38 courses with the subject COMM, 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.
COMM 104PUBLIC SPEAKING AND RHETORIC. Introduces students to the
preparation and presentation of material for a variety of public speaking situations. This performance-oriented class offers instruction in the theory of rhetoric, material development, and delivery techniques. Students will review the historical importance of oral communication and the role it plays in society. This course is designated Speaking Intensive (SI). Three hours.
COMM 109FORENSICS. A skills-based course designed to improve students’ ability to
analyze ideas, advocate ideas in individual debate, and to prepare and deliver oral communications. Students will develop and refine their ability to research, organize, and present orally ideas in the form of informative, critical, and persuasive speeches, Lincoln- Douglas style debates, or individual performances of literature in the form of oral interpretation of literature. May be taken up to three times. One hour.
COMM 135WRITING FOR THE MEDIA. Provides an introduction to the substance
structure, and style of multiple forms of non-narrative mass media including print, broadcast, film, and the Internet. This course is designated Writing Intensive (WI). Three hours.
COMM 222FILM HISTORY AND THEORY. Encompasses the history of the motion
picture from its invention in 1895 to the present day, focusing on American film. Introduction to film theories and criticism including principles of aesthetics and the art of how a film is created, from concept to completion. Three hours.
COMM 225INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION. Provides an overview of the
study of communication and culture. Course content focuses primarily on the theory and practice of communication in intercultural contexts. Students will examine cross-cultural communication (communication across cultures) and intercultural communication (communication between members of different cultures). This course is especially suited to students whose future careers may involve travel overseas or business with non-native Americans. Three hours.
COMM 235JOURNALISM. Reviews a variety of print and broadcast media, exploring
editorial style and slant. Fundamental newsgathering and news writing skills will be studied and practiced. Students will gather information from campus, community, and research sources in order to develop hard news, feature, and in-depth stories. Ethical and legal issues will be explored as well as the role of print media in shaping current events. Three hours.
COMM 240MEDIA CRITICISM. An introduction to theoretical approaches and
practices used to analyze the content, structure, and context of media in society. Primary attention will be paid to how the fundamental elements of media combine to create meaning and tell stories, the forms media texts make, and the way these structures influence viewers/listeners/users. The course will also explore what media is and why various media forms have developed in certain ways through history and across nations. Students will understand, analyze, and apply a working knowledge of terms and concepts underlying contemporary media studies, the economic, social, and political impact of the media industries, and the aesthetic and ethical implications of the media in the context of a Biblical worldview. Three hours.
COMM 245DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY. This course will cover foundational
photography principles in the context of how the art and techniques of photography now come together through the tools of the camera, the computer and industry-standard software. Students will work and be guided through assigned projects with digital cameras and systems to learn how to leverage emerging technologies of imagery. Three hours.
COMM 250DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP. To be a digital citizen in today’s global village
one must know how to navigate the various online venues and be tuned into the ethical behavior governing their use. This course will use hands-on learning, discussion and reading to explore this digital world. Students will create blogs, wikis, avatars, podcasts, upload photos to Flickr and learn about tagging in sites like Delicious. Students will ponder the sociological impact of this Internet world and explore their own reactions to it by being actively involved in it. Prerequisite: Communication Arts 215. Three hours.
COMM 270INDEPENDENT RESEARCH. An opportunity to conduct supervised
research in communication studies. Sophomore standing, permission of the department chair, and a faculty sponsor are required. One, two or three hours.
COMM 277AUDIO PRODUCTION. Reviews the basics of audio production for
recording. A particular emphasis is placed on the medium of radio including web casting. Consideration will be given to the history of radio broadcasting; properties of sound; microphone types; recording and control room techniques; and computerized editing of audio materials. Students will undertake a variety of practical projects in public affairs, news, sports, remote, music, and drama programming with opportunity for airing quality work on the College radio station. Three hours.
