Communications

An introductory lab that acquaints new Communications majors and minors with the effective operation of a television studio. Under the guidance of advanced students, COM 101 students serve as the technical crew in the production of a weekly sports-related studio program. Students are required to take COM 101/201/301/401 in sequence. Restricted to COM majors and minors only.

Contemporary media play a vital role in today’s society. In this introductory survey course, students study the history, development, and organization of the electronic mass media. Development in telecommunications technology is also included. The course emphasizes the relationship of media and its impact on society as well as ethical decision making and the diversity of its audiences from the 19th century to today’s broadcast and online media.

A course for non-majors and non-minors providing practical skills in mass communications. Students learn the theoretical and practical fundamentals of media writing, interviewing, public relations, law and ethics, social media, branding, and other essentials of working with mass communications. For non-majors and non-minors only. COM 111 will not satisfy curriculum requirements for majors or minors in COM/DGM/GPD and will not count toward completion of required program electives for those majors or minors.

The fundamentals of writing for mass media across print, broadcast and multimedia platforms form the basis of this course. Students put the elements of journalism to use on actual reporting assignments, write scripts and develop storyboards for broadcast outlets, and learn the fundamentals of advertising and public relations writing. Students also learn about the importance of proper copy editing, as well as the legal and ethical aspects of media writing. Other areas of media writing, such as scriptwriting and art writing, are also covered. Restricted to COM /DGM/GPD majors and COM minors.

Students build on the skills learned in COM 101 to increase mastery of audio and video production in the Langford Center’s facilities. Students continue to work under the guidance of advanced students as they begin to develop their own leadership qualities. Students are required to take COM 101/201/301/401 in sequence. Restricted to COM majors and minors.

Using the skills learned in COM 121, students engage in advanced media writing work, including filing stories for print and broadcast outlets. Students learn the importance of thorough reporting, proper time management and meeting deadlines. Students also engage with working journalists and with interact members of the greater Newberry community to learn firsthand how a media professional’s work is properly done.

An introduction to the disciplines and techniques of digital video editing for broadcast and online media. Practical experience includes designing and producing short videos using portable video cameras and digital editing equipment. Restricted to COM/DGM/GPD majors, and COM minors, only. Students must provide their own cameras, computers and editing software. All Communications students are required to have a laptop computer with at least entry-level video and audio editing software (for video, iMovie for Mac OS or Pinnacle for Windows, or DaVinci Resolve for either operating system; for audio, Audacity for either operating system). Tablet and mobile devices (iPads, smartphones, etc.) will not meet the professional-level expectations of assignments given in the Communications program.

Introduction to the theory of persuasive communications forms, including the history, law, ethics, campaign techniques, and professional applications needed to understand how campaigns are produced and followed.

In this course, students begin applying leadership skills in a working environment. Students fulfill leadership roles in media productions and serve as mentors to COM 101 students. Students are required to take COM 101/201/301/401 in sequence. Restricted to COM majors and minors only.

An introduction to and analysis of procedures in planning and monitoring media productions and organizations. Students learn how to analyze factors influencing the content, style, and costs for various types of programs, and learn about budgeting, schedules, logistics, and basic legal requirements. The course also examines ownership and regulation, organizational structure, personnel, business models and sales for the broadcast and online media.

Aesthetics refers to the creative use of camera angles, motion, lighting, color, sound, music, special effects and editing for creative impact. This course examines theories and disciplines of shooting and editing and how they combine with all the media aesthetics, primarily for television production. Students apply these concepts to the production of short projects illustrating the concepts in detail.

Students in the Journalism sequence gain practical experience by working with a designated on-campus office or organization. During the practicum, students build experience in taking assignments from supervisors, in working independently, and in meeting deadlines – skills that are important in successful completion of the required COM 495 internship. Students will also choose the company or organization with which they wish to serve their internships and will complete the application process for this internship by the end of the semester.

An intermediate course in the design and production of audio programs. Practical experience will include designing and producing more complex programs using studio and editing equipment. Music and reporting as well as other program formats may be included in this course.

An intermediate course in the design and production of studio programs using the Langford Communications Center Studio. Practical experience includes designing and producing a complex studio-based news program suitable for broadcast or web streaming.

Methods of human studies research targeted to the understanding of how people think and act, including such methods as survey research, focus groups, statistical analysis of data, and an understanding of how research can be used to guide campaigns.

