Courses

Courses - COM

COM101 - Introduction to Journalism (3)

An introduction to the basics of print Journalism, including reporting, editing, newsroom management, news judgment, news writing and an overview of ethical and legal concerns. Students will analyze the way different local media cover breaking and feature news. The course provides the basic skills required for identifying, gathering, writing and editing news stories for newspapers.

COM102 - Introduction to Journalism II (3)

Building on the skills taught in COM101, students will learn to develop news sources, cover beats, such as the courts and local politics, and write feature length news stories including breaking news, obituaries, and government. Students will learn the rights of reporters and use of the Freedom of Information Act to gain access to public records.

COM103 - Electronic Journalism (3)

This course will provide the basic skills required for identifying, gathering, writing and producing news stories for radio and television. Students will learn to produce local stories and use wire service feeds to produce broadcast news stories. Daily monitoring of local television and radio news is required. Visits to city hall, the courts, and the county clerk's office are required.

COM104 - Introduction to Broadcasting (3)

The Communication Department programs and operates 91.9 WAIC FM as a learning laboratory for our students. This course provides an overview of the broadcasting business and provides training in various aspects of broadcasting, including scheduling, traffic, advertising and ratings, basic engineering, announcing and practice in news and informational radio.

COM107 - Introduction to Human Communication (3)

Students will explore theories of human communication including interpersonal, group, organizational communication and mass media.

COM201 - Radio Programming and Production (3)

This course provides students with the production techniques and programming applications necessary to work at a music radio station. In addition to learning different music programming formats, students will gain hands-on experience on the air at 91.9 WAIC. Student training includes writing and producing station liners, stagers and positioning statements using state of the art digital audio editing systems, producing live broadcasts and phone drops, as well as discussion of taste and sensibility issues, FCC requirements, interpreting ratings data and developing an on-air personality. On completion of this course, students will acquire their FCC operator's license.

COM202 - Informational Broadcasting (3)

This course provides students with the production techniques and programming applications necessary to work at a news/talk/sports broadcasting. In addition to learning different news, sports and talk formats, students will gain hands-on experience on the air at 91.9 WAIC. Student training includes writing and producing programming using state-of-the-art digital audio editing systems. Students will also participate in live AIC Sports and Talk programming. PREREQUISITES: ENG101, ENG102 and COM104, or permission of instructor

COM204 - Newspaper / Publishing Lab (1-3)

Students will learn the skills necessary to produce editions of the college newspaper (bi-monthly) as well as additional publications including the Criterion literary magazine, print flyers and advertising utilizing the Mac In Design package which includes Photoshop, In Design (lay out and design) and other graphic applications. This course would be required for students working on the Yellow Jacket.

COM205 - Video Lab (1-3)

Students will learn the skills necessary to produce television and other video projects at professional standards. The college is aggressively pursuing opportunities to broadcast and/or cablecast college events ranging from sports on NE-10 TV and local cable; campus events like My Generation or the Fall Poetry Slam for WGBY, video on demand as well as developing additional TV content through the KCFN Project. Students will participate in these projects as videographers, writers, editors, directors, lighting and sound technicians.

COM206 - Broadcasting Lab (3)

Students will learn the skills necessary to produce professional quality radio programming including production values, building personality through bumpers, liners and station ids; as well as practice in digital audio editing.

COM220 - Classic Films of Sci-Fi, Horror and the Supernatural/Occult (3)

An appreciation and examination through lecture and discussion of classic science fiction, horror and supernatural/occult films. Will focus on legendary directors, actors, composers and special effects technicians from the 1920's through recent release. Screened films will include: The Lost World (1925), King Kong (1933), James Whale's Frankenstein (1931), The Invisible Man (1933), Todd Browning's Dracula (1931), and Freaks (1932), Nosferatu (1922), The Thing and The Day the Earth Stood Still (both 1950's), The Ghost and Mrs. Muir and Blithe Spirit (both 1940's), M (1931), The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (1919), Rosemary's Baby (1968), The British classic thrillers, Rebecca (1940) and Dead of Night (1945) and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with Barrymore, March or Tracey.

