Southwestern Adventist University

 

COMM 110 - Mass Communication - 3 hours

An historical and critical survey of the role played by mass communication in shaping culture. Individual media institutions are examined in terms of the information they distribute, the entertainment they provide, and the influence they bring. Attention is given to the audience/medium relationship and to improving students' media literacy.
(Fall)

 

COMM 111 - Fundamentals of Speech - 3 hours

Theoretical and practical instruction in the principles of effective oral communication, with a concern for its importance in a democratic society. Emphasis is placed on content, organization, speaker attitudes, critical listening, audience analysis, and delivery.
(Fall, Spring)

 

COMM 112 - Radio/TV Announcing - 3 hours

Introduces the student to current radio and television announcing techniques. Emphasis is given to interpretation of copy, audio and video performance, voice analysis and improvement, interviewing techniques, pronunciation and articulation, and general speech improvement. Some attention is also given to ad-lib announcing, narration, and techniques of news, music, and sports announcing.
(Spring)

 

COMM 113 - Oral Interpretation - 3 hours

Introduction to and experience in discovering the meaning in literature and effectively sharing this meaning through oral presentations. A variety of readings will be selected from scripture, poetry, prose, and drama.
(Spring, odd years)

 

COMM 115 - Discussion Techniques - 3 hours

A study of the democratic methods used to solve problems and conduct business in various kinds of group organizations. Includes a number of traditional face-to-face group activities as well as individual presentations.
(Spring, even years)

 

COMM 170 - Media Production Practicum - 1 hour

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and department chair.
Supervised work in an off-campus media production environment. A minimum of 50 clock hours of work experience is required. Pass/fail course. May be repeated for a total of 3 credits.
(Fall, Spring)

 

COMM 201 - Communication Research - 1 hour

Prerequisites: UNIV 110, ENGL 121
An introduction to the research skills used in the field of communication. Students will use primary and secondary sources as well as communication journals, indexes, and databases as they produce a research paper and engage in other activities relative to critical thinking within the discipline of communication. Students will also be exposed to current communication scholarship and begin the process of senior portfolio development. This course fulfills the requirement for UNIV 201: Research in an Academic Discipline as specified in the University's Quality Enhancement Plan.
(Spring)

 

COMM 211 - TV News Production - 1 hour

A laboratory course providing practical training in the production of television news. Emphasis is placed on equipment operation in both studio and location environments.
(Fall, Spring)

 

COMM 222 - Media Writing - 3 hours

Prerequisite: ENGL 121.
An introduction to news, public relations, advertising, and other writing styles for communicating effectively. This course examines the writing process, including appropriate use of grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and shows students how to accomplish a variety of writing tasks in a media context. Extensive practice in writing.
(Spring)

 

COMM 225 - Digital Photography - 3 hours

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Introduces the basic tools, materials, and techniques of digital photography. Assignments are designed to develop skill in camera operation, composition, and editing and printing the digital photograph. Student must furnish digital camera. Lab fee. 2 Lec 3 Lab.
(Fall)

 

COMM 226 - Digital Audio Production - 3 hours

In this course the student receives practical hands-on experience with digital audio equipment. Attention is given to mixing, recording, and editing. Includes segments on news, music, and commercial production. Supplies fee. 3 Lec 2 Lab.
(Fall)

 

COMM 230 - Broadcast Journalism - 3 hours

Prerequisite: ENGL 121.
This broadcast news course emphasizes the importance of clear, concise, and engaging writing, as well as accurate, thorough, and fair reporting. Other elements include writing to audio, producing newscasts and public affairs programs, writing to visuals, news on the Web, and ethics and law.
(Fall, even years)

 

COMM 233 - Interpersonal Communication - 3 hours

Cognitive and experiential learning about interpersonal relationships. Students acquire insights about themselves and how they relate to others. Attention is given to online communities.
(Spring, even years)

 

