Mar 28, 2024  
Fitchburg State University 2013-14 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Fitchburg State University 2013-14 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions


 

Communications Media

  
  • COMM 2415 - History of Film II


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    This course is an examination of the major and influential works, artists, movements, cultures and industries in world cinema from the 1950s to the present, as well as the field’s historiography and modes of inquiry. L, C, ART

  
  • COMM 2420 - History of TV


    3 cr. 3 hr. This course may be offered less than once every two years.

    The course provides a comprehensive analysis of television broadcasting from its inception to the present. The social and technological aspects of the medium are presented and examined in a lecture and seminar format. Particular emphasis is placed on television’s sociological influence and impact on the communication process. I, ART

    Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1200 
  
  • COMM 2430 - History of Graphic Design


    3 cr. 3 hr. This course may be offered less than once every two years. Also offered evenings.

    This course presents the history of typography and its pertinence to graphic design from the beginning of written history to the present. Emphasis is placed on various movement of avant garde typography of the early 20th century and its influence on present day graphic design. ART

  
  • COMM 2800 - Journalism


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    The course studies the press with emphasis on ethics in news, treatment of contemporary issues and structuring the news story. Students write individualized assignments. (Credit is not given for both COMM 2800 and ENGL 2800 .)

    Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1100 , ENGL 1200 .
  
  • COMM 3010 - Introduction to Professional Communication


    3 cr. 3 hr. Offered annually.

    Introduction to Professional Communication is a portfolio-based course emphasizing the production of written, visual, and electronic media genres such as proposals, multimedia presentations, recommendation reports, info-graphics, blogs and other new media, typically for real world clients.

    Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1100 
  
  • COMM 3200 - Contemporary Cinema


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Fall.

    A survey of major trends in world cinema, primarily during the last 15-20 years, including the best and/or most influential works, artists, movements, technologies, cultures and industry trends. Any connections between these developments will be considered in social and historical, as well as aesthetic, contexts through a process that engages the relevant modes of inquiry and discursive formations practiced in film theory, history and criticism. Includes screening and analysis of representative films. Evaluation to be based principally upon critical/analytical essays and/or a research paper. L, ART

    Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1100 , ENGL 1200  
  
  • COMM 3304 - Interactive Media Project Design


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    The course provides an introduction to the history, theory and practice of designing communications for interactive/multimedia environments. Special attention is paid to flowcharting, branching, hierarchy structures, screen design, storyboards, scripting and all aspects of user interface design. Students also consider the roles of learning theory and instructional design as they create design documents for course projects.

  
  • COMM 3305 - Interactive Media I


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Spring. Also offered evenings.

    Tools and techniques for designing Web-based interactive projects are introduced. Students learn fundamental concepts of Web design, hypertext, digital imaging, animation, and interactivity while building a working knowledge of scripting languages and software, including HTML, CSS, Photoshop, Flash, and ActionScript, to create, edit and author creative multimedia work.

  
  • COMM 3306 - Interactive Media II


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Spring.

    Students will learn the programming logics of object-oriented scripting, including properties, methods, variables, event listeners, preloaders, and controlling audio & video. Using industry-standard tools such as Adobe Flash & ActionScript, students will draw upon and challenge their previously learned technical and design skills to create projects that focus on different modes of user interactivity. The course is run as a workshop, featuring software/scripting demos, inclass exercises, discussions and rigorous critique of work in-progress.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3305 .
  
  • COMM 3307 - Interactive Media III


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Fall.

    A study of advanced techniques of authoring, design and production that students apply in sponsored projects. Working in groups of three or four, students simulate a professional design team’s production regimen in order to complete an advanced interactive media production of professional portfolio quality.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3306 
  
  • COMM 3308 - Interactive Media Seminar


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    This seminar provides an opportunity to study advanced topics of interactive media design and development. Subjects covered in the seminar may include design and application of game theory, dynamic animation, virtual reality, and programming for an iPhone.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3304 , COMM 3305  and COMM 3306 .
  
  • COMM 3309 - Interface Design


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester. Also offered evenings.

    This course investigates the design of interactive interfaces for multimedia and World Wide Web presentation. Students explore how the conceptual and aesthetic aspects of graphic design apply specifically to non-linear interactive digital environments.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3810 , COMM 3880  and COMM 3890 .
  
  • COMM 3350 - DVD Authoring


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Spring.

    DVD-Video is the distribution medium of choice for film/video content, addressing project management, video compression, menu design, interactive authoring, and mastering for the DVD-Video platform. Students will learn and apply skills used by DVD industry professionals in the production of significant DVD projects.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3520 , COMM 3521  or COMM 3710 .
  
  • COMM 3380 - Game Design


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Fall.

    Students are introduced to the process of planning and designing the interactive experience of gameplay. Students will develop a critical understanding of the formal, dramatic, and systems elements of games across a wide range of game styles, from board games to video games. Students will build and fine-tune several physical and digital game prototypes, and complete several written assignments, culminating with a design document and prototypes for an original game.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3305 
  
  • COMM 3430 - Writing for Advertising


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Fall. Also offered evenings.

