100-Level Courses
COMMS 101 : Mass Communication and Society.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| OFFERED: | Independent Study also. |
| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Historical and modern roles of mass media in society, emphasizing media effects on individuals and institutions. |
200-Level Courses
COMMS 211 : Media Writing.
(3:2:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer |
| PREREQUISITE: | Pre-communications status; a B grade or better in one of the following: Engl 150, Phil 150, or Honrs 150. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Principles and practices of researching and writing mass communication messages in journalism, public relations, and advertising. |
| NOTE: | Lab required. |
COMMS 230 : Introduction to Advertising.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer On Demand |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Principles of advertising; critical evaluation of its role and value in American society. Experience in writing and creating ads for all media. |
COMMS 235 : Introduction to Public Relations.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer On Demand |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Philosophy and practice of public relations in business, government, education, and other institutions. Study of publics, media, methods, press relations, and publicity. |
COMMS 238 : Introduction to Communications Studies.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| PREREQUISITE: | Pre-communications status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Survey of mass communication theory and research; historical and philosophical development of communication theory. |
COMMS 239 : Principles of Journalism.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer On Demand |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Theories and principles of journalism; critical evaluation of journalists' and news organizations' role and value in societies they serve. |
300-Level Courses
COMMS 300 : Media Ethics, Law and Responsibility.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Major status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Introduction to First Amendment history and press freedom, law, and theory; media regulation and policy; relationship between law and ethics; key ethical issues in professional communications. |
COMMS 301 : Mass Media History and Philosophy.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Major or minor status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Historical and philosophical development of today's media. Approaches may include theories of media change, social responsibility, economic factors, and influential pioneers. |
COMMS 302 : Popular Culture and Media.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Major or minor status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Impact of new and traditional media on popular culture. Approaches may include media criticism and cultural theories on the artifacts and drivers of cultural values. |
COMMS 308 : Research Methods for Journalism.
(3:2:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring On Demand; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Major status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Qualitative and quantitative information-gathering strategies and techniques: interviewing, use of surveys and public records; online information gathering and data base analysis. |
COMMS 317 : Advertising Research Methods.
(3:2:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Major status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Quantitative research methods used in marketing and advertising; the research process; planning, designing, and conducting studies; analyzing results using appropriate methodologies. |
COMMS 318 : Public Relations Research and Measurement.
(3:2:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring On Demand; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Major status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Research methods and analysis critical to developing strategic public relations and measuring its effectiveness, emphasizing focus group and survey approaches with qualitative and quantitative statistical analysis. |
COMMS 319 : Research in Communication.
(3:2:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Major status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Procedures and design considerations for studying media messages, audiences, and effects. Emphasizes survey and focus group approaches to data collection and analysis. |
COMMS 321 : News Reporting.
(3:2:5)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Comms 300 or concurrent enrollment; major status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Research and reporting skills. Database retrieval and interviewing. Beat reporting for newspapers, radio, and online media. Lab required. |
COMMS 322 : Video and Audio News Production and Writing.
(3:2:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Comms 300 or concurrent enrollment; major status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Fundamental principles and theories of broadcasting and the practical application of visual and aural multimedia storytelling; audio and video field production; audio and video editing for radio, television, and online media. |
COMMS 324 : Feature Writing.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall On Demand; Winter; Spring On Demand; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | COMMS 321 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Creating, writing, and pitching articles for nonfiction magazine markets; effective writing methods; analysis and criticism of articles. |
COMMS 325 : Broadcast Reporting.
(3:2:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | COMMS 322; video portfolio; departmental consent. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Principles and techniques of broadcast and online news reporting. Includes recording and editing reports of government, courts, and other institutions. Lab includes reporting for daily television and radio newscasts. |
COMMS 326 : Performance for Broadcast.
(3:2:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Instructor's consent. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Theory and practice of presenting news and information for radio, television, and new media. |
| NOTE: | This course will not count as a departmental requirement. |
COMMS 327R : Special Topics in Broadcasting.
(3:2:Arr.)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Instructor's consent. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Includes radio arts, specialty reporting, documentary production, and sports broadcasting. |
COMMS 328 : Backpack Journalism.
