UG Course Descriptions

American Sign Language (ASL) is the language used by the Deaf Community in the United States. American Sign Language I will help students learn vocabulary and the sentence structure needed to communicate through American Sign Language.

American Sign Language (ASL) is the language used by the Deaf Community in the United States. American Sign Language II will continue the learning started in American Sign Language I and help students learn vocabulary and the sentence structure needed to communicate through American Sign Language. (Prerequisite: COM 201)

An introduction to the practice of journalism and the role of the journalist in today’s media world. Students will demonstrate an understanding of and enjoy the process of journalistic writing in all of its steps.

Discussion of terms, strategies, and professional models in poetry and fiction with practice in writing and critiquing.

This course will engage in critical thinking as to the intent of cell phone cameras in our culture and provide theory to support some discourse on responsible use of such devices while also providing instruction on maximizing both picture and video usage of these cell phones to fully engage, appreciate, and capitalize on the values of such in the fields camera functions & operation, workflow, cell phone photo apps, and photoshopping/editing images with phone apps.

Story-telling in America has a long and engaging history tied to the evolution of national identity, the growth of the magazine industry, and the proving ground for major literary movements and styles. This course looks to explore as much of that rich history, (as chronologically and diversely as possible), while touching on both well-recognized and underappreciated purveyors of the genre.

Introduces students to broadcasting history and medium. Includes principles of voicing, posture, composure, copy editing, and interaction with copy on the screen.

On film and through new technologies, media have influenced how we find romantic love, what we expect from romance, and where or with whom we make meaningful connections. This course will ask students to think critically about media representations in American Culture, as well as new technologies of love. Do media help us understand and practice love? If not, how can we expand our conception of love beyond formulaic narratives and compatibility matrices? Why is popular culture so myopically focused on romantic love? How are different kinds of love connected to our search for a happy and meaningful life? Our exploration will be theoretically grounded by readings in Cultural Studies, which proposes media representations as ideologically charged through rhetorics of difference (race, class, gender, etc); Media Ecology, which sees new technology as an environment that dictates the kind of conversations we can have, who can speak, and who can listen; and perspectives on the concept of love

An introduction to the process of video production for professional use. Students would learn how to: plan a video production, operate various pieces of production equipment, produce a program, evaluate the quality of finished video productions, and determine the appropriate type of production for a given circumstance.

Introduction to writing scripts for broadcast radio and television, cable systems, and podcasts. Students learn the process and appropriate formats for writing continuity, including commercials and PSAs, as well as long-form informational programs.