COMM - Communication

Production of the yearbook is required, including designing pages, writing copy, and taking and printing photographs in a laboratory setting. Proficiency in photography required (or permission of instructor). Lab fee.

A survey course designed to introduce the student to all types of communication study, including interpersonal, small group, public and mass communication environments. Emphasis is on understanding how communication sub-disciplines interrelate on a theoretical level.

A study of the principles of effective speaking. Practice in creating, organizing, and presenting informative, persuasive, and entertaining speeches.

Survey of mass media effects and careers. Students develop a portfolio for future employment organized around employer expectations across all occupations. Study includes the history and use of books, magazines, newspapers, radio, movies, music, television, the web, advertising and public relations. Emphasis on media as social, political, economic, and cultural forces. Includes media theory, ethics, and trends toward commercialization, conglomeration, converging technologies, and globalization.

Essential course for Mass Communication majors. Teaches students how to spot errors, correct English usage, improve clarity, remedy inconsistencies and redundancies, and edit information to meet generally accepted journalism and public relations standards according to the Associate Press style. Introduces students to the skills used in preparing written work for publication and involves students in hands-on exercise at several levels of editing: story flow and content, sentence-level accuracy and grammar, spelling and punctuation. Prerequisites: COMM 2360 Intro to Media Writing (credit or concurrent enrollment.

Discussion of the history and the societal impact of oral communication. Creation and delivery of extended, challenging speeches. Prerequisite: COMM 1320.

Using news values to locate stories; interviewing sources; and location, retrieving, assessing and verifying information, including computerized databases. Writing news, features, entertainment, sports, columns, editorials, and online. Basic proficiency in the use of a digital camera, the Associated Press stylebook, and layout, design, and editing software. Portfolio and laboratory section required. Lab fee. Prerequisite: ENGL 1321 and 1322 (or equivalent) and COMM 2320 (credit or concurrent enrollment).

An introductory survey of public relations history, definition, principles, practices and codes of ethics. Career options and trends in business, government, non-profits and other entities are also discussed. Prerequisite: COMM 2360, Introduction to Media Writing.

A survey of the film industry and the process of making motion pictures. Special attention given to the basics of film directing, acting, editing, cinematography and design, and to career paths in film and television. Prerequisite: COMM 2320

The study of the process of attitude change from a psychological and a rhetorical perspective. Students will read texts, study persuasive artifacts (including advertisements, films, novels, and newspaper articles), write papers, and give oral presentations to the class. Prerequisite: COMM 1320.

The oral interpretation of literature. Study of techniques and practical experience in expressive reading aloud and in telling stories. Recommended for those certifying to teach and for those interested in working with youth.

This course will rely on historic and iconic photographs that tell a story. We will cover a variety of photojournalistic subjects; general news, sports, features, caption writing, politics, pioneers in the field, and photo essays. We will study major historical events in photojournalism, identify ethical issues and review their relevance to today’s photojournalists. Students are required to spend a time with a story in order to accurately photograph what’s happening and get enough photos to effectively illustrate the story. Prerequisites: COMM 2330 Copy Editing & COMM 2360 Intro to Media Writing.

An introduction to the process of writing screenplays for television and film. Topics covered include character development, genre, plot structure, dialogue, audience analysis and writing/revision. Other topics covered at instructor's discretion.

A survey of essential material for participation in interpretive individual events in forensic competition and training in vocal health and production, accent, and dialect.

An introduction to theory and practice of academic debate and the argumentation principles which underlie them.

Study of methods of instruction in all aspects of speech communication, including publics peaking, oral interpretation, and forensics competition (individual events and debate). Some attention given to the management of tournaments and festivals.

Integrates interviewing, writing, and reporting skills to produce in-depth stories. Mastery of Associated Press stylebook required. Study includes investigative reporting, social science reporting, multiple-interview projects, and New Journalism. Requires digital camera skills as well as online and print design/production skills using layout, design, and editing software. Portfolio and laboratory required. Outstanding students may progress to a limited number of paid student publication staff positions. Lab fee. Prerequisite: COMM 2360.

Writing and editing news, conducting interviews and developing commercials for broadcast and new media. Training in vocal health and production, with emphasis on effective diction. Prerequisites: COMM 2360 and 3365.

