COM 105 Introduction to Mass Media (3)
An historical survey of the development of the major mass media, including newspapers, radio, television, film, recording industry, internet and others. The course examines mass communication theories and social, political, and economic impact of media and technology. (L05)

COM 201 Media Literacy (3)
This course emphasizes history of, analysis of, and practice with various media. Students critically engage materials and media messages from a variety of media outlets in order to increase awareness of their own media literacy abilities as well as further their understanding of media literacy theories and concepts. Spring.

COM 202 Group Process (3)
This course offers both theory and class practicum in such group operations as determining goals, setting agendas, identifying roles, selecting leaders and managing conflicts.

COM 205 Contemporary Advertising (3)
Primary topics include basic advertising theory and practice. Topics include content analysis, message creation and critique. Additional topics include research, production and advertising planning. (L05)

COM 206 Conflict Management (3)
Study and analysis of conflict and conflict management with a focus on communication and power strategies in a variety of relational contexts. Offered as needed.

COM 207 Film Arts (3)
Analysis of film genres. Specific groups include: westerns, musicals, gangster and detective films. Work of specific directors is highlighted, and some basic film history, analysis, and criticism are included. Spring (L05)

COM 208 Media Ethics (3)
An examination of current media ethics in theory and practice. Major topic areas will include the news industry, including newspaper, television, radio, on-line, advertising and radio. Fall

COM 213 Documentary Film and TV (3)
Viewing and criticism of major documentary works in film and TV. Discussion and analysis focuses on social, historical or political influence and effect of films. Covers period from 1890s to the present. Fall (L05)

COM 217 New Media and Basic Multimedia Production (4)
An introductory course in new media and basic multimedia production. Students learn basic concepts for a variety of software programs by hands on experience. Students will also use a variety of pieces of equipment. Technology Fee required.

COM 220 Film History (3)
A broad look at Film History from the pioneers of the silent era, to the birth of the studio system, through to the rise of the independents. Films selected for viewing will include those of significance to development of the industry. Spring. (L05)

COM 221 Journalism I (4)
Basics of journalism. Emphasis on how to identify news and structure stories. Format and style for newspapers are emphasized. Extensive writing. Computer literacy is assumed. Fulfills writing-intensive requirement.

COM 222 Film Genres (3)
Films associated with a particular genre will be analyzed, with attention paid to specific writers, directors, and performers linked to the genre. Genres include, but are not restricted to: The American Western, Combat Film, and Film Noir. Students may repeat the course once, but may not repeat the genre. Fall. (L05)

COM 225 Interviewing (3)
Students will study and practice styles of interviewing for print: short and long form profiles; Q&A; graph and index; column and commentary; immersion articles. Evaluation and assessment by portfolio, audio and video recording as appropriate.

COM 227 Public Relations History and Practice (3)
An introduction to the field, history and practices of public relations through selected case studies, student projects, and creating and writing PR materials. Topics include PR foundations, media relations, community involvement, corporate and institutional relations. Fall.

COM 240 Interpersonal Communication (3)
This course examines interpersonal communication in various contexts, including computer mediated interaction, popular culture, and/or intercultural situations. Offered as needed.

COM 241 Gender and Communication (3)
Focuses on theories and research about how sex and gender interact to influence patterns and styles of communication. Topics include sex and gender development, cultural and ethnic influences on gendered communication, the effects of gendered language on thought and behavior, gender and interpersonal communication, and the influence of mass media on perceptions of race, class, gender, and sexual orientation. Fulfills diversity requirement.Fall

COM 242 Communication and Culture (3)
This course examines the relationship between culture and communication, and increases self awareness, through explorations of cultural identities, cultural groups, and cultural issues in a variety of contexts. Fulfills diversity requirement.

COM 298 Introduction to Communication Theory (3)
Study of media theories and their application to everyday life are grounded in the development of these theories over time. A focus on computer-mediated communication offers insight into how new technologies influence, shape, and are shaped by cultural expectations.

COM 309 Photojournalism (4)
Hands on experience using digital still cameras, lighting equipment and digital imaging software to capture images commonly used in newspapers, news releases, news web sites, or news magazines. Technology Fee required.

COM 313 Broadcast News (3)
Intensive practice in broadcast news writing. Emphasis will be on writing breaking news on deadline. Some focus on sports and entertainment news. Reporting styles, industry standards and techniques emphasized. Fulfills writing-intensive requirement.Spring

COM 314 Advertising Copywriting (3)
Creating advertising, public service and promotions copy for radio and television. Emphasis on daily writing on deadline . Opportunity to create full campaign for non-profit client. Fulfills writing-intensive requirement. Fall

COM 315 Media Criticism (3)
An introduction to theoretical approaches and practices used to analyze the content, structure, and context of various media in society. Students will explore factors shaping media texts, such as politics, economics, technology, and cultural traditions. Many of the dominant critical perspectives that contribute to our understanding of media will be read, discussed, and employed. Prerequisite: COM 207 Film Arts. Offered as needed.

COM 318 Digital Audio Production (4)
Students learn recording and editing methods used in audiovisual productions, podcasting and internet applications. Students learn interviewing and production methods for talk radio, panel discussions, interview programs and audio documentaries. Projects involve studio and field recording, individual and collaborative work, and projects serving clients. Technology Fee required.

COM 319 Video for Field and Studio (4)
Hands on experience to learn to create TV programs as well as other videos that will be used on the Saint Rose TV Network as well as Time Warner cable by using TV studio equipment, video field cameras and non linear editing software. Technology Fee required.

COM 331 Journalism II  (4)
Students apply advanced style and content research in reporting, feature and editorial assignments. Interviewing, news analysis and a variety of in-depth and accelerated deadline stories can be expected. Emphasis on developing student voice in pursuit of story telling for print and online outlets. Spring. Prerequisite: COM 221 or 321 Journalism I, or permission of the instructor. Fulfills writing-intensive requirement.

