Major
Communication
Communication Arts Department
Evelyn Spratt, Ph.D., Interim Dean, School of Arts, Sciences and Business
TBD, Ph.D., Chair
Avery Griffin, M.F.A.
Kendrick Kenney, M.A.
Pamela O'Brien, Ph.D.
Campuses
Main Campus
Summary
The Communication Arts Department of the College of Arts, Sciences and Business offers a Major and Minor in Communication Arts to traditional undergraduate students. The Program provides an intensive study of communication between and among persons via the mass media and in cyberspace. The Department mission is to enable students to be knowledgeable creators and astute consumers of messages within our increasingly complex, technological society. The core curriculum aims to develop the student's talents in communicating effectively in print, in visuals, in speech, and with diverse types of media. By offering additional choices through a series of electives, the Program also encourages students to design a specialty within the communication fields, such as advertising, video and digital media, public relations, journalism, or corporate communication. Through internships, practicums, and advanced courses, the student learns in more depth about the theory and practices of the specific communication area of the student's interest.
Department facilities include a digital, wireless green screen studio with computer-based nonlinear editing, ENG equipment for video field work, the campus streaming radio station, NDMU radio, and student-run newspaper, Columns. Classes meet frequently in the department's Macintosh laboratory for sessions on writing, digital publishing, digital design work, and multimedia presentations.
Early internships during the sophomore and junior years may be taken to explore various career areas in which students may be interested. All Communication Arts majors must complete an advanced practicum with an approved organization as part of their senior year experience.
Graduates in Communication Arts have been employed in settings as varied as C-SPAN, Animal Planet, SmartCEO magazine, Baltimore Magazine, the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, and The Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. They serve as advertising media planners, Webmasters, media relations experts, television producers, newspaper editors and sports information directors. An active Advisory Board of department graduates assists the faculty in preparing students for careers. The Department sponsored the first student chapter of the Association for Women in Communications in the State of Maryland.
Degrees and Certificates
-
Communication Arts, -
Communication Arts, Minor
Courses
COM-101: Introduction to Media Writing
Credits 3.00Explores the various types of writing and rhetorical approaches used in crafting messages for the mass media. Provides experience in writing for journalistic, broadcasting, public relations and advertising needs, with diagnostic attention given to the individual student's writing skills. Writing requirements of the Web and digital media are previewed. Intensive laboratory work assists the student in improvement of skills. Offered in Women's College only. Prerequisite: ENG-101 or permission of department. [3 credits]
COM-106: Human Communication in a Digital World
Credits 3.00Examines the role that digital technology plays in the communication process. Students will explore how changes in technology impact that ways in which people communicate, both publicly and privately. How technology integrates into and impacts human interactions will be examined. Students will learn how to use technology to create effective communication messages for various contexts, as well as discuss how context impacts the ways in which communication messages need to be created and conveyed. This course will also provide students with the skills to critically analyze communication and media messages. Fulfills the generaleducation requirement in oral communication. [3 credits]
COM-130: Courageous, Female Journalists: Women Fight to Cover War
Credits 3.00Explores the historical struggles female journalists have encountered while trying to cover wars. The course will focus on the role of female journalists in WWII, Vietnam, and modern wars/conflict zones. The patriarchal culture of the newsroom will be examined as one of the factors women had to overcome to be allowed to report on the front lines. In addition, the course will discuss the physical dangers associated with war coverage, as well as the unique dangers female reporters face based on their gender. The course willinclude a field trip. Fulfills general education requirement in gender studies. [ 3 credits ]
COM-131: Mass Media and Society
Credits 3.00Studies the role of newspapers, magazines, radio, television, motion pictures and the "new media" in contemporary life and their impact on sociological and cultural patterns. The goal of the course is to develop the students'critical perspective through reflective review of media messages and analysis of current media systems. [3 credits]
COM-200: Digital Skills Workshop
Credits 3.00Provides students with hands-on experience in using digital technology tools toward development of competencies needed for advanced courses in the major and professional field work. Should be completed by majors in the first or second year. [3 credits]
COM-201: Interpersonal and Team Communication
Credits 3.00Examines concepts, principles and skills central to interpersonal communication processes. Develops understanding of verbal and nonverbal dimensions of human interaction from both experiential and competency-based approaches. Consideration given to group dynamics. Students write reflective journals and participate in a number of workshop experiences. [3 credits]