This course will focus on specific topics such as PR theory and practice beyond the scope of the introductory course. This includes program planning, budgeting, media relations, social media and event planning. PR writing will be emphasized as well as building and managing organizational image. Prerequisites: COMM 2330 Copy Editing and COMM 2370 Intro to Public Relations.

Researching, interviewing, writing and editing for magazine non-fiction and newspaper feature articles, both online and print. Surveying various local, state, and national publications; identifying freelance markets with an emphasis on publication. Prerequisite: COMM 2360.

Students will analyze and critique speeches and other rhetorical acts taken from a specific historical period or social movement and evaluate them by applying theories of rhetorical action. Prerequisites: COMM 1320, COMM 2350, and COMM 3310.

This class prepares the student for taking the state certification exams for secondary teaching.

Possible topics might include Introduction to Advertising, Online Journalism, Video Editing, Popular Culture and the Mass Media, Theories of the Mass Media, etc.

A study of selected communication topics.

Part-time employment experience in print journalism. Students will work with a mentor at a newspaper or magazine and learn writing, reporting, interviewing, time management, and research skills. Daily log of activities must be kept. Final paper and computer graphics presentation required upon completion. Prerequisite: COMM 3365 and senior standing (or permission of faculty advisor).

Part-time employment experience in broadcast journalism. Students will work with a mentor at a television or radio station and learn writing, reporting, camera operation, and research skills, as well as become familiar with editing, voice-overs, and other aspects of audio/video production. Daily log of activities must be kept. Final paper and computer graphics presentation required upon completion. Prerequisite: COMM 3365 and 3368 and senior standing (or permission of faculty advisor).

Part-time employment experience in public relations or advertising. Students will work with a mentor in a PR or advertising capacity and learn writing, interviewing, time management, and research skills. Daily log of activities must be kept. Final paper and computer graphics presentation required upon completion. Prerequisite: COMM 2370, a 3.0 GPA in the major, and senior standing or permission of faculty advisor.  May be repeated for credit up to 3 hours.

Part-time employment experience in online journalism. Students will work with a mentor at a newspaper or magazine and learn production skills related to online newspapers and magazines. Daily log of activities must be kept. Final paper and computer graphics presentation required upon completion. Prerequisite: COMM 3365 or 3375, a 3.0 GPA in the major, and senior standing or permission of faculty advisor.

Possible topics might include Introduction to Advertising, Online Journalism, Video Editing, Popular Culture and the Mass Media, Theories of the Mass Media, etc.

A study of selected communication topics.

This course will focus on contemporary issues in PR. Today’s PR professionals have entered an era where preparedness to respond rapidly to various levels of crisis is essential. Building a positive reputation through the strategic management of communications with both internal and external audiences during good times is necessary for withstanding negative press. Students will evaluate crisis situations, learn to create strategic crisis communication plans and manage the media, while maintaining the organization’s reputation. Prerequisites: COMM 2330 Copy Editing (credit or concurrent enrollment) & COMM 2370 Into to Public Relations.

Discussion of legal concepts in mass communication and journalism, including libel, obscenity, privacy, copyright, and telecommunications issues. Students will give in-class presentations on legal controversies and important court cases in the mass communication field. Prerequisite: COMM 2320 and 2360.

Students will present their portfolios of work created while at UMHB and will take part in exit interviews and surveys; a student-driven seminar discussing the place of communication in the wider world. Prerequisite: Graduating senior status.

Students will work with a mentor in a speech classroom, in a local high school and learn effective pedagogical techniques in speech.

Possible topics might include Introduction to Advertising, Online Journalism, Video Editing, Popular Culture and the Mass Media, Theories of the Mass Media, etc.

A study of selected communication topics.

Part-or full-time employment experience in a communication-related field off campus. Students will keep a log of all activities and report to the sponsoring faculty member as required. On-site mentors will evaluate student's performance of agreed-upon tasks. Prerequisite: junior standing and permission of faculty advisor.

Possible topics might include Introduction to Advertising, Online Journalism, Video Editing, Popular Culture and the Mass Media, Theories of the Mass Media, etc.

A study of selected communication topics.