Public Relations, Minor

This course examines a breadth of topics fundamental to the study of communication and works to improve students' communication skills in three primary contexts:  interpersonal relationships, group/teamwork, and presentational speaking.

Research, composition, organization, and delivery of speeches for various purposes and occasions, with emphasis on listener analysis and on informative and persuasive techniques.

Predominant issues related to verbal and nonverbal communication with a focus on interpersonal relationships.

Introduces students to basic skills, principles, and contexts of communication in business and professional settings by combining public speaking with aspects of communication ethics and organizational, small group, and interpersonal communication. Students will learn practical skills via presentations, research, resumes, interviews, meetings, and professional writing grounded in communication theory.

Basic voice training, including techniques for vocal production, manipulation, and control. Practical application of the vocal apparatus will be emphasized, including techniques of enunciation, projection, articulation, and the use of dialects. (Credit may not be given for both this course and THEA 1342.)

An exploration of the history and development of public relations including the theory and process of public relations, and the various publics and careers associated with the public relations industry.

Application of small group theories and techniques as they relate to group process and interaction.

Advanced study of the principles and methods of formal presentations for various purposes and audiences to further develop students into effective communicators. Course assignments will include various special occasion speeches, dynamic instructional speeches, extemporaneous speaking, creation of effective visual aids, and a group community action presentation.

The foundations, processes, and effects of human communication. A survey of contemporary theory and research, including language theory, nonverbal and small group communication, persuasion, and mass communication.

The study of body movement, touch, paralanguage, space, environment, and other nonverbal factors in the communication process.

This course is an advanced interpersonal communication course that focuses on communication within relationships, such as family, romantic, friendship, and workplace relationships.

Prerequisite: COMM 1318.

The purpose of this course is to increase student's knowledge of the research process used in the Communication Studies discipline. Specifically, the course will allow students the opportunity to learn the goals of communication research and scrutinize various techniques for creating academic research and assessing academic knowledge.

Various theories and forms of rhetorical persuasion. Topics include practical reasoning skills, psychological theories of persuasion, and critical responses to persuasive messages.

This course will introduce students to the basic principles and formatting requirements for public relations writing. Students will gain theoretical and practical experience in developing content for specific audiences.

Understanding the University Interscholastic League debate and speech events. Students explore approaches to analytical reasoning, research delivery, and the conceptual basis for debate and gain practical experience in understanding and judging UIL in the high school setting.

focuses on the communication of influence that takes place to achieve goals or encourage change. Specific attention will be devoted to a variety of approaches, processes, and theories that will provide students general knowledge of leadership.

Examination of communication about women and men, as well as communication between them. Special course emphasis on explanations of gender, sexist language, media depiction of the sexes, and gender communication in the formation of social and work relationships.

This course will focus on communication and sexuality, specifically exploring sex and gender identity development and expression, intersections of race/ethnicity and sex/gender, how communication impacts various types of relationships, the role of communication in sexual activity, and power abuses related to sexual activity, with specific focus on consent and sexual safety.

This workshop-style course will provide students with an understanding of social media strategy and measurement. Students will develop engaging content for brands and public figures, gain experience using top social networks and use software to participate in social listening, content scheduling and measuring key performance indicators.

An application of the public relations process (including primary and secondary research, goals and objective development, the selection of proper strategies and tactics for implementation, and an evaluation of campaign effectiveness) through the production and presentation of a public relations campaign for a local organization.

Prerequisite: COMM 2330.

An application of crisis communication (including organizational research, risk and vulnerability assessment, strategic communication, and performance and damage evalutation) through the development and presentation of a crisis communication plan for a local organization.

An investigation of the process by which persons and groups of different cultural backgrounds create understanding. Types of knowledge, skills, and sensitivity necessary for intercultural communication are developed.

Examination and exploration of realistic applications of communication theories within the framework of an organization. Particular attention will be given to techniques for diagnosing communication problems, as well as strategies for effecting change in communication.

Study of international leadership in the context of communication and in multi-cultural and diverse settings. Influence of global economy, politics, social values in international leadership.

This course serves as the capstone for the Communication Studies degree. It offers students opportunities to synthesize information learned in other Communication courses and demonstrate abilities to think critically, conduct independent research linked to appropriate communication theories, create individual and collaborative projects that demonstrate effective use of communication strategies, and present written and oral work at an advanced level.

Prerequisite: (COMM 2335, 3310 and 3326).