COM 340 Communication Law (3)
Through case studies, lectures and discussion, the impact of court decisions in the areas of libel, censorship, privacy, free press/fair trial will be discussed. Prerequisite: COM 105. Fall

COM 341 Broadcast Law (3)
This course will emphasize current legal issues within the broadcast, cable, and telecommunications industries. Subject areas will include broadcast regulation, obscenity and indecency, Internet censorship, cable regulation and copyright. Prerequisite: COM 105. Spring.

COM 344 Editing (3)
Students will develop experience in close textual content analysis for grammar, style, content, accuracy, and fairness. They will experiment with writing headlines, thinking visually, working with writers, working with the public, and layout and design. They will also gain familiarity with legal and ethical issues in editing.

COM 346 Feature Writing (3)
Feature Writing explores a range of feature writing styles including: essay, report, review, how-to, profile, column and editorial. Reading journal and portfolio of student writing required. Draft and revision, peer reader response, mid-term and final evaluation of student journals and portfolios, field assignments and individual study projects as appropriate. Interdisciplinary emphasis. Fulfills writing intensive requirement.

COM 370 Public Relations Copywriting (3)
Write news releases and publicity tools, newsletter articles, online copy, proposals, and other public relations materials. Discussion of the public relations writing process, media relations, and publicity planning and techniques. Prerequisite: COM 227 Public Relations History and Practice or COM 328 Intro to PR.

COM 371 PR & Advertising Publications (3)
Learn of the principles of design related to public relations and advertising materials. Students will create their own pieces utilizing design principles in differing contexts such as newsletters, brochures, direct mail pieces, print ads, Web site layout and other pertinent materials. Prerequisite: COM 205 Contemporary Advertising or COM 227 Public Relations History and Practice or COM 328 Intro to PR

COM 372 PR & Advertising Techniques for Campaigns (3)
Planning and implementing a public relations campaign and/or advertising campaign centered around a program or special event. Prerequisite: COM 205 Contemporary Advertising or COM 227 Public Relations History and Practice or COM 328 Intro to PR

COM 380 Topics in Communication  (3)
Studies of specialized aspects of the mass media, including, but not limited to, public journalism, interviewing, political communications, advanced production skills, or film styles/directors. May be used to fulfill some COM requirements. Offered as needed.

COM 398 Research in Communication (3)
Introduces basic methods of data collection and analysis in mass media and related industries. Content analysis, surveys and questionnaires, interviewing, computer-assisted processing and analysis of data. Computer literacy assumed. Prerequisite: COM 298.

COM 417 Advanced New Media and Digital Video (4)
Advanced production techniques for multimedia content. Students use a variety of different pieces of specialized equipment including high definition video cameras. Students also learn a variety of different specialized software for multimedia design and distribution. Can be repeated once. Technology fee required. Prerequisite: Must take one of the following courses Com 217, OR permission of instructor.

COM 420 TV Journalism (4)
Students produce the Saint Rose Show and Culture TV programs aired on TWC via the Media Education Project. Field and Studio segments require research and development, scripting and on-camera interviews. Experience in Journalism and TV production strongly recommended. Fall. Prerequisite: One video production course and COM 221 or 321 Journalism I. Technology fee.

COM 421 Magazine Writing and Production (4)
Students practice non-fiction writing structures and styles including personal essay, how-to, Q & A, profile, reports, reviews and topical articles. Students create and edit portfolio and magazine projects in a workshop setting. Experience in Journalism is strongly recommended. Prerequisite: COM 221 or 321 Journalism I. Fall. Fulfills writing-intensive. Technology fee.

COM 430 Online Advertising and PR (3)
This course familiarizes students with the use of online information sources in performing tasks related to Public Relations and Advertising. Emphasis is on positioning a company or organization or products and services to reach specialized markets via users of the Internet. COM 205 Contemporary Advertising or COM 227 Public Relations History and Practice or COM 328 Intro to PR.

COM 445 Online Journalism (4)
The converged media environment will be studied and applied in this course. Students will identify, research and write stories for online media audiences. The fundamentals of journalism will be covered and the course will review the various technologies employed to complement stories for internet access and dissemination. In addition to focusing on the written word, students will be asked to think about and consider ways of illustrating stories for online audiences. Photography will be integrated in this course.

COM 470 Newsroom (4)
This capstone course involves students in the multimedia production of the college newspaper and other media outlets. Students in this course will produce a variety of content. Students will write, edit, illustrate and layout stories. They will employ both audio and video components, all intended to appeal to a mass audience. This course can be repeated once. Prerequisite: COM 221 or 321 Journalism I or permission of instructor.

COM 471 The Agency (4)
Students learn to apply theory and production skills in providing communications products and services to clients. Projects involve some independent work, but the major emphasis is on teamwork in an effort to propose, plan and deliver media projects to specific client needs. This course can be repeated once. Prerequisite: COM 227 Public Relations History and Practice or COM 328 Intro to PR.

COM 494 Internship (3-15)
Students work in a professional capacity at major media facilities in the region. Qualifying process begins during preceding semester with advisor. Placement in an internship in the Communications program is not guaranteed. It is dependent on, but not limited to, the student’s academic standing, number of credits, GPA, availability of placement sites, and acceptance by a site. Strongly advised for Communications majors. Prerequisite: must have completed 90 COM credits.

COM 499 Independent Study (1-6)
May be arranged by the student with individual faculty for study or project beyond the scope of current curricular schedule or offerings.

FEES:The Communications major is charged a fee each semester. Some courses that use technology will have an additional fee.