense of a situation. This course is open to all students who are interested in real-life application of communication theory and how daily occurrence make sense in an ever-changing communication environment.
Credits: 3 hrs This course introduces the student to the basic principles of oral communication through a study of the production of speech sounds, followed by a study of the principles of selection, analysis, and preparation of poetry, prose, and drama for oral presentation before an audience.
Credits: 3 hrs This course provides an overview of the structure and functions of the mass media in contemporary society. Acquaintance with social, economic, cultural, and political aspects of mass communications is provided, along with basic theory and aesthetics. This is a departmental core course requirement.
Credits: 3 hrs This course is a study of the basic principles and practices of effective spoken English. It is also a study of English sounds, stress, and intonation. Analysis is made of the student’s voice and speech.
Credits: 3 hrs This course is a study of the basic principles and practices of effective spoken English. It is also a study of English sounds, stress, and intonation. Analysis is made of the student’s voice and speech.
CMS 2345Great African American Speeches of the 20th & 21st Centuries3
Credits: 3 hrs This course focuses on the study and application of basic elements, techniques, and processes essential to effective speaking. Attention is devoted to understanding the use of rhetorical and oratorical strategies in 20th and 21st century speeches given by prominent African-Americans. This course focuses on the discourse of African-American orators in American society, particularly as they speak about issues pertaining to race, gender, civil rights, and social activism. Emphasis is placed on the analysis and evaluation of political, social, and entertainment speeches. The goal of this course is to give students the tools needed to think creatively and speak clearly in a variety of situations.
Credits: 3 hrs This course in oral communication focuses on public speaking methodologies that prepare students for professional presentations in small groups and large audiences. Students are taught to become efficient workshop facilitators and to present information at professional conferences. Students will study professional presentation methods and current professional workshop formats. Emphasis is placed on visual technologies that enhance the effectiveness of professional presentations. Upon completion of this course, students will demonstrate effective oral communication skills.
Credits: 3 hrs Students blend text, sounds, graphics and images to produce, edit and create new media projects. Exploring and demonstrating how traditional media has digitally converged with online media for the purpose of disseminating information in the communication and media industry is a primary focus of this course. Relevant information to cultural and societal issues will dominate the type of messages disseminated while an understanding about the impact multimedia platforms create on the content and delivery to their audiences is examined.
Credits: 2 hrs Students work on projects and assignments in broadcast, print, or advertising operations. Students usually serve at the university radio station (WSNC-FM), the university newspaper (The News Argus) or a local media entity. Open to non-majors.
CMS 3340 - Interpersonal Communication or CMS 3341 - News Reporting and Writing or consent of the department
CMS 3301Law and Ethics3
Credits: 3 hrs This course offers an overview of legal limitations and privileges affecting the functions of print and electronic media, including libel, obscenity, free press and right of privacy. Also considered are advertising and antitrust regulations, copyright, access to the press, and broadcast rules and regulations. This is a departmental core course requirement.
Credits: 3 hrs The course content includes organizational structure of print and electronic media organizations as they relate to decision making for personnel, budget, and equipment, including adherence to laws and regulations. Roles of specific personnel are analyzed. This is a departmental core course requirement. A field trip is required.
Credits: 3 hrs This course lays the foundation for the writing of news, feature, analysis, and opinion articles. It covers the elements and rules of English and mass media writing, as well as the analysis and critique of the content of news and information media.
Credits: 3 hrs A lecture-laboratory course. Students develop and create studio video productions. They are responsible for all tasks, including writing, presentation, directing, graphics, audio, and camera operation. This is a hands-on production class that allows students to gain knowledge and experience in all phases of studio television production for broadcast and online video operations
Credits: 3 hrs The course examines the application of principles of newspaper journalism in copy reading, formulation of headlines, and newspaper organization.
CMS 2325 - Introduction to Mass Communication and CMS 3341 - News Reporting and Writing
CMS 3320Intercultural Communication3
Credits: 3 hrs This course serves an an introduction to the field of intercultural communication by examining the practical application of theory and research. The goal of this course is for students to develop an understanding of the communication process across cultural boundaries in a variety of contexts. The course focuses on challenges and issues important to the understanding of people of different racial, ethnic, national, and other cultural backgrounds in the US and abroad.
Credits: 3 hrs This course addresses the principles, theory, and practice in camera presence and audio microphone use for traditional and new media with special attention to the development of presentation skills.
Credits: 3 hrs Students are introduced to writing techniques for radio-television formats including public service announcements, station identification, features, interviews, editorials, sports and music.