    The course provides an introduction to the principles, strategies and ethical issues in writing advertising for various media. Students create written copy for individual unified media campaigns.

  
  • COMM 3460 - Public Relations


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Spring. Also offered evenings.

    The focus in this course is on the role of managed communications in public relations unique to industry, human services and educational institutions. Definitions and concepts, history, potential careers and research methods are examined.

  
  • COMM 3470 - Document Design


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester. Also offered evenings.

    This course gives students the opportunity to develop a wide variety of professional documents within the context of a client project. Examination of graphics, typography and design principles are considered as they apply to hardcopy production.

  
  • COMM 3505 - Introduction to Film and Video


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    This is the foundation course for the Film/Video concentration. Students are introduced to the basics of production and post-production in the two media. Topics include understanding and using visual language, film and video camera operation, understanding the film and video production process, basic film and video nonlinear editing, production crew structure and interpersonal communication. Students shoot Super 8 or 16mm film and videotape and then edit both the film and video. Students are required to purchase film and video tape as well as pay for processing.

    Prerequisite(s): Film and video concentration status.
  
  • COMM 3506 - Pre-Production Planning for Film and Video


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    This course considers the intent and purpose of a message as a first step in media production. The social and cultural implications of media storytelling are examined. The course focuses on clearly defining message content, intent and audience as a precursor to an exploration of how particular film and video techniques communicate and are interpreted. Teams will subsequently develop the pre-production planning needed for a short film or video work, including idea development, script treatments, story development, script writing, rewriting, storyboarding, script breakdown, production scheduling and resource planning.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3505 
  
  • COMM 3510 - Audio Production for Film and Video


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Fall. Also offered evenings.

    This course covers audio production basics—field, studio and booth audio acquisition, logging, mastering and archiving—with an emphasis on audio’s role in film and video production. By the end of the course, the student will be able to capture the highest quality audio in the manner most effective for integration during film or video post-production. Technical and aesthetic issues affected by location recording and their implications on post-production are covered.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3520 , COMM 3521  or COMM 3710 .
  
  • COMM 3520 - Intermediate Digital Cinema Production


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    Intermediate Digitals Cinema Production covers professional production techniques used in modern narrative production environments. In addition to achieving competency in lighting, exposure, composition and framing with video cameras, students master the basics of audio production both on location and in studio environments and the editing of the dramatic narrative. Creative narrative skills such as scriptwriting, storyboarding, direction and management are explored in the practical setting of a modern digital cinema environment.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3505  and COMM 3506 
  
  • COMM 3521 - Intermediate Documentary Production


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Fall.

    This course covers professional production techniques used in modern non-narrative production environments. In addition to achieving competency in lighting, exposure, composition and framing with video cameras, students master the basics of audio production both on location and in studio environments and the editing of the Documentary topic. Documentary genres explored include Documentary, Electronic News Gathering, Human Interest and Public Service Announcement Production.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3505  and COMM 3506 
  
  • COMM 3530 - Editing


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    This is an intensive course in film/video editing craft. Course work includes a number of practical editing assignments as well as a general survey of editing history, theory and the cutting techniques utilized in various genres. We explore various post-production workflows and multi-track sound mixing using professional non-linear editors, with the goal of understanding the proper integration of the craft of the editor into the chain of filmmaking.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3520 , COMM 3521  or COMM 3710 .
  
  • COMM 3540 - Advanced Video Production


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    Advanced Video Production is an upper-level production course provides the opportunity for students to produce work of professional quality. This course draws on the skills of all previous courses in production. Working in production groups, students write, shoot and edit a broadcast-quality video program, based on a pitched and faculty-approved proposal. The final edit is shot in HD and completed on non-linear uncompressed editing systems. Students are required to purchase all production materials.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3520  or COMM 3521  and one of the following courses: COMM 3510 , COMM 3530 , COMM 3550 , COMM 3560 , COMM 3580 , COMM 3730 , COMM 3740 , COMM 3750 , or COMM 3765 .
  
  • COMM 3550 - Producing


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Fall.

    The course provides an examination of the fundamentals of production management. Topics covered in the class are production budgets, production scheduling, contracts and agreements, union regulations for actors and crew members, shooting permits, legal implications and financial structures.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3520 , COMM 3521  or COMM 3710 .
  
  • COMM 3560 - Sound Design


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    This course examines the elements of post-production sound design within the context of film and video production. This course blends the artistic and the technical. Students will use nonlinear editors, digital audio work stations and analog and digital recording equipment to design soundtracks for their film and video productions. All materials are the responsibility of the student.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3520 , COMM 3521  or COMM 3710 .
  
