Communication in depth. Emphasis is placed on understanding games as texts mediating social, cultural and individual relationships. Prerequisite: ENG 1102 or ENG 1103. Four credits. COM 3343. Convergent Journalism II. Building on skills acquired in Com 2243, this class focuses on the techniques of news gathering, interviewing, reporting and journalistic writing in a convergent media environment. Professionalism is emphasized; Students should think of themselves as reporters and the instructor as their editor. Prerequisite: COM 2243. Four credits. COM 3344. Media Representations: Race, Class, Gender. This course is a critical and theoretical study of the assumptions and representations of mainstream media — advertising, music, film, television, comics and animation — through the lenses of gender, race, ethnicity, whiteness, sexuality, age, and ability, considering media content as well as media production and audience reception. Prerequisites: COM 2204 or permission of the instructor. Four credits. COM 3345. Social Media. This course examines the use of existing and emerging social media platforms and how they are changing the ways in which individuals and organizations communicate and build relationships. Students will engage the course content through selected readings, reflective essays, case studies and analyses of social media issues and platforms. Prerequisites: Junior standing and COM 1111 or permission of the instructor. Four credits. COM 3352. Game Development. Overview of the game development process from conception to the publisher. The shift from author to team-based development and the roles and responsibilities of team members is stressed. Students will collaborate on the design and preliminary work-up of a game and pitch their projects to a publisher. Prerequisite: COM 2252. Four credits. COM 3354. History of Documentary Film. This course explores the history of documentary film and examines documentaries’ role in both reflecting and shaping the history of their time. In essays and class discussions, students will examine how and why documentary filmmakers make their films, how documentaries fit into their historical moment, and how filmmakers use conventions and artistry as tools of persuasion. Prerequisite: ENG 1102 or ENG 1103. Four credits. COM 3361. Motion Graphics. This course focuses on the theory and practice of motion graphic design. Students will learn to create effective, efficient, and dynamic motion graphics for use in motion pictures, broadcast media and
the web. Class time will be divided between screenings, discussions, exercises and lab time. Students should expect to spend additional time in the lab each week outside of the scheduled class time. Prerequisite: COM 1111 or ART 2050. Four credits. COM 3362. Puzzle, Obstacle, and Level Design. Introduces principles and practices involved in creating compelling interactive experiences. Students will craft a series of puzzles and scenarios for non-digital games and design multiple levels for a digital game using commercial game modifying software and scripting language. Prerequisite: COM 2252. Four credits. COM 3363. Opinion Writing. In-depth study of and practice in critical and editorial writing. Special emphasis on newspaper and electronic media editorials, opinion columns and reviews. This course aims to help students think critically and write persuasive arguments. Prerequisite: COM 2243. Four credits. COM 3365. Case Studies in Strategic Communication. This course examines cases in public relations, advertising, and integrated marketing communication, and the communication theories that underlie these cases. Students will also have an opportunity to explore specific career options in strategic communication and participate in a crisis communication simulation. Prerequisites: COM 1110 and COM 2225. Four credits. COM 3373. Investigative Reporting. This course explores how to conduct investigative and in-depth reporting. Course teaches students how to go beyond the day-today newsroom journalism to bring context and meaning to stories. Emphasis on improving a journalist’s credibility and accuracy through the use of documents and databases; effective interviewing, and fieldwork. Prerequisite: COM 2243. Four credits. COM/GBS 3374. Global Media Representation of Women. This course examines theoretical as well as key issues on global media representations of women. Topics include the nature of media and how it creates and challenges stereotypes, as well as its exclusionary representation. We will examine women’s portrayals in media forms that include: television, print and online media, music videos, advertisements, videogames, etc. We will also examine the work of women in the industry. Prerequisites: ENG 1102 or ENG 1103, and COM/SOC/WGS 2274. Four credits. [GS]
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