Can I major in Comm and have a minor in Comm?

It depends! Students may not major in Comm and minor in either Digital Filmaking or New Media — the classes overlap. (No double dipping!) However, students are allowed to major in Comm and minor in Business & Organizational Communications. Students can learn about minors in other departments in the Shepherd Catalog.

How do I know when a specific class is offered?

You can find when individual courses are offered by checking the online schedule.

Who can I contact to find out more information?

See your advisor, or email the following individuals:

Digital Filmaking:
Jason McKahan

New Media:
Monica Larson

Business & Organizational Communications:
Joyce Webb

Academics: Minors

Minor in Digital Filmmaking

Total hours required for a minor: 24 Hours

Students who opt for this minor may choose to develop and create an independent film over a two-year directed-study program with the Department’s Digital Filmmaking coordinator.

Required Courses:

Minor in New Media

Total hours required for a minor: 24 Hours

Required Courses:

Minor in Business & Organizational CommunicationS

Total hours for a minor: 24 Hours

A student may major in Communication & New Media and minor in Organizational & Business Communications.

Required Courses:


Three of the following elective courses:


Students minoring in organizational and business communications must meet with Dr. Joyce Webb to receive advisor assignment. Email Dr. Webb.

Communication & New Media
While we live in the self-proclaimed age of information, communication, digital media and technology, these phenomena are not always defined, described or discussed in theoretical terms or treated in an academic context. Communication and new media is a course that examines mediation and technology and seeks to bridge theory and practice by using digital media to discuss information-age questions. The course is designed to survey the field and provide students with an introduction to many facets of communication and media production from boardroom presentations to digital videography and internet-communication.

Narrative Scriptwriting
This course is designed to educate students in the technical and aesthetic practices of fictional narrative screenwriting. Students will become proficient in the analysis of dramatic structure and synthesis of methods and ideas into original student short scripts. Students will learn to develop ideas into stories, to professionally compose a screenplay, and finally, to present creative work favorably to potential producers and contacts through compelling spec scripts, "pitches" and other methods of professional communication. Assessment of progress will be evaluated by active participation in class discussions, written analysis of professional screenplays and feedback of classmates’ work, mastery of story development process (logline, character development, pitching, treatments), and script and revisions.

Computer Mediated Communication
This course focuses on the study, practice, and criticism of computer-mediated communication. Students will develop projects using a variety of digital technologies, focusing primarily on the Web. The course is designed to teach students to effectively use these technologies, to study the impact on society, and to think critically about that impact.

Sound Design
Sound provides the depth to "visual" media such as film and television. Sound Design is a course in aural communication and audio production for web, radio, television, theater and cinema. The course examines how sounds communicate ideas, context, and emotion, and students learn how to record and edit voice, music and sound effects.

Single-Camera Production
A course in video production that investigates the theory and practice of single camera projects such as the news piece, the documentary, the teleplay, the commercial, the music video, the industrial video, and the public relations video.

Music Video
This course outlines the history, significance, and impact of music video as a commercial commodity and aesthetic style. Music video constitutes a style of videography whose presence can be traced across the contemporary scene. It is a form of video (and cultural) production whose surface of sights and sounds, imagery and music has transformed and reorganized the limits of television and music, film and video, advertising and fashion. We will discuss the cultural impact of music videos and popular culture, and engage in music video production as a form of "writing" and inscribing experience.

Experimental Video
Introduction to experimental theory and production practices that radically challenge dominant conventions of representing the body, sexuality, spirituality, gender, family, race, class, language, politics and power in film and video. Students will learn about alternative media by viewing a mix of classic and contemporary work, reading essays that interpret, theorize on, and give the history of this form and, most importantly, students will create video productions that utilize experimental production aesthetics and techniques. Assessment of progress will be evaluated by active participation in class discussions, theoretical response journals, and three short video productions (including treatments, scripts, storyboards and log sheets, as well as group and instructor evaluation of productions).

Studio Production
Overview of the functioning of the studio production system, production equipment, and the functions of production personnel.

Advanced Production
Advanced principles and practice of short film production including digital cinematography, sound, lighting, and editing.

Graphic Novel
Once the domain of sticky-fingered kids clutching nickels and dimes, comics have grown up and are establishing themselves as a fast-growing and respected literary genre. Even The New York Times has recognized the power of the art form by including a regular section devoted to graphic novels in its Sunday magazine. Students enrolled in COMM 399-2C The Graphic Novel will explore this cultural phenomenon by analyzing works like Neil Gaiman's Sandman series and Warren Ellis' Transmetropolitan. Students will also write and design their own graphic novels . And contrary to common belief, you don't have to draw to create. Even non-artists can produce compelling content using imaging and animation software provided in class.

