COM 100. COMMUNICATIONS INTRODUCTION SEMINAR
1 lec. 0 lab. 1 cr. hr.

An overview of the communications program (philosophy, goals,
achievements and standards). This course will explore communications
and media arts fundamentals, planning essentials, career opportunity, curriculum management, current communications issues, trends and directions, and characteristics for success in the communications and media arts field.

COM 101. INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA
2 lec. 2 lab. 3 cr. hrs.

A hands-on overview of the mass media industries: television, radio and sound production. Students are introduced to basic skills of video and audio production in the TV studio and audio digital recording and editing facilities.

COM 103. COMPUTERS FOR THE MEDIA
1 lec. 2 lab. 2 cr. hrs.

An overview of computer development affecting mass media industries: computer graphics, non-linear video editing, digital audio editing, etc. Students learn basic computer skills related to video and audio production. The course is focused on editing.

COM 110. BASIC VIDEO PRODUCTION
2 lec. 2 lab. 3 cr. hrs.

An introduction to field video production whose primary objective is to familiarize students with the basic principles, theories and techniques on video editing. Students will construct storyboards, write scripts, direct shoots, and edit their own projects using equipment provided by the College.
Prerequisites: COM 100, COM 101 with a grade of C or better, and COM 103 or permission of the instructor.

COM 120. INTRODUCTION TO MEDIA WRITING
2 lec. 2 lab. 3 cr. hrs.

An introductory course whose primary objective is to familiarize students with the basic principles and techniques of writing for the media. Students will practice various forms of media script writing.
Prerequisites: COM 103 and ENG 101 or permission of the instructor.

COM 210. VISUAL EFFECTS FOR THE MOVING IMAGE I
3 lec. 2 lab. 4 cr. hrs.

This course introduces the theory and techniques of visual effects for moving images. Emphasis will be placed on constructing visual stories. Basic principles and techniques of visual effects, production, opening sequences and titles for film, television, video and video for the internet will be explored. Using Adobe Premiere and Adobe After Effects, students are introduced to the creative process of developing digital visual effects from storyboarding to final video.
Prerequisite: COM 103, COM 110 with a grade of C or better, COM 120.

COM 211. VISUAL EFFECTS FOR THE MOVING IMAGE II
4 lec. 3 lab. 5 cr. hrs.

This course will develop skills in story telling, production and post- production aspects of visual effects for a television or video project. The course will focus on exercises designed to bring visual richness and conceptual depth to a student’s work. A variety of practical assignments will be covered, determined largely by non-profit client projects. Each student will be required to complete a professional project during the course of the of the semester as well as a portfolio to be used for college transfer or a job search.
Prerequisite: COM 210 with a grade C or better.

COM 220. PERFORMING FOR THE MEDIA
2 lec. 2 lab. 3 cr. hrs.

This course provides an opportunity to study the practical approaches to performance for the media. It is a study in contemporary performance with a basic and essential knowledge of on-camera acting for film and television, corporate presentations, reporting, as well as voice-over recording. There will also be some opportunity for self-directed learning with group performances in the television studio and audio production suites, as well as performing in student-directed video projects. The course places an emphasis on voice production and on-camera acting/performing techniques.
Prerequisites: COM 101 or SPE 101 or THE 109.

COM 233. AUDIO PRODUCTION FOR MEDIA
3 lec. 2 lab. 4 cr. hrs.

Basic principles of audio production for electronic media. Covers the fundamentals of sound, microphone principles and selections, non-linear audio editing, mixing and field recording. A strong emphasis on understanding how sound can be used as a creative compositional tool.
Prerequisite: COM 101 or permission of instructor.

COM 234. BASIC MUSIC PRODUCTION
4 lec. 3 lab. 5 cr. hrs.

The principles of studio and field music recording using stereo and multitrack techniques. Includes editing, mixing, recording to CD and use of MIDI instruments.
Prerequisite: This course covers some advanced technical concepts. COM 233 or previous experience with sound equipment recommended.

COM 235. MEDIA MANAGEMENT I
2 lec. 3 lab. 3 cr. hrs.

Through hands-on experience as a media manager of the WDCC Radio Station, students in this course learn the business and technical skills that are needed to creatively manage the media environment and supervise teams of media personnel.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Program Chair.

COM 236. MEDIA MANAGEMENT II
2 lec. 3 lab. 3 cr. hrs.

This course is similar to COM235. (Media Management) in providing an advanced learning experience. Students will develop management skills for the media broadcast environments.
Prerequisite: Permission of Program Chair.

COM 240. HISTORY OF WORLD MASS COMMUNICATION
3 lec. 0 lab. 3 cr. hrs.

A study of historical evolution of mass communication, from the invention of the printing press to the Internet. A comprehensive chronological study of the impact of mass communication on society. The evolution of printed matter, film, radio, television and multimedia.