  • COMM 3580 - Lighting


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    Lighting provides an intensive, hands-on approach to the techniques of lighting for film and digital media. Topics covered include: the nature and theory of light, lighting control, lighting technique, studio and location shooting, color theory and lighting equipment and use.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3520 , COMM 3521  or COMM 3710 .
  
  • COMM 3600 - Photography I


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    The course introduces technical and aesthetic aspects of photography, such as exposure techniques, film, paper, and basic 35 mm camera work. Students are responsible for all paper, film, supplies and mounting materials.

  
  • COMM 3610 - Photography II


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Fall.

    This course is both a continuation and refinement of film photography and the material covered in COMM 3600  and an introduction to digital photography. RAW file manipulation and elementary Photoshop manipulations along with editing and sequencing, filters and flash, are covered.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3600 .
  
  • COMM 3620 - Photography III


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Spring.

    The course introduces medium format photography and the digital studio. Lighting, portraiture and commercial photography are explored in professionally designed studios. Students are responsible for all paper, film, chrome processing and digital storage backup.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3610 .
  
  • COMM 3630 - Large Format Photography


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Fall.

    The course specializes in 4 x 5 photography and the use of the Zone System for exposure and development. Students are responsible for all paper and film supplies.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3610 .
  
  • COMM 3640 - Color Photography


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Spring.

    The course introduces the basic theory of color photography. Printing is emphasized and all work is C-prints and chromes.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3610 .
  
  • COMM 3645 - Digital Photography


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Spring.

    The course studies the fundamentals of digital image acquisition, scanning, image manipulation and various output devices. Students are responsible for digital storage backup. Fulfills computer literacy requirement.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3620  or COMM 3640  or permission of Instructor.
  
  • COMM 3660 - Photo Management


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    The course studies photographic space design for private, commercial and educational use. The class promotes an understanding of flow, function, equipment inventory, record keeping and budget control.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3610 .
  
  • COMM 3690 - Photography Seminar


    3 cr. 3 hr. This course may be offered less than once every two years.

    The seminar provides an opportunity for advanced study in the medium. Students are responsible for all paper and film supplies.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3620 , COMM 3630 , or COMM 3640 .
  
  • COMM 3710 - Intermediate Film Production


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    Intermediate Film Production covers professional production techniques used in 16mm narrative production environments. In addition to achieving competency in lighting, exposure, composition and framing with film cameras, students master the basics of dual system audio recording and AVID based non-linear editing. Creative narrative skills such as scriptwriting, storyboarding, direction and management are also explored in the practical setting of a current 16mm production context.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3505  and COMM 3506 
  
  • COMM 3720 - Advanced Film Production


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    The course provides an advanced examination of professional 16 mm production and AVID nonlinear post-production techniques. Topics covered in the class include location shooting, sound recording and editing, film editing, negative matching and interlock mixing. Students produce a professional 16 mm film during the course. Film and processing costs are shared by all students.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3710  and one of the following courses: COMM 3510 , COMM 3530 , COMM 3550 , COMM 3560 , COMM 3580 , COMM 3730 ,  , COMM 3750 , or COMM 3765 .
  
  • COMM 3730 - Directing Video/Film


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Spring.

    This course examines the role of the director. Topics covered in the class include script analysis and breakdowns, casting, blocking the camera and the actors, acting and directing actors. The class focuses on the relationships between the director and producer, actor, writer and editor, as well as between the director and the cinematographer. The role of the assistant director is defined, and unions, talent agencies, schedule planning and interpersonal communications are explored. Students are responsible for all materials.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3520 , COMM 3521  or COMM 3710 .
  
  • COMM 3740 - Compositing and Visual Effects


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    This course delves into advanced visual effects and finishing techniques using modern acquisition and post-processing tools. Topics covered in class include matte generation and clean plate techniques, chroma key shooting and post-production, pre-visualization for effects shooting, rotoscoping and keyframing techniques and project workflow and management. Students will master a minimum level of competency with a range of advanced compositing applications, producing a final project of complexity and quality from pre-visualization through output to target medium.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3520 , COMM 3521  or COMM 3710 .
  
  • COMM 3750 - Cinematography


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    Cinematography is an advanced elective for film and video students who wish to specialize in the specific elements of production related to cinematography. This course is a blend of the artistic and the technical. Aspects of the topic include film stock, laboratories, lenses, lighting, cameras, composition, camera angles, continuity, color and special processes. The relationship between the cinematographer and other members of the production team, as well as the structure of feature film camera departments will be examined.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3520 , COMM 3521  or COMM 3710 .
  
  • COMM 3760 - Film Styles, Genres, and Movements


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Spring.

    This course blends theoretical and historical concepts associated with a selected genre, style or movement within a production course setting. Students will study a selected genre, style or movement, and then, in groups, will write and produce a short film or digital video, based within the historical and/or theoretical framework that the class has studied. The course structure will be split between production technique and tutorials and the viewing/studying of the chosen style, genre or movement.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3506  and either COMM 3520 , COMM 3521  or COMM 3710 .
  
