General Catalog for 2009-10

(COMM) Communication


1000.5 Practicum
Students working on the staff of the Signal or Ouachitonian may re-
ceive credit for meritorious work. Such credit will be given in one-
half hour credits up to a total of two hours. The practicum includes
such work as news and feature story writing, photography, layout and
editing.
Fall/Spring
1003.0 Fundamentals of Public Speaking.
An introductin to preparing, developing, organizing, and delivering a
speech to an audience. [CAC-O]
Fall/Spring
1033.0 Introduction to Mass Communications
Readings and discussion concerning the effects of mass media on
society with emphasis also placed on career opportunities within the
mass communications profession. (WAC)
Fall/Spring
1043.0 Fundamentals of Media Writing.
An intensive study of basic newswriting, grammar, spelling, sentence
construction and vocabulary building. Prerequisite: CORE 1043 or
consent of instructor. COMM 1033 recommended. [CAC-W]
Fall/Spring
2023.0 Publication Design
Using Pagemaker, Freehand, Photoshop and other desktop publishing
software, students produce layouts for newspapers, magazines and
brochures that meet contemporary design standards. Topics include
headline writing, photo editing, page design and graphic design.
COMM 1043 is a recommended prerequisite.
Fall/Spring
2043.0 Small Group Communication
A study of the factors affecting the success or failure of small,
problem-solving groups/work teams. Topics include the advantages and
disadvantages of working in groups, the phases of group development,
group roles, decision-making, and leadership in groups. The class will
also provide practical experience in leading meetings, leading dis-
cussions, facilitating team building in groups, and making group
presentations. Also listed as SPCM 2043. Prerequisite: Sophomore
standing.
Spring Odd Yrs
2053.0 Introduction to Television Production
Fundamentals of television production with emphasis on creative ideas,
visualization, script preparation and editing of basic programs.
Fall/Spring
2073.0 Motion Picture Script Development
A course in which the student studies and applies the techniques of
screenwriting and producing in preparation for the production of a
video motion picture. Also listed as THEA 2073.
Spring
3000.5 Practicum II
Similar to COMM 1000.5. Must be taken twice by Communication majors
after attaining Junior standing. Cannot be taken concurrently with
COMM 1000.5. A limit of two hours will be observed.
Fall/Spring
3013.0 Feature Writing
Practice in selecting ideas, gathering materials, and writing and
selling manuscripts to newspapers and magazines. Prerequisite: COMM
1043 or consent of instructor. [CAC-O]
Fall/Spring
3023.0 Introduction to Photography
The fundamentals of photography, developing and printing, enlarging,
use of photographic equipment and standard techniques are studied by
lecture and laboratory.
Fall/Spring
3033.0 Advising School Publications
Sponsorship of high school or college yearbooks and/or newspapers. The
course covers such topics as staff organization and management, plan-
ning, basic news reporting and design, pictorial coverage and editing.
On Demand
3053.0 Photojournalism
Course topics include: production of news, features and public
relations photographs for publication with emphasis on creativity and
visualization, exploration of news values, picture selection, editing
and production of photographic layouts.
On Demand
3063.0 Principles of Advertising
A broad overview that includes the history, purpose and role of adver-
tising in society and the development of complete campaigns.
Fall
3073.0 Public Relations Principles and Problems
Studies of human relations problems relating to industry, commerce and
social and political organizations with emphasis on methods that have
proved most effective in building public understanding and goodwill.
Spring
3093.0 Broadcast Journalism
An introduction to writing and producing news and documentary programs
for radio and television. Prerequisites: COMM 1043 or consent of
instructor.
Fall
3103.0 Opinion Writing
Research and analysis of critical local, state, national and inter-
national issues leading to the preparation of editorials and other
articles for use in university and off-campus publications.
Fall Even Yrs
3133.0 Advanced Television Production
Production and direction of television programs including news seg-
ments, documentaries, demonstrations, educational films involving
other disciplines and off-campus projects with emphasis on refinement
of creative skills and development of management capability. Pre-
requisite: COMM 2053.
Spring
3143.0 Motion Picture Production
Participation in the production of a video motion picture. Students
contribute to the taping, acting, lighting, sound, make-up, scene
preparation and production support of the project. Prerequisite: COMM
2053.
On Demand
3153.0 Social History of Radio and Television
A critical analysis of the social impact of the radio and television
industries upon society. The course will examine the development of
both art forms and how they reflect and cause social change.
Fall
3163.0 Sports Journalism.
The study and practice of print and broadcast journalism as it relates
to the sports industry.
Spring Even Yrs
3802.0 3802-4. Summer Internship
An opportunity to gain academic and vocational enrichment in the
summer between the Junior and Senior years. Students are responsible
for finding their own jobs in the mass media. The number of credit
hours is determined on the basis of a recommendation of the employer
and a post-experience interview with the department chairman.
On Demand
4023.0 Communication Law
A survey of the rapid changes taking place in communications law in-
cluding an intensive study of press freedom, libel, slander, privacy,
copyright, fair trial-free press issues, contempt and obscenity.
Spring
4043.0 Advanced Reporting for the Mass Media
An emphasis on computer-assisted reporting in writing for print and
broadcast media on issues of local, state, national, and international
significance as a means of developing skills in interviewing, in-
vestigations, research, analysis, and in-depth writing. Prerequisite:
COMM 1033, 1043. Spring.
On Demand
4053.0 Organizational Communication
A study of how communication functions in organizations of all kinds
to allow members to successfully balance the demands of being goal-
driven and people-driven. Prerequisite: Junior standing. Also list-
ed as SPCM 4053.
On Demand
4093.0 Broadcast Writing and Announcing
Conceptualizing, writing and performing for audio and video media. The
emphasis is on the unique characteristics and demands of the elec-
tronic media and offers practical experience in style and delivery.
Prerequisites: COMM 1043; SPCM 1003.
On Demand
4103.0 4103-4193. Advertising/Public Relations Campaigns
The development of a complete advertising and marketing program each
spring, including research, target market surveys and creative presen-
tations, for entry in the National Student Advertising Competition
sponsored by the American Advertising Federation. Because the campaign
case study is provided by the AAF and changes each year, the course
may be repeated once for credit. Prerequisites: Junior standing and
consent of intructor.
Spring
4303.0 On-Line Design.
An overview of user-focused design practices and project management
used in the creation of on-line media. Prerequisite: COMM 1043.
Fall
4703.0 4703-4793. Issues in Mass Communications
An in-depth study of the theory, principles and literature of various
issues in mass communications. Topics will vary each year, and may
include Ethics in Mass Communications, Research Methods in Mass
Communications, International Mass Communications, and History of
Mass Communications. Becaue the topics will vary, the course may be
repeated once for credit. (CAC-W) Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Fall
4801.0 4801-4893. Special Studies in Mass Communications
Special studies in Mass Communications based on needs and interests
of individual students.
On Demand