Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication & Media

Course Descriptions and Syllabi

COMM 101	Introduction to Mass Communication	(3) [H]
Examines the issues and concepts involved in the initial study of the mass media, (i.e., television, radio, newspapers, magazines and interactive outlets) and how they impact the individual and society.
COMM 110	Digital Foundations	(3)
This course introduces students to fundamental principles and applications of design, emphasizing critical and cultural awareness of design issues and developing of technical skills. The notion of creative problem solving is particularly emphasized. Students develop expertise in major industry standard software packages. This course lays the foundation for further study of design. A lab fee may be required. [Cross-listed with GDES 110]
COMM 111	Images in Media	(3) [H]
The power of images in media is examined through milestones including those in photography, film, video, and interactive media.
COMM 206	Mass Media Writing	(3)
This course is intended to provide students with fundamental writing techniques used in the media industry. Particular attention will be paid to the development of objective writing skills used across print, broadcast, and online platforms. Writing methodologies to produce advertising copy and press releases will also be studied.
COMM 208	Film Production I	(3)
Introduces students to basics of cinematic storytelling through narrative genres and documentaries. Examines the basics of scriptwriting, directing, cinematography, and editing. Develops skills in all areas of the craft, and explores both the creative and the technical aspects of production. Includes a short project. Familiarizes students with the nature of filmmaking through lectures and working experiments with traditional narrative filmmaking, documentary, and new media. [Cross-listed with GDES 208]
COMM 211	Theories and Research Methods in Communication	(3)
This course provides an introduction to theories and to methodological approaches used in the study of mass communication. Students will apply research skills to scientifically evaluate messages, media, and audiences. A variety of data collection techniques will be utilized to give students a hands-on approach in the assessment of media. The course will also examine media and its messages from a theoretical perspective. Pre-requisite: COMM 101.
COMM 222	Global Media and Spaces of Identity	(3) [S]
Anthropology of media is an essential area of study, living as we do, in a media saturated world today. The course examines new paradigms in the anthropology of visual communication in looking at how media interacts with issues such as representation, people's sense of self-identity and collective cultural identities, nationalism and transnationalism, media activism, diasporas, and social engagements with technology. The course locates the anthropological voice in media by locating it in worlds of practice and debate. [Cross-listed with SBSA 222]
COMM 230	Principles of Advertising	(3) [H]
Provides students with an analysis of commercial advertising from a global perspective with attention to communication theory. Students will examine the structure of advertising messages, how they are adapted to specific audiences, and the social settings in which they occur. Issues of Internet advertising and e-commerce will be explored. Prerequisite: COMM 101.
COMM 240	Principles of Public Relations	(3) [H]
Surveys the fundamentals and techniques involved in public relations operations, including the history, philosophy and ethics of the practice and functions of management, planning, research and communication. It explores the theoretical and practical applications of public relations in contemporary society. Prerequisite: COMM 101.
COMM 249	Images of Women in Media	(3) [S]
In examining links between gender, media and modernity, this course offers examples of media representations of women's identity. Students will not simply analyze media representations of women, but learn to contextualize and critically examine them within a broader framework of the characteristics of contemporary culture in specific regions. This course will 'cross borders' of disciplines, methods and approaches, and intervene into current debates in the fields of cultural anthropology, media and cultural studies, global-local, Eurocentrism, and multiculturalism. [Cross-listed with SBSA 249]
COMM 265	South Asian Film: A Global Perspective	(3) [S]
The Indian film industry is the largest in the world, of which Hindi films are its most popular component. This course uses popular Hindi films as anthropological texts through which we consider broader questions about the anthropology of representations in examining roles and representations of femininity and masculinity, tradition and modernity, the importance of family and family values, the Indian diaspora, and the Hindi film phenomenon as it develops in the age of globalization. In this course, we treat "visual representation as an aspect of material culture and practice of social scientists, as well as culture researched by social scientists." [Cross-listed with SBSA 265]
COMM 309	Film Production II	(3)
The course emphasizes the artistic film movement, the role of the American cinema, and its mark on the world. Explores the old and the new Hollywood and the relationships between aesthetics and expenses. Students will explore the Preproduction, the Production, and the Postproduction phases of filmmaking. Sophomore standing or permission of instructor. Prerequisite: COMM 208 or GDES 208.
COMM 310	Broadcast Journalism	(3)
Introduces students to the principles of broadcast journalism as it occurs in radio and TV. The course includes discussions of technical, ethical, and legal issues affecting broadcast news, as well as lab/studio practice in writing, editing, producing, and reporting broadcast stories. Sophomore standing.
COMM 312	News Reporting and Editing	(3) [H]
Explores and practices the skills of a working journalist. Students will build on what is being taught in COMM 206 and apply that knowledge to this class. Emphasis will be on the reporting, writing, and the editing of features, hard news stories, broadcast copy, and writing for the Web. There will also be a focus on practical and professional-based skills such as reporting beats and newsroom procedures. Sophomore standing. Prerequisite: COMM 206.
