Communications programs

Principles of clear and forceful journalistic writing. Includes fact gathering, story planning, lead and head writing. Attention to editing for improved copy, headline writing, and selection of photographs and art work.Prerequisite: COM185 or permission of instructor.(4 credits; alternate years, consult department)

Study of interviewing practices, research methods, organization, and interest-gathering techniques necessary for writing longer articles, profiles, columns and consumer affairs writing.Prerequisite: COM185 or permission of instructor.(2 credits; alternate years, consult department)

This course is designed to be an upper- level course providing in-depth and additional knowledge and/or skill in specific discipline areas that are not well covered in the current curriculum. Topics will vary according to students' interests and needs, changes and developments in the communication discipline and practice, and faculty skills and interest. Potential topics may include additional instruction in advertising, public relations, magazine writing, advanced news writing and editing, advanced video editing, digital video directing, and international and intercultural communication.Prerequisites: to be determined by department.(2-4 credits; alternate years, consult department)

Theory and practice of writing and reporting for, as well as leading, community newspapers--weeklies and smaller dailies. Topics include investigating local government, reporting on meetings, reporting on religion, developing local sources of information, understanding the roles of the newspaper within the community, forming relationships of trust with sources and readers, and dealing with common ethical issues. (3 credits; alternate years, consult department)

This course functions primarily as an introduction to rhetoric and rhetorical analysis. It is designed to introduce students to the major and the minor in writing and rhetoric. Topics include the rhetoric of ancient Greece, definitions of rhetoric, past and present, rhetorical analysis of texts, and analysis of the rhetor's purpose, situation, genre and audience.(2 credits)

A study of professional writing. In a writing workshop setting, students will learn to adjust style, tone and content to accomplish a definite purpose with an identified audience. They will also learn strategies for creating texts that are clear, concise and accurate. The course is especially useful for those whose career goals require facility in written communication, such as those studying marketing, public relations, advertising, management or law. All students will choose a professional to be their mentor on a writing project related to the career they are interested in. Students will also build a small portfolio of professional writing that includes letters, a memo, a resume and a research report.Prerequisites: sophomore class standing and ENG184 or ACT English score of 30 or above (SAT 680 or higher).(2 credits)

A study of the methods of persuasion: logical and emotional appeals and trustworthiness, ways of structuring arguments, and persuasive style. Students will learn to create and critique arguments on a variety of subjects. Prerequisites: sophomore class standing and ENG184 or ACT English score of 30 or above (SAT 680 or higher), or permission of instructor. (4 credits)

This course provides both written and oral advanced training in the art of negotiation, mediation and debate to better prepare students for future environments in which good and ethical use of argumentation (both written and verbal) are needed. Students learn to use critical-thinking on a very high level and will understand that the best argumentation acknowledges different points of view, avoids personal prejudices and carefully evaluates the evidence and assumptions used in argumentation. Students will prepare cases, learn note taking and listening and argue with a partner in parliamentary style debates. Prerequisites: Theatre/Speech 111 and English 184 or ACT English score of 30 or above. (2 credits)

Taught as a medium of creative expression or as an art form and as a journalistic tool. Film processing and printing are taught as well as camera techniques, darkroom procedures and presentation of work for exhibitions. (2 credits)

Covers basic principles of design as they apply to a wide variety of publications. Emphasis on selecting type, art and graphics appropriate to subject matter, purpose and audience.(3 credits)

Study of writing and design for a Web environment. Students will analyze Internet sites and design sites of their own, using a standard program for Web design.Prerequisites: ENG184 or equivalent and any of the following: COM263, ART220, ART230, or permission of instructor.(3 credits; alternate years, consult department)

Students study the development of human resources management, including history, policies, practices and applications. Specific attention is paid to the study of the processes involving the management of human resources and its legal environment. Prerequisites: BUS201 and BUS305 or permission of instructor. (3 credits)

This course explores the cultural, social, personal and psychological factors influencing buyer behavior; buying-decision processes and stages; and learning theory integrated with consumer beliefs and attitudes. Prerequisite: BUS200. (3 credits)

This is an introductory course in economics which will cover both microeconomics and macroeconomics topics. The course will explore economic institutions, how they came to be, how they have changed over time, and how the government modifies them.(4 credits)