COMM 1094 Internship Experience
Encourages formal, off-campus media work experience. Consent of department chair required.
COMM 11-- Apprenticeship in Communication Center Media
Positions for beginners in one of the student-managed media organizations that provide news and entertainment services and programming for the campus and San Antonio area media. Assignments in writing, reporting, electronic production, and other positions are based on client needs and apprentices’ interests, experience, and performance. Time and performance requirements depend on the structure and nature of each organization. Apprentices work under the direct supervision of student managers, faculty, and staff advisors. (1110) Publication Production, (1120) KRTU Radio Host/Trainee, (1121) KRTU News, (1122) KRTU Sports, (1130) Digital Editing, (1131) TigerTV Production, (1140) Webpage Production, (1150) Public Relations, and (1160) Underwriting and Development. Pass/Fail. Apprenticeship may be repeated up to 3 hours.
COMM 1301 Mass Media
Study of the communication process and critical analysis of the structural relationships within mass media industries.
COMM 1302 Introduction to Film Studies
This course is an introduction to the artistic, cultural, and scholarly importance of film. The course focuses on the development of film as a complex art form, the evolution of narrative as part of a formal system, the development of the industry and film genres, critical and cultural approaches to film analysis, and the construction of the audience. Students will read excerpts from primary texts as well as more general texts dealