Communication and

Theatre Arts

Course Descriptions

Applied practice in theatre. Participation in all phases of theatre activity and performance. This course may be taken up to three times. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor.

107. Radio Laboratory. 1 credit

Applied practice in radio. Opportunity for work at WPUM-FM, the College radio station. This course may be taken up to three times. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor.

108. Television Laboratory. 1 credit

Applied practice in television production. Opportunity to work for WPUM-TV6, the College television studio. This course may be taken up to three times. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor.

110. Introduction to Communication. 3 credits.

This course will introduce the student to all facets of study within the communication discipline. Specifically, this course will survey various types of communication including public speaking, mass communication, computer-mediated communication, and specialized areas such as health, family, and business communication.

112. Physical Bases of Speech. 2 credits

Emphasis placed on achieving acceptable and pleasing voice and articulation. Content shall include: physical bases of speech, group reading, individual work, drills and exercises.

113. Elements of Speech Improvement 3 credits.

Diagnosing simple speech defects and disorders, nasality, lisping, omission, additions, substitutions, inversions. Theory of improving simple defects and disorders.

114. Public Speaking. 3 credits

A study of the types and modes of public address. Practice in speech preparation and presentation. The student delivers between five and eight speeches during the semester. Prerequisite for most COM classes.

115. Introduction to Theatre. 3 credits

This course is designed to help students achieve a better appreciation of the theatre arts and to help them to understand better the role of the arts in society. Topics include: the nature of art, the role of the playwright, director, actor, designers, and audience, major movements in theatre history and philosophy, and types and forms of drama.

116. Acting. 3 credits

A basic course for the beginning actor. Emphasis placed on body movement, use of the voice, stage directions, characterization, dramatization, emotional recall and vocal interpretation of the play script. The student will present scenes and short acts in class for critical purposes. Opportunity for participation in College productions.

117. Introduction to Mass Communication (JRN 117). 3 credits

A study of the forms of communication involved in the mass media (print, radio, television and film). Basic theories of Message, Receiver, Channel, and Sender are applied in classroom exercises through oral reports, surveys and research. Required for Mass Communication, Journalism and English Education majors.

118. Basic Audio Production. 3 credits

The study of contemporary audio production. The history or radio, programming and management, the nature of sound and radio, and operation of equipment will be studied. Practical projects include interviews, newscasts, music shows, commercials and public service announcements.

119. Basic Video Production. 3 credits

A study of the theoretical and practical application of video production. Stress placed on performance, use of equipment, directing techniques. Practical projects include interviews, newscasts, demonstrations. Opportunity for special interests available in final project.

127. Broadcast Announcing. 3 credits

A broad-based examination of the physical and professional aspects of media announcing. General voice theory is addressed, as are a variety of specific announcing techniques, including radio and television announcing, reporting and anchoring, public affairs announcing, and commercial announcing. Students are required to participate in lab exercises associated with the campus radio and television stations.

220. Photojournalism (JRN 220). 3 credits

The use of cameras and films and the developing and printing of black and white photographs used in journalism. Planning, taking and editing news pictures; writing cutlines and captions; the technique of the picture story.

222. Group Discussion. 3 credits

The content and methodology of participation and leadership in group problem-solving activities. Prerequisite: Core 1.

224. Interpersonal Communications. 3 credits

The study of communication as a method and process of exchanging meaning on both the interpersonal and intrapersonal levels of information; the analysis and application of structured and unstructured systems of communication. Prerequisite: Core 1.

225. Play Production. 3 credits

A study and application of the technical aspects of play production as they relate to the theatre. Practice in making a prompt book, stage lighting, scene design, set construction, costuming. Participation in student productions is required. Prerequisites: Core 1

231. Sports Information and Reporting. 3 credits

The study of the process of reporting and coverage of live sporting events, including delivery, writing and play-by-play. The role of sports information staff as gatekeepers of information and responsibility to the press is explained.

232. Advanced Oral Communication. 3 credits

Application in composition and delivery of the principles underlying all forms of speech. Practice in speaking on subjects of current interest and the student's choice.

234. Oral Interpretation of Literature. 3 credits

The development of the student's abilities in reading aloud through exercises in the analysis and communication of the logical content of the printed page. Special attention will be given to a study of literature, prose and poetry, as they affect the understanding of the performance of the oral interpreter. Prerequisite: Core 2

237. Broadcast Journalism. 3 credits

The study of journalism in the electronic media, with emphasis on broadcast news writing, coverage and editing, problems and potentials. Practical projects include news reports in both radio and television, and a project involving the class in a 30-minute television newscast.

238. Video Field Production. 3 credits

This is a course focusing on the application of video production techniques to remote field production. Students study the decision-making process in determining location, camera placement, lighting, sound and environment for producing video outside the studio. Attention is paid to pre-production planning, story boarding, production logs, post-production scheduling, and client relations. Student will work with color video equipment and produce projects using the single camera, film-style approach. Prerequisite: COM 119

242. Intercultural Communication. 3 credits

This course is based on the idea that a culture's communication reflects the beliefs, attitudes and values of that culture. The reverse is also true, that the communication influences the culture. "Culture" is defined broadly to include nationality, ethnic background, gender, age, and other groups. The course focuses on the communication between two or more people of different cultures, examining verbal and nonverbal codes, world view, belief-attitude-value structures, and perceived intention of the communicators.