COM-202: College Media Workshop
Credits 1.00 3.00Provides training for staff members and leaders of the student media on campus-the yearbook, television channel, radio station and newspaper. Requires substantial writing, editing, promotional, and/or production work on at least one campus medium. Opportunities to develop materials for presentation in a professional portfolio. May be repeated for additional credit (up to six credits) to complete an extended project or learn new skills. [1-3 credits]
COM-203: Media Writing
Credits 3.00Provides instruction in writing for print, broadcast, advertising, public relations and new online media. Students will learn skills for adapting written content to various media platforms. Additionally, writing objectively, developing story ideas, proper citation of sources, audience considerations, legal and ethical issues, information gathering, interviewing and fact checking are some of the concepts covered by this course. Prerequisite ENG-101. [ 3 credits ]
COM-206: Speaking in Professional Settings
Credits 3.00Explores the art of public communication and persuasion, content and delivery, through composition and delivery of a variety of speeches. Particular attention is given to the xpectations of the workplace. Recommended in first year or second year. Fulfills the general education requirement in oral communication. [3 credits]
COM-210: Social Media
Credits 3.00Engages students in a theoretical and critical look at the incursion of social media (such as blogs, Facebook, Twitter) into human communication processes and considers the implications of use of these media for the future of communication. [3 credits]
COM-221: Small Group Communication
Credits 3.00Studies communication in task and decision-making groups. Explores communication that contributes to cohesion, conformity, conflict and coalition formation. Provides methods of team building and group observation through varied workshop opportunities. [3 credits]
COM-249: Television Performance
Credits 3.00Employs a workshop format to examine the techniques used in television performance. Develops skills in news delivery, interviewing and on-camera demonstration. Students spend extensive time in front of the camera improving their delivery. Teaches basic scriptwriting and directing. [3 credits]
COM-257: Honors: Japanese Popular Culture: Manga & Anime
Credits 3.00Examines a wide variety of Japanese manga, anime, films and video games and discuss the relevance of these texts to contemporary Japanese and American society. Considers the historical contexts during which these unique forms of media developed, with special attention to changes that occurred follow-ing the American occupation in the aftermath of World War II. Particularly focuses on the pop culture texts Japan has exported since becoming an economic superpower in the 1980s. Explores utopian/dystopian expression in Japanese sci-fi narratives of this era, and the complex interplay of gender and technology in the new posthuman societies that these narratives envision. Also considers the significance of global fandom as we chart the rise of the American otaku, and its relevance to future Japanese-American relations. Prerequisite: Morrissy Honor Students or permis- sion of Director, Morrrissy Honor's program. Fulfills general education requirement in cross- cultural studies. [ 3 credits ]
COM-301: Feature Writing
Credits 3.00Focuses on the preparation of long and short feature articles, columns and editorials for magazine, newspaper or web publication. Analyzes markets for writing. Requires reporting activities outside of class. Opportunities to prepare manuscripts for publication and for the professional portfolio. Prerequisite: COM-101. [3 credits]
COM-303: Intercultural Communication
Credits 3.00Provides an overview of face-to-face intercultural communication, integrating theory and interaction. Examines the anthropological, sociological and psychological aspects of culture as applied to solving communication problems in multicultural and international settings. Fulfills general education requirement in cross-cultural studies. [3 credits]
COM-304: Writing for Broadcast Media
Credits 3.00Develops skills in several electronic media and film formats including radio, television and interactive media. Emphasizes idea and character development, research and writing of treatments and scripts for informational, persuasive and fictional pieces. Covers principles of news reporting for the broadcast media. Provides opportunities to develop materials for the professional portfolio. Prerequisite: COM-101 for the Women's College; ENG-101 for Weekend College. [ 3 credits ]
COM-310: Media Literacy
Credits 3.00Explores visual and audio literacy through the balance of critical consumption and production skills. Employs a series of units in which students decode complex visual and audio images and then move to composition in both visual and auditory production. Creation of a Web-based portfolio is the culminating unit. [3 credits]
COM-313: Digital Media Design
Credits 3.00Provides hands-on experience in the use of digital and social media in professional contexts in the communication fields. Students will complete a number of projects applicable to professional situations that will enhance the job-search portfolio. [3 credits]
COM-314: Reporting and Writing News