COMM 237 - Video Production - 3 hours

This course includes segments on lighting, the video camera, the production switcher, equipment interconnection, digital nonlinear editing, and program production for television. Emphasis is given to multiple camera techniques for both studio and location productions.
Supplies fee. 2 Lec 3 Lab. (Fall)

 

COMM 241 - Public Relations - 3 hours

A course dealing with definitions, basic objectives, and concepts of public relations. Attention is given to the role of public relations, research for public relations, publics and target audiences, communication concepts and channels, campaigns, and the legal and ethical environment of public relations.
(Fall)

 

COMM 291 - Selected Topics - 1 hour

Prerequisite: Permission of department chair
This course offers the lower-division student opportunity to pursue investigations in fields of special interest under the direction of the departmental staff. Content and method of study must be arranged prior to registration.
May be repeated for a total of 2 credits.

 

COMM 311 - TV News Editing - 1 hour

Prerequisite: COMM 211 or permission of instructor.
A laboratory course providing practical training in the editing of television news. Emphasis is placed on equipment operation and working with news reporters and directors to create news packages for broadcast.
(Fall, Spring)

 

COMM 313 - Broadcasting in America - 3 hours

An advanced study of broadcasting in the United States, this course includes elements on the origins and growth of broadcasting and cable; the physical bases of radio, television, and cable; programming, ratings, and effects; regulatory and constitutional matters; and current issues, including an international perspective.
(Fall, odd years)

 

COMM 322 - News Writing and Reporting - 3 hours

Prerequisites: COMM 222 or permission of instructor
A continuation of COMM 222, with emphasis on the principles, practices, and ethics of news reporting, interviewing, and writing. Extensive writing.
(Fall, even years)

 

COMM 325 - Photojournalism - 3 hours

Prerequisite: COMM 225 or permission of instructor.
An advanced study of the visual image as it is used to document social conditions. Emphasis is given to the news photograph, the feature photograph, assignment and selection of photographs, cropping, and legal and ethical considerations. Student must furnish digital camera.
Lab fee. (Spring, odd years)

 

COMM 332 - Broadcast Management - 3 hours

Emphasis on radio and television station management, including segments on financial and human resource management, promotion and marketing, sales, broadcast regulations, and cable television systems.
(Spring, odd years)

 

COMM 335 - Persuasion - 3 hours

A study and practice of the principles and techniques involved in persuasion and persuasive speaking. Elements include the psychology of persuasion; the relation of persuasion to imaging, advertising, and propaganda; and the role of persuasion in a free society.
(Spring, odd years)

 

COMM 337 - Documentary Production - 3 hours

Prerequisite: COMM 237 or permission of instructor
Advanced study in the production of informational, educational and social commentary films. Emphasis is placed on the historical development of the documentary and the application of current video technology.
Video projects required. Supplies fee. (Spring, odd years)

 

COMM 343 - Visual Communication - 3 hours

A study of visual rhetoric, specifically the relationship between images and the messages they convey. The course will survey images in all areas of modern mass communication, including advertising, public relations, journalism, graphic design, photography, motion pictures, television and video, and the World Wide Web. Includes segments on publication software.
(Fall)

 

COMM 351 - Advertising - 3 hours

This course studies the role of advertising in society, its impact on the economy, its function in business and marketing, and its communication aspects, including media applications. Attention is given to social, legal, and ethical considerations; the business of advertising; consumer behavior; and creative strategies and processes.
(Spring)

 

COMM 355 - Understanding Film - 3 hours

A study of film, including the medium's history and the development of cinema structure within social and cultural contexts. Elements include photography, mise en scène, movement, editing, sound, acting, drama, story, writing, ideology, and film theory. Viewing and analysis of significant films in cinema history. 2 Lec 3 Lab.
(Spring, even years)

 

COMM 381 - Development - 3 hours

A study of fundraising and the philanthropic tradition and its role in the successful operation of nonprofit organizations. Attention is given to the techniques of producing fundraising proposals and campaigns directed to individuals, foundations, corporations, and other philanthropic organizations.
(Spring, even years)

