An exploration of controversial issues in the mass media as they relate to today's society. Students will read contemporary literature expressing divergent viewpoints on numerous media-related issues. The ultimate focus is on fostering critical literacy in media consumption. This course does not count toward majors or minors in the department.

This course provides a broad grounding in the history and current interdisciplinary understandings of human communication. It also provides an introduction to the skills and competencies students develop through their program of study as communication majors and graphic design majors. Lecture and laboratory.

A study of the role, rights, responsibilities and ethics of the speaker, medium, and audience in a variety of speech situations in a democratic society. Speaking techniques examined include the processes of invention, organization, and presentation in informative, demonstrative, persuasive, and ceremonial settings. Students must demonstrate effectiveness in integrating media (e.g., presentation software or other video or audio elements) into their speech communications. Targeted instruction is arranged as necessary to ensure basic competency in the technical use of presentation software.

An introduction to the practice of critical observation and analysis of static, dynamic, and interactive visual information. Students develop theoretical and applied skills in interpreting a wide range of visual information, and demonstrate their own abilities to design and produce visual information.

Fundamentals of graphic design, presentation, and communication for reproductive processes. Covers basic principles of visual design and page layout. Each student prepares a design portfolio that will be developed and maintained throughout the course of study in the Graphic Design major. The faculty conducts an initial review of the portfolio in the context of this course.

Introductory level study of a selected topic, movement, or figure in communication or graphic design.

A study of one or more major areas of communication theory and practice, such as gender communication, social movements, intercultural communication, and political communication. Emphasis is on exploring the role of communication in community maintenance and change.

An introduction to public relations as the theory and practice of effective communication between organizations and their diverse publics. Explores the role of public relations in organizational culture and in society, with particular emphasis on ethics, corporate integrity, and local and global contexts. Case studies provide opportunities for students to engage in research on the public relations of actual organizations, and to develop writing and presentational skills required of public relations practitioners.

This communication practicum engages students in the process of developing, writing, producing, and editing video-based multi-media programs. Students study the process of media production by critical analysis of film texts and by active participation in the production process. Students must have unlimited access to an external FIREWIRE 400 hard drive (recommended free space: 250 GB).

This course is an introduction to typography from the perspective of visual-perception principles, skills, and craft. Major topics include: elements of typographic form, composition, Gestalt psychology, and basic graphic design theory as applied to the design and use of typography. Initial projects include theoretical exercises that build perceptual acuity and hand skills using simple tools and materials. Subsequent projects include practical visual communication applications. Other areas of emphasis include the exploration of meaning, connotation, and type design concept development. Contemporary trends and practitioners are also discussed.

A study of rhetorical theory as it provides models for the construction and criticism of public discourse. Classical and contemporary writings on rhetoric are explored in the context of theories of language, representation, and communication.

This class covers the history of graphic design from 1450 to the present. Emphasis is on the development of design from the late 19th century to the present.

This course develops awareness and understanding of the conventions and practices that lead to effective writing for various media. Emphases may include newspapers, magazines, television, cinema, popular music, internet, radio, or other media. The focus is on developing writing skills through exercises in a variety of formats and styles appropriate to specific media.

This course examines digital technology as a medium of communication. Issues covered include the social, economic, civic, and global implications of the information age.

An advanced survey of the media and their role in culture. This course examines the economic, textual, and cultural dimensions of several mass media.

Students build and/or modify Web sites using industry-standard authoring software. Students register domain names, write code, and explore cascading style sheets. Course content covers software basics with an equal emphasis on the development of design skills.

This class explores the visual and technical possibilities afforded by programs such as Flash. The class begins with an overview of the history of motion graphics and title design. Throughout the course there is an ongoing study and discussion of contemporary motion graphics as students learn to incorporate motion and interactivity into their designs.

An internship enabling the student to gain practical experience in communication or graphic design. The internship is typically arranged by the student, and must be approved by a member of the departmental faculty, as well as by Career Services. Students meet regularly with the supervising professor, maintain a log or journal of the experience, and complete a major paper documenting, analyzing, and interpreting the internship experience.

An introduction to the practice of image-making for graphic designers. The course emphasizes concept development and individual expression, in addition to the continuous development of skills. Demonstrations and discussions on traditional and experimental creative process and media are given. Students create images for advertising, editorial, institutional and corporate applications. Various black and white and color media are introduced.

This course provides a structure for an intensive exploration of the design fundamentals presented in Graphic Design I. Course projects are extensive, and range in focus from theoretical culture and design-related issues to complex commercial design applications. Throughout the course, students are exposed to a variety of design-related practitioners, publications, ideas, methods, and objects.

This course draws on principles and skills developed in CDM 2700 and other first-year and second-year courses in the Communication and Graphic Design Major.Under the direction of a faculty member, students in this course work as a team to design, produce, and edit several types of advanced video productions including one major piece.Coursework culminates in the presentation the major work to a campus-wide audience.

The Senior Seminar is led by one member of the department faculty, with the assistance and participation of other members. This is a capstone course designed to provide students majoring in communication the opportunity to integrate and utilize the knowledge and skills they have acquired during their course of study. The course culminates in the completion and public presentation of a senior project or thesis.

The Senior Seminar is led by one member of the department faculty, with the assistance and participation of other members. This is a capstone course designed to provide students majoring in graphic design the opportunity to integrate and utilize the knowledge and skills they have acquired during their course of study. The course culminates in the completion and public presentation of a senior project or exhibition.

The Senior Seminar is led by one member of the department faculty, with the assistance and participation of other members. This is a capstone course designed to provide students majoring in public relations the opportunity to integrate and utilize the knowledge and skills they have acquired during their course of study. The course culminates in the completion and public presentation of a senior project or thesis.

A study of communication teaching methods and instructional materials. Special attention is given to the selection and organization of subject matter and learning activities. Field work required.