Credits 3.00Stresses the writing of accurate and stylistically compelling news and information and the development of interviewing skills. Students will use digital media and new technologies necessary for covering stories and preparing news packages in the field. Mobile reporting and convergence are stressed. [3 credits]
COM-315: Topics in Communication
Credits 3.00Provides an intensive study of a specific topic in communication. May be taken for credit more than once if topic is different. [3 credits]
COM-317: Political Communication
Credits 3.00Explores the role that communication plays in politics and the effects that specific strategies such as message targeting, market segmentation, and agenda setting have on members of the public. Examines the major theories and social-scientific research that is being conducted by communication researchers and political scientists and applies these principles to evaluations of both past and current political campaigns. Fulfills general education requirment in social science. [ 3 credits ]
COM-319: Advertising and Analytics
Credits 3.00Provides a foundation in the principles of advertising and studies the advertising media. Includes the planning of advertising strategy and making ads. Practical assignments advance understanding of key message objectives, copywriting principles and ad design principles introduced in COM-101. Discusses social and economic aspects of advertising and advertising research. [3 credits]
COM-325: Film Themes (by Topic)
Credits 3.00Teaches the principles of screen art with viewing
of selected films. Critiques the films based on theories of filmmaking. Themes drawn from world cinema. (May be taken for credit more than once if topic is different.) Fulfills the general education requirement in fine arts. [3 credits]
COM-329: Honors: Women in Mass Communication History
Credits 3.00Engages students in an historical-critical study of the role of women in the communication fields of broadcasting, journalism, public relations and advertising. Surveys their contributions as practitioners and the challenges they have met as part of the professional media culture. Opportunities to meet women working in the media and to participate in an oral history project. Fulfills general education requirement in history and gender studies. [3 credits]
COM-330: Women in Film
Credits 3.00Heightens awareness of the ways in which women have been portrayed in Hollywood-made films during the 20th century. Presumes that mass media serve as agents of socialization and will consider how popular films have both reinforced and challenged gender stereotypes and ideals. Extensive screening of films and film clips. Fulfills general education requirement in fine arts and gender studies. [ 3 credits ]
COM-331: Public Relations
Credits 3.00Takes a social science approach to the study of public relations as relationship management. Examines communication strategies for reaching various publics and stakeholders. Provides practical experience in planning and writing publicity and public relations materials to reach communication goals. Opportunities to produce materials for the professional portfolio. [3 credits]
COM-343: Video and Audio Production
Credits 4.00Introduces students to audio and video production
in the studio and in the field through the study of aesthetics and technical principles. Hands-on learning of cameras, video switching, audio, lighting, effects and non-linear, digital editing. Opportunities to produce materials for the professional resume tape and portfolio. Extended class plus lab session in studio. [4 credits]
COM-351: Art of the Film
Credits 3.00Surveys the evolution of motion pictures as a distinctive art form. Studies major film theories, film genres and film reviewing. Incorporates extensive screenings of selected films and readings from film literature. Fulfills the general education requirement in fine arts. [3 credits]
COM-356: Communication Research Methods
Credits 3.00Serves as an introduction to research methods in the communication field, detailing how to gather and analyze data about communication processes and their effects. Emphasizes the relevance of research to helping communication practitioners make sound decisions in applied settings (e.g., print, video, advertising, public relations and interpersonal relations). In workshop and small group settings, students learn how to formulate and pursue research questions of interest. Prerequisites: COM-131, COM-201. [3 credits]
COM-362: Copy Editing
Credits 3.00Teaches basic skills required in editing for print media, including newspapers, magazines, newsletters and brochures, public relations and advertising copy. Includes writing headlines, specifying type, editing photos and proofreading for style and accuracy based on the requirements of the copy. The rudiments of design are introduced with emphasis on the relationship between editorial planning and visual presentation. Extensive workshop and laboratory work. [3 credits]
COM-363: Publication Design and Publishing
Credits 3.00Provides extensive laboratory practice in print media design principles and development of skills required to manipulate illustration and desktop publishing software packages. Studies newspaper, magazine, newsletter, brochure and advertising designs and issues of convergence to the Web. Extensive workshop and laboratory work. Opportunities provided to produce materials for the professional portfolio. [3 credits]
COM-375: Event Planning
Credits 3.00Provides an overview of the necessary preparations for planning a major event. Course work includes a survey of the types of events, venue selection, catering, marketing and promotions, networking, budgeting, execution and evaluation of events. No freshman level students.
