COM*104 Careers in Media
This course is an overview of careers in the American media industry, including topical discussions, career development seminars, and guest speakers discussing day-to-day operations of radio, TV, and cable stations; video, film, and multimedia production companies; newspapers; advertising a public relations firms; and other media jobs. Students will expand their career horizons through job targeting, improving interview skills, preparing resumes, and envisioning their ideal careers.

COM*105 Introduction to Visual Communication
Visual communication is the process of organizing, designing, and creating messages in print and multimedia form that meet specific purposes and practical needs.  This course introduces students to that process, reflecting the elements of structured content, form, media, and audience characteristics, while also introducing them to common electronic tools used in visual message creation.  Students apply these principles in the production process while designing and developing their own projects using instructional audiovisual media hardware and software.

COM*110 Foundations of Communication
Introduction to theory and research in the major divisions of the field. This course introduces communication issues, traits, methodologies, and communication problem solving methods for a variety of contexts including the workplace, the community, the family, the mass media, journalism, public relations, and advertising.

COM*121 Journalism
Students in Journalism will focus on the journalistic style of writing. These writings will emphasize the art of investigation, persuasion, and reporting within the context of news story writing. Students explore methods and techniques of news gathering, news writing, and news analysis. By covering campus and community events, students will make practical application of theory.
Prerequisite: ENG*101 English Composition

COM*150 Basic Photography
Introduction to the fundamental operations of light, camera, and film utilizing back and white materials and available light situations. Photographic techniques are explored through lecture, demonstration, and class assignments. Students photograph, process, and print their own work. Emphasis is placed on acquiring creative and technical skills necessary for proper camera an darkroom operation.
Students must bring their own 35mm camera with manual exposure controls.

COM*151 Intermediate Photography
An extension of Basic Photography where students will expand into more advanced, experimental, and individual work in 35mm black-and-white photography. Students will explore various-speed B&W films, infrared and high contrast films, push-processing, and toning. Course will conclude with an introduction to digital photography.
Students must bring their own 35mm camera with manual exposure controls.

COM*154 Film Study and Appreciation
An introductory study of cinema as a cultural force and artistic form. Students will view and discuss representative films from the early years of the industry to the present, and offer their own oral and written analysis of these films as applied to topics covered during the semester. This course can count towards your humanities or communication elective.
Prerequisite: ENG*101 English Composition

COM*158 Introduction to Digital Photography
An introduction to digital photography that builds on the fundamental principles of light, exposure, color, and composition. Students will learn about the transition from capturing images on film to acquiring images with digital scanners and cameras; computer-based imaging hardware and software; camera handling and creative controls; file formats and management; image editing and manipulation; and, electronic output options.
Students must own a 4 mega pixel (or greater) digital camera with manual, aperture priority and/or shutter priority exposure modes.
(Students needing more information about camera requirements can call the Academic Media Technology office at 906-5030.)

COM*173 Public Speaking
Basic instruction in public speaking with emphasis on improvement through practice exercises, gathering material, organization and delivery of speeches of varied lengths and types, and evaluative listening.

COM*225 Introduction to Photojournalism
Explore the fundamentals of photographic storytelling including news and feature photography. Students examine the history of photojournalism and apply this understanding to their own visual storytelling. Course work focuses on ways of using the camera and related imaging equipment, developing professional relationships with photographic subjects, ethical standards, and law as applied to contemporary photojournalism.
Prerequisite: COM*158 "Digital Photography" and ENG 101, or permission of program coordinator. Students are also encouraged to enroll in COM*121 Journalism.

COM*241 TV Production
Introduction to the unique creative and technical aspects of video production, and the teamwork and communication concepts required for effective television programs. Students acquire hands-on skills utilizing the college's professionally equipped digital television studio as their laboratory. Scripting, camera set-up, working with talent, and the control room side of television production are topics also covered.
Prerequisite: ENG*101 English Composition

COM*242 Advanced Broadcast/TV Production
This course is a continuation of COM* 241 COM*241 TV Production. Students will write, direct, and produce a variety of projects using broadcast-quality studio and field production equipment and techniques. This course will conclude with an introduction to digital media editing systems. Students will acquire more advanced skills in scriptwriting, lighting, audio, and camera operation. The goal of the semester is to integrate all of the student projects into a unified class video program.
Prerequisite: COM*241 TV Production

COM*275 Argument and Debate
Advanced instruction in oral communication with emphasis on argumentation, rhetoric, and the conventions of formal debate. Students practice evaluative listening, research skills, and delivering persuasive arguments in a formal debate setting.
Prerequisite: COM*173 Public Speaking, or permission of instructor

COM*287 Advanced Media Production
A continuation of COM*242 Advanced Broadcast/TV Production emphasizing ENG/EFP video production techniques and digital non-linear audio/video editing. Students will shoot and digitize footage, trim sequences, edit audio, add sound and visual effects, create titles and graphics, use stock motion backgrounds, and export finished projects to tape, the web, and CD/DVD disc formats. Students will work in small groups to create several short-form video productions such as commercials, vignettes, and self-directed semester projects of their own choosing.
Prerequisite: COM*242 Advanced Broadcast/TV Production

COM*295 Internship I
Students will engage in supervised on-the-job experience using visual communication technology in a field placement setting with a media production, library, educational, training, or social service organization. It is expected that all students in the Communication Media internship will meet together several times during the semester for career-building workshops and to share experiences with one another.
Prerequisite: Permission of Communication Media advisor

COM*299 Independent Study
This course is an opportunity for students majoring in Communication Media to specialize in advanced projects where they may pursue a career interest or specific educational objectives. Projects are designed and implemented through continual consultation between the student and a faculty advisor.
Prerequisite: Permission of Communication Media advisor

this page was last updated 07/18/2012