(3:3:Arr)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter On Demand; Spring On Demand; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | COMMS 321; or COMMS 322 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Mobile media production, including field reporting, editing, and distributing news for multiple platforms. |
COMMS 330 : Creating Advertising Concepts - Portfolio 1.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring On Demand; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Major status; software proficiency in InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator demonstrated by portfolio review. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Basic consumer advertising; copywriting, design, and layout developed from creative strategies. Solving creative problems. |
COMMS 331 : Creating Advertising Concepts - Portfolio 2.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring On Demand; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | COMMS 330; Software proficiency in InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator demonstrated by portfolio review. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Advanced consumer advertising: copywriting, design, and layout. |
COMMS 332 : Marketing Media Planning and Strategy.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring On Demand; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Major status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Media planning, theory, and practice in context of the marketing mix. Application of computer-based models as aids to media decisions. Writing of marketing- based media plans. Case study approach to both print and broadcast media. |
COMMS 335 : TV Commercial Production.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring On Demand; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Major status or instructor's consent. |
| RECOMMENDED: | Comms 330. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Discussing and applying television commercial production principles; creating and executing TV commercial concepts. |
COMMS 336 : Strategic Planning and Problem Solving.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring On Demand; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Major status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Cases selected from wide range of actual public relations problems confronting business, government, education, and other institutions. Focus on strategic planning matrix. |
COMMS 337 : Advertising Account Management.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring On Demand; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Major status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Managing advertising agency accounts, including budgets, writing, new business pitches, and relationships with clients. |
COMMS 345 : Media Sales and Promotion.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Major status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Fundamentals of media sales process. Theory and application of persuasion relating to media sales. |
COMMS 351 : Media and Their Audiences.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Major or minor status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Understanding media content and channels empowering and improving media consumption and interpretation. Approaches may include new technology, social media, consumer behavior, media criticism, and media literacy. |
COMMS 360 : Communication Management Principles and Theory.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Major or minor status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Management principles and theory, emphasizing responsible management benefiting organizations and their stakeholders. Approaches may include crisis communication, media or agency management, and programming. |
COMMS 365 : Photojournalism.
(3:2:Arr)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall On Demand; Winter; Spring On Demand; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | COMMS 321; or COMMS 322 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Shooting, processing, selecting, and preparing images for use in various news platforms. |
COMMS 370R : Special Topics in Communications.
(1-3:Arr.:Arr.)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Major or minor status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Subject matter may vary. Specific topics emphasizing general issues related to all mass communication. |
COMMS 381 : International Media Systems.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Communications or international relations major or minor status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Comparison of media systems in countries and regions outside the United States. Approaches may include media systems analysis, normative theories of the media, and cultural values and norms. |
COMMS 382 : Issues in Global Communication.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Communications or international relations major or minor status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Issues relating to communicating in a global village. Approaches may include global information and policy, cultural imperialism, intercultural interaction, and multinational communication strategies. |
COMMS 383 : Online News Editing.
(3:2:6)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall On Demand; Winter; Spring On Demand; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Comms 324 or 325 or 328 or 365. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Writing, editing, and content production for online and social media platforms; content management systems and search engine optimization for news. |
COMMS 384 : News Editing and News Judgment.
(3:2:6)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Spring On Demand; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | COMMS 324; or COMMS 328; or COMMS 365 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Management and editing of news flow, ranging from editorial conceptualization and news judgment to copy editing, headline writing, and basic page design. |
COMMS 385 : Television News Producing.
(3:2:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | COMMS 325; or COMMS 328 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Theory and practice of producing and presenting information for television. Role of television news in society, nature of audiences, production techniques, and TV news management. Lab includes producing daily television newscast. |
COMMS 388 : Publication Graphics and Production.
(3:3:Arr)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter On Demand; Spring On Demand; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | COMMS 324; or COMMS 328; or COMMS 365; instructor's consent. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Layout and graphics for publications. Contemporary practices in production. |
COMMS 390R : Student Media Labs.
(1:1:Arr)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer |
| PREREQUISITE: | Appropriate introductory course (Comms 211, 230, 235, or 239); lab advisor's consent. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Student-run media labs such as the Advanced Advertising Lab, Bradley Agency, Eleven News, and Daily Universe. |
| NOTE: | Cannot be combined with paid position in the same lab. |
COMMS 396R : Communications Practicum.
(1:0:Arr)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer |
| PREREQUISITE: | Instructor's consent and approval of task or projects. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Practice and projects in communication. |
COMMS 398R : Projects in Communications.
(.5-4:Arr:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer |
| PREREQUISITE: | Junior standing and sequence coordinator's consent. Project approval required before registration. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Projects in communication studies. |
400-Level Courses
COMMS 406 : Media and the First Amendment.