 

COMM 383 - Editorial Techniques - 2 hours

Prerequisite: COMM 222
Prerequisite or corequisite: COMM 322
This course emphasizes the principles and practices of copy preparation and editorial decision making. Elements include working with writers, and a production staff, meeting deadlines, headline and caption writing, picture editing, and editing copy for accuracy. Students will apply coursework by serving as the editorial staff of the Southwesterner, the campus news website and its monthly campus newspaper.
(Fall)

 

COMM 384 - Editorial Practicum - 1 hour

Prerequisite: COMM 383
In this course, a continuation of COMM 383, students serve as editorial managers of the Southwesterner, the campus news website and its monthly campus newspaper.
(Spring)

 

COMM 411 - TV News Reporting - 1 hour

Prerequisite: COMM 311 or permission of instructor.
A laboratory course in broadcast news reporting. Emphasis is placed on story selection and development for a local audience, studio and field production techniques, and anchor delivery skills.
(Fall, Spring)

 

COMM 422 - Feature Writing - 3 hours

Prerequisite: COMM 222 or permission of instructor.
A course dealing with newspaper and magazine features. Emphasis is placed on publishing articles in on- and off-campus publications. Extensive practice in writing various types of feature stories and in dealing with editors and deadlines.
(Fall, even years)

 

COMM 431 - Media Law and Ethics - 3 hours

A study of the major principles of media law and media-related ethical concerns. Emphasis is given to the most important court decisions and statutory enactments in communication law, including prior restraint, libel and slander, fair trial/free press conflicts, and the First Amendment. Attention is given to building a personal approach to ethics within the context of the individual's relationships both with supervisors and with the public. This course meets the upper division writing component for senior year English.
(Fall, even years)

 

COMM 437 - Television Field Production and Reporting - 3 hours

Prerequisite: COMM 237 or permission of instructor.
Advanced study in television news reporting, photography, and editing. Emphasis is given to writing for television, using the camera and microphone, and video editing for broadcast quality storytelling. Supplies fee.
(Fall, even years)

 

COMM 442 - Applied Public Relations and Advertising - 3 hours

This course uses team projects to teach the tools and techniques necessary to work in the fields of public relations and advertising. Public relations assignments include crisis management, special events, media relations, publications, and internal communications. Advertising assignments include image and identity, political advertising, jingles and slogans, campaigns for large and small companies, and demographic and psychographic research.
(Fall, odd years)

 

COMM 451 - Communication Theory - 3 hours

This course presents the theoretical bases of interpersonal communication, group and public communication, mass communication, and communication in cultural contexts. Attention is given to the nature of inquiry and theory as well as several topics in communication theory, including interpersonal messages, cognitive processing, relationship development and maintenance, influence, group decision making, organizational communication, public rhetoric, media and culture, media effects, and intercultural and gender communication. There are ethical reflections throughout the course and an attempt to integrate and relate the various communication theories covered. This course meets the upper division writing component for senior year English.
(Spring, odd years)

         

COMM 471 - Radio Internship - 1-3 hours
COMM 472 - Television Internship - 1-3 hours
COMM 473 - Journalism Internship - 1-3 hours
COMM 474 - Public Relations Internship - 1-3 hours
COMM 475 - Advertising Internship - 1-3 hours

Prerequisite: Permission of department chair and instructor.
These courses offer the advanced student university credit for on-the-job, off-campus work in radio, television, journalism, public relations, or advertising under the joint direction of the departmental staff and a supervisor at the medium or business selected.

 

COMM 491 - Selected Topics - 1 hour

Prerequisite: Approval of the department chair.
This course offers the advanced student opportunity to pursue investigations in fields of special interest under the direction of the departmental staff. Content and method of study must be arranged prior to registration. May be repeated for a total of 2 credits.