COMM 279SCREENWRITING THE SHORT FILM. In this course, students will learn
how to develop a short film screenplay. Students will learn that telling the truth through stories is the most important aspect of storytelling, they will develop a framework for understanding / applying foundational, storytelling principles, and learn to conceptualize, write, edit and follow basic format guidelines for screenwriting. Three hours.
COMM 300PUBLIC RELATIONS. Focuses on public relations theory, strategy, and
techniques. The course emphasizes writing and developing public relations campaigns; theories of public persuasion; legal and ethical considerations; and crisis management and related issues. Students will develop a portfolio for a campus or community organization which will include: an overall campaign plan, news releases, a brochure, a speech, a print advertisement, a radio advertisement, and a final campaign presentation. Prerequisite: Communication Arts 135 or 235 recommended. Three hours.
COMM 303PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION. Focuses on speaking and writing
tools most often used by business professionals. Presentational speaking, personal communicative development, professional communication, and interviewing will be emphasized. Issues that relate to professional success will be explored. Must have junior or senior standing. Three hours.
COMM 304INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION. This course examines the
fundamental principles of effective interpersonal communication. Students are given the opportunity to work in experiential learning groups and to reflect on effective and ineffective interpersonal communication processes. Effective interpersonal communication is a critical component of competent and ethical decision-making. Emphasizing a relational view of communication – one that explores how relationships are created, negotiated, maintained, and in some cases terminated – this course is designed with a dual approach consisting of both theory and application that allows for the opportunity to critically analyze and evaluate the intricacies of interpersonal relationships in various contexts. Three hours.
COMM 305PERSUASION THEORY. Explores a variety of media to ascertain the
persuasive messages inherent in each genre. The course will familiarize the students with the processes of persuasion, methods of studying persuasion, the theories of persuasion, and ethical concerns about persuasion. The perspectives and tools developed should enable the student to develop effective message strategies in both professional and personal life. An
COMM 312RESEARCH METHODS IN COMMUNICATION. This class examines
the fundamentals of research approaches that are used in communication studies, both qualitative and quantitative. The course also examines a variety of actual communication research studies across the breadth of the field from interpersonal to mass communication. Students will learn questionnaire design and interviewing techniques. This course is designated Writing Intensive (WI) and Information Literacy (IL). Prerequisite: Communication Arts 215; junior or senior standing, or permission of the instructor. Three hours.
COMM 352CHRISTIAN FAITH AND CINEMA. A survey of films, both the decidedly
Christian and decidedly secular. The student will consider the importance of a film’s theme in deciding its worth, criteria by which they can choose valuable films to watch, and will evaluate secular films through a Christian perspective. The student will also learn what it means to possess a Biblical worldview and how “other” worldviews permeate popular cinema. Three hours.
COMM 359SCREENWRITING. This course is an introductory course for screenwriters
Topics of study will include character development, plot structure, storytelling techniques in film, as well as the narrative structure. Students will study films and screenplays as they learn to recognize various elements mentioned previously in feature films. Additionally, students will learn to craft their own stories for the screen. Three hours.
COMM 360INDEPENDENT STUDY. Opportunities for students with extensive
background in communication studies to do intensive independent study or research on specialized topics. Sophomore or higher standing, permission of the department chair, and a faculty sponsor are required. One, two or three hours.
COMM 378VIDEO PRODUCTION. An introduction to broadcasting history, media
aesthetics, and the technology and practice of multimedia production. Lectures, tutorials, and hands-on experience with cameras, microphones, lighting, and computer-based video editing will provide the basis for further study and internships in this influential medium of mass communication. Three hours.
COMM 388ADVANCED VIDEO PRODUCTION. Advanced Video Production will
provide instruction in narrative media production, with an emphasis on studio level/team projects. This may include documentary films, short films, news packages, special programs and shows, etc. Preproduction, production, and post-production phases are carefully developed and guided with faculty assistance and industry professionals. Each project will build on key fundamentals to develop professional levels of production expertise and create more portfolio-quality projects for students. With instructor permission, students may take the course more than once, with a requirement that a completely new and more advanced project will be undertaken each time. Prerequisite: Communication Arts 378. Three hours.