COM226 - Video Lab (3)

Students will learn the skills necessary to produce television and other video projects at professional standards. The college is aggressively pursuing opportunities to broadcast and/or cablecast college events ranging from sports on NE-10 TV and local cable; campus events like My Generation or the Fall Poetry Slam for WGBY, video on demand, as well as developing additional TV content through the KCFN Project. Students will participate in these projects as videographers, writers, editors, directors, and lighting and sound technicians. PREREQUISITES: COM364

COM227 - Broadcasting Lab

Students will learn the skills necessary to produce professional quality radio programming including production values, building personality through bumpers, liners and station IDs; as well as practice in digital audio editing. PREREQUISITES: COM103 & COM104

COM229 - Radio Station Management (3)

Students will learn the basics of managing a commercial radio station. Among the topics to be covered will be traffic, promotions, programming and ratings and administration of various radio station departments.

COM230 - Writing for Media (3)

An introduction to the basic principles and techniques of writing for the media. Formats include informational, persuasive and entertainment content for a variety of audiences across multi-media - traditional media like radio, TV and print as well as web sites, bulletin boards and even e-mail and text messages. Students will write copy for news (print and broadcast), the web, advertising, public relations, television and the screen as well as personal and professional correspondence.

COM240 - Internet Communication (3)

A production course that focuses on social aspects of Internet communication and the implications of digital media on the World Wide Web. Students explore the history, structure, function and social impact of the Internet and the web. Students will critique web sites, learn Hypertext Markup Language and other appropriate codes, construct simple web pages and integrate multimedia and streaming media into their websites.

COM260 - History of Photojournalism (3)

This course is a survey of photojournalism, tracing its development from the Civil War until modern times. Students will discuss the role of the news photographer in a society built on images.

COM290 - Radio and Television Sports (3)

This course addresses critical issues in sports media in a number of different collegiate sports. Students will discuss the differences between sport and mediated sport and the symbiotic relationship between sport and media. Students participate in college sports web casts and broadcasts operating cameras, editing clips and telescopes, creating dynamic audience driven promotions and understanding the relationship between communities of fans and conventional and new media. In their final project, the student will be required to plan, produce and deliver a professional sports broadcast and/or webcast.

COM300 - Women in the Media

Students will examine the lives and work of women journalists from the past. By reading about their lives, and by reading excerpts from their work, we will become more familiar with the roles they have played in the development of the field. Along the way, we will also explore critical questions related to our topic, namely this one: Is journalism gendered male? What might that mean? Why would we ask? Grounded in the assumption that sex is biologically determined but gender is socially constructed, we will ask how ideas about gender have shaped the field and prescribed both men's and women's roles.

COM305 - Film as Literary Narrative (3)

In this course, the basis of our study is comprised of the careful viewing and detailed intensive analysis of five (5) contemporary American classics. Students analyze technique and content, as well as artistic vision, linking dramatic action to technical elements that define film as an art form.

COM306 - Public Relations (3)

Students will explore theories of Public Opinion, Mass Communication and Audience Research and apply that learning toward creating targeted messages in media such as print, direct mail, broadcast and cable television, web and mobile phone applications.

COM310 - Broadcast Speaking (3)

Students will learn techniques of public speaking and performance for radio and television, interviewing, analysis and digital and audio editing.

COM314 - Reviewing the Arts (3)

Students will learn to critique television, film, theater, music, dance, art and photography. Students will review plays, movies and television programs or other art and entertainment forms each week, developing the skills needed to write professional reviews. In addition to learning the necessary terminology, print and media reviews will be analyzed.

COM316 - Feature Writing (3)

Students will learn to write feature stories for newspapers and magazines. In addition to learning the elements of good feature writing, this course shows how to take story ideas and turn them into published articles for newspapers, magazines and literary journals. Current feature stories will be discussed.

COM317 - Investigative Reporting (3)

Students learn how to research and write investigative journalistic pieces. Particular attention will be paid to sources, public records and global searches, as well as privacy and ethical issues. Students will be required to write a lengthy investigative reporting project. PREREQUISITES: COM101, COM102

COM318 - Editorial and Opinion Writing (3)

This course is an introduction to writing the various journalistic forms that express personal opinions, including news analysis editorials and personal opinion columns. Current examples from local and national press will be discussed.

