Undergraduate Course Descriptions

COMMUNICATION (COM)

COM 1301 Communication through Speaking 3(3-0)
Pre-requisite or Co-requisite: SSK 1205

This is a University Core Course for the BAIS, BACS, BSGE, BSCSC, BSEMS

COM 1302 Introduction to Mass Communication 3 (3-0)
Pre-requisite: ENG 1301

The course surveys the history, structure and influence of different mass media, including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, motion pictures, book publishing, the Internet and satellite communication as mass media industries and producers of culture. Topics will include persuasion and influence in news, media ethics, the public relations industry, advertising, the effects of heavy exposure to media, the use of media to control social groups, and the future of media. The course also promotes media literacy by developing students’ skills in analysis and critical thinking about the mass media.  Students are required to carry out research projects on media analysis.

This is a Communications Studies Major Core Course in the BACS
This is a Required Minor in Communication Studies for Non-Communications Studies Majors

COM 1303 Introduction to Human Communication 3 (3-0)
Pre-requisite: ENG 1301

This course provides a survey of communication principles, processes, and techniques as they relate to interpersonal communication, small group communication, culture and communication, persuasion, communication in organizations, and mass mediated communication. The course provides students with an overview of the basic concepts of communication and the skills necessary to communicate in various contexts.

This is a Communications Studies Major Core Course in the BACS 2007
This is a Required Minor in Communication Studies for Non-Communications Studies Majors

COM 2301 Professional Communication Skills 3(3-0)
Pre-requisite: COM 1301

The course presents basic theories and strategies of communication as they relate to professional work contexts such as: interpersonal communication, professional presentations, organization of groups and meetings, and conducting interviews.  Students will practice these skills through presentations and role plays.  They will also learn to compose basic written forms of communication essential for the professional environment (emails, memos, cover letters, résumés).

This is a School Core Course for the BAIS, BACS, BSHRD
This is a Required Minor for Non-Communications Studies Majors

COM 2302 Human Communication 3 (3-0)
Pre-requisite: COM 1301

This course provides a survey of communication principles, processes, and techniques as they relate to interpersonal communication, small group communication, culture and communication, persuasion, communication in organizations, and mass mediated communication. The course provides students with an overview of the basic concepts of communication and the skills necessary to communicate in various contexts.

This is a Communications Studies Major Core Course in the BACS

COM 2303 International Communication 3 (3-0)
Pre-requisite: COM 1302 or special permission

The course examines the major issues in international communication through analyses of international news and information flows, media imports/exports, privatization and globalization within communications industries, the various models of global media systems, and communication as a human right.  Students will evaluate the social and economic impacts of technological developments, the shifting relationships between developed and developing countries, and the socio-economic trends associated with transnationalization of media.  This course explores concepts such as nationalism, regionalism, globalization, and cultural identity.

This is a Communications Studies Major Core Course in the BACS
This is a Required Minor for Non-Communications Studies Majors

COM 2304 Introduction to Video and Film Production 3(3-0)
Pre-requisites: COM 1302 and COM 2305 or special permission

This hands-on course introduces basic techniques of video and film production.  In addition to learning about video and film and its applications as a medium of communication, students will learn basic video camera operation and will develop skills in lighting, editing and sound acquisition.  Student will create their own final non-sync projects.

This is a Concentration Course in Professional Communication for the BACS 2007
This is an additional course for a Minor in Communication Studies for Non-Communications Studies Majors 2007

COM 2305 Computer Applications for Communication Studies 3(3-0)
Pre-requisite: SSK 1203

This course provides self-paced instruction and related projects in a variety of software  applications used in communication settings. These include programs such as: Microsoft Publisher, Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator and Dreamweaver.

This is a Communications Studies Major Core Course in the BACS 2007
This is an additional course for a Minor in Communication Studies for Non-Communications Studies Majors 2007

COM 3301 Public Relations Communication 3(3-0)
Pre-requisite: COM 1302 and COM 2305

The course will cover the principles, history, theory and practice of public relations in business, organizations and agencies. The course will use case-method and campaign-planning approaches to analyze public relations programs. The course will also examine the responsibility of the public relations practitioner to management and to relevant publics, ethics of public relations practice, and the future of the field and career opportunities.

This is a Concentration Course in Professional Communication for the BACS
This is a Minor for Non-Communications Studies Majors

COM 3310 Introduction to Promotional Communication 3(3-0)
Pre-requisite: COM 1302 and COM 2305

This course introduces students to the practical aspects of material production for commercial and non-commercial uses in advertising, marketing communication, public relations, and social marketing. Students will be exposed to the principles of the advertising plan, the design and implementation of sales promotion strategies, direct-mail advertising, and out-door advertising. Special emphasis is put on the design of print and audio visual promotional messages. Students are required to participate in a variety of communication activities and to perform a number of research tasks and practical assignments.

This is a Concentration Course in Professional Communication for the BACS
This is a Required Minor for Non-Communications Studies Majors
This is a Minor for Non-Communications Studies Majors

COM 3320 Communication Theories 3(3-0)
Pre-requisite: COM 1302 and COM 1303

This course focuses on the major approaches to theory development and the leading theories in the discipline of communication, with an attempt to connect these theories to the students’ experiences. The course will draw upon various perspectives: psychological (cognitive and behaviorist), philosophical, linguistic, and sociological. The course will also focus on genres of theories and on the theory/research connection to see how theories are applied.