  • COMM 3765 - Writing for Film and Video


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    Writing for Film and Video is a writing intensive course that builds on the foundation of dramatic narrative film writing and narrative theory covered in COMM 3506 - Pre-Production Planning for Film and Video . Students are instructed in narrative and character development, as well as, the art of cinematic dialog and proper writing technique. Emphasis is on creative and compelling storytelling, as well as, developing the strategies and discipline for long form narrative. Additionally, the course covers marketing, sales strategies, legal issues and copyright including registration with the WGA (Writers Guild of America).

    Note: May only be used as a specialized Elective or Jr/Sr Writing Requirement. Prerequisite(s): COMM 3520 , COMM 3521  or COMM 3710 .
  
  • COMM 3810 - Introduction to Graphic Design


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester. Also offered evenings.

    The course introduces students to the language of graphic design and develops an understanding of visual literacy and the foundations of design aesthetics. Students become exposed to fundamental design principles including form, tone, color, texture, image and composition. Students are introduced to typography, identity design, sequencing and narrative in design to develop skills with layout and conceptual messages.

  
  • COMM 3820 - Intermediate Graphic Design


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester. Also offered evenings.

    The process of conceptualization is emphasized through focusing on visual relationships between typography and images. By using a problem solving approach to design, students apply advanced solutions to print and digital design through preparing highly comprehensive layouts. Students explore illustration by combining traditional and digital media and investigate the role of motion and interactivity in graphic design.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3810 , COMM 3890  and  
  
  • COMM 3830 - Illustration


    3 cr. 3 hr.

    By concentrating on technical and creative illustration, students have an opportunity for advanced study in graphic design. Students work in various media, including pen and ink, water color, marker and colored pencil. Students are responsible for illustration supplies.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3810  and COMM 3890 
  
  • COMM 3840 - Graphic Design Portfolio and Practice


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Fall.

    The course studies the practices of advertising, sales and marketing management in business, industry, and education. Emphasis is placed on the graphic designer in the role of creative art director, production manager and design illustrator. Topics of study include careers in graphic design and portfolio design and preparation.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3820 .
  
  • COMM 3850 - Publication Design


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Fall.

    The course examines all aspects of publication design focusing on designing with type and combining photography and illustration with text in editorial design, brochures, books, posters and Web page design. Grid design as an organizing and creative principle contrasted with asymmetric design will be emphasized in assignments. Techniques for print production processes will be examined. Portfolio quality pieces are produced in this advanced level course.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3810 , COMM 3820  and COMM 3890 .
  
  • COMM 3860 - Writing for Business and Technology


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Fall. Also offered evenings.

    The course is for students interested in writing in the business, industry and management context. Topics covered in the class are business correspondence, description of process and mechanisms, sets of instructions, proposals, abstracts and reports. (Credit is not given for both COMM 3860 and ENGL 3860 .)

    Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1200 .
  
  • COMM 3870 - Feature and Magazine Writing


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    This reality-based course covers all aspects of developing, writing and marketing feature articles for magazines and trade journals. Students practice interview and research techniques, writing query letters, finding target markets, and crafting articles that demonstrate effective use of slant, theme, voice and viewpoint. (Credit is not given for both ENGL 3870  and COMM 3870)

    Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1200 .
  
  • COMM 3880 - Typography


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    Students explore the expressive qualities of typographic form and investigate visual relationships between type and image. Class lectures and discussions address historical milestones that have lead to major innovations in type design and explore aesthetic concepts such as typographic structure, space, legibility, and visual organization. Additionally, students become familiar with typographic anatomy and learn to identify and choose appropriate font classifications and particular typefaces for design projects.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3810 , COMM 3890 .
  
  • COMM 3890 - Computer Graphic Design


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    This course educates students in developing a beginning to intermediate-level proficiency with vector-based, raster-based, and page layout applications that are integral to today’s professional design environment. Students will also be exposed to the fields of motion graphics, illustration, and interactive design and learn how to prepare their work for both print and digital output.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3810 .
  
  • COMM 3895 - Advanced Documentary Production


    3 cr. 3 hr. One section annually

    As one of two optional concentration culminating production courses, Advanced Documentary Production is a workshop in advanced motion picture production for documentary, news, and reality based media. Topics covered in the class include documentary research, location shooting & sound recording and AVID non-linear post-production techniques. Each production group will devote the entire semester to the production of a significant work of non-fiction video. As foundational preparation for production work, the class will also investigate the documentary from historical, ethical, theoretical, formal, and aesthetic perspectives. Students must share production costs, including travel and expendable production materials.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3521  and one of the following courses: COMM 3510 , COMM 3530 , COMM 3550 , COMM 3560 , COMM 3580 , COMM 3730 , COMM 3740 , COMM 3750 , COMM 3765 
  
  • COMM 3900 - Image and Design


    3 cr. 3 hr. This course may be offered less than once every two years.

