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Required Core back to top
CMS 100 Communicating for Social Justice
A first year seminar for majors and minors, this course is designed to orient students to the field of communications, provide an overview of career possibilities and give students a critical analysis of the importance of communication in today's world. The emphasis on the course is identifying the communications values which reflect the theme of the program-communicating for social justice.
--three semester hours
CMS 105 Media Literacy in the Digital Age (H)
This course is designed to give students a more critical understanding of how media function and influence individuals and society. By not taking media and their products "for granted," students will be able to better interpret the messages and images they consume. The course will especially focus on the role of television and the new technologies in conveying information, entertainment and larger cultural values.
--three semester hours
CMS 120 Media Writing
A specialized discussion of how to communicate through the mass media, focusing on the planning and writing of effective messages for print, radio, television, and web media. For analysis purposes, the student concentrates on journalism and public relations and their communicative and social role in contemporary society.
--three semester hours
CMS 230 Media Programming and Management
This course puts students behind the scenes at the center of media organizations where they make decisions and plan for new programming. The course provides an introduction to the legal, ethical and political environment influencing media institutions as well as the specific practices required of managers. In class based problem solving sessions and through a term-capping special project students execute each of the steps in the procedures of management and programming.
--three semester hours
CMS 300 Art and History of Film
Traces the development of the motion picture in terms of the interaction between the artist, the inventor and the businessperson. Considers particular examples of film types and genres to demonstrate how cinema documents cultural change. The style and techniques of various directors, from Georges Melies to Ingmar Bergman are illustrated by screenings and discussions at each class meeting.
--three semester hours
CMS 330 Research Methods
This course provides an overview and critique of mass media research methods and techniques. The research process, a survey of scientifically studying mass media as a human phenomenon is explored. The course will also focus on the particular roles and problems of public opinion research and television ratings methodology in determining mass tastes and preferences. Students will also gain a practical understanding of data analysis. (Satisfies Media Research Elective)
--three semester hours
CMS 460 Senior Seminar
A research seminar designed to evaluate areas of media effects, creative media projects, and critical analysis of media content. Majors will complete an individually designed creative project, photo portfolio or research project gathering data for an analytical or traditional thesis paper. Oral defense and written documentation will be required.
--three semester hours
Media Writing Courses back to top
CMS 220 Informational Video Writing
Pre-requisite—CMS 120 (or permission of instructor)
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the many uses of writing for informational video including management, employee, and customer relations; training and instructional tools; and community and social issue awareness documentary. Through the development of client-and/or issue-centered video scripts and critique of existing informational videos, students will learn all phases of the message design and pre-production processes. (Satisfies Media Writing Elective)
--three semester hours
CMS 221 Writing for Television
Pre-requisite—CMS 120 (or permission of instructor)
This course will introduce students to the basics of television writing. Students will learn to format and write scripts for various types of television programming, both long and short form, including narrative comedy/drama, documentary/reality and/or on-air promos. The course will also cover how to write preproduction documents such as show treatments and show bibles. (Satisfies Media Writing Elective)
--three semester hours
CMS 222 Writing for the Web
Pre-requisite—CMS 120 (or permission of instructor)
This course provides an introduction to writing for digital environments, with specific emphasis on web pages. Students learn about the history of The Internet, the development of network digital information production/retrieval environments, and the forms and practices of writing for a web page. Activities occur in the classroom and in a web-based online lab. (Satisfies Media Writing Elective)
--three semester hours
CMS 223 Creative Non-Fiction
Pre-requisite—WRT 100
Students will read and write creative nonfiction from a number of sub-genres, including nature writing, personal essay/memoir, profiles, and reportage, considering possibilities for publication. They will explore the literature of reality—from the power of true stories, to the fascination of odd facts, to the revelation of insight. (Satisfies Media Writing Elective)
--three semester hours
CMS 224 Freelance and Feature Writing
Pre-requisite—CMS 120 (or permission of instructor)