COM319 - Sportswriting (3)

This course presupposes the student's ability to write clear and concise stories of publishable quality under deadline pressure. Topics covered include the elements of a good sports story, newspaper, television and radio coverage, and developing sources of sports information. Topical sports issues such as salary caps, women's sports, and pseudo-sports such as the WWF will be discussed. Students will also explore participatory sports such as fishing and are free to pursue their own sports interests in print and broadcast media.

COM320 - Mass Media Law (3)

The rights and responsibilities of mass media practitioners such as reporters, editors, etc., as well as the impact of conglomeration on mass media, will be discussed. Guest lecturers include journalists, attorneys and judges.

COM321 - Media Ethics (3)

What are a reporter's moral obligations to his sources, readers and employer? This course looks at the values of those who work in the news business and the moral dilemmas they face in an increasingly complex and litigious society. The course includes lectures, case studies and guest speakers. Topics covered include privacy and an overview of libel law, and the impact of conglomeration on the news business in general.

COM324 - History of Mass Media (3)

A survey course that traces the rise of the print, broadcast and electronic media from Guttenberg to the Internet and media's impact on the individual, families and society.

COM330 - Digital Media Applications I (3)

This course provides an introduction to the convergence of video, audio and computers and wireless and other transmission methods. The course covers the technical and creative aspects of digital video photography, editing and sound, emphasizing the potential of multiple platform presentation including television, cable, video on demand, the web and fixed and emerging media. Compression, non-linear editing, burning to media such as DVD or CD and developing seamless interfaces are also taught.

COM331 - Radio Music Programming (3)

An advanced course in targeting music programming to specific demographic groups. Student will assess actual and hypothetical markets, target opportunities for new stations and using Pandora, actually create a new radio station with promos, liners and a music play list based on the audience research and listenership goals. Students will gain experience interpreting ratings.

COM332 - Radio & TV News Programming (3)

An advanced course in targeting broadcast news and informational programming to specific demographic groups. Student will assess actual and hypothetical markets, target opportunities for new programs and develop research based pitches for their programming projects.

COM340 - Digital Media Applications II (3)

This course is a continuation of Digital Media Applications and offers the student more advanced knowledge in the convergence of video, audio and computers and wireless and other transmission methods. The course covers the technical and creative aspects of digital video photography, editing and sound, emphasizing the potential of multiple platform presentation including television, cable, video on demand, the web and fixed and emerging media. Compression, non-linear editing, burning to media such as DVD or CD and developing seamless interfaces are also taught. Students will be required to conceive and complete simple projects using multi-media applications.

COM359 - Basic Photography (3)

This course teaches the basics of black and white and color photography utilizing the department's 35-mm cameras and state-of-the-art-dark room. Lab fee charged. PREREQUISITES: None

COM360 - Digital Media Applications II (3)

Students will apply the basics of photography and composition in the digital media using the college's digital darkroom. Students will work on weekly assignments, submit these electronically to the instructor who will critique their work. Students are required to submit a digital portfolio, either on DVD or at the student's personal photographic website. The course will include extensive work in Adobe Photoshop, discussion of ways to prepare their work for display and showing photographs in virtual galleries.

COM361 - Photojournalism (3)

Students will review the basics of photography before moving on to the various principles and techniques of photojournalism. In addition to composition and lighting, students will consider selecting images for news, cropping and photo editing, and printing techniques. Students will also learn the basics of digital photography and digital photo editing. The course will include discussion on ethical considerations in photojournalism, including computer manipulation of images and privacy. Lab fee charged.

COM362 - Newspaper Layout and Design (3)

This course will give students hands-on experience in the design and production of newspapers, newsletters and magazines. In addition to the basics of layout and design, desktop publishing, headline writing and the selections of graphics and images for publication will be discussed.

