Corequisite: ENGL 101 | F, S
The course provides an overview of the history of mass communication and the events responsible for the globalization of mass media. It offers an introduction to the theories and practices of globalized media, with particular emphasis on the rise of digital media.

Corequisite: ENGL 102 | F, S
This course is an introduction to the modern tools of information gathering that are essential for today’s media professionals. Students will learn the use of library resources and Internet-based search. They will be taught the application of the most commonly used protocols for writing papers and citing sources. Another important component of this course is to familiarize students with the elements and development of research papers, the legal issues that relate to research and accessing public records, and what constitutes plagiarism.

Prerequisite: COMM 102, Corequisite: ENGL 102 | F, S
This course offers more in-depth examination of topics addressed in COMM 101, Introduction to Global Media. It adopts a critical approach while examining the relationship between the media and the larger society, encompassing related cultural and political issues. It provides knowledge and understanding of the dominant theories and current research in media effects.

Prerequisites: COMM 102, MATH 111/160 | F
Students will gain a basic understanding of media economics, including for-profit media owned by private companies/individuals and non-profit government owned or subsidized media. They will learn the basic research methods and statistical tools used to measure readers/viewers. Students will also learn how to assess the influences of the economic model on decision-making for news, entertainment and other media industries.

Prerequisite: COMM 103 | S
Using a case study approach, this course provides students with an understanding of the traditions of media-related law that might be used as paradigms in countries with evolving media systems. It explores the ethical duties that accompany journalism, entertainment, advertising, and public relations.

Prerequisite: COMM 221, COMM 231 | S
Different media require different storytelling skills. Continuing the themes of COMM 221, this course provides training in writing for multiple media platforms, ranging from ink on paper to multimedia venues. The course also emphasizes new media technologies.

Prerequisite: ENGL 102 | F
This course allows students to explore the fundamental elements of screenwriting through writing exercises, writing short scripts, and discussing students’ work and the work of fellow screenwriters. In the process, students begin to find their own voices as writers and discover what stories they want to tell.

Prerequisites: COMM 223, COMM 231 | S
This course introduces the most important aspect of narrative filmmaking – the roles of the actor and the director in forming the story through developing an understanding of character. Students will explore the use of blocking, subtext, story refinement and acting/performance. Students will also gain an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of each crew position on a large-scale production by working as crew members on advanced projects.

Upon demand
The course aims at presenting various topics in Digital Production and Storytelling that are of interest to the students and the instructor. The course intends to widen and deepen the students’ understanding of various issues related to the broadcast industry.

Prerequisite: COMM 241, COMM 222 | S
This course explores the role of media in promoting health, education, public safety, and issues of public concern. A case study approach will involve students in research and planning media campaigns in these fields.

Prerequisite: COMM 241 | F
This course helps students understand a half hour comedy: how to create it, how to write it, and how to develop its characters and punch lines in a professional atmosphere of a comedy writing room.

Prerequisite: DPST 322 | S
The script written in the previous semester in DPST 322 is digitally produced in a way that the students will learn the fundamentals of directing the sitcom from all aspects. Students participate in acting, directing actors, shooting, editing, light design and sound design.

Prerequisites: ENGL 103, COMM 103, and Junior Status | Upon demand
Examines a range of topics not covered or covered only briefly in other courses. These may include particular aspects of television, cinema, and online entertainment, new media industry business models, the significance of interactive online features, consumers as participants in creating media products, and other matters with which graduating students should have some familiarity.

Prerequisite: DPST 322 | F
This course will fully immerse the students in the episodic series writing process. It also teaches students an appreciation of outstanding TV series from a writing perspective and how to complete a teleplay based on a current hour-long TV series.

Prerequisites: COMM 241(for DPST students), COMM 222 (for JOUR students) | F
This course provides an overview of the history, theory, and genres of documentary films. Students learn to analyze and critique a variety of historical and contemporary documentaries, while developing and producing short documentaries through team work.

Prerequisites: DPST 342, DPST 442 | S
The scenes that have been written in DPST 422 are digitally produced and directed in this course. Preproduction, digital production and post-production techniques of dramatic scenes, including scenes shot on location and others in sound stages with a singled camera, are taught to students.

Prerequisite: Senior Status
A carefully supervised internship with a media organization approved by the faculty supervisor. Students are required to submit a detailed ongoing journal and a final report as defined by the faculty supervisor.

Prerequisite: DPST 441/JOUR 441 and approval of Department head
This course is designed to demonstrate the students’ professional abilities. Students will complete a comprehensive project individually or in small groups, in addition to smaller group projects. Projects include screenplays, TV entertainment programs, radio programs, films, and other audio visual programs.

Prerequisite: COMM 222 | F
This course is an introduction to the practice and craft of gathering and writing information for news media. Students will develop sound news judgment and writing skills that will enable them to produce and edit content across multiple platforms. As much as possible, the course will be responsive to actual news, both local and international.

Prerequisite: JOUR 321 | S
This course covers advanced concepts of news gathering, interviewing and writing. Each student will choose a beat to cover for the duration of the semester, developing stories from that beat. In addition, students will select a newsworthy topic and develop a 2,500-word story due at the end of the term.

Prerequisite: COMM 222, ENGL 103 | Upon demand
Provides intensive evaluation of students’ opinion writing, including editorials, op ed columns, arts and entertainment criticism, and opinion pieces related to sports, business, politics, and other fields.

Prerequisite: Senior Status | Upon demand
Examines a range of topics not covered or covered only briefly in other courses. These may include coverage of business, environmental issues, sports, conflict, and other matters with which graduating students should have some familiarity.

Prerequisite: Senior Status | Upon demand
A capstone seminar in which students analyze and discuss in a sophisticated way critical issues in the news business, ranging from media economics to the impact of news coverage on societal institutions.

Prerequisite: COMM 241(for DPST students) or COMM 222 (for JOUR students) | F
This course provides an overview of the history, theory, and genres of documentary films. Students learn to analyze and critique a variety of historical and contemporary documentaries, while developing and producing short documentaries through teamwork.

Prerequisite: Senior Status | S
This course provides individual or small groups of students working with a faculty advisor the opportunity to design and carry out an independent venture, such as an extensive research paper, an online magazine article, or other complex journalism project.

Prerequisite: Senior Status | S
A carefully supervised internship with a media organization approved by the faculty supervisor. Students are required to submit a detailed ongoing journal and a final report as defined by the faculty supervisor.