[3 credits]
COM-382: Gender and Communication
Credits 3.00Examines how communication creates, perpetuates and recreates gender roles. Includes an exploration of the rhetorical movements that provide the foundation for gender and communication in different settings such as the personal environment (gendered verbal and nonverbal communication), the professional environment (education and the workplace) and the media environment. Fulfills general education requirement in gender studies. [3 credits]
COM-401: Writing for the Web
Credits 3.00Explores techniques for making the transition from writing for traditional mass media to writing for online media. Teaches students to use online resources and produce online messages and "articles" of various types. Provides opportunities to develop materials for the professional portfolio. [3 credits]
COM-403: Organizational Communication
Credits 3.00Studies communication systems, structure, problems and solutions within complex organizations, such as business corporations, governmental agencies, hospitals and schools. Students develop practical plans to improve communication within organizations. [3 credits]
COM-411: Topics: Communication Arts
Credits 3.00Explores various topics in Communication Arts. Topic will change each offering of the course and will be noted. Variable credit. [ 1 - 4 credits ]
COM-419: Advertising and Public Relations Campaigns
Credits 3.00Focuses on the development of objectives, strategies, tactics and messages for advertising and public relations campaigns. Analyzes current ongoing campaigns to learn how and why campaigns succeed and fail. Class functions as an agency and prepares campaign proposals for clients. Provides opportunities to develop materials for the professional portfolio. Prerequisite: COM-319 or COM-331. [3 credits]
COM-430: Strategic Communication
Credits 3.00Serves as the capstone course for the corporate communications program; requires students to apply their knowledge from the program's core subjects in the analysis of communication, technology, and business problems reflected in case studies of specific organizations. [3 credits]
COM-441: Mass Communication Law
Credits 3.00Provides students with opportunities to discuss and analyze the major legal problems encountered by communication practitioners. Teaches case method by review of benchmark federal and state court decisions and statutes. Covers freedom of information, censorship, copyright, privacy, libel, and law for the digital media, public relations, business communication, advertising and broadcasting. Students write case briefs and hypothetical case analyses. [3 credits]
COM-461: Communication Arts Practicum
Credits 4.00Provides opportunities to work in pre-professional settings in communication positions with an approved organization. Prepares the student for a career in the communication field of her choice as a culminating experience. The student must enroll for the spring semester of her senior year. Prerequisite: senior standing. [4 credits]
COM-463: Independent Study in Communication
Credits 3.00Provides the qualified student with opportunities
to conduct research or produce a body of creative work under the direction of a faculty member. Permission required. [3 credits]
DMA-100: Introduction to Design Systems
Credits 3.00Explore the depth of Adobe's industry-leading software suite in this intensive and hands-on course. Designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding and practical experise, Adobe Creative Cloud offers a robust set of creative tools widely used in professional fields [ 3 credits ]
DMA-103: Fundamentals of Design
Credits 3.00Offers an introduction to the theories and practices of graphic design. Provides a historical analysis of visual communication with emphasis on the development of the profession of graphic design and the relationship of commerce and technology to the history of graphic design. Co-requisite: DMA-100. [3 credits]
DMA-201: Time-Based Media
Credits 3.00Provides experience in the fundamentals of time-based design. Students will create projects that deal with narrative elements, composition, motion, variables and type. Storyboard project planning and software animation will be covered. [3 credits]
DMA-202: Design Theory I
Credits 3.00Explores graphic communication through understanding the elements and principles of design, as well as the design process, from idea development through final execution. Emphasizes two-dimensional design, color and content creation, while employing the design process of research, sketching and experimentation. Prerequisites: DMA-100, DMA-103. [3 credits]
DMA-351: Design Theory II
Credits 3.00Advances computerized graphic design skills with an emphasis on Adobe InDesign. Students learn software-specific skills needed for full color graphic arts and pre-press production. Clear and precise visual communication, problem solving and presentation are stressed. Focus on portfolio development. Formerly ART-351. Prerequisite: DMA-202. [ 3 credits ]
DMA-360: Animation and Motion Graphics
Credits 3.00Engages students in a more intensive investigation of animation through the analysis of motion and transformation with photograph, video, illustration, and animation in traditional and digital media, with a focus on Adobe After Effects. Students learn how images and type are choreographed to produce attractive and dynamic motion graphics. Prerequisite: DMA-201. [3 credits]
DMA-375: Typography
Credits 3.00Investigates problem-solving strategies concerned with the selection, organization and presentation of text. Students will enhance digital typesetting skills to effectively present information in print and motion applications. Topics include origins of the alphabet, typeface classifications, abstract communication with letterforms and design with text. Formerly ART-375. Prerequisite: DMA-101 or permission. [3 credits]
DMA-401: Computer Animation
Credits 3.00Engages students in an intensive investigation of animation through the analysis of motion in traditional and digital media. Students apply skills to various anatomical problems to find modeling and rigging solutions for character motion. Major emphasis is placed on proper identification of controls for the end user. [3 credits]
DMA-411: Topics in Digital Media
Credits 3.00Surveys current topics of interest within the field of graphic design, video, animation, web and social media. Projects in typography, book design, motion, digital imaging and a variety of other methods will be addressed in different sessions to complete the course portfolio. May be taken more than once on different topics. Prerequisite: will differ depending on topic. [3 credits]
DMA-461: Digital Media Practicum
Credits 3.00Structures a professional-level internship that places students in an entry-level position at a high-tech company in the Greater Baltimore area. Students will work under close supervision of faculty and the agency sponsor with the intention of gaining in-depth experience in the field. [3 credits]