COMM 313	Documentary Production	(3)
Introduces students to the concepts of creating a documentary. Emphasis on the practice of documentary production through creation of short or/and semester long productions. Interviewing, shooting, lighting, framing, and various narrative techniques are explored. Prerequisite: COMM 201 or COMM 208.
COMM 320	Mass Media Law	(3)
Examines the law as it affects the mass media. Discusses such areas as libel, privacy, public records, criminal pretrial publicity, freedom of information, and obscenity. Sophomore standing or permission of instructor. Prerequisite: COMM 101.
COMM 325	Mass Communication and Society	(3) [H]
Provides students with an overview of the effect of media on culture and society. The course explores how media reflect and mold culture. It examines the role the media play in creating the global village. It also examines how the audience uses and is used by various media outlets and how that use affects the perception of various cultures. Sophomore standing. Prerequisite: COMM 101.
COMM 338	Copywriting for Advertising	(3)
Explores issues, strategies, theories, and practices in writing and editing advertising messages. Teaches the technical aspects of advertising: writing advertising copy and designing effective layouts. Students use their software design skills. Sophomore standing or permission of instructor. Prerequisite: COMM 230.
COMM 350	Organizational Communication and Leadership	(3)
Teaches students the role of communication in creating a productive organizational environment in terms of interpersonal and group behavior. Reviews the theory and practice of team building, conflict resolution and problem solving and explores how communication and organizational cultures relate to each other. Sophomore standing or permission of instructor. Prerequisite: COMM 101 or MGMT 201. [Cross-listed with MGMT 350]
COMM 360	Public Relations Writing	(3)
Introduces the student to the essentials of how to prepare and present written material for use in the practice of public relations. It teaches the student the techniques needed for creating effective written communication at a standard generally expected of persons entering into the practice of public relations. Sophomore standing or permission of instructor. Prerequisite: COMM 240.
COMM 366	Popular Culture in South Asia: Film	(3) [S]
In this course, popular culture is examined- ranging from calendar art, romance fiction, magazines, photographs, music, food, fashion, films and television - as an important resource for anthropological insights into contemporary social issues and processes. Issues such as continuity and transformation of tradition, the impact of imperialism, and the 'Indianization' of English are increasingly seen as areas of debate and research. Notions of hybridity, diversity, and globalization are addressed. [Cross-listed with SBSA 366]
COMM 369	Short Course	(1-3)
Topic varies by semester. Classes are taught by a guest lecturer or lecturers. Can be repeated for credit with a different topic. Permission of instructor.
COMM 380	Media Translation	(3)
The course teaches the various theories and practical skills and techniques of translating, subtitling and dubbing media materials, particularly television programs. The course involves education and training based on TV materials related to Media, Economics, Politics, Law, Business, Literature, Culture, Medicine and Science. Sophomore standing. [Cross-listed with TRAN 380]
COMM 388	Independent Study	(1-3)
Can be repeated for credit with a different topic. Permission of instructor.
COMM 389	Special Topics	(3)
Can be repeated for credit with a different topic. Permission of instructor.
COMM 402	PR Campaigns	(3)
This course is designed to help students to think like a Public Relations (PR) professional, knowing the process and timing in executing a PR campaign. The importance of research is underscored through the process of identifying and understanding the target audience, which is the very basis of any PR campaign. Students will learn to develop a comprehensive "360 degrees" PR campaign for presentation to prospective clients, and gain a clear in-depth insight into the profession of PR campaigning. Junior standing.
COMM 425	International Case Studies in Public Relations	(3)
Exposes students to major issues in public relations, with a focus on the characteristics of successful cases in PR. The class lays the theoretical foundation for comparative analysis of public relations practice around the world and then examines national and regional examples. Junior standing.
COMM 427	Media and Arab Society	(3) [H]
A survey of the histories, roles, and institutions of media in Arab countries from printing to electronic media, from major publishing firms and publications to satellites and satellite broadcasters, including the Internet and publications in that medium. Junior standing. Prerequisite: COMM 101.
COMM 455	Advertising Media Planning	(3)
Examines media planning, buying, and sales as performed by advertising agencies, clients, and media. Students learn how to evaluate and select advertising media for various market situations. Examines target audience, media characteristics and data sources. Junior standing or permission of instructor. Prerequisite: COMM 230.
COMM 460	Advertising Campaigns	(3)
This class builds upon theoretical work on advertising and PR and uses a more practical, hands-on approach throughout the semester. Divided in groups, the class will comprehensively examine all aspects of developing and finally presenting an effective advertising campaign. The practical, group experience is the mainstay of this course. Junior standing.
COMM 470	Internship in Communication	(1-3)
Students gain practical experience in the field. A weekly log accounting for activities required. Three credits are equivalent to 120 hours of internship. This is a pass/fail course. Junior standing and permission of instructor.
COMM 480	Seminar in Communication	(3)
Junior standing and permission of instructor.