CMS 3308 - Journalism Language, Style, and Literacy WSSU Student Learning Outcome: Written Communication
CMS 3330Electronic News3
Credits: 3 hrs Historical and contemporary issues and practice in acquiring, preparing and presenting breaking news, feature stories and documentaries for dissemination via broadcase, cable or streaming on the World Wide Web.
CMS 3308 - Journalism Language, Style, and Literacy or CMS 3325 - Digital Media Writing
CMS 3335Topics in Communication and Media Studies3
Credits: 3 hrs This course is a critical study of a topic or area not covered in the current departmental curriculum. The content and emphasis may vary at each offering. Topic announcements will ordinarily be made during the preceding semester. Students may enroll in this course for a maximum of 6 credit hours toward the major.
junior status and completion of at least 3 hours in the CMS Core
CMS 3337The History of Film and Television3
Credits: 3 hrs This course explores the history and development of film and television, tracing their evolution from the silent era to the present day. Students will examine the historical contexts that shaped cinema across different decades with particular attention to technological innovations, shifts in narrative structure, genre conventions, and the medium’s cultural impact. Throughout the semester, students will view and critically analyze a range of films and episodes, applying digital media tools to enhance their understanding and interpretation.
Credits: 3 hrs This course focuses on the dynamics of human communication, on the relationship of language to human communication and self-concept, on developing personal skills and attitudes in one-to-one relationships and in small groups, and on developing a positive communication style.
Credits: 3 hrs This is an examination of the processes and techniques used in gathering information and writing and reporting stories for newspapers and magazines.
CMS 3308 - Journalism Language, Style, and Literacy
CMS 3342Media, Communication, and Culture3
Credits: 3 hrs This is an Information Literacy course which will equip the students with a set of abilities that will allow them to recognize information pertaining to the mass and online media when needed and have the ability to identify, locate, evaluate, analyze and use effectively the needed information. Media, Communication and Culture will provide an overview of the structure and functions of mass media in contemporary society. The course will also promote awareness of the social, economic, cultural, political and technological aspects of mass communications along with an introduction to basic theory, business strategies and aesthetics. This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of media and audience relationships, and the role of the media in shaping the public agenda. This course requires attendance, participation, and completion of assignments, discussions and presentations to ensure successful completion of the course.
Credits: 3 hrs In this course, students will explore social justice issues and then advocate for positive change through communication activism. Strategic methods of communication advocacy for social justice and change will be examined. Students will develop and execute a communication theories, social media tools, and media production techniques to influence public discourse.
Credits: 3 hrs This course is a study of the values of group discussion as a method of learning and instructing. Emphasis is placed on development of leadership in problem-solving discussions, round-table discussions, basic procedures in conference groups, and great book discussions.
one oral communication course or permission of the instructor
CMS 3351Creating Ad Messages3
Credits: 3 hrs The course provides an orientation to the concepts and writing and designing messages for newspapers, magazines, billboards, and direct mail.
Credits: 3 hrs This is a study of the principles and methods of argumentation and debate. Analysis, briefing, evidence, and refutation are stressed. The student participates in various types of debate.
Credits: 3 hrs Emphasis is placed on coverage of government and other agencies including city hall, courts, county offices, businesses, finance, labor, agriculture, and other specialized beats. Development and treatment of profiles of noteworthy individuals and groups are also included.
Credits: 3 hrs A lecture-laboratory focused on the role and responsibilities of the director. This is a hands-on production class that allows students to gain knowledge and experience in all phases of directing a video production. Topics covered included directing multi-camera and single camera shows, preproduction planning, post production, casting, writing, budgeting, and working in a collaborative environment. Students focus on understanding all elements involved in creating a director’s vision. Students will develop skills in lighting, storyboarding, framing, using depth of field, and editing to create a vision.
CMS 3311 - Studio Production and CMS 3371 - Field Production
CMS 3367Video Editing3
Credits: 3 hrs This is a lecture-laboratory course focused on the role and responsibilities of the editor. This is a hands-on production class that allows students to gain knowledge and experience in all phases of editing a video production. Topics such as non-linear digital editing, media management, multi-camera editing, and digital special effects are covered in this course.
CMS 3371 - Field Production WSSU Student Learning Outcome: Information Literacy
CMS 3368Advanced Video Production3
Credits: 3 hrs A lecture-laboratory focused on working within a collaborative environment to produce digital content. This is a hands-on production class that allows students to gain knowledge and experience in all phases of a video production. Topics covered included preproduction planning, post production planning, casting, writing, producing, and working in a collaborative environment.
CMS 3311 - Studio Production or CMS 3371 - Field Production
CMS 3369General Internship3
Credits: 3 to 6 hours This course is designed to help students combine curriculum with on-the-job learning experiences. The course provides an opportunity to explore media options for career choices for undecided communication and media students. Interns are required to work 90 hours at the site for a minimum of seven weeks.