This course is designed to help students appreciate the nature of freelance and feature writing and the importance of independent journalism in today's media. Students will complete a variety of writing assignments and attempt to sell their work to an appropriate media outlet. (Satisfies Media Writing Elective)
--three semester hours
CMS 226 Specialty Journalism
Pre-requisite—CMS 120 (or permission of instructor)
This course introduces students to the many kinds of special interest journalism while conducting exercises in the shared skills required to practice any of them. Students learn about the industry as well as the research techniques, writing methods, ethics, and editing procedures used to practice specialty journalism. Areas of content may change from semester to semester. They will include sports, business and finance, ethnicity, the environment, science, technology and the arts. (Satisfies Media Writing Elective)
--three semester hours
CMS 335 Investigation and Reporting for the Media (CD)
This course focuses on the acquisition of investigative skills, techniques and ethics used for research and writing in academic and journalistic work. Students apply their acquired tools in a semester long investigation of issues within an International Public Affairs sector. In an ongoing lab setting students interact continuously within an Internet environment. (Satisfies Media Research Elective)
--three semester hours
Media Production Courses back to top
CMS 340 Photography
This is a course in the fundamentals of black and white photography, designed for students with little or no experience in photography. Students will learn basic photographic skills including manual camera operation, film exposure and processing, and printing. Photographic history, and visual theory and criticism will be addressed in class discussions and critiques. This course explores the use of photography as a tool of communication and self-expression. We will discover how to see photographically, construct and interpret images, and examine their relationships with current issues.
--three semester hours
CMS 345 Video Production and Laboratory
After a detailed survey of the vocabulary, tools, techniques, and conventions of video production, the student is led through a series of creative exercises in both studio and remote video production. Students will learn producing and directing techniques in pre-production, production, and post-production, developing both a critical aesthetic and technical proficiency. Course includes lab exercises and projects in linear, non-linear, and digital video production.
--four semester hours
CMS 440 Advanced Photography
Pre-requisite—CMS 340
This course is a continued exploration of the medium of photography, which begins where Basic Photography ends. The course is divided into three units, described as follows: unit one is designed to encourage creative problem solving through alternative darkroom techniques, unit two provides the student with an introduction to digital imaging, and unit three introduces the student to the practices of photojournalism and social documentary photography.
--three semester hours
CMS 445 Advanced Video Production
Pre-requisite—CMS 345
An upper-level course in video production. Student will apply knowledge of production aesthetics and theory in producing short videos. Course covers effective message design, script writing, video production, and non-linear postproduction. Assignments focus both on producing videos for non-profit organizations and for submission to various video festivals.
--three semester hours
Media & Culture Courses back to top
CMS 350 Mass Media and Culture (H)
This course presents a critical analysis of the meaning and function of the mass media and culture in our world. Fictional programming, entertainment and sport media are analyzed for their impact on individuals, society and the media themselves. (Satisfies Media and Culture Elective)
--three semester hours
CMS 352 Media Theory and History (H)
The course combines a cross cultural history of the communication field with a survey of the main theoretical models advanced to explain the relationship between media and society during the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. Using a case study approach students formulate positions on the role and effects of theory in daily media practices. (Satisfies Media and Culture Elective)
--three semester hours
CMS 353 Film and Culture (H)
This course will examine contemporary cultural perceptions through a variety of cinematic examples taken from feature films. The impact of film on social, historical, and economic cultural traits will be analyzed. Although the primary focus is cultural analysis, thematic discussion will be coupled with an introduction to vocabulary used in cinema and historical discussion of the evolution of the film industry. (Satisfies Media and Culture Elective)
--three semester hours
CMS 354 International Communication
This course aims to understand the 21st century convergence of cross-cultural forces and digital new media creating a global culture. Three questions are addressed: (1) Where do "New Media" come from? (2) How have new media interacted with cultural forms to influence the formation of civilization? (3) How are new media practices experienced and applied in social, environmental, ideological, political and economic spheres of cross-cultural relations. (Satisfies Media and Culture Elective)
--three semester hours
Media & Society Courses back to top
CMS 361 Politics and Media (SS)
