Minor Requirements: Communication COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE
COMM 101: Introduction to Media Studies JOUR 201: Writing for the Mass Media One course in Communication or Journalism at any level (see advisor) Three courses in Communication or Journalism at the 300/400 level TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED:
SEMESTER HOURS 4 4 4 12 24
COMMUNICATION COURSES (COMM) 101 Introduction to Media Studies (4) Introduces students to the role played by mass media in culture. Media institutions and technologies are examined in terms of their histories, economic and legal characteristics, and contemporary social influence. Offered every semester. 210 Audio Production Workshop (1) Introduces students to fundamental aspects of a variety of audio applications, including field recording, studio recording, and multi-track production. Offered every spring. 220 Experimental Film and Video (4) Explores the history and theory of experimental film and video through lecture, discussion, reading, and screenings and through creative action. Students produce their own avant-garde videos as they learn the form’s aesthetic heritage and contemporary developments. Offered in selected January Terms. 221 Understanding Film (4) A survey of film as an artistic and cultural medium. The course explores film historically and aesthetically, considering aspects of film technology, style, narrative, genre, and ideology. Emphasis is placed on historically important films, filmmakers, and film movements, but contemporary trends are also addressed. Offered every semester. 222 Public Speaking (4) An individualized introduction to the theory and practice of informative and persuasive speech communication. Extemporaneous speaking is explored in depth while impromptu and group communication are also examined. The communication model is stressed, including sender, receiver, message (verbal and non-verbal) channel, noise, and feedback. Offered every semester. 250 Introductory Filmmaking (4) Introduces students to the techniques and traditions of fictional narrative filmmaking. Emphasis is placed on principles of visual storytelling and conventions of continuity and composition, videography, lighting, editing, and production management. Students also learn the fundamentals of screenwriting. Offered every semester. 300 Media Law and Ethics (4) Examines the legal principles and regulatory structures, primarily in the areas of First Amendment law and copyright, governing print and electronic media. Additional discussion concerns ethical standards and potential ethical dilemmas faced by working media professionals. Prerequisite: Sophomore status or consent. Offered spring of even-numbered years. 312 The Art of Animation (4) An in-depth look at the history of animation as a developing art form. The course also looks at animation as a reflection of culture and as a business. Prerequisite: Sophomore status or consent. Offered intermittently. 321 Theories of Mass Communication (4) An overview of the major theories that characterize the study of mass communication. Addresses both humanities and social sciences approaches and explores theory as a lens for conducting research. Students majoring in communication will typically take COMM 321 (Theories) in the fall and COMM 331 (Mass Communication Research Methods) in the spring of their junior or senior year. Prerequisite: Sophomore status or consent. Offered every fall. 325 Organizational Communication (4) Examines all forms of communication in any profit or non-profit organization. Combines theory and practice to understand intended and unintended messages. Topics include culture, networking, impact of technology, medium and channel, and rhetorical purpose. Prerequisite: Sophomore status or consent. Offered every spring and summer.
Virginia Wesleyan University 2021 - 2022 Academic Catalog
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