Communication (COM)
COM 1000 - Orientation to the Media and Communication Arts Major - 2 credits
Fall Semester
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the Media and Communication Arts major, to the field of Communication generally, to Communication department faculty members, and to available careers, courses and related minors. It is designed to provide students the opportunity to connect with other students and faculty members and to encourage engagement in departmental offerings and activities. Students will explore the historical and theoretical roots of the field of Communication, will be introduced to professional organizations and potential career paths with a degree in Media and Communication Arts and to the tools, resources and opportunities provided within the department to maximize their experiences and achieve their goals. Students will gain an understanding of the structure and outcomes of the MCA major, formulate and articulate their personal goals, strengths and challenges, and draft an early Academic Action Plan for meeting those goals.
COM 1010 - Fundamentals of Communication - 3 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
The theory and practice of communication from one person to another, in small groups, and before larger audiences. This course allows students to gain a basic understanding of the field of communication and develop skills and confidence in a variety of settings. This course introduces basic concepts, theories and principles of communication, with a focus on interpersonal communication, small group dynamics, and public speaking. The course will also help you hone your natural ability to express yourself, present ideas, persuade people, argue points, and generally develop competence as a communicator through performance and critical analysis of your communication skills in a variety of formats. In the process, you will gain a better understanding of your own communication style, improve your communication effectiveness, handle conflict more effectively, and enhance your relationships with friends, family, and colleagues.
This course meets the Curry Core Communication requirement.
COM 1020 - Digital Media Basics - 3 credits
Spring Semester
This course explores how to create content using a variety of sources including photography, audio, film/video and social media. Students will develop a basic understanding of industry software/apps, visual and audio literacies, and enrich their understanding of multiple forms of media storytelling.
Prerequisite: COM 1000.
COM 1030 - Career Speaking - 3 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
Designed to help improve your vocal presentation, this course will introduce you to the development and production of Career Speech. Individual progress will be charted through prepared presentation and class exercises. We will train the ear as well as the voice; the listener as well as the speaker. The dedicated student will notice enhanced vocal versatility and personal projection and will acquire the vocal tools necessary for the professional world.
Prerequisites: COM 1000 and COM 1010.
COM 1510 - Beginning Radio Practicum - 1 credit
Fall and Spring Semesters
Provides students with the opportunity to work on various assignments at the College radio station, WMLN-FM. Hours to be arranged outside of class. Fee.
COM 2010 - Public Speaking - 3 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
An introductory course in public speaking. Chief emphasis is placed upon the delivery of carefully prepared speeches and major attention is given to collection of materials, style, audience analysis, and outlining.
COM 2050 - Announcing for Podcast & Broadcast - 3 credits
Alternate Spring Semesters
Addresses the various techniques employed by radio announcers through practical application. Emphasis is on methodology, pacing, voice dynamics, breathing, pronunciation, inflection, and the development of voice techniques.
COM 2100 - Managerial Communication - 3 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
Students will be introduced to the theoretical and practical principles of organizational structure, culture and management in relationship to all aspects of communication skills. Students will explore various organizations and will participate in managerial case studies virtually and face to face. Students will be introduced to motivational concepts and communication skills necessary to become more effective managers and leaders. Students will manage and be managed by peers for individual, team, and class assignments.
Prerequisite: COM 1010 or sophomore standing.
COM 2200 - Writing for Broadcast Media - 3 credits
Alternate Years
Study and practice in writing for a variety of formats in TV and radio broadcasting, cable and other electronic media. Focus is on techniques and formats used in production of public service announcements, promotions, commercials, and news.
COM 2210 - Writing for Media Platforms - 3 credits
Fall Semester
Examines the role and history of print and online media in American society. Provides students with the opportunity to write for a variety of media, including newspapers, magazines, and the Internet. Students research and write an article for submission to a publication.
Prerequisite: Six (6) credits of 1000-level Writing/English.
COM 2230 - Writing for Communication - 3 credits
Spring Semester
The communication field requires specialized reading and writing skills. This course will equip students to thrive in any of the varied fields within the area of communication. Students will sharpen skills used in absorbing, analyzing, and processing information, and develop a clean and clear writing style.
Prerequisites: COM 1010 and WRIT 1500.
COM 2501 - Currier Times Practicum I - 1 credit
Fall and Spring Semesters
A course in which students write, edit and produce editorial content – including textual stories, blogs, and audio, video and photojournalism – for the student media publications curriertimes.net and The Currier Times. Students author news articles, features, and personal columns, on topics ranging from campus living, sports, fashion, politics, food, music and more. Students are required to attend weekly news meetings.
