Course # / Title / (# of hours). Description, semesters offered.

COM 200 Intro to Mass Communication (3). Prerequisite: EH 101. A survey of the mass media and their interrelationship with each other and society. Emphasis will be placed on how mass communication functions in a multi-ethnic, gender-diverse environment. Fall/Spring.

COM 205 Intro to Broadcast Writing (3). Prerequisite: EH 101. Basic writing for electronic media. Includes news, features, press releases, and advertisements. Emphasis placed on how news, public service announcements (PSAs) and commercials are filtered through and shaped by-multi-ethnic, gender-diverse writers. Fall/Spring.

COM 301 Intro to TV Production (3). Prerequisites: COM 200 and/or 205. Practical training in the fundamentals of audio and video production techniques, including various exercises in each production area. Fall/Spring.

COM 302 Intro to Audio Production (3). Prerequisites: COM 200 and EH101. Practical training in the fundamentals of audio and video production techniques pertaining to TV studio production, including various exercises in each production area. Includes introduction to producing and directing. Fall/Spring.

COM 307 Media Literacy (3). Learn analytical and critical skills to develop an awareness and understanding of the effects of media, including profit and emotional strategies, portrayals of diversity, stereotypes, love, myths, and other issues. Fall/Spring

COM 315 Intro to News (3). Prerequisites: COM 200; EH 101, 102; Fundamentals of news reporting, writing and copy editing for print media, dealing with modern newsroom issues, including diversity, community involvement and convergence. Requires out-of-class assignments. Fall/Spring.

COM 320 Video Production and Editing (3). Prerequisite: COM 301 and 302. Videography and editing of programs and/or announcements produced with portable equipment. Students produce, direct, write, shoot, and edit individual productions. Productions regarding diversity issues are required. Fall/Spring.

COM 325 Publication Design (3). Prerequisite: COM 205 and/or 315. Arranging and editing text, photographs, graphics and other materials from diverse sources for print media. Fall/Spring.

COM 330 Intro to Public Relations (3). Prerequisite: EH 101, COM 200. Basic concepts of public relations, including history, theory, organization and ethics. Writing emphasized. Fall/Summer.

COM 340 Public Relations Writing (3). Prerequisite: COM 330. The development of professional public relations writing skills. Effective methods of conceptualizating, researching, and presenting information to the relevant publics. Writing emphasized. Fall/Summer.

COM 350 Announcing (3). Fundamentals of voice and diction applied to audio and video media delivery. Includes commercials, news, interviews and ad-lib announcing.

COM 358 Communication Theory (3). Prerequisite: Jr. standing and COM 200, or permission of instructor. Theories of the processes and effects of mass communication, including the discussion and analysis of research findings on race, gender, and ethnicity. Also deals with numbers for journalists-basic math and statistics for journalists.

COM 375 Internet Production (3). Prerequisite: COM 325 or permission of instructor. Establishing and maintaining Internet sites for news media and new media by producing and updating text and visual material on home pages. Requires both journalistic and computer skills. Fall/Spring

COM 400 Public Relations Cases Studies (3). Prerequisite: COM 330. The development of public relations practice skills based on the analysis of contemporary and historical case studies.

COM 401 Media Advertising and Sales (3). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Theory and application of advertising and sales in the print and electronic media.

COM 404 Media Workshop (1 each). Prerequisite: COM 320 or 325 and permission of instructor. Supervised assignments demonstrating development of high-level competencies and skills in various areas of the media. May be duplicated for credit for a total of three (3) semester hours.

COM 407 Media Workshop (1 each). Prerequisite: COM 320 or 325 and permission of instructor. Advanced assignments demonstrating development of high-level competencies and skills in various areas of the media. May be duplicated for credit for a total of three (3) semester hours.

COM 409 - Opinion Writing (3). Prerequisite: COM 315 or COM 205 or permission of the instructor. The art of commentary for anyone who may express informed opinion: Emphasis is on responsible editorial leadership to critique and to analyze wisely while avoiding legal and moral consequences. Covers editorial writing, columns and publishable reviews in print, broadcast, and digital media.

COM 410 Media Features (3). Prerequisites: COM 315 and permission of instructor. Principles and practices of writing features. Requires out-of-class assignments. Spring.

COM 420 Advanced Reporting (3). Prerequisites: COM 315, COM 449, COM 450, and COM 459. News gathering and writing for the print media with emphasis on deadline and beat reporting. Copy editing is included as are modern newsroom issues, such as diversity and community involvement. This is a capstone course - a culminating experience that integrates coursework, knowledge, skills and other experiences in print journalism.

COM 425 Media Management (3). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Principles and practices for management of print and electronic media facilities.

COM 440 Public Relations Campaign Management (3). Prerequisites: COM 340, COM 400, COM 449, COM 450, and COM 459. The use of effective principles and techniques to plan, execute, and evaluate public relations campaigns. This is a capstone course, a culminating experience that integrates coursework, knowledge, skills, and other experiences in public relations.

COM 449 Communication Law (3). Prerequisite: Junior standing and permission of instructor. Study of legal system of state and nation as related to media, including libel, privacy, copyright, access, contract and First Amendment issues. Emphasis on gender, religion, and ethnic diversity issues as they apply to communication law. Fall/Spring.

COM 450 Mass Communication Research (3). Prerequisites: COM 200, MS 108, and second semester junior in Communication. Fundamentals of research methodologies in mass communication. Prepares students to become familiar with, and develop the understanding and ability to apply research concepts to mass communication problems. Major topics include, among others, basic statistics, internet research and diversity issues in mass communication research. Fall/Spring.

COM 459 Communication Ethics (3). Prerequisite: Junior standing and permission of instructor. Ethical foundations of the media, including the interrelationships of the media, the public, and the government. Fall/May term.

COM 470 Advanced Electronic News (3). Prerequisite: COM 320, COM 449, COM 450, and COM 459. Principles and practices for gathering, writing, reporting and producing news for electronic media. Requires out-of-class assignments. This is a capstone course-a culminating experience that integrates coursework, knowledge, skills and other experiences in broadcast journalism. Fall/Spring.

COM 475 Directed Study (3). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Supervised study permitting students to pursue specific areas of interest in communication.

COM 491 Internship (3). Prerequisite: All Communication courses required for the area of interest, and prior approval of internship coordinator. Supervised on-the-job experience with an appropriate media facility. Fall/Spring/Summer

For more information, contact Dr. Kingsley O. Harbor