This course examines the role of communications media in a democratic system of governance. We will look at the media's performance in electoral and other public campaigns, the role of the news media in presenting information on national and global issues and how political themes surface in non-news media genres. (Satisfies Media and Society Elective)
--three semester hours
CMS 362 Information as Power (SS)
Popular media have given a great deal of attention to the emerging "Information Age". This new "era" is portrayed as distinct from prior epochs in human history. This course focuses on a critical evaluation of the role information technologies play in reshaping the democratic processes and political economy of our society and world. (Satisfies Media and Society Elective)
--three semester hours
CMS 363 Stereotyping in the Media (SS)
There are many oversimplified categorizations by which societies make distinctions among their members, including race, class, gender, and age. Such distinctions often lead to an inequitable distribution of political power, social well-being, and the resources available to individual members of society. In this course we seek to increase our awareness and understanding of such inequities and the power of the mass media in creating and potentially destroying them. (Satisfies Media and Society Elective)
--three semester hours
Media Electives back to top
CMS 310 Advertising
Basic course in the strategy and execution of advertisements for the mass media. Topics include the history of advertising, relationship to economy and society, organization, selection of media, layout, production and use of advertising appeals in radio, television and the press.
--three semester hours
CMS 315 Public Relations
An analysis of the principles and practices of public relations in corporate, institutional and public service organizations including the technical and human relations skills utilized in the public relations profession.
--three semester hours
CMS 360 Special Topics
This course is designed as a one-time course to be offered whenever departmental resources are sufficient to do so. It will deal with special topics in the mass media, journalism, or broadcasting according to the research agenda and interests of a particular professor. Topics could include, but are not limited to: ethical, legal, theoretical, and societal issues in the mass media; practical applications of video, photographic, print, and/or computer-based media production.
--three semester hours
CMS 403 & 404 Honors Thesis I & II
Individual research of a substantive nature pursued in the student's major field of study. The research will conclude in a written thesis or an original project, and an oral defense. Required for University and Departmental Honors students.
--three semester hours each
CMS 491, 492 Internship
The media internship is an independent applied experience in the field of mass media. With guidance from the instructor, students are expected to contact an appropriate organization and set up guidelines for working. The course allows students to apply class room knowledge while exploring a professional position in the mass media. Determination of credit hours will be established at pre-registration by the chair of the department in consultation with the dean. Junior or Senior ranking.
--variable credit
CMS 493, 494, 495, 496 Communications Co-Op
A junior or senior work study program providing relevant paid employment experience. The student must work full-time for one semester. Registration will occur at the beginning of experience. The objective of the program is to integrate classroom theory and practical work experience, thus lending relevancy to learning and providing the student with a realistic exposure to career opportunities.
--zero to six semester hours
CMS 497 Independent Study
The independent study elective provides an opportunity to do intensive work in an area of particular interest to the student under the supervision of an individual faculty member. Departmental approval necessary.
--three semester hours
Graduate Courses
CMS 550 Topics
This course is designed as a one-time graduate-level course to be offered whenever departmental resources are sufficient to do so. It will deal with special topics in the mass media, journalism, or broadcasting according to the research agenda and interests of a particular professor. Topics could include, but are not limited to: ethical, legal, theoretical, and societal issues in the mass media; practical applications of video, photographic, print, and/or computer-based media production.
--three semester hours
Speech Communication back to top
SPK 101 Public Speaking
Directed to beginning speech students, with the goal of helping them express themselves clearly, succinctly, and with some degree of persuasiveness. The course is also intended to make them aware of the responsibilities engendered by the art of persuasion. The basic theme of the course is that the message is the message as it is received.
--three semester hours
SPK 201 Oral Interpretation
Emphasizes the primacy of literature and the importance of the interpreter's mature reaction to it, and his/her intelligent analysis of it. The technical use of voice and body must be based firmly on a sound analysis of the material, which should be grounded on the interpreter's intuitive grasp of the emotional content of the reading material - all expressed through the interpreter's own imaginative style.
--three semester hours
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