Prerequisite: COM 1010.
COM 2510 - Intermediate Radio Practicum - 1 credit
Fall and Spring Semesters
Continuation of COM 1510 at an intermediate level. Fee.
Prerequisite: First semester sophomore standing.
COM 2530 - Intermediate Radio Practicum - 1 credit
Fall and Spring Semesters
Continuation of COM 2510. Fee.
Prerequisite: First semester junior standing.
COM 2560 - WMLN-FM Director/ Assistant Director - 2 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
Open only to students appointed to the position of director or assistant director at WMLN-FM. Students may not enroll in practica at the same time. Fee.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Director of Radio.
COM 2570 - WMLN-FM Director/ Assistant Director - 2 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
Open only to students appointed to the position of director or assistant director at WMLN-FM. Students may not enroll in practica at the same time. Fee.
Prerequisites: COM 2560 and permission of the Director of Radio.
COM 2580 - WMLN-FM Director/ Assistant Director - 2 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
Open only to students appointed to the position of director or assistant director at WMLN-FM. Students may not enroll in practica at the same time. Fee.
Prerequisites: COM 2570 and permission of the Director of Radio.
COM 2590 - WMLN-FM Director/ Assistant Director - 2 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
Open only to students appointed to the position of director or assistant director of WMLN-FM. Students may not enroll in practica at the same time. Fee.
Prerequisites: COM 2580 and permission of the Director of Radio.
COM 2620 - Broadcast Sales and Marketing Research - 3 credits
Offered periodically within a three-year academic cycle
A comprehensive examination of broadcast and cable advertising methods. This course covers account development, effective selling strategies, and client relations. There is also discussion of audience analysis, campaign planning, and promotion. Students will prepare sales presentations for classroom analysis.
COM 2740 - Television Producing and Production - 3 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
Students are introduced to the basic theories of television production while practicing production skills in the television studio. Students will produce, script, and serve as crew members on talk show programming that will air on CC8.
This course meets the Curry Core Arts Breadth requirement.
Prerequisite: COM 1010 or permission of instructor.
COM 2760 - Video Storytelling - 3 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
Students will learn the basics of single camera production and post-production. Projects will include movie-style camera techniques, continuity, and news/documentary-style scripting, shooting, and editing with HD and 3D camera gear.
Pre- or Co-requisite: FCST 2761, or permission of instructor
COM 2762 - Digital Audio Production - 3 credits
Alternate Years
This course introduces students to the basics of editing and manipulating audio on a computer. Using industry-standard audio software, students will work on projects including news and sports production, PSAs, and music editing. Students should have an entry-level understanding of MAC/PC operating systems and folder/file management.
COM 2900 - Multimedia Journalism - 3 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
Covers the basics of reporting and news writing. Emphasis on lead writing, interviewing, researching and preparing news stories. Discussion of libel laws and ethics. Students will also be introduced to blogging, and video/audio reporting techniques for use on the Internet.
COM 2905 - Photojournalism - 3 credits
Alternate Spring Semesters
This photography class will introduce you to the art of black and white photographic image making as well as color photography. You will learn to see and appreciate light in a new way, learn to see and design shapes in the frame, and you will learn how to make fine black and white and color photos.In this course, you will learn to move from snapshots to beautiful images with an emphasis on photojournalistic storytelling. The most important thing you can bring away from this course is a new sense of seeing the world around you as a photojournalist. To be able to have a finer appreciation of light in its myriad manifestations, to discover meaning in images rather than words, or most importantly, how to make images important and powerful in their own right, rather than merely "take pictures".
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
COM 3011 - Media Cultures - 3 credits
Fall Semester
Media Cultures engages students in essential media history, critique, and design knowledge and skills. We’ll consider how communication media are consequential to the development and framing of human knowledge, perception, and action. Class lectures and discussions based upon assigned readings, podcasts, short videos, and other content inform weekly research, curation, and media production activities. Formal assignments address key technical, philosophical and practical issues to illuminate how different media forms help and/or hinder effective communication in particular contexts. The semester concludes with project presentations illuminating the roles media play in the establishment and maintenance of educational, professional, political, and other socio-cultural institutions.
Prerequisites: COM 1000, COM 1010, and WRIT 1500.
COM 3020 - Intercultural Communication - 3 credits
Spring Semester
This course will emphasize the kinds of things that happen when members of different cultures interact face-to-face either casually, in personal relationships, or in organizational settings. It will focus on the communication behaviors and values common to all cultures and ethnic groups and on the differences that insulate and divide people. Throughout the reading and lectures, students will examine the relationship between culture and perception, culture and values, and culture and behavior.
