Southern New Hampshire University COM 244 Digital Video Production: Level I (3 credits) This course introduces the student to video theory, aesthetics, and techniques, as well as to hands-on production experience. It provides students with theoretical and applied knowledge of non-broadcast video applications. Video will be approached as a creative visual communication tool for the exploration of abstract concepts, creative endeavors and the human condition. Skills covered in the class will include the fundamentals of all stages of production, use of the camera as a visual tool, audio, lighting and editing. Video production will utilize MiniDV cameras and post-production will be in a digital non-linear editing (DNLE) environment on a Mac platform, using Final Cut Pro. Students attend lectures and technical demonstrations, view work of various video and film directors, complete production planning and coordination, and produce their own creative projects. Prerequisite: COM 128. COM 322 Advanced Public Speaking (3 credits) This course provides students with the skills to produce effective oral presentations in professional contexts. The course includes formal individual speeches as well as interactive and group presentations. It is run as a seminar to provide students with experience as moderators. Prerequisite: COM 212. COM 327 Screenwriting for Media Arts (3 credits) This course is designed to teach students the fundamentals of screenwriting in the classic Hollywood Narrative style. Students will focus on writing screenplays for narrative shorts of twenty-two minutes or less. Students will analyze screenplays and learn basic screenwriting concepts and tools. Students will be attending lectures and film screenings, completing in-class writing exercises and proposals, providing valuable critique to their colleagues, and completing at least one treatment, pitch and screenplay. Prerequisite: ENG 121. It is highly recommended that students take COM 128 prior to taking this course. COM 332 Corporate Communication (3 credits) This course gives students the opportunity to develop skills, knowledge, and philosophies in organizational communication through lectures, research, readings, discussions, application and written assignments. Emphasis is placed on verbal and nonverbal communication, cultural communication, interpersonal relationships within organizations, leadership styles, organizational environments, crisis communication and dealing with the future and change. Prerequisites: COM 212 and COM 322 or permission of instructor. COM 341 Technical Writing (3 credits) This course trains students to produce documents of a technical nature commonly found in a business context. Students are required to prepare a variety of technical reports, including audits, technical manuals and feasibility studies. Prerequisite: ENG 121. COM 342 Writing for the Computer Industry (3 credits) This course is designed to increase students’ ability to com110
municate high-tech information and to apply the technical writing process to the computer industry. The course focuses on techniques for creating documentation with attention to formatting, graphic design and text organization. Prerequisite: COM 341 or permission of the instructor. COM 344 Digital Video Production: Level II (3 credits) Students will further their knowledge of video theory, aesthetics, and techniques, as well as gain additional hands-on production experience. Video will be approached as a creative visual communication tool for the exploration of abstract concepts, creative endeavors, and the human condition. Emphasis will be on lighting, sound design, directing, and production management. Video production will utilize MiniDV cameras and post-production will be in a digital non-linear editing (DNLE) environment on a Mac platform, using Final Cut Pro. Students will attend lectures and technical demonstrations, view work of various video and film directors, and produce their own creative projects individually and in groups. Prerequisite: COM 244. COM 345 Animation and Visual Effects (3 credits) This hands-on technical course provides training in the use of Adobe After Effects, the industry standard software utilized for animation, visual effects, and motion graphics in film, video, multimedia and the Web. Students will be attending lectures and technical demonstrations, viewing various After Effects creations, completing exercises and producing short projects with After Effects. Prerequisite: GRA 320 or permission of the instructor. COM 421 Communication Theory and Research (3 credits) This course examines research approaches in communications fields and requires students to perform both primary and secondary research, to write critical essays, and to complete a research project. Prerequisite: senior standing in a communication major. COM 435 Feature Writing (3 credits) This course is for students who want to explore feature writing as a means of improving their research and writing skills or to pursue a print journalism focus in the communication major. Students will learn how to develop and organize ideas, adapt their writing for specific audiences and revise and polish their prose style. COM 448 Media Ethics and Law (3 credits) This course provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to work in the communications profession. They also will develop a clear understanding of the statutory and constitutional guidelines governing the profession. Students learn the theoretical underpinnings of the First Amendment, followed by its application in cases involving libel, privacy, intellectual property, corporate speech, advertising, obscenity, access to information, protection of news sources, broadcasting policy and electronic media regulations. COM 452 Public Relations Campaign Planning Seminar (3 credits)