COMM 390STUDIES IN COMMUNICATION. Intensive examination of areas of
communication not fully covered by regular departmental offerings. Subject matter varies each semester. Offered periodically, one, two, or three hours.
COMM 405SPECIAL EVENTS AND PROMOTIONS. This course offers an
introduction to the principles and practices relevant to successful event planning. The course content will explore a variety of topic areas such as social and cultural phenomenon of special events, site selection, program planning, budgeting and sponsorships, vendor and volunteer staff management, and publicity. Through the process of researching, planning, coordinating, and evaluating events, students will learn how to design and execute events, meetings, conferences, and conventions for a variety of organizations including trade and professional associations, non-profit organizations, and corporations. Students may (under the direction of the instructor) opt to take this course a second time ONLY IF they actively participate as a leader in a new/ different role than in previous semester. Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing, or permission of instructor. Three hours.
COMM 406SOCIAL MEDIA WRITING. This course will explore a variety of social
media writing experiences. Solid writing practices will be defined (grammar, structure, research), followed by practical experiential learning where students will write for a variety of online platforms. Students will complete the course with a solid foundation on which to build careers in numerous areas- marketing, writing, and production, among others. While specific platforms will be explored, it is a distinct aim of the course to give students the tools they need to write for existing social media as well as new and emerging media.
Junior or senior standing, or permission of instructor. Three hours.
COMM 427RHETORICAL CRITICISM. This course is required for Communication
Studies majors. Students study a variety of rhetorical-critical methodologies including metaphoric, pentadic, cluster, narrative, fantasy, theme, and ideological approaches. Students engage in rhetorical criticism throughout the term. The final project is an original rhetorical critique of a significant text for submission to a professional conference or publication. Prerequisites: Communication Arts 312 and senior status or permission of instructor. Three hours.
COMM 444ADVANCED FILM THEORY. A deeper look at the medium of motion
pictures from the point of view of film theorists including semiotics; realism; expressionism; auteur theory; cinema as art; montage; film as narrative; literature and adaptations to the screen; documentary and propaganda approaches; genre conventions; psychology; sociology; mythology; and ideology. Alternate years, three hours.
COMM 459ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION. Provides a critical
exploration of organizational communication theory, research, and application. This course examines the factors involved in the functioning and analysis of complex organizations, particularly the direct and indirect ways in which communication processes and social dynamics affect organizations and employee interaction. Three hours.
COMM 460INDEPENDENT STUDY. Opportunities for students with extensive
background in communication studies to do intensive independent study or research on specialized topics. Sophomore or higher standing, permission of the department chair, and a faculty sponsor are required. One, two or three hours.
COMM 480INTERNSHIP IN COMMUNICATION. Students may, with consent of the
department, earn academic credit for work done in a communication-related organization (e.g., newspaper; radio or television station; public relations office; business; etc.). Students must arrange for a faculty advisor, contact the organization where work will be done, keep a daily log of activities, and write a final paper summarizing the internship. Students must work 60 contact hours for each academic credit earned. Sophomore or higher standing and permission of the department internship coordinator are required. One to six hours.
COMM 488SEMINAR. An advanced course for junior and senior Communication Arts
majors to concentrate on specific subject matter to be determined by the instructor. Individual research and extensive oral and written reports are required. Three hours.
COMM 499HONORS IN COMMUNICATION. The student who chooses to pursue
work beyond the basic requirements may do extensive reading in one of the following areas: media studies; organizational communication; public relations; audio and video production; filmmaking; oral interpretation; public address; group communication; and rhetorical or communication theory. Extensive research paper and independent reading required. required. One, two or three hours.
