Multimedia Journalism

Surveys the major theories of human communication. The study will focus on the origins, usefulness, and limitations of each theory for understanding communication events. This course will help prepare students to analyze and interpret human communication in all its forms (intrapersonal communication, interpersonal communication, small group transactions, organizational communication, public speaking, drama, and mass communication).

Gives students practical experience in the preparation and presentation of the speeches that are usually required in business and the professions. Areas of instruction include speech making, oral reading of reports, and speech for radio and television.

Intensive study, observation, and participation in various field projects designed and contracted between the student and instructor. Internships will be arranged in conjunction with the student's major. Maximum of 6 hours. Graded S/U.

Introduces students to the most commonly used qualitative and quantitative methods of research associated with the discipline of communication.

All majors in the Department of Communication Studies are required to present a senior project as a public performance. The project should relate to the student's specialized interest in the field, demonstrate his or her acquired skills, and be academically and vocationally beneficial as a culminative experience. The project must be approved by the faculty advisor at least one semester in advance. The number of credits is contingent upon the number of hours given to the project [40+ hours for one (1) credit; 80+ for two (2) credits.] Graded S/U.

Founded upon an historical overview of the persons and technological discoveries that contributed to the origins of mass media, this course examines the advances, roles, and impact of mass media in a changing world. The contemporary convergence, contexts, and controversies of mass media are examined within print, electronic, information, and persuasion industries.

An introduction to the use of digital cameras for professional or personal digital filming. Training includes introduction to camera capabilities, movement, control, lighting, sound, and scene composition. Essential editing skills also introduced.

Will teach mass communication students, regardless of their concentration, basic media writing skills. Emphasis is placed on a journalistic style of writing using AP style that is required by all media industries including radio, television, newspaper, internet, and public relations.

Students will learn several basic ways to "read" a film and how to respond to it descriptively, evaluatively, and interpretively through the writing of film reviews. Students will engage in the responsible, competent, critical evaluation/judgment of actual films. Some attention also will be given to generic influences, filmic literacy, and artistic accountability.

Prepares the Christian journalist to make decisions about coverage and sources in a fast-paced work environment. This course will explore personal ethics as well as institutional ethics of media organizations and issues of representation, race, etc. Personal ethics involved with social media will also be discussed and studied.

Requires students to work for the student newspaper, the online publications or the television news show for credit. Students in this lab will practice skills learned in the class and contribute the content of the news outlet to gain experience and items for a portfolio.

Explores how print, radio, and television started and how they work together to tell the stories that matter in a democracy. The ever growing trend of social media will also be analyzed and discussed.

Provides instruction in the area of news collection, writing, and reporting for broadcast media. Individuals successfully completing this class should have an adequate working knowledge for an entry level position in the broadcast journalism area.

Surveys the development, scope, and role of public relations in society and provides training in basic public relations skills. Includes practical experience with news releases, PR campaigns, communication schedules, and media strategies.

This course assumes students have the skills to spot news, gather information and write a story. Now that they understand how content is produced, students will spend the semester examining and practicing the several ways content can be presented, including learning to think beyond basic print and broadcast stories and look at converging media such as the Web, cell phones, and social networking.

In this course students will learn the elements of newspaper and web design as well as practice skills in copyediting, headline writing, cutline writing and photo editing. Specifically, students will learn to use Indesign.

Focuses on feature style and magazine writing, with the purpose of developing the skills necessary to be able to research and write in-depth and reflective stories. This course will work in partnership with the Center for Social Justice in writing and producing the Micah Mandate magazine.