COM 242. HISTORY OF WORLD FILM I
3 lec. 1 lab. 3 cr. hrs.

A history of narrative film which covers major phases of international and American cinema from its origins to 1945, including screenings and discussion of narrative and documentary films representing film movements, technological innovations and influential directors. Film classics will be analyzed to evaluate their impact on society and culture. This course will provide an examination of the Hollywood system and independent genres.

COM 243. HISTORY OF WORLD FILM II
3 lec. 1 lab. 3 cr. hrs.

A history of narrative film which covers the major phases of International and American cinema from 1945 to the present, including screenings and discussion of narrative and documentary films representing film movements, technological innovations and influential directors. Films made after 1945 will be analyzed to evaluate their impact on society and culture. This course will provide an examination of the Hollywood system and independent genres.

COM 244. SCREENWRITING
3 lec. 1 lab. 3 cr. hrs.

An intermediate course introducing students to the theory and techniques of screenwriting with extensive lectures on how to construct a story. The course’s objective will be to familiarize students with the basic principles and techniques of writing fiction for film and television. Students begin to develop stories of their own which are discussed in class and acquire a basic understanding of how to write a screenplay.
Prerequisite: ENG 101 with a grade C or better.
Pre or Corequisite: ENG 102.

COM 245. SCREENWRITING FOR DOCUMENTARIES
3 lec. 1 lab. 3 cr. hrs.

An intermediate course whose primary objective is to familiarize students with the basic principles of how documentaries are made and get students to explore the pre-production process of writing and researching for documentaries. This course investigates the role of the writer in documentary filmmaking, including writing the proposal, creating the outline, the script, formulating interviews and adding narration.
Prerequisite: ENG 101 with a grade of C or better.
Corequisite: ENG 102.

COM 249. ADVANCED VIDEO PRODUCTION I
3 lec. 2 lab. 4 cr. hrs.

The students are introduced to fiction and documentary techniques by producing their own personal projects. Students learn the elements of video production including preparing a script from idea through conception, and all phases of actual production, production activities and post-production responsibilities. Students will work as crews on each other’s individual projects.
Prerequisites: COM 110, COM 120 and ART 110 or ART 112 or
ART 150.

COM 250. ADVANCED VIDEO PRODUCTION II
4 lec. 3 lab. 5 cr. hrs.

This course emphasizes sophisticated development, storytelling, production and post-production crafts. A variety of practical assignments will be covered, determined largely by client projects. Class time will focus on exercises designed to bring visual richness and conceptual depth to student work. Each student will be required to complete an ambitious project during the semester. Production of a portfolio is mandatory to use for transfer or jobs seeking.
Prerequisite: COM 249 or permission of the instructor.

COM 261. COMMUNICATION INTERNSHIP
1 lec. 8 lab. 3 cr. hrs.

An internship in the mass medium of the student’s choice that will provide practical experience. It will be completed under the direct supervision of a full-time employee. This may be done in any aspect of broadcasting: film, television, radio or video production, print, public relations, advertising, media sales or other related media industry.
Prerequisites: COM 110 and permission of the program chair.

COM 262. COMMUNICATIONS PRACTICUM
4 lec. 3 lab. 5 cr. hrs.

This course is structured to act as a television production studio. Developing advanced techniques in camera, lighting, logging, editing and production of graphics for a television program.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

COM 263. ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS PRACTICUM
4 lec. 3 lab. 5 cr. hrs.

Similar to COM 262, providing an advance learning experience.
Developing advanced techniques in production, direction and
production management for a broadcasting television program.
Prerequisites: COM 262 and permission of the instructor.

COM 271. SPECIAL STUDY PROJECT I
1 cr. hr.

A special learning experience designed by one or more students with the cooperation and approval of a faculty member. Proposed study plans require departmental approval. Projects may be based on reading, research, community service, or work experience in the field of communications media. The student’s time commitment to the project will be approximately 35-50 hours.

COM 272. SPECIAL STUDY PROJECT II
2 cr. hrs.

Similar to COM 271, except that the student’s time commitment to the project will be approximately 70-90 hours.

COM 273. SPECIAL STUDY PROJECT III
3 cr. hrs.

Similar to COM 271, except that the student’s time commitment to the project will be approximately 105-135 hours.

COM 280. OVERSEAS DOCUMENTARY PRODUCTION
2 lec. 2 lab. 3 cr. hrs.

An introductory hands-on course whose primary objective is to familiarize students with the basic principles and techniques of overseas documentary production. Students will research the culture and location to be documented, develop skills on camera work, lighting, sound recording, write scripts, direct shoots, logging, post-produce a rough cut created from an editing decision list, create graphics and edit an on-line final half hour documentary. A 30 minute documentary of the overseas experience will be produced for broadcasting on channel 42. The documentary considered and international settings may vary from one offering to the next. Consult the master schedule for details.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.