2015-2016 Undergraduate Academic Catalog

BRDM-4710 Independent Study: Digital Media 1–3 hours Taken to allow the student to study an area beyond what is provided through regular course offerings. The student must make a proposal of what is to be studied for the term when applying to a faculty mentor. The student will then follow a schedule approved by the faculty mentor for studying the topic and submitting a report. Repeatable to a total of 6 credit hours in the field. Prerequisite: approval of proposal by faculty mentor. BRDM-4810 Senior Seminar –Fa, Sp 1 hour The course is designed to help the student transition from the college to professional world. Students will interact with professionals to network and to focus on developing résumés and portfolios, interviewing skills, and an understanding of business etiquette. Prerequisite: senior status as broadcasting and digital media major. (Fee: $45) BRDM-4920 Senior Project 3 hours The student selects one of two options: 1) a paper reporting on the student’s original research that investigated a topic in electronic media or 2) a media production. A proposal detailing the student’s plan for the senior project must be submitted and approved by the faculty mentor prior to registration for the course. Capstone course. Prerequisites: BRDM-3111 Survey Research for Electronic Media; GPA of 3.0 in major courses; senior status; permission of BRDM faculty. (Fee: $35) BRDM-4930 Electronic Media Internship 3–12 hours Students are placed with media companies to gain experience in actual career situations. The work must be done under the supervision of an employee of the company approved by the faculty mentor. Students should discuss this option with their advisors at least one semester prior to the internship. Internship agreements must be signed by the student, job supervisor, and faculty mentor prior to registration for the experience. Internships depend upon availability and approval by the electronic media faculty. Capstone course. Prerequisites: GPA of 3.0 in major courses; senior status; approval by the electronic media faculty. Communication Studies (COM) COM-1100 Fundamentals of Speech –Fa, Sp 3 hours Usually a prerequisite for other courses in speech, the fundamental course offers theory and practice in basic speech skills for extemporaneous speaking and the use of voice and delivery in oral interpretation of prose and poetry. Students gain extensive training in public speaking as an art. COM-1120 Honors Speech –Fa 3 hours Exposes students to and prepares them for competition in the three general areas of intercollegiate forensic competition: oral interpretation (prose, poetry, dramatic-duo), public speaking (persuasion, informative, communication analysis), and limited preparation events (impromptu and extemporaneous speaking). Prerequisites: Audition; permission of instructor. COM-1150 Communication Seminar –Fa, Sp 1 hour A foundational seminar to provide students with a background in the discipline of communication and an orientation to the professional standards of the discipline. COM-1230 Voice for the Performer –Fa 3 hours See course description for THTR-1230 Voice for the Performer. COM-2000 Persuasive Theory –Fa 3 hours Methods of applying contemporary communication theories on attitudes, involvement, and change are studied along with classical positions on the principles and methods of attitude change and advocacy. COM-2050 Communication Theory –Fa, Sp 3 hours Introduction and critical assessment of communication theories that underlie interpersonal, group, organization, public, mass media, and cultural studies. COM-2140 Intercultural Communication –Fa, Sp 3 hours Provides the foundations of the way communication functions in intercultural settings with a focus on the way culture affects communication. Students learn to identify cultural differences, understand adaptation processes and learn communication effectiveness in cross-cultural contexts. COM-2200 3 hours Communication in Applied Contexts –Fa, Sp Provides students with an opportunity to develop their speaking skills beyond Fundamentals of Speech, emphasizing the use of technology, professional use of public address, and preparation for upper-level applied and speaking courses. Prerequisite: COM-1100 Fundamentals of Speech or COM-1120 Honors Speech. COM-2220 Quantitative Research –Fa 3 hours Students select samples, write surveys, conduct interviews, and administer experiments to discover how communication works in both personal and professional settings. Learning formal methods of inquiry encourages critical thinking, problem solving, good writing, and personal effectiveness. Quantitative research trains students to seek explanations, find answers, and test solutions. COM-2225 Qualitative Research –Sp 3 hours Students conduct interviews, observe interactions, and analyze documents and discourse to understand the cultural and organizational contexts in which they are a part. Qualitative research produces knowledge that promotes effective communication with unique people in particular situations. COM-2300 Voices of Diversity –Fa, Sp 3 hours Examination and critical analysis of the significant contributions and issues related to women, people of color, cultural minority groups, and the differently abled in the development of American cultural history. Cultural, social, and artistic contributions are examined and discussed. Field trips and guest performers/ speakers will be incorporated. COM-2320 Theories of Mass Media –Fa, Sp 3 hours Contemporary mass media is surveyed with attention to the nature, role, structure, influence, operation, and problems of newspapers, magazines, radio, and television-journalistic activities. The course also examines issues involving new communication technologies such as the web, personal digital assistants, and digital broadcasting. COM-2330 3 hours Writing for Communication Professions –Fa This course covers the form and style of writing for internal and external communications, including use of social media and persuasive writing. Course work includes writing executive summaries, memos, proposals, reports, grants, press releases, and opeds as part of a semester-long project. Students will also learn to manage communication in email, Twitter, and Facebook. COM-2440 Advanced Forensics –Fa, Sp 1 hour Advanced training for intercollegiate forensic competition. Focus on literary and rhetorical criticism, extemporaneous speaking, and the writing of original oratory. Repeatable up to six hours. COM-2510 Media History –Sp 3 hours This course offers the historical foundations of mass communication from colonial America to the present. Focuses on the growth of news and entertainment media within a social, political, and economic framework of each era of development. Particular attention is given to the interaction of minority and mainstream media. COM-2520 Virtual Communication –Fa 3 hours This course will teach students how to be successful biblical and professional virtual communicators through hands-on practice of successful online communication principles and techniques. Page 216 2015–16 Undergraduate Academic Catalog Course Descriptions BRDM-4710 – COM-2520