243. Persuasion. 3 credits

Critical evaluation of the major principles and techniques of persuasion as they relate to public address and informal discussion. Prerequisite: Core 2.

255. Independent Study. 3 credits

260 Topics in Communication and Theatre Arts. 3 credits

This course is flexible in content with its focus determined by student and faculty interest, current trends, and departmental needs. Examples of possible topics included religious communication, film criticism, theatre history, etc.

323. Argumentation and Debate. 3 credits

The study of argumentation techniques used in formal and content debating, preparation of the brief, strategy, use of evidence, affirmative and negative structure on current and national issues. Prerequisite: Core 4.

330. Journalism Ethics (JRN 330). 3 credits

A comprehensive study of legal and ethical considerations inherent to a free press in a free society. More than 200 case histories plus a series of guest speakers add depth and insight to a course that probes ethical codes and value systems in the mass news media. Special emphasis is given not only to how the press functions, but why it functions as it does.

335. Advanced Acting. 3 credits

Advanced acting styles and techniques pertinent to the significant periods of the drama. Special attention is given to classical, medieval and Elizabethan modes of acting. Prerequisite: COM 116 and Core 3.

336. Play Direction. 3 credits

Student apprenticeship in the direction of drama under staff supervision. Prerequisite: COM 116 or 225 and Core 3.

344. Organizational Communication (MGT 334). 3 credits

An overview of the process of communication within organizations. Specifically, attention will be given to the functional and cultural perspectives of organizational communication. Course content includes a discussion of information flow, vertical and horizontal communication, linking pins, communication climate, systems theory, storytelling, and communication audits. Emphasis is placed on understanding the theoretical principles and applying them to common organizational situations. Prerequisite: Core 3.

347. Advanced Audio Production. 3 credits

There are two thrusts to this course: laboratory experience in advanced audio production techniques, and an examination of higher level issues and concepts associated with the radio industry. Production techniques covered include two-track audio production and editing, news production and editing, telephone-based production, and basic radio engineering. Among the issues and concepts discussed are contemporary topics addressed in trade publications, music research, rating interpretation, programming trends, short-wave radio, propaganda, and the broadcaster's social responsibility. Prerequisite: COM 118.

348. Advanced Video Production. 3 credits

A production course dealing with advanced video production and directing techniques. Students' projects are based on advanced lighting principles, animated graphics and editing. Each student will work with state-of-the-art 3/4" electronic editing equipment. Prerequisite: COM 119.

349. Broadcast Management. 3 credits

This course is designed to teach students the basics of mass media administration. The course prepares students for an entry level position in media management. Students will become familiar with every facet of radio-television management, including the new technologies of cable, satellite and interactive communication. Prerequisite: COM 118, 119.

352. Public Relations. 3 credits.

This is an introductory course designed to provide an overview of the theoretical and practical foundations of public relations. Included is a discussion of organizational attitudes, public opinion, research, persuasive strategies, and image formation. In addition, students are exposed to the concepts of campaign construction, audience selection, media placement, and evaluation. A final project requires a syntheses of ideas into a comprehensive public relations campaign.

353. Survey of Rhetorical Theory. 3 credits

This course is a broad survey of rhetorical theory from the early Sophists to modern rhetoricians. This course will examine rhetorical theory and how it has been conceptualized and practiced throughout recorded time. Prerequisite: Core 4.

354. Political Communication. 3 credits

An examination of the role of the media in politics. The course considers the role of the print, film, radio, and telecommunications media on the political system and the interaction of the political actors with the media.

357. Issues In Mass Communication. 3 credits

A study of problems in contemporary broadcasting. The course focuses on televised sex and violence, children and television, broadcast journalism ethics, public broadcasting, and government regulation. The class will work on a pilot study involving one aspect of the course as a final project.

358. Media Law (JRN 358). 3 credits

Study of the legal issues concerning the media including: statutes and regulations governing press, broadcast and films; analysis of defamation, libel, contempt, privacy, copyright, legal rights and privileges of the mass media.

359. Hollywood Workshop. 3 credits

The study of contemporary mass media in America. Students gain an inside look at the motion picture, television and journalism industries by attending a one-week "Media Workshops" summer seminar in Los Angeles, where they attend lectures, film screenings, television show tapings and tour motion picture studios and production facilities. On campus students apply production principles by producing an original television program, which may include writing, promotions programming, casting in addition to the actual production process. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

461. Practicum in Communication. 3 credits

Applied practice in communication, radio, tv, and theatre. Students working radio or television participate in projects in the College radio and tv studios. Students work in theatre, participate in stagecraft, production, or direction of theatre productions.

463. Senior Seminar. 3 credits

A seminar for seniors who will graduate in the area of communication. Each senior will be required to undertake a project recommended and approved by the professor in whose area of concentration the student has majored. The project, which may take many forms, must demonstrate the students' mastery and expertise in the area of concentration. Prerequisite: Senior status and consent of instructor, and Core 8.

490. Internship in Communication. 1-3 credits.

Available to qualified students. Participants will work in College-approved off-campus internship programs at radio stations, television studios, newspapers, theatres, etc. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Return to Communication Department Page