    The course covers the commercial applications of photography, including product presentation, advertising, illustration, promotion and publication photography. Students learn the role of the designer as a photographer who solves assigned problems using various techniques, including digital photo and image manipulation. Students are responsible for all graphic supplies.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3810  and COMM 3890 
  
  • COMM 3940 - Motion Graphic Design


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Fall.

    Choreography of the movement and transition of images and typography over time and across space is investigated. Students explore a variety of techniques including frame-by-frame animation, keyframe interpolation, and compositing using Adobe AfterEffects and Photoshop. Assignments include storyboarding, kinetic typography, vector-based animation, rotoscoping, and live-action images. Students will explore how these techniques are applied to motion graphics productions in the film, television, and interactive media industries.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3810  and COMM 3890 .
  
  • COMM 3950 - Advanced Graphic Design


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    A range of design problems in both print and digital media will be explored. Projects will realistically reflect the range of work and professional practices designers encounter in their studio, agency or corporate design environment. Issues in pre-press production, professional design practices and ethics are emphasized.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3810 , COMM 3820 , COMM 3880  and COMM 3890 .
  
  • COMM 3955 - Motion Graphic Design II


    3 cr. 3 hr. offered every third Semester

    This advanced course will develop a deeper understanding of how images, typography, and live-action elements are choreographed to create effective motion graphic design solutions. Animation techniques including frame-by-frame, stop-motion, interpolation, and compositing will allow students to improve upon and add to their professional portfolio.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3940 
  
  • COMM 3960 - Advanced Cinema Production


    3 cr. 3 hr. Four sections per academic year.

    Advanced Cinema Production is the final production course in the Film and Video sequence that provides the opportunity for students to produce finished work of professional quality. This course draws on the skills of all previous courses in the Film and Video sequence. Working in production groups, students write, shoot and edit a film or digital cinema thesis project based on a pitched and faculty-approved proposal. The project is shot in either Super 16 sync sound or a Digital Cinema format and is edited using non-linear editing systems. Students are required to purchase all expendable production materials.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3710  or COMM 3520  and one of the following courses: COMM 3510 , COMM 3530 , COMM 3550 , COMM 3560 , COMM 3580 , COMM 3730 , COMM 3740 , COMM 3750 , COMM 3765 
  
  • COMM 4000 - Writings in Aesthetics


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Spring.

    Located at the interface between theory and production, Aesthetics is a writing intensive Communication Studies course that capitalizes on this vantage point to critically examine the professional arts comprising our curriculum, namely film, video, graphic design, photography, interactive media, and professional communication. Through weekly readings and writings, seminar discussions, presentations, and a term length qualitative research project, this writing intensive course bridges the theory/production dichotomy.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 1105  and COMM 1120 .
  
  • COMM 4200 - Human Communication


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester. Also offered evenings.

    The course provides for the study of human communication theories, concepts, contexts and skills with the intent of developing an understanding of everyday interaction. Through the study of human communication theory, students will develop the vocabulary and concepts to evaluate communication practices. The class pays particular attention to achieving self-presentation and relational skills that apply to a variety of social contexts students encounter. Class discussion, activities and assignments are designed to develop both knowledge and competencies necessary to understand the relationship between communication patterns and social order.

    Prerequisite(s): Junior status
  
  • COMM 4205 - Seminar in Communication Theory


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Spring.

    The seminar provides detailed and extensive study of communication theories, particularly interpersonal and mass communication theories.

  
  • COMM 4206 - Media and Society


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Fall.

    This seminar provides a broader framework for understanding the relationship between media and society, and skills for critically evaluating the social role of media. The topics draw upon current media debates about the increasing concentration of media ownership, the role of the independent media sector, the rise and regulation of new media, the media portrayals of underrepresented segments of population, the relationship between media and identity, the active role of media audiences, and the growth of global media. The readings include and cite important texts in media theory and cultural studies.

  
  • COMM 4211 - Writing for the Professional Artist


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    Students learn to write and think like professional artists in this writing intensive course. Students develop a docent presentation; become fluent in the written genres used by artists within their own professional medium; explore the relationships between writing and artistic production in other mediums; evaluate, interpret, and synthesize the work of others using the written and spoken word.

  
  • COMM 4220 - Organizational Communication


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Spring.

    This course is designed to introduce students to contemporary concepts about organizational communication functions, the structure of organizational communication systems and organizational levels at which communication occurs. Student research and field study will consist of a communications audit of a selected organization and the analysis at the related human, hardware and software interfacing.

    Prerequisite(s): Junior status
  
  • COMM 4230 - Communication Law


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester. Also offered evenings.

    The course provides an introduction to communications law and media ethics that raise important issues for all students in the Communications Media department. Topics discussed in the class include copyright law, libel, censorship, cable and broadcast law, privacy and the U.S. legal process.