Study of specialized topics and themes in communication studies. May be repeated when topics vary.

Students prepare documents, explore strategies for enhancing their marketability, and assemble a professional portfolio of public relations work.

Prerequisite: COMM 2330 and (COMM 4331 or 4335).

See College description. By application. Only 3 semester hours of Directed Individual Study credit may be counted toward the major.

Practical experience in the field through placement in a communication internship position. Students interested in applying for the internship course must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0; have at least junior standing at the university; be a communication studies major or minor, or public relations minor; have completed at least 12 hours of coursework in the major or minor at TAMU-CC. Preferred applicants will have a minimum communication or public relations GPA of 3.25. All applicants must solicit a recommendation from from a Department of Communication and Media faculty member. Course may be taken three times for credit; however only 3 semester hours of internship credit may be counted toward the major. A second internship may apply to the communication studies minor or public relations minor; a third internship may be used as a free elective. Authorization to repeat the internship course is contingent on the students' successful completion of the previous internship experience. This course is graded Credit/No Credit.

Introduction to film aesthetics, history, and criticism for non-communication majors. Establishes a vocabulary for examining films and their roles in American culture.

History and development of mass media in the United States as well as the organizational, institutional, and cultural dynamics of today's major commercial media. Included are substantial components on print media, radio, television, cinema, and computer Internet communication systems. Course themes include media production and consumption, globalization, cultural imperialism, race, class, gender in media and popular culture.

Intensive instruction in postproduction software, postproduction workflows, and editing techniques for moving images.

Prerequisite: MEDA 1380.

Overview of tools and skills necessary to produce digital media content such as editing, cinematography, sound recording, producing and directing for film, television and new media.

This course will examine the roles and responsibilities of the director of photography for film and visual media. Students will learn creative brainstorming and cinematic techniques for visual storytelling, including the basic principles of lighting for studio and natural environments.

Prerequisite: MEDA 1380.

This course is designed to teach the fundamentals of writing for the mass media.  It includes instruction in professional methods and techniques for gathering, processing and delivering content.

This course focuses on advanced news-gathering and writing skills. It concentrates on the three-part process of producing news and features, which include discovering the news, reporting the news and writing news in different formats. This course will incorporate all forms of news writing, including: press release, print news, web news and TV and radio broadcast news.

Prerequisite: MEDA 2311.

This course is designed to teach students articulation, pronunciation, effective writing and on-air performance techniques for all kinds of media environments with videotaped and audio taped presentations.

Examination of the formal elements of media texts, including cinematography/videography, sound, and editing, across a variety of media platforms and styles.  Includes instruction in writing formal analysis.

Examination of the media industries, including how they have evolved and now operate, as well as broader theoretical and practical implications of changing media organizations and practices. Includes instruction in researching contemporary and historical modes of media production, distribution, and exhibition.

Exploration of how TV communicates through the study of programming content, production practices, and audiences. Includes a laboratory for screening assigned programs.

Prerequisite: MEDA 1307.

Exploration of the critical approaches to the study of film from a variety of historical and theoretical perspectives, with an emphasis on narrative film and some consideration of experimental cinema.  Includes a laboratory for screening assigned films.

Prerequisite: MEDA 1307.

Historical and critical study of the non-fictional film with attention to changing technologies, to varying uses and styles of documentary, and to contemporary critical and theoretical issues.

Prerequisite: MEDA 1307.

This course is intended to immerse students in the leading theoretical and methodological approaches employed within the field of media studies to gain understating of media texts, popular culture, and audiences. Readings and case studies will offer students insight into the way these media research theories and methods are being used in the field, including their limitations and strengths. A series of assignments will allow students to propose, design, and conduct research projects and analyze data in ways that engage with a variety of theories.

Prerequisite: MEDA 1307.

Principles and techniques of media production with a focus on non-fiction filmmaking.

Prerequisite: MEDA 1380.

This course is designed to strengthen students’ digital journalism skills, including field-based news gathering and reporting, on-air performance, interviewing techniques, live reporting, and podcasting. The course will prepare students for modern-based multimedia journalism outside of the studio.

Principles and techniques of media production with a focus on fictional narrative filmmaking.

Prerequisite: MEDA 1380.

Intensive instruction in advanced postproduction software, postproduction workflows and editing techniques for moving images.

Prerequisite: MEDA 1315.

This course will teach the principles of copy editing, with an emphasis on accuracy and fairness, as well as the principles of layout and design for print and web publications.

