| COM 100 | Media Communications (3) An introduction to communications and the function of the media therein. Investigation of the historical, legal, theoretical, and ethical dimensions in communications. Lecture material is supplemented with presentations of audio and visual material illustrating how the media function. |
| COM 101 | Public Speaking (3) Analysis of the elements of oral communication and the development of communication skills through their disciplined use. The course explores public and personal communications values in both theory and practice. This course contains a significant amount of speech and oral presentations. |
| COM 200 | Desktop Publishing (3) An introduction to the fundamentals of desktop publishing using QuarkXPress, Macromedia FreeHand, and Adobe Photoshop software. Students integrate type and images to produce camera-ready work. (Also listed as GD 200.) |
| COM 201 | Communication History (3) Examines how modern communication systems developed and places them in cultural and historical context. Students learn why the communication media function as they do. Topics include information flow before printing, the link between printing and literacy, the development of free expression, and media coverage of important events. |
| COM 203 | Photography: Digital Imaging (3) An introduction to the working relationship between design and photography with an emphasis on digital imaging. Prerequisite: GD 101 or prior experience with Photoshop software recommended. (Also listed as GD 203.) |
| COM 204 | Oral Interpretation (3) A laboratory experience in vocal development and control. The course explores forms of literature and the techniques involved in oral communication of literature. Focus is on the development of interpretative skills and persuasiveness with independent ideas. This course contains a significant amount of speech and oral presentations. |
| COM 206 | Introduction to Public Relations (3) This is the introductory course in the public relations sequence. The theory and history behind the practice of public relations are explored. Also covered are the general types of public relations practices including corporate, institutional, nonprofit, government, and political. |
| COM 209 | Introduction to Journalism (3) A basic writing course emphasizing development of reporting and interviewing skills through lab work and class assignments. The course includes extensive writing practice under deadline pressure as well as an assessment of ethical problems in the field and career opportunities. Minimal typing skills required. This course contains a significant component in the use of computers. |
| COM 211 | Principles of Language (3) An introductory investigation of basic constructs and subsystems of English structure as described by grammarians of various theoretical persuasions. |
| COM 212 | Introduction to the Technique of Acting (3) The goal of this course is to make a student aware of the transformation process whereby drama is turned into theater through the language of the theater, i.e. sets, lights, costumes, makeup, music, and/or the actor. Secondly, the course aims to make the student aware of the importance of textual analysis, which is the foundation for acting. |
| COM 300 | Report Writing (3) An advanced course in technical writing aimed at the logical and orderly presentation of materials, development of ideas, and effective communication of secondary materials from professional fields. Prerequisite: EN 102. |
| COM 301 | Intercultural Communication (3) A study of the influences of cultural variability within the communication process. Particular emphasis will be given to intercultural theories, cultural adaptation, interpersonal effectiveness and relationships, and ethnolinguistic identities. |
| COM 302 | Public Relations Techniques (3) Teaches the applications of public relations theory and principles. Students learn the requirements of different media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and cable. They develop basic skills in publicity, promotion, campaign planning, and audience identification. Prerequisite: COM 206. |
| COM 303 | Video Production(3) An overview of video history, theory, and equipment as well as hands-on experience in preproduction, production, and postproduction techniques. Students plan and execute their own videotaped presentations, which may be kept for portfolio purposes. (Also listed as GD 303.) |
| COM 304 | Video Production II (3) An overview of the history, theory, and equipment of television studio production. Students will learn all phases of studio production through readings and hands-on experience. Students will plan and execute their own studio production. All productions will be taped for portfolio use. Prerequisite: COM/GD 303. (Also listed as GD 304.) |
| COM 305 | Journalism II (3) A continuation of COM 209 with emphasis upon complex news and feature stories, responsibilities of the press with reference to ethics and libel, and an introduction to makeup and layout. Lab work will include video display terminals. Prerequisites: proficiency in elementary word processing, COM 209. This course contains a significant component in the use of computers. |
| COM 307 | Broadcast Delivery (3) A laboratory experience in writing and delivering copy for radio and television. The course includes audio and video tapings of students delivering newscasts, commercials, interviews, and public service announcements. Both content and performance are evaluated. This course contains a significant amount of speech and oral presentations. |
| COM 308 | Web Design (3) An introduction to the fundamentals of Web design using Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and Flash software. Students integrate type and images to produce Web sites for use on the Internet. Prerequisites: GD 101 and GD 104, or prior experience with course software. |
| COM 309 | Web Multimedia Design (3) An introduction to the integration of text, visual imagery, sound, animation, and video using Flash and Photoshop software. Students create a multimedia presentation. Prerequisites: GD 101, GD 103, and COM 308, or prior experience with course software. (Also listed as GD 309.) |
| COM 310 | Presentational Communication (3) Provides guided experiences that develop career-related oral communication skills such as listening, interviewing, communicating in small groups, and persuasion. Students practice these skills in classroom exercises and explore how the skills are applicable in professional environments. Prerequisites: COM 100, COM 101, COM 206, and COM 209. This course contains a significant amount of speech and oral presentations. |
| COM 315 | Writing for the New Media (3) Focuses on writing skills required in professional fields, including the Internet. Applications include exercises in linear and nonlinear writing along with a review of the analytic and research skills used in the professions. Prerequisite: COM 209 or equivalent experience. |
| COM 316 | Braodcast Journalism (3) Focuses on gathering, writing, and preparing news for radio and television. Includes extensive practice in writing news for broadcast and handling taped material effectively. Prerequisite: COM 209. |
| COM 317 | Editing and the Editorial Process (3) Focuses on the editing process and the role of the editor in today’s print media. It includes extensive practice in editing, headline writing, and layout, as well as discussions of ethical standards and practice in the print media. Prerequisite: COM 209. This course contains a significant component in the use of computers. |
| COM 318 | Public Relations Case Studies (3) Examines solutions to public relations problems through an analysis of actual corporate and association cases. The focus will emphasize successful public relations management and practice through the systematic application of defining, planning and programming, acting and communicating, and evaluating results. Prerequisites: COM 206 and COM 302. |
| COM 320 | Organizational Communication (3) A study of communication research and its application to industrial and organizational systems. Particular emphasis will be given to organizational communication theory, leadership, climate and structure, motivation, message-processing, channels of communication, and the communication audit. |
| COM 322 | Principles of Communications Law (3) Examines the historical development of First Amendment law, its ethical underpinnings, and its evolution through appellate-court decisions. |
| COM 400 | Internship (3-6) Senior students may register for an internship in a cooperating research or media communications agency in the Washington metropolitan area under the supervision of an instructor. Prerequisite: permission of the dean of Arts and Sciences. |
| COM 421 | Project (3) An investigation of a selected topic in the major discipline. The project is intended to demonstrate ability to conduct independent research and present the results in writing of commendable quality. Prerequisite: permission of the dean of Arts and Sciences |
| COM 425 | Senior Seminar in Communications (3) The capstone course in Communications, designed to present current practices, trends, and problems of the field in a manner that develops both oral and written communication skills. Students are required to write a major research paper in their area of concentration. Prerequisite: senior standing. |
| COM 433 | Research (1-6) |