Communications (COMM)

Mass communication in modern society. Communication processes, legal consideration and social implications.

Interpersonal communication including one-to-one and small-group settings. Issues such as self-concept, perception, relationship development, conflict, and communication barriers.

Practical experience in campus radio broadcasting activities. May be repeated for a total of 3 semester hours.

Practical experience in publications. The course may be repeated for a maximum of 3 semester hours of credit.

Introduction to film, including narrative, directing, acting, cinematography and the film industry.

Theory and practice of media design, editing, and layout for print and electronic media. Journalistic ethics and other problems confronting editors and publication designers.

Fee: $30.00

Theory and practice of newswriting and relationships with sources. Lectures and assignments covering news for print and electronic media. Discussions of journalistic ethics and other problems confronting reporters. Prerequisites: ENGL 1301, ENGL 1302 or permission from instructor.

Fee: $20.00

Introduction to operation, production and theory of film and media, whether for artistic or journalistic objectives. A special emphasis will be placed on community affairs programming and social media as well as the production of programs for broadcast and for the internet.

Communication techniques for leading and participating in small groups. Special emphasis on the nature of small groups, factors influencing communication in groups, and small group decision-making. Prerequisite: COMS 1311 or permission of instructor.

Participation and training in forensic activities, such as debate, extemporaneous speaking, oral interpretation and oratory. May be repeated for a total of 3 semester hours. Required for those participating in intercollegiate competition. Can be repeated 3 times.

Theory and practice in news gathering and writing; types and techniques of public affairs reporting. Lab assignments include coverage of university departments and activities, municipal and county government, schools and courts for The South Texan. Lab requires use of computers as editing terminals and data bases. Prerequisite: COMM 2311 or consent of instructor.

Fee: $30.00

An overview of sports journalism; writing, reporting, interviewing, and editing skills. Game stories, advances, follow-up stories, feature and human-interest stories, and columns. Analysis of successful sportswriters. Writing for newspapers, magazines, online and social media, from Little League to the Olympics. Prerequisite: COMM 2311 or consent of the instructor.

Identifying and developing feature story ideas. Prerequisite: COMM 2311 or permission of instructor.

Intermediate theory and basic training in producing video and digital short-format content across media: film, digital, television, radio, and the web. Storytelling and the basics of producing, writing, directing and editing shorts, such as those in newscasts and on websites, as well as developing work habits and ethics of an industry professional. Prerequisite: COMM 2316 or permission of instructor.

Development of journalism in the United States with attention to the social, economic, and political forces which brought about changes in journalistic techniques and in basic ideas as to media functions. Study the careers of noted journalists.

Advertising writing, layout, typography and art work. Advertising campaigns, selling, practice exercises and advertising work.

Theories and techniques of persuasive communication including the psychological, logical and ethical principles involved. Types of speaking and persuasion in the media will be studied. Required for speech concentration. Prerequisite: COMS 1311 or permission of instructor.

Small group theories and techniques as they relate to group processes and interaction as well as the basic principles and practice of argumentation and debate.

Analysis and practice of techniques in the oral interpretation of drama, poetry, prose, programmed readings, lecture recital and group interpretations.

Introduction to sound design for film and media, including sound editing and the aesthetics of sound in the production of digital films and digital media. Prerequisite: COMM 2316 or permission of instructor.

Craftsmanship and aesthetics of digital editing; the relationship between editor and director. Terminology and concepts, conventions, the rules and when to break them. Technological workflow for both picture and sound editing. The historical role of editing, from silent films through the ongoing Digital Revolution will be studied, especially via screenings and workshops.

Study of nonverbal communicataion, including body language, use of space, and sound as nonverbal forms of communication. Nonverbal communication as it pertains to both gender and culture. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of COMM or consent of instructor.

Developing concepts of the use of the voice and body in the creation of character for the camera, for film and television.

Communication in multicultural contexts, in intrapersonal, interpersonal, and small-group contexts. Emphasis on conflict resolution and constructive collaboration in intercultural situations. Prerequisite: 6 semester credit hours of COMM or consent of instructor.

Comprehensive perspectives on conflict, including its causes, manifestations, and outcomes. Communication techniques applied in interpersonal, intergroup, organizational, and community conflicts. Prerequisite: 3 semester hours of COMM courses, or by consent of instructor.

Introduction to American film history from its origins to the 1960's, including major trends facing the industry, important genres, and important figures.

Introduction to American film history from the 1960s to present, including major trends facing the industry, important genres, and important figures.

Hispanic-themed and Spanish-language films in the United States: their impact on the perception of Hispanics. Hispanic pioneers in the motion picture industry and their influence on American character and culture.

Purpose and style of editorial comment and opinion as well as page editing in the media. Prerequisite: COMM 2311 or permission of instructor.

Advanced work in areas of Communication, Journalism or Media. May be repeated once for credit when topic varies. Prerequisites: 6 semester hours of COMM, DCOM, COMS or COMJ.

Provides historically accurate information about the impact of Spanish-language media in the United States and develops appreciation for diversity and knowledge of Latino subcultures of the United States.

The nature and function of rhetorical criticism, explored through the systematic study of important speeches. Prerequisite: 6 hours of COMM courses or junior standing.

Systematic study of mass communication/journalism. Quantitative and qualitative methods of research. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of communication, journalism and/or speech.

The role of gender in human communication. Attention to oral histories, alternative narratives and gender theory, including systematic, cultural, cognitive and behavioral approaches to studying gender and communication. Special attention to gender in the workplace. Prerequisites: 6 hours of COMM and junior standing.

Legal and ethical limitation and responsibilities of the mass media, relationship and interaction between broadcaster, governmental regulatory agencies and the public. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours of journalism and/or radio-tv.

Experience with professional-style presentations to national and international clients. Prepares students for the American Advertising Federation's National Student Advertising Competition. Prerequisite: COMM 3321 or permission of instructor.

Public relations and crisis management and problem solving through journalism, media and communications. Theoretical basis for public relations; law and ethics concerning the profession.

Research in contemporary thought in communication and theatre. Prerequisites: 6 hours of COMM and junior standing. (Credit may not be obtained in both COMM 4331 and THEA 4331.)

Theoretical investigation and practical application of organizational communication principles. Focus on information processing and problem solving within organizations. Prerequisites: 6 semester hours of COMM and junior standing.

Critical examination of theories and research in communication. Focus on rhetorical, interpersonal, group, mass, and organizational communication theories. Prerequisites: Junior or Senior standing, 9 semester hours of COMM, at least 6 of which must be sophomore level or higher, or consent of instructor.

Intensive work in a special area of the student's major or minor. A maximum of 6 semester hours of credit in independent study may be applied toward graduation. Prerequisite: 6 semester hours, in any combination, in COMM, DCOM, COMS or COMJ.

This course allows a student to gain practical experience in professional communications media or organizations through a comprehensive internship supervised both by faculty and professionals. Prerequisites: Nine semester hours in COMM, COMJ, COMS or DCOM or approval by the instructor and department chair. Course can be repeated once with permission of instructor and department chair.

The successful execution of a project in Communication, Journalism or Media by a COMM major or minor with senior standing.