Communications

This course studies the mass media in historical and contemporary contexts, focusing on the structure, function, audiences and effects of the news and entertainment industries.  Issues such as legal, economic, social and psychological implications within society will be analyzed.  This course contains a service learning option.

A survey of the basic theories and principles of human communication by first exploring the fundamental processes central to communication (e.g. listening, verbal and nonverbal communication, message, channel, medium) and then applying those processes to various communication contexts including interpersonal, intrapersonal, small group, public, organizational, and mass communication.

This course will introduce students to the application of writing principles for various forms of media copy: print news and features; broadcast news for radio and television, public service announcements, advertising, social media, and public relations. Topics covered in this class include: hard news; feature writing; AP style; crafting effective leads; editing; organizational media; interviewing techniques; blogging; identifying and targeting audiences; public service announcements; press releases; and communications ethics and theory.

This course introduces the student to the public relations process and management in addition to the role of the public relations practitioner. The course will discuss how public relations differs from other communication disciplines and how corporate and nonprofit institutions use public relations as a strategic communication tool. Ethics and social responsibility and the impact of social media will be defined. Students will apply public relations practice through a course service learning component.

Today's society is directly impacted by social media. Twenty-first century political, social and economic changes have been effected through the use of social networking. In the competitive media world, journalists must possess social media skills. This course will focus on the analysis and use of current and emerging social media, such as Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, YouTube, SnapChat, Pinterest, Reddit, and other platforms. Students will explore the history, effect, appropriate uses of social media and will learn to craft appropriate messages utilizing the various platforms for different genres of journalism.

This course takes a hands on approach to digital media. Students will create audio and video clips and will develop skill using audio and video editing 
applications. Additionally, students will explore blogging, vlogging, podcasts, and website design. Assignments will include both the appraisal of successful professional videos, blogs, vlogs, podcasts and websites on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Spotify, and the creation of their own videos, blogs, and podcasts. A smartphone that can record video is required for this course.