(3:3.0:0.0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | COMMS 300; Major status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Advanced understanding of media law, policy, and regulation of free speech and press. Approaches may include Freedom of Information, rights of press, government control, and legal precedents regarding the First Amendment. |
COMMS 411 : Media Effects.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Major or minor status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Effects resulting from the interaction between media and members of society. Approaches may include self-image, sterotypes, violence, and other social constructs and behaviors involving media consumption. |
COMMS 416 : Media Advocacy and Social Change.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Major or minor status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Communication principles, theories, and approaches applied to effect social change. Approaches may include public policy, grass roots advocacy, social marketing, and social movements. |
COMMS 420 : Advanced Print Reporting.
(3:2:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter On Demand; Spring On Demand; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | COMMS 308 & COMMS 383; or COMMS 308 & COMMS 384 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | News coverage of government, courts, education, business, international, or legal issues. |
COMMS 421 : Public Relations Writing and Production.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring On Demand; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | COMMS 321 & COMMS 336; Software proficiency in InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Flash, and Dreamweaver demonstrated by portfolio review. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Professional public relations writing and editing in a variety of formats as used in public relations applications. |
COMMS 432 : Account Planning Management
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring On Demand; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | COMMS 317; major status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Development and execution of a comprehensive strategic advertising research program, including data collecting, interpretation, field investigating, audience analysis, and strategy development. |
COMMS 433 : Advanced Advertising Concepting - Portfolio 3.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter |
| PREREQUISITE: | COMMS 331 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Capstone course in creating consumer advertising concepts, copywriting, design, and layout. Emphasizes finished portfolios. |
COMMS 480 : Media Ethics and Moral Reasoning.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Comms 300 or instructor's consent. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Advanced application of moral reasoning and understanding of ethical issues in mass communication. Approaches may include current cases and issues, professional practices, and philosophical foundations of ethics. |
COMMS 481 : Gender, Race, and Class in the Media.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Major or minor status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Applying critical theory to the interaction between media and underrepresented groups in society. Approaches may include stereotypes and portrayals, access to media, participation, and media ownership. |
COMMS 482 : Media and World Religions.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Major or minor status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | The interaction of media, world religions, and beliefs. Approaches may include media coverage and portrayal of religion, religions' use of media, conflict between the two, and communicating across religious cultures. |
COMMS 483 : Advanced Communications Studies
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | COMMS 319; Comms 411 or concurrent enrollment. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Contemporary developments in communication theory, research, and practice. |
COMMS 485 : Strategic Public Relations Campaigns.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring On Demand; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | COMMS 318 & COMMS 336 & COMMS 421; Software proficiency in Flash, Dreamweaver, and Image Ready as demonstrated by portfolio review. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Capstone course applying communication principles to internal and external publics; fact finding, planning, and evaluating social interrelationships; major campaigns for selected clients. |
COMMS 486 : Advanced Broadcast Reporting.
(3:3:5)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring On Demand; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | COMMS 308 & COMMS 385 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | In-depth broadcast news coverage of major public issues and trends. Formats may include daily news reports, series, and documentaries. |
COMMS 487 : Advanced Multiplatform Journalism.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter On Demand; Spring On Demand; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | COMMS 308; Comms 383 or 384 or 385 or 388; instructor's consent. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Editing, design, and delivery of multiplatform and interactive news content. Theories of new media use and practical application of those theories to create professional-level content. |
COMMS 488 : Advanced Broadcast Producing.
(3:2:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring On Demand; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | COMMS 308 & COMMS 385; instructor's consent. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Advanced concepts in television news producing, news judgment, audiences and newsroom leadership. |
COMMS 489 : Strategic Advertising Campaigns.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring On Demand; Summer On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | COMMS 300 & COMMS 317 & COMMS 332 & COMMS 432; Comms 433 or concurrent enrollment. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Researching, planning, budgeting, creating, and writing national advertising campaigns; writing and producing a complete advertising plan, accompanied by a formal client presentation. |
COMMS 495R : Research and Readings in Communication Practice.
(.5-4:0:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer |
| PREREQUISITE: | Senior standing and instructor's approval of projects. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Independent research projects and readings for communications majors. |
| NOTE: | Projects must be approved in advance of registration. |
COMMS 496R : Academic Internship.
(1-9:Arr:Arr)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer |
| PREREQUISITE: | Major status; prerequisites satisfied; clearance by the Communications Department. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Professional field experience. |