This course meets the Curry Core International/Global Interdependence requirement.
Prerequisites: COM 1010 and WRIT 1500.
COM 3450 - Communication Internship/ Field Experience - 1-9 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
Provides students with “hands-on” experience working in field placement. Learning contract and reflection paper are required as well as weekly journals and ePortfolio items.
This course meets the Curry Core Active Learning requirement.
Prerequisite: Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA, successful completion of Online Internship Preparation Module, and approval of internship liaison.
COM 3506 - Media Law and Ethics - 3 credits
Alternate Spring Semesters
Examines legal and ethical issues journalists face while reporting for print, broadcast or online media organizations. Topics will include previous judicial decisions affecting current trends in newsrooms and in courtrooms.
Prerequisite: COM 1300 and any 2000-level Communication course.
COM 3510 - Advanced Radio Practicum - 1 credit
Fall and Spring Semesters
A continuation of COM 2540; at an advanced level. Fee.
Prerequisite: First semester senior standing.
COM 3560 - WMLN-FM Management Supervisors - 2 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
Open only to WMLN-FM station manager, program director, and operations director. These positions are appointed. Students may not enroll in practica at the same time. Fee.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Director of Radio.
COM 3570 - WMLN-FM Management Supervisors - 2 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
Open only to WMLN-FM station manager, program director, and operations director. These positions are appointed. Students may not enroll in practica at the same time. Fee.
Prerequisites: COM 3560 and permission of the Director of Radio.
COM 3580 - WMLN-FM Management Supervisors - 2 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
Open only to WMLN-FM station manager, program director, and operations director. These positions are appointed. Students may not enroll in practica at the same time. Fee.
Prerequisites: COM 3570 and permission of the Director of Radio.
COM 3590 - WMLN-FM Management Supervisors - 2 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
Open only to WMLN-FM station manager, program director, and operations director. These position are appointed. Students may not enroll in practica at the same time. Fee.
Prerequisites: COM 3580 and permission of the Director of Radio.
COM 3752 - TV On-Air: Broadcast Reporting - 3 credits
Alternate Semesters
Designed for students who have taken Video Field Production, this class will explore the skills necessary to be an effective on-air talent in the field. Special emphasis will be placed on news reporting, interviewing, vocal delivery, and scriptwriting/production skills as it pertains to single-camera field production.
Prerequisite: COM 2760 or permission of the instructor.
COM 3768 - Online Video: Producing & Marketing - 3 credits
Alternate Spring Semesters
Online video comprises more than 80% of what people consume on the web. In this course students will learn about the production of online video by learning marketing techniques, studying viral video successes, and producing videos designed for online marketing. Students in this course should have access to their own smartphone that shoots video, or access to another similar device that shoots video.
Prerequisite or Corequisite: COM 2760 or FCST 2761 or FCST 2770 or permission of instructor.
COM 3850 - Designing a Media and Communication Arts Project - 3 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
This course prepares Media and Communication Arts majors to propose, execute, and evaluate a project to be completed in the major’s Capstone course the following semester. Students will discover unique ways to design a project engaging their career, academic, and personal goals. The course will review seminal theoretical concepts established in Media and Communication Arts curricula. Students will learn project design models such as theories, best practices, and research methods unique to media and communication industries. Students complete their Capstone Project proposal in preparation for Capstone Seminar.
Prerequisite: Senior Standing.
COM 3980 - Capstone Seminar - 3 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
This course supports Media and Communication Arts (MCA) students execute their culminating projects. The Capstone provides creative and intellectual space to continue to develop, perform, and complete a semester-long project reflective of students’ academic, career, and personal goals.
Prerequisites: COM 3850 and Senior Standing.
COM 4050 - Independent Studio - 1-8 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
Within the first ten days of the semester, a student of at least junior class standing contracts in writing with a faculty tutor in the communication area for a supervised individual project. A copy of any tape, film, or written work produced for the studio is deposited permanently in the office of the area coordinator before the final grade is given.
Prerequisites: Junior class standing, 2.8 cumulative average in communication, nine credits at the 2000- or 3000-level in communication, and permission of the communication area chairperson and the tutor.
COM 4100 - Independent Reading - 1-3 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
Students who wish to do a reading in a special topic not covered by any course or wish to deal in depth with a specific topic may, under the guidance of a faculty member from that area, elect Independent Readings.
Prerequisites: Junior, or senior standing, a 3.0 average in the subject area, and at least a 2.8 cumulative average.