The history and evolution of our nation’s fundamental right, and the implications for mass communicators in such areas as libel, privacy, access to meetings and records, obscenity, and government regulation. Each student completes an independent research project introducing them to the basics of legal research and procedure.

This course will expose students to the types of research likely to be encountered by a Communications student in an advanced degree program. The course includes an overview of the critical reference sources in Communications, searching paper and electronic resources such as indexes and journal databases, on-line catalogs of various kinds, government document resources, and planning and executing a comprehensive literature search. Recommended for students planning to attend graduate school.

In this lab, advanced students take direct charge of audio and video productions and demonstrate leadership skills essential for career success. Students in this course serve in managerial positions and as mentors to COM 201 students. Students are required to take COM 101/201/301/401 in sequence. Restricted to COM majors and minors only.

Advanced audio production using digital media tools to produce significant audio-based programs.

A study and practice of advanced production and performance skills both in studio production and in independent or non-studio production for television and online media. Practical experience includes researching, writing, shooting and performing in a variety of journalistic projects designed for the student to tell a story and communicate with an audience. Students must provide their own cameras, computers and editing software. All Communications students are required to have a laptop computer with at least entry-level video and audio editing software (for video, iMovie for Mac OS or Pinnacle for Windows; for audio, Audacity for either operating system). Tablet and mobile devices (iPads, smartphones, etc.) will not meet the professional-level expectations of assignments given in the Communications program.

This course allows students to work on a single, complex, professional multimedia experience that integrates all of their previous studies into one class.

The second semester of COM 430.

A critical examination of the production, social, legal and ethical aspects of mass media, including print and electronic media. Theories of mass media are presented and used for the analysis of specific examples. Students conduct individual studies of selected aspects of mass media. Recommended for students planning to attend graduate school.

This is an advanced seminar on the theory and practice of media campaigns as used by public relations professionals. Students will actively develop and deploy a public relations campaign.

A critical survey of theories of mass communications. Students will begin to understand and comprehend the cognitive ideas and theories that guide scholarly research and delve into the major areas of media research conducted over the past century. This course is significantly useful for those students considering graduate school.

This course for seniors takes a close look at a single aspect of mass communications. Students take an active role in the course, leading class discussions, giving presentations, and producing independent scholarly work.

Studies in specific disciplines taught on an individual basis or in various settings including study-abroad programs. This course is repeatable up to two times total. There may be additional cost in undertaking special studies abroad.

A course of directed readings with a term paper or production of a significant independent work in communications. Students may take each section of independent study once for credit. The cost of consumable production materials is additional. Students must submit a completed Proposal Form to the program coordinator by the posted deadline and are responsible for the successful completion of any other required paperwork. All applications are subject to review and approval by Communications faculty. Restricted to COM majors and minors only. Subject to Independent Study rules and regulations.

A course of directed readings with a term paper or production of a significant independent work in communications. Students may take each section of independent study once for credit. The cost of consumable production materials is additional. Students must submit a completed Proposal Form to the program coordinator by the posted deadline and are responsible for the successful completion of any other required paperwork. All applications are subject to review and approval by Communications faculty. Restricted to COM majors and minors only. Subject to Independent Study rules and regulations.

Internships are directed learning in a professional work environment related to the communications field. Limited to Communications majors and minors. COM 495/496 internships must be performed with off-campus businesses or organizations. Internships with activities or offices affiliated with Newberry College, or performed in conjunction with activities for other courses, will not count for course credit. The business or organization is subject to verification and approval by Communications faculty. A minimum of 45 hours of on-site work is required for each hour of credit. Students are responsible for the completion and submission of the required Internship Application by posted deadline. All applications are subject to review and approval by Communications faculty. Subject to Internship regulations and restrictions.

Internships are directed learning in a professional work environment related to the communications field. Limited to Communications majors and minors. COM 495/496 internships must be performed with off-campus businesses or organizations. Internships with activities or offices affiliated with Newberry College, or performed in conjunction with activities for other courses, will not count for course credit. The business or organization is subject to verification and approval by Communications faculty. A minimum of 45 hours of on-site work is required for each hour of credit. Students are responsible for the completion and submission of the required Internship Application by posted deadline. All applications are subject to review and approval by Communications faculty. Subject to Internship regulations and restrictions.

Students undertaking a project requiring scholarly research and /or professional production. The cost of consumable production materials is additional. Students must submit a completed Proposal Form to the program coordinator by the posted deadline and are responsible for the successful completion of any other required paperwork. All applications are subject to review and approval by Communications faculty. Subject to Senior Essays regulations and restrictions.