This is a Communications Studies Major Core Course in the BACS

COM 3321 Mass Media and Society 3(3-0)
Pre-requisite: COM 1302 and SOC 1301 or SSC 1310,

The course examines the role and function of the media within society. Emphasis will be given to how mass media impacts social change.  Other topics include media law and regulations.

This is a Media Studies and a Professional Communication Concentration for the BACS
This is a Minor for Non-Communications Studies Majors

COM 3322 Writing for the Media (Offered in English, French or Arabic) 3 (3-0)
Pre-requisites: ENG 1302, COM 1302 and appropriate language skills as determined by instructor

The following types of writing may be covered in this course: hard news, features, script writing; writing for: television, video and the web; writing for advertising and promotional purposes. This Course may be taken for degree credit only once.

This is a Professional Communication Concentration Course for the BACS
This is a Minor for Non-Communications Studies Majors

COM 3325 Technical Communication Skills 3(3-0)
Pre-requisite: COM 1303, COM 2301 and COM 2305 or special permission

This course focuses on practical skills and necessary theories for technical communication professionals. Topics include: conducting technical research, writing for specific audiences, running usability studies, exploring issues in new media, developing technical presentations and ethics in communication. Students will undertake projects, both individually and in groups, concerning the following areas:  audience, task and needs analysis; research for technical communication; production of Technical Communication Products and writing for technical documentation.

This is a Required Minor for Non-Communications Studies Majors

COM 3326 Visual Communication 3 (3-0)
Pre-requisite: COM 1301 and COM 2305 or special permission

This course about the aesthetics and production aspects of visual communication is designed to help students develop competence in reading and interpreting visual images. The course examines technical and stylistic aspects of the media through which we experience the world and analyzes ways of understanding visual images in a variety of contexts including print, motion pictures, still photography, graphic design, television and video, computers and the World Wide Web. The focus is on media stylistic conventions, the functions of visual images and the intercultural and cross-cultural implications of visual communication, and the contribution of visual images to the promotion of culture.

This is a Communications Studies Major Core Course in the BACS
This is a Professional Communication Concentration for the BACS
This is a Minor for Non-Communications Studies Majors

COM 3327 Persuasion 3(3-0)
Pre-requisite: Junior Classification and COM 1303

This course will analyze the use of language, image and sound in persuasion.Included are the study of classical rhetoric as it is used in moderntimes as well as a survey of modern and post-modern approaches to persuasion.Students are expected to produce at least one example of originalpersuasion and are asked to present analyses of others' attempts at persuasion.

This is a Professional Communication Concentration Course for the BACS
This is a Minor for Non-Communications Studies Majors

COM 3328 Mass Media Texts Analysis 3(3-0)
Pre-requisites: COM 3320

This course focuses on the textual, social and cultural analysis of films, videos, television and print media. Theoretical frameworks and methods include content analysis, genres study, ideological criticism, and various psychological approaches.

This is a Professional Communication Concentration Course for the BACS
This is a Minor for Non-Communications Studies Majors

COM 3329 Screen Studies 3(3-0)
Pre-requisite: Junior Classification, COM 1302

This course introduces current issues in film and television with emphasis on critical thought and analysis. The course begins with attention to aspects of image-making activities — such as cinematography, editing and sound — then explores more contextual screen areas such as film and television traditions, genres, gender and representation, etc. The development of cinematic language in relation to both production and interpretation will be covered from the perspective of recent theories of visual culture. The course will include screenings and analysis of a range of works.

This is a Media Studies and Professional Communication Concentration for the BACS
This is a Minor for Non-Communications Studies Majors

COM 3330 Organizational Communication
Pre-requisite: Junior classification, COM 1303 and COM 2301

Students explore the range of communication required in successful organizations including the writing of feasibility studies, policy and position papers, project plan proposals and annual reports. The course examines the role of communication in organizations as well as the major theories of organizational communication, identifying and defining primary concepts, applying them to discussions of real-world situations. The role of technology, corporate culture, leadership, teamwork, ethics, and diversity in communication is examined. Effective communication in global organizations and critiques of organization communication systems and structures are also presented.

COM 3399 Special Topics in Communication 3(3-0)
Pre-requisite: Junior Classification

This course will be offered occasionally; topics will vary.  Course may be taken for degree credit only once.

This is a Professional Communication Concentration Course for the BACS
This is a Minor for Non-Communications Studies Majors

COM 4302 Advanced Video and Film Production 3(3-0)
Pre-requisite: Junior Classification and COM 2304

This advanced hands-on class builds on the skills learned in COM 2304 Introduction to Video and Film Production.  It introduces script-writing, screen direction, advanced video techniques, and editing with an emphasis on producing a sync film. Students will be required to complete a longer final project.

This is a Professional Communication Concentration Course for the BACS
This is a Minor for Non-Communications Studies Majors

COM 4304 Media and Development 3(3-0)
Pre-requisites: Senior Classification, COM 3321, and either COM 2304 or COM 3310

This course examines the role media play in the promotion of social change in areas such as the environment, health, population, education, and traffic safety. This course explores the expansion of new media technologies and their implications on development issues. The course addresses ways in which groups have used new media technologies to further their social or political agendas or short-circuit local market constraints. Students will learn the conceptual and methodological skills required for the design and implementation of communication programs for social change.

This is a Professional Communication Concentration Course for the BACS
This is a Minor for Non-Communications Studies Majors