Game Design
This course focuses on the structure/ theory of game design, and the analysis of games' role in modern society. Using readings, playing of games and in-class exercises students will explore what makes meaningful play. Rule systems, game culture and history will be covered. Students will learn game design by creating their own games. No programming knowledge is needed for this class.

Animation & Communication
Computer-generated animation has become standard fare in TV, film, advertising, forensics/court-room reenactment, education/training, gaming, web design and on-line media. This course explores the history and craft of computer animation via animation production with an emphasis on the discourses of animation as art and entertainment. Topics include Key-framing, story-telling, story-boarding, lighting, compositing, movie-making as well as working with motion capture, particle effects, dynamic simulation and sound design.

Motion Graphics
In today's digital environment, savvy communicators exploit the synergy of the written word in combination with sound and the moving image. This course will focus on the study and creation of motion graphics in fine art, film and advertising. How do motion graphics differ from other modes of communication? How does the introduction of text affect audience experience? While seeking answers to questions like these, students will explore groundbreaking work by visionaries like Saul Bass while learning software that allows them to express their own messages in a professional manner.

Advanced Internet Media
This course expands on the study, practice, and criticism of computer-mediated communication. Students will build upon skills developed in COMM 352, advancing their knowledge of Internet-based technologies.

Organizational Communications
This course offers the study of communication as it applies to formal organizations. Topics for lecture, discussion, and written analysis include organizational climate and structure, employeremployee communication, and management styles. Emphasis will be given to time management, written and oral communications within organizations, and the development of social communications as it relates to organizational contexts.

Presentations in Business & Professional Contexts
The clear dissemination of information will be the focus of this course. Emphasis will be given to the organization and presentation for business and professional speaking situations. Methods of persuasive strategies and appropriate visuals will be studied.

Intercultural Communications
This is a course which focuses on building a broad-based understanding of communications similarities and differences between and among cultures. Students will explore areas of intercultural communication arising from life situations such as business, politics, family, travel, customs, and social traditions. Students will also engage in a comparative analysis of cultures through the communications of speech, music, literature, film, dance, and language.

Critical Thinking for Conflict Resolution
This course emphasizes the necessity for reasoned thinking and stresses the need for understanding conflict and its resolution. Methods of negotiation and mediation will be studied as well as advocacy theory. The analysis of issues, argument development, and critical listening will be key components of the course.

Conducting Business Meetings & Group Discussions
This course is a study of communication behavior in business meetings and in group situations. Appropriate procedures for conducting meetings and discussions will be emphasized. Problemsolving techniques, styles of leadership, and personality barriers that inhibit effective communication will be discussed. The student will have the opportunity to fully participate in the meeting or discussion as leader and member.

Communications for the Consultant
This course is designed to allow the student to explore the career path of consulting. The emphasis will be on communications in business as related to organizations and the client. The focus will include the analysis of specific communication problems an organization might have as well as designing communication exercises and workshops to address those problem areas.

Interpersonal Communications
This course is a survey of the basic concepts of interpersonal communication including self-awareness, perceptions, emotions, and conflict resolution. The focus of the course is upon the analysis of communication skills and human behavior in relation to others. Through the observation of oral and nonverbal behaviors, the student will learn to improve message transmissions, thereby leading to personal improvement.

Marketing
An introduction to the marketing process. Including the selection of target markets, the development of product, pricing, promotion, and channel of distribution programs to effectively serve these markets. Specialized topics such as international marketing, consumerism, and ethical issues in marketing are also examined.

Professional Selling & Applied Business
This course investigates the qualities and skills required to become a sales professional and the applied sales management tools that are used to manage a revenue generation team. These practical management tactics are also useful for any professional who is responsible for the productivity of others.

Business Communications
The course examines the communications for business and develops an ability to utilize various communications techniques including memos and letter writing, report development and presentation, résumé and job search, listening, interviewing, and interpersonal and oral communications. Open to all concentrations. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.

International Business
A study of global business from the perspective of marketing including cultural considerations, implementation of strategies, and manage

Promotion Strategy
Promotion as a tool for making decisions. Advertising, personal selling, publicity, and sales promotion for profit and nonprofit organizations. Both theory and application are stressed. Projects within the local communities will be assigned to students when available.

Consumer Behavior
Macro and micro consumer behavior. The influence of psychological, sociological, and cultural factors on behavior of consumers and industrial buyers. Shows how this knowledge is indispensable to the marketing manager when making decisions about product, price, and channels of distribution.