    Prerequisite(s): Junior status
  
  • COMM 4240 - Media Criticism


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    In the context of film and video work, students examine several approaches to criticism including political, cultural, social, genre and feminist.

    Prerequisite(s): Junior status
  
  • COMM 4250 - Research Seminar


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Spring.

    The seminar provides an opportunity to explore and learn various research methodologies, such as archival research, content analysis and field study. The seminar is offered with various focuses, depending upon student and instructor need and interest.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 1105  and COMM 1120 .
  
  • COMM 4260 - Advanced Professional Study


    3 cr. 3 hr. This course may be offered less than once every two years.

    This interdisciplinary production course combines the talents of students from two or more concentrations. Students learn to work in a production team with a client to produce professional quality video, film, slide-tape, print, graphic and/or interactive materials.

    Prerequisite(s): Completion of five courses within a concentration.
  
  • COMM 4270 - Pre-Press Production


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    This course provides a bridge between design and the complex world of printing. File preparation for print reproduction will be covered in this comprehensive, advanced level course. Printing terminology, job specification, file formatting, bid writing, color proofing, trouble shooting electronic documents and mechanical press related problems are studied. Students will make a site visit to a large printing firm.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 3820  and COMM 3890 .
  
  • COMM 4280 - Intercultural Communication


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Fall. Also offered evenings.

    In this course we will explore intercultural communication through communication theory that differs from other social science disciplines. The course will equip students with tools to understand and think about intercultural communication methods so they may develop the skills to call upon in episodes of intercultural interaction. Students will work through a range of theoretical, methodological, descriptive and interpretive critical readings to reach the goal of understanding the multiple perspectives and theories of intercultural communication.

    Prerequisite(s): COMM 1105  and COMM 1120 .
  
  • COMM 4281 - Gender and Communication


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Fall.

    An exploration of the relationships among communication, gender, and culture. It provides analytical tools for understanding how we create a sense of self as gendered and sexual beings, and how various forms of communication reflect and construct cultural understanding of sex and gender. Students critically explore the ways in which we all—through communication in families, schools, media, workplace and other spheres of society—create, perpetuate and/or challenge gender roles. The course also explores how gender and sexual politics are appropriated and reinvented for popular consumption.

  
  • COMM 4880 - Internship


    12 cr. 36 hr. Day course offered every Semester. Also offered evenings.

    The Communications Media Internship is the capstone graduation requirement for all department majors. It is a full-time, semester-long, pre-professional learning experience that is designed to successfully link academic preparation with successful entry into a student’s career path. Interns must successfully complete an Internship Qualification Program in the semester immediately prior to the internship, that includes mandatory attendance at a series of seminars, the development and defense of a professional portfolio before a faculty committee, and an internship placement interview with the Program Director. Internship placement is competitive and based on academic performance, faculty recommendations, and performance in the Internship Qualification Program.

    Prerequisite(s): Completion of all LAS requirements preceding Communications Media Phases with a cumulative Communications Media Grade Point Average of 2.5 or better at the time the Application for Internship is due.
  
  • COMM 4901 - Independent Study


    1 cr. 3 hr.

    The Independent Study provides an opportunity for highly self-motivated students to explore areas of Communications Media not provided within the departmental curriculum. Research methodology is to be used and a written monograph is to be presented to the faculty sponsor. Approval of a faculty sponsor, consent of the advisor and permission of the chairperson is required.

  
  • COMM 4902 - Independent Study


    2 cr. 6 hr.

    The Independent Study provides an opportunity for highly self-motivated students to explore areas of Communications Media not provided within the departmental curriculum. Research methodology is to be used and a written monograph is to be presented to the faculty sponsor. Approval of a faculty sponsor, consent of the advisor and permission of the chairperson is required.

  
  • COMM 4903 - Independent Study


    3 cr. 9 hr.

    The Independent Study provides an opportunity for highly self-motivated students to explore areas of Communications Media not provided within the departmental curriculum. Research methodology is to be used and a written monograph is to be presented to the faculty sponsor. Approval of a faculty sponsor, consent of the advisor and permission of the chairperson is required.

  
  • COMM 4906 - Independent Study


    6 cr. 18 hr.

    The Independent Study provides an opportunity for highly self-motivated students to explore areas of Communications Media not provided within the departmental curriculum. Research methodology is to be used and a written monograph is to be presented to the faculty sponsor. Approval of a faculty sponsor, consent of the advisor and permission of the chairperson is required.

  
  • COMM 4940 - Field Study


    3 cr. 9 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    The Field Study provides an experience that permits students to develop the knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom. A portfolio of the work completed is to be presented to the faculty sponsor. Approval of a faculty sponsor, sanction of a site supervisor, consent of the advisor and permission of the chairperson is required.

  
  • COMM 4950 - Field Study


    6 cr. 18 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    The Field Study provides an experience that permits students to develop the knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom. A portfolio of the work completed is to be presented to the faculty sponsor. Approval of a faculty sponsor, sanction of a site supervisor, consent of the advisor and permission of the chairperson is required.