COM363 - Digital Photography II (3)

Students do advanced work in digital photography and composition in the using the college's digital darkroom. Students will work on weekly assignments, submit these electronically to the instructor who will critique their work. Students are required to submit a digital portfolio, either on DVD or at the student's personal photographic website. The course will include extensive work in Adobe Photoshop, discussion of ways to prepare their work for display and showing photographs in virtual galleries.

COM364 - Video Production (3)

This course is based on the theoretical and practical exploration of design and production techniques for video as a medium of communication. Students will learn the basics of video production, including writing scripts and treatments, the use of digital video cameras and switchers, directing and producing, sound and light direction and on- camera performance. This class is taught in the College's state-of-the-art digital television production facility. Lab fee charged.

COM365 - Advanced Photography (3)

Students with experience and previous course work in photography will learn advanced photographic and dark room techniques.

COM366 - Advanced Video Production (3)

Building on the skills learned in COM364, students will write, produce and edit feature length, broadcast quality video productions.

COM367 - Television News Production (3)

Expanding upon the basic video skills learned in COM364 and COM366, students will produce television news segments. Special emphasis will be placed on news judgment, script writing, production values such as sound and lighting, and the use of maps, graphics and video footage to enhance reportage. Students will gain practical experience behind and in front of the camera in the College's state-of-the-art digital television production facility. Students will learn how to direct and produce television news segments, write scripts and, ultimately, produce a half-hour television news broadcast.

COM368 - Introduction to Screen Writing (3)

This course will teach students how to write screenplays. Topics covered include plot and story development, concept, and character. Students will be required to complete a screenplay as part of their course work. Other topics include writing for television and marketing screenplays. PREREQUISITES: Permission of instructor.

COM369 - Interactive Media (3)

Digital multimedia projects in mass communication will be developed from among advertising, journalism, public relations, radio and television genres. The purpose of this course is for students to produce multimedia projects. In the process, students will use their individual writing, reporting, photographic and audio/video skills to develop a concept, produce separate elements and finally assemble the project. This project, whether burned to a DVD or posted on the web, will include text, graphics, photos, audio and video.

COM370 - Editing and Producing Video (3)

Students will create, write, produce and edit video content for television and the web. Permission of the instructor is required.

COM374 - Press in America (3)

This course offers an in-depth examination of news media and their effect on American society. The course is divided into three sections: First Amendment and the philosophical roots of the American media system; contemporary issues involving press ethics, law, media technology and economics and the history of the press in America. Print, broadcast and emerging media are studied.

COM375 - Readings in Journalism (3)

This course is designed to enhance the student's ability to understand and critically evaluate the techniques used by various writers/reporters in gathering data and symbolically re-creating the world around them. Works from several periods are studied both as literature and journalism.

COM376 - The Broadcast Commercial (3)

Development of radio and television scripts and storyboards for advertising and promotional commercials. Research data and information for assignments provided by national TV and radio industry sources. Students will gain experience using accepted commercial formats and prepare broadcast "spots" that comply with professional standards and contemporary practice. Student teams will prepare television/radio campaigns for national brands. Students will also conduct audience research to identify targeted demographics and underlying social attitudes using national research such as NORC.

COM379 - Interactive Media II (3)

Building on the training and knowledge from earlier courses in the sequence, students will concentrate on technical details of the multi-media production process including sound, image, file formats, multimedia composition and building interactivity with code. The experience will allow students to apply and test all the skills developed earlier in the sequence as well as possess a complete overview of the process - from planning to launch. Students will work individually and in production teams.

COM381 - Introduction to Mass Communication (3)

Students will study theories of mass communication and the role that mass communicators play in modern society. The rise of print and electronic media will be discussed in detail. Special attention will be given to the rights, responsibilities and practices of mass media and merging trends.

COM382 - Mass Media Effects (3)

Expanding on the theoretical background provided in COM381, the students will consider current topics in mass media effects such as violence, mean world syndrome, gender and race portrayals, the breakdown of regional diversity in the 3623U.S., and international media trends. In addition to the dominant role played by television in contemporary American society, emerging technologies such as the Internet and interactive media will be explored.