Prerequisite: MEDA 2311.

This course will instruct on photojournalism skills and methods for use in visual communication. It will examine ethical and legal limitations to photography and in editing. Student work in this class will be eligible for possible publication in the student newspaper or its accompanying website.

Examination of the varieties of screen comedy, from silent comedy to contemporary forms, with some attention to the history and theory of comic performance.

Prerequisite: MEDA 1307.

Writing and analysis of the screenplay for narrative fictional films. Writing projects include problem-solving exercises and work on an original screenplay. Course can be repeated for credit.

Prerequisite: MEDA 1380.

This course will teach the elements of sports writing and reporting to include interviewing and writing to cover different aspects of sports coverage. This course will address content for print, Internet, radio and television. Campus-related sports assignments will be eligible for publication in the student newspaper and its accompanying website.

Examines how new media technologies impact society and change communication practices. Particular emphasis placed on different modes of cultural expression and social interaction made possible through digital media and the Internet.

This course examines the visual culture of Hollywood media production in a focused context, such as during a particular decade, or in relation to a particular genre, star, or cultural topic. The visual culture studied will include not just primary media texts such as films or television programs, but also posters, trailers, and other promotional materials, as well as visual culture not produced directly by the media industries, such as contemporary art. Students will learn and utilize basic design techniques to create their own artwork related to these materials, including movie posters, album covers, and sequential art. As resources and equipment availability allow, these designs will be produced using techniques including print-making.

Advanced techniques in the creation of client based commercial media content with a focus on conceptualization, production, and delivery of a commercial, PSA, or corporate video project.

Prerequisite: MEDA 1380.

Advanced techniques in the creation of documentary media content with a focus on conceptualization, production, and distribution of a short documentary film. Course can be repeated once for credit. This course serves as a capstone for the Media Production Track.

Prerequisite: MEDA 1315, 2303, 3313 and 3360.

Advanced techniques in the creation of narrative media content with a focus on scripting, production, and distribution of a short narrative film. Course can be repeated once for credit. This course serves as a capstone for the Media Production Track. 

Prerequisite: MEDA 1315, 2303, 3316 and 3360.

Conceptualization and execution of digital media projects using visual effects, motion graphics and composition through the creation of video, animation, special effects and more using Adobe's After Effects postproduction software. 

Prerequisite: MEDA 1315.

The examination of advertising history through critical and cultural approaches.

Study of legal and ethical issues in mediated communication, including the First Amendment and free speech, control, and regulation of broadcasting, obscenity in the media.

Prerequisite: MEDA 1307.

Examines global media in the context of international communication, diversity of media and cultural production, styles of media practices abroad, including differences between U.S. news values and ethical and moral dimensions across differing societies of the world.

Prerequisite: MEDA 1307.

This course will be a hands-on newsroom experience with the student newspaper the Island Waves  and its accompanying website. Individual assignments will be assigned by editors of the student media. Assignments may include writing, advertising, photography, cartooning and video production and editing. Students are required to work on the staff of the official college publication during prescribed hours under faculty supervision.

Prerequisite: MEDA 2311.

As the capstone course for the New Media Arts Certificate, this course guides students through the planning, development, and execution of new media-based project.

Prerequisite: ARTS 2356, MEDA 2313 and 1315.

The capstone course for seniors in the Media Studies offers opportunities to synthesize information learned in other Media Studies courses through in-depth study of a particular topic. Students will demonstrate their abilities to think and write critically, and to conduct independent research or produce media projects at an advanced level. Topics vary by instructor.

Prerequisite: MEDA 1307 and 3310.

Study of specialized topics and themes in media arts. May be repeated when topics vary.

See College description. By application. Only 3 semester hours of Directed Individual Study credit may be counted toward the major.

Practical experience in the field through placement in a media internship position. Students interested in applying for the internship course must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0; have at least junior standing at the university; be a media arts (media studies or media production emphasis) major or digital journalism minor; have completed at least 12 hours of coursework in the major or minor at TAMU-CC. Preferred applicants will have a minimum media arts or digital journalism GPA of 3.25. All applicants must solicit a recommendation form from a Department of Communication and Media faculty member. Course may be taken three times for credit; however only 3 semester hours of internship credit may be counted toward the major. A second internship may apply to the digital journalism minor; a third internship may be used as a free elective. Authorization to repeat the internship course is contingent on the students' successful completion of the previous internship experience.This course is graded Credit/No Credit.