  
  • COMM 4975 - Directed Study


    1-6 cr.

    Directed study allows a student to carry out a non-research project or participate in an activity under the direct supervision of a faculty member. See the catalog description of Program Alternatives in The Curriculum  section for more details.


Computer Science

  
  • CSC 1000 - Introduction to Programming


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    This course provides an opportunity to learn a higher-level language, to gain experience in the design, coding and utilization of computer programs and to develop simple applications using a graphical user interface. SMT

    Passing the Math placement exam or MATH 0200 .
  
  • CSC 1010 - Computer Science Basics


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester. Also offered evenings.

    Lectures and labs explore various topics in computer science. Topics include data representation, digital circuits, basic computer organization and machine language, operating systems and networking, programming languages, and algorithms and efficiency, computability, the Church-tutoring thesis, and the halting problem. SMT

  
  • CSC 1050 - Internet Communications


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester. Also offered evenings.

    The Internet plays a crucial role in the information revolution. It is used increasingly for personal and business communications, for commerce and exchange of ideas and as a source of information and entertainment. This course introduces the student to various components of the Internet such as the Web, e-mail, discussion groups, ftp and telnet. Tools and techniques for efficient Web browsing will be taught. Security issues involved in using the Internet will be discussed. Students will design simple Web pages and publish them on the Internet.

  
  • CSC 1100 - Computer Applications


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Fall. Also offered evenings.

    This course introduces students to the most popular computer applications used across many disciplines. Students will complete a project applying these tools to a problem chosen from their discipline. Students will communicate their results in a final presentation. The topics currently studies are spreadsheets, databases and the integration of the two for more powerful applications. SMT

    Note: Application topics chosen for this course may be reviewed every four years by the university and the description in the catalog will reflect the topics covered in the course. Passing the Math Placement Exam or MATH 0200 .
  
  • CSC 1150 - Basics of Web Design


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester. Also offered evenings.

    This course is about creating Web pages using the latest version of HTML. The course covers the basics of HTML code. Students will learn to work directly with HTML tags to create forms, frames and cascading sheets and to embed music and other multimedia.

  
  • CSC 1400 - Computer Information Systems


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Fall.

    This course is an introduction to concepts in computer information systems. Students learn how information technology is used in business. Topics covered include use of information systems in business, basics of hardware, software, networks and data management, use of productivity software, security and ethical use of information systems, business decision systems, and developing and managing information systems. A working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software is required. SMT

    Passing the Math placement exam or MATH 0200 , and CSC 1100  or BSAD 1700  or equivalent knowledge.
  
  • CSC 1500 - Computer Science I


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    This course introduces Computer Science by using a high-level programming language. Students will be taught to design programs and implement them using object-oriented programming techniques. This course provides a solid background for further studies in Computer Science by preparing students to enroll in the more specialized high-level software courses. SMT

    Prerequisite(s): Passing the Math placement exam or MATH 0200 .
  
  • CSC 1550 - Computer Science II


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Fall. Also offered evenings.

    This course builds on the concepts covered in Computer Science I. Topics covered include inheritance, polymorphism, recursion, advanced GUI programming, exception handling and input/output handling. Students use integrated development environment to create, compile, run and debug programs.

    Prerequisite(s): CSC 1500 .
  
  • CSC 1600 - Introduction to Electronics


    4 cr. 5 hr. Day course offered in the Fall.

    This course provides an introduction to analog circuits and modern solid-state devices, including diode rectifiers, power supply design, OP amps and oscillator circuits. Extensive laboratory work illustrates the operation and behavior of circuits, as well as the use of modern laboratory test equipment. Topics covered in the class include basic circuit analysis, semiconductor principles, diodes, power supply design, bipolar and FET transistor applications, OP AMP circuits and applications, oscillators and linear integrated circuits. Students registering for this course must also register for the accompanying lab course.

    Prerequisite(s): MATH 1300 .
  
  • CSC 1650 - Digital Electronics


    4 cr. 5 hr. Day course offered in the Spring.

    This course provides a study of the design and application of both asynchronous and synchronous electronic logic circuits. Counters, registers, serial and parallel adders, and arithmetic units are included. Topics covered are Boolean algebraic simplifications; Karnaugh maps; Quine McCluskey method; combinational logic circuits; sequential logic circuits; comparison of TTL, MOS, and ECL logic families; the arithmetic unit; coding and decoding; parity detection and generators; multiplexers and programmable logic devices. Extensive laboratory work supplements the topics studied. Students registering for this course must also register for the accompanying lab course.

    Prerequisite(s): CSC 1600 .
  
  • CSC 1900 - Discrete Mathematics


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Spring. Also offered evenings.

    This course introduces discrete mathematics as applied to computer science. Topics covered include Boolean logic, elementary set theory, functions, relations, enumeration, proof techniques number systems and trees. (Credit is not given for both CSC 1900 and MATH 1900 .)

