Shepherd University

2005-07 Catalog
(Volume XLV * May 2005)

Section VII: Courses of Instruction

Communications

COMM 202. Fundamentals of Speech (3)
A required course for all students with focus upon the skills of sending and receiving clear messages. Audience analysis, the organization of the message, listening awareness, and the management of communication apprehension are foremost among the course objectives. Students participate in communication exercises and deliver a variety of speeches of different formats.

COMM 203. Introduction to Mass Communication (3)
A prerequisite for all courses in the mass communications major, mass communication minor, and journalism minor. The course is designed to provide students with a general background in all facets of communication and media. Topics include print, broadcast, electronic, and institutional communication, as well as advertising, public relations, and music.

COMM 222. Voice and Diction (3)
This course is designed to improve speaking thorough the understanding and application of principles for proper breathing techniques, projection, articulation, inflection, and pronunciation. Through readings in dramatic literature, poetic and prose, as well as the application of theories in vocal production, the course improves voice quality as it develops the student's reading and speaking abilities. Prerequisite: COMM 202, 203.

COMM 302. Writing for the Mass Media (3)
Differences between writing for the mass media and other forms of writing are explored through subject matter, purpose, audience, and circumstance. Students write for print, broadcast, and the Web in various style formats of news, features and sports. Prerequisites: COMM 202, 203.

COMM 320. Presentations for Media (3)
This course emphasizes improving the individual's nonverbal communication and vocal skills for the broadcast media. Students combine broadcast theory with practical skills to enhance understanding of and performance of all types of broadcast material. Prerequisite: COMM 202 and COMM 203.

COMM 326. Radio Practicum (3)
A course in which the student, assigned a specific musical format, prepares and executes weekly programs complete with musical selections, news headlines, announcements, and a program guest. To qualify, the student must be capable of operating all studio equipment. Prerequisites: COMM 202, COMM 203. May be repeated once.

COMM 329. Sound Design (3)
A course in the creation and critique of audio productions for radio and video. The course explores both the theory and practice of acoustic communication and sound design. It considers both the aesthetics of electroacoustic communication and the social, cultural, and institutional contexts of radio broadcasting. Prerequisites: COMM 202, COMM 203.

COMM 331. Intercollegiate Forensics (2)
A course which insists that competition accelerates rhetorical competencies in debate and individual events. In the former, students compete against teams from other colleges by debating topics which have been chosen at the national level. In the latter, students display their understanding of literary texts as well as current events by competing against other students in faculty-judged circumstances. In both debate and individual events, overnight travel is likely and the course may be repeated. Prerequisites: COMM 202.

COMM 339. Public Relations Writing and Design (3)
Collaboration with the graphic design program provides insight into the function of public relations. Effective communication strategies will include newsletters, pamphlets, brochures, and Web pages as well as writing technique and style for print and broadcast. Prerequisites: COMM 202, COMM 203, COMM 302.

COMM 342. Media Studies (3)
A course that investigates the significance of contemporary media, cultural ideals, beliefs, and values. The course considers the significance and impact of media on our experience of self, community, culture, society, and world. The course will engage students in the critical practices of reading, decoding, and interpreting cultural texts and practices. Prerequisites: COMM 202, COMM 203.

COMM 350. Single Camera Production (3)
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. Prerequisites: COMM 202, COMM 203.

COMM 352. Computer-Mediated Communication (3)
A course that focuses on the study, practice, and criticism of computer-mediated communication. Students will develop projects using the Internet, World Wide Web, Gopher, WAIS, e-mail, and other emerging technologies. The course is designed to teach students to use effectively these technologies, to study the impact on society, and to think critically about that impact. Prerequisites: COMM 202, COMM 203.

COMM 355. Advertising and Imagery (3)
A course that explores the significance and influence of advertising, public relations, and public opinion on contemporary culture. Case studies in the history, institutional practice, and aesthetics of advertising, public relations, and public opinion will be studied. The course will consider the social, political, cultural, and personal dimensions of interpreting advertising, public relations, and public opinion. Course projects will include the creation and development of an advertising and public relations campaign. Prerequisites: COMM 202, COMM 203.

COMM 360. Studio Production (3)
A course in video production that investigates the theory and practice of studio productions, such as news and talk shows. Attention will be given to directing and producing audio and camera for multi-camera production. Prerequisites: COMM 202, COMM 203.

COMM 392. Cooperative Education in Communications (1-6)
A capstone course involving all that the student has learned during enrollment in the program. Working through the Office of Cooperative Education and coordinating plans with the communications faculty, the student engages in an intensive co-op with an appropriate agency. Prerequisite: COMM 202 and COMM 203 and written approval from the Department of Communications.

COMM 400. Media Law and Ethics (3)
An exploration of communication law intended to add to the student's appreciation of the legal process and its historical underpinnings. This course provides information designed to help communications specialists make informed judgments in situations with ethical and legal consequences. Prerequisites: COMM 202, COMM 203.

COMM 402. Seminar in Communications (3)
A senior year alternative to COMM 450, this course focuses upon topics faculty believe are of interest to those who intend to continue advanced study in the field. Topics for the seminar are announced during early registration. Prerequisites: COMM 202, COMM 203.

COMM 405. Advertising, Writing, and Design (3)
Professional advertising copywriting and advertising design philosophy combine to give the student background in the creation of print and broadcast advertising. Collaboration with the graphic design program allows original advertising campaigns to be developed. Prerequisites: COMM 202, COMM 203, COMM 302.

COMM 435. Media Research (3)
A course designed to provide students with a foundation in mass media research. The course will introduce students to a variety of methods including, but not limited to, content analysis, survey (with emphasis on demographic and ratings research), in-depth interview, and focus groups. Prerequisites: COMM 202, COMM 203.

COMM 450. Internship in Communication (3)
A capstone course in experiential learning. The student engages in writing a resume, interviewing, and participating in an intensive internship, externship, or cooperative with an appropriate agency. Students may elect to intern in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with the Washington Gateway program. Prerequisites: COMM 202, COMM 203, and written approval from the Department of Communications. May be repeated once.

COMM 461. Senior Project (3)
A required course for all communication seniors that brings together communication theory and practical experience into a final project and presentation. Original projects may include, but are not limited to, videos, audio tapes, papers, Web pages, and multimedia, and will be presented before the communications faculty and students. Two faculty members, selected by the student, will serve as advisors for the project. The course will serve as a final assessment of communications skills. This course is to be offered in the spring semester; students are expected to register in their last year of study.

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