COM383 - Ethnography of Communication (3)

Gerry Phillipsen defines the ethnography of communication this way: "The implication of speaking, as a deeply cultured process, is to understand speaking in a particular speech community." One must understand how communication is culturally shaped and constituted. Ethnography is the process of coming to an understanding of such shapings and is the reporting of such understandings. This course explores ethnography as a methodology to understand communication.

COM384 - Interpersonal Communication (3)

This course studies major theorists in interpersonal communication. The course establishes communication as the process by which individuals define themselves and by which they are defined. Focus will be on such theorists as Sapir, Worf, Phillipsen and Hymes.

COM385 - Communication Research

This course explains the basic concepts of media research. Included are measurement and methodologies for measuring the effectiveness and impact of mass mediated messages (from radio, newspaper and TV to web site hits). Recognition tests, recall and association tests, opinions and attitude ratings, projectile methods, laboratory testing, and content analysis are each explained and studied. Research applications focus mainly, but not entirely, on consumers of mass media. Quantitative as well as qualitative methods are discussed in detail.

COM390 - Visual Communication (3)

This course focuses on issues specific to forms of visual communication. A physiological and theoretical background on visual perception will be given to students who will learn how to analyze visual messages using techniques similar to those used to evaluate written works. Students will discuss various media (including typography, graphic design, informational graphics, photography, television, cinema, video and interactive media such as video games and web sites) and the very visible role they play in our lives.

COM392 - Special Topics Seminars (3)

Periodically, the department offers special seminars in specific timely subject areas. Typically, these are film courses that focus on a special topic such as Independent Films, Documentaries and Film Noire. Although other seminars have been offered from African Music to Women's issues. Students can take different seminars for credit.

COM393 - History of Cinema (3)

The cinema has emerged as one of the most powerful socializing forces in modern society. This survey course traces the development of modern film in the 20th Century.

COM394 - Representation in American Cinema: The Gangster Myth (3)

This course considers the idea that media is a teacher of social ideas and behavior. Specifically considered in this course is the presentation of Italian-Americans in gangster films ranging from Public Enemy to the Godfather series. Other genres of film, Nature films for example, may also be offered if they consider the topic of representation in film.

COM395 - Great Directors (3)

One approach to cinematic studies is to consider the films of certain recognized great directors. Among the directors to be considered in this course are Alfred Hitchcock, Spike Lee and Francois Truffault.

COM397 - Advanced Sportswriting (3)

Students will develop individual voices on sports themes for broadcast, print and web-media. The department broadcasts on WAIC-FM and Hot91.9 and webcasts at aicyellowjacket.com and teamline.com over 100 AIC sports events each year. Students in this class play an integral part in pre-game, post game programming and writing for the Yellow Jacket newspaper and website.

COM400 - Convergence: The Communication Revolution (3)

This course is an upper level seminar focused on emerging communication technologies and their potential applications. Students will engage in self-driven investigations of emergent technologies and their attendant social consequences. Students will use research tools such as secondary analysis of social surveys, interviews, focus groups, and experiments to develop presentations, debates, and discussions centered on the increasing significance of communication technologies in modern life as well as concerns about dependence on and access to theses technologies. PREREQUISITES: Intro to Mass Media and at least one other media theory course in communication or social sciences methods. The students should have also completed their general education requirement in statistics.

COM498 - Internships (3-9)

One of the strengths of the communication program is the close relationship the program enjoys with the local, regional, and national media. Communication students are required to take at least three credits of professional learning experience in the media and are encouraged to take as many as 12 credits. Students document their professional learning through a compilation of published stories, radio air checks, and television demo tapes; this, combined with their resume and a practice interview, are the basis of the student capstone learning experience in communication. Students have completed internships at 91.9, WAIC, WWLP TV-22, WGGB TV-40, WAQY Rock 102, WHDH and WBZ in Boston, and NY1 in New York City. Summer internships can be arranged so that students continue their professional growth during recess, and the program already has a proud record of graduates being placed in media jobs. PREREQUISITES: Permission of the department chair and approval of the dean of the School of Arts, Education and Sciences.