CMS 2325 - Introduction to Mass Communication or instructor permission
CMS 3370Phonetics3
Credits: 3 hrs This course is a study of the International Phonetic Alphabet and the production, description, and classification of speech sounds. Standards of sounds, stress and intonation, and transcription are emphasized.
Credits: 3 hrs A lecture-laboratory focused on the creation and production of video content outside a studio environment. This is a hands-on production class that allows students to gain knowledge and experience in a variety of field production projects. Topics covered included single camera operation, composition, set design, field lighting, audio, directing, writing, editing, and producing. Students develop, shoot and edit field productions. They are responsible for all tasks, including image and sound acquisition, presentation, and editing.
Credits: 3 hrs The course examines the processes in physical appearance of the newspaper with emphasis on headlines and articles, photographs, classifieds, and announcements.
CMS 2325 - Introduction to Mass Communication and CMS 3341 - News Reporting and Writing Latest Update(s) Approved by Academic Standards and Curriculum: December 2024 Effective Date: Spring 2025
CMS 4020Study Abroad in the Discipline1
Credits: 1 to 6 hrs This course allows a student to earn senior-level credit for courses in his/her discipline or non-catalog courses in the discipline taken through study abroad.
Credits: 3 to 6 hrs Students gain practical experience in advertising and public relations, news-editorial, and radio-television within a non-university professional organization. The student is provided with practical experience to supplement training received at the university.
6 credits in Depth and CMS 3301 - Law and Ethics and CMS 3321 - Media Presentations ; CMS 3325 - Digital Media Writing or CMS 3341 -News Reporting and Writing
CMS 4115Advanced Mass Communications Practicum1
Credits: 1 hr Students are given advanced practical experience in broadcast, print, or advertising operations. Students usually serve at the university radio station (WSNC-FM), the university newspaper (The News Argus), or produce the departmental video newsmagazine ?Ram News?. Open to non-majors.
Credits: 3 hrs The course provides for identification, research, and application of writing techniques with emphasis on newspaper articles and scripting for feature radiotelevision formats. It includes analysis of reader, listener, and viewer appeal.
Credits: 3 hrs This course provides a thorough analysis of mass media systems in relation to program content, production techniques, audiences, advertisers, and sponsorship, as well as dissemination processes and effects.
Credits: 3 hrs This is an examination of the nature, roles, and responsibilities of the news editor, editorial writer, and opinion columnist with special attention to analytic and critical processes. Editorial problems, methods, style, policies, and aspects of persuasion and attitude change are discussed.
Credits: 3 hrs This course surveys different media systems, issues, theories, and research in international communication. Students will explore the phenomena of global mass communications in order to understand the role of international communication in today’s global society. This is a departmental core course requirement.
Credits: 3 hrs This course focuses on the role of the mass media in depicting, promoting, and influencing the lives of minorities in their various communities.
Credits: 3 hrs In the Senior Seminar Capstone course graduating seniors will synthesize their communication and media experience by reflecting on courses related to their field of work and scholarly focus. The Senior Capstone experience will allow students to explore substantive areas of scholarship and creative work within their major. Students will be given the opportunity to demonstrate and create knowledge within their discipline through research and production. The Capstone course will also provide students with the opportunity to integrate assimilate and compare knowledge gained from their major area with those in the liberal arts program. In this conclusive course, students will create a final project of their own design or a research paper under the guidance of a faculty member.
Credits: 3 hrs This course provides intensive practice in the process of composing and delivering various types of speeches. Emphasis is given to original thinking, effective organization, and direct communication of idea.
Credits: 3 to 6 hrs The students are given an opportunity for directed study in an area of interest in radio, television, advertising, public relations, or journalism. A student may work on a specified media project or complete a research paper. The area of study is to be determined by the student in consultation with supervising faculty.
Consent of instructor. This course does not serve as a substitute for a major course.
CMS 4351Broadcast Marketing3
Credits: 3 hrs This is a survey of methods and procedures for marketing media products and services through radio-television and cable by individuals, groups, and organizations. Target buying groups are analyzed, including research methods to determine consumer behavior and media packaging.
Credits: 3 hrs This course examines social, economic, cultural and political issues relating to media advertising, government and self-regulation, race, gender and class, advertiser and sponsor influence on program content, and analysis of channels used. Pertinent problems are critiqued.
Credits: 3 hrs A lecture-laboratory focused on working within a collaborative environment to produce digital content for broadcast. This is a hands-on production class that allows students to increase their knowledge and experience in all phases of a video production by applying the skills learned in earlier production courses. Students gain advanced practical experience in producing a digital media portfolio for the web.