    Prerequisite(s): MATH 1250  or MATH 1300  or equivalent knowledge.
  
  • CSC 2150 - Advanced Web Design with Scripting


    3 cr. 3 hr. Also offered evenings.

    Scripting is used to add programming capabilities to HTML code and to create dynamic and more interactive Web pages. Students will learn JavaScript as a scripting tool for creating Web pages. Operators, statements, functions, event handling and objects of this language will be studied. Students will learn the document, form and window objects in detail.

    Prerequisite(s): CSC 1150  or equivalent knowledge.
  
  • CSC 2400 - Database Systems


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    This course is about design and implementation of database systems. Evolution of various database models, including hierarchical, relational and object-oriented models, and the advantages of different models are studied. Use of Structured Query Language (SQL) in relational databases is explained and applied. Students design databases applying E-R modeling and normalization techniques.

    Prerequisite(s): CSC 1550 , and CSC 1900  or MATH 1900 .
  
  • CSC 2560 - Systems Programming


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester. Also offered evenings.

    This course provides the student with the fundamentals of structured programming at the systems level. UNIX is used as a base for this course. Students obtain a thorough knowledge of the C language, comfort in using the UNIX operating system and an appreciation for a systems approach to low-level programming tasks.

    Prerequisite(s): CSC 1550  and CSC 1900  or MATH 1900 .
  
  • CSC 2600 - Computer Organization


    4 cr. 5 hr. Day course offered in the Fall.

    The purpose of this course is to provide a thorough discussion of the fundamentals of computer organization and architecture and to relate these to contemporary computer design issues. After a brief review of the basic digital components used, the steps that a designer would go through in the design of an elementary systems are covered followed by a discussion of the organization and design of the central processing unit (CPU) and various control system implementations. The input/output and memory subsystems are included as is a brief discussion of multiprocessing systems, pipelining and virtual memory. Students registering for this course must also register for the accompanying lab course.

    Prerequisite(s): CSC 1650 .
  
  • CSC 2700 - Business Programming


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Spring.

    This course provides students with experience in the design and coding of programs using a business oriented language. Topics covered include structured programming techniques; data, record and file design; sorting and merging of files; table handling; variable-length records; and indexed sequential access methods. File creation, updating and reporting are given special attention.

    Prerequisite(s): CSC 1550 
  
  • CSC 3050 - Web Programming with Java


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester.

    There are three aspects to Web Programming: Front-end GUI programming, back-end Web or database server programming and the network programming to connect the two. In this course, students learn to use Java classes for creating applets, for server programming and for interfacing with a database. The course also reviews advanced concepts of object oriented programming, Java’s exception handling and multithreading.

    Prerequisite(s): CSC 2560 .
  
  • CSC 3100 - Operating Systems


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Spring.

    This course examines the internal structure and operation of operating systems with an emphasis on their design criteria and approaches. Topics covered include process management, scheduling, deadlock, memory management, virtual memory, protection and security and distributed systems. A working knowledge of a higher-level system programming language and computer data structures is assumed.

    Prerequisite(s): CSC 2560  and CSC 2600 .
  
  • CSC 3200 - Programming Languages


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Fall. Also offered evenings.

    This course studies the hierarchy of programming languages starting with Assembly Language. It covers general principles of languages within imperative, object oriented and functional paradigms, as well as logic programming. Students have an opportunity to learn the basic concepts and constructs of various programming frameworks and practice software design skills in languages like Ada, Lisp and/or Prolog.

    Prerequisite(s): CSC 2560 
  
  • CSC 3250 - Advanced Topics in Web Development


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered every Semester. Also offered evenings.

    State of the art tools and technologies used in developing and deploying Web pages will be studied. Server-side programming for database access will be studied. Students will create model applications used in e-commerce.

    Prerequisite(s): CSC 2150 .
  
  • CSC 3300 - Assembly Language


    3 cr. 3 hr. Day course offered in the Spring.

    Assembly language provides the means for programming a computer at the most basic machine level. In this course, we explore the fundamental operations of a modern computer system using software tools. Topics examined include numerical and character representations, microprocessor register usage, machine instructions, addressing modes, input/output processing, parameter passing, interrupt processing and simple data structure realizations on the Intel 80x86 processor.

    Prerequisite(s):   or permission from the department.
  
  • CSC 3350 - Small-Scale Embedded Systems Development


    3 cr. 3 hr.

    Small-scale embedded systems are everywhere. Students will learn about how to develop functional devices using microcontrollers and become familiar with microcontroller architecture and the various function-specific hardware modules such as timer/counters, analog-to-digital converters, pulse-width modulators, liquid-crystal displays and keypads. Hands-on projects will require the writing of device drivers and the development of a useful embedded system.

    Prerequisite(s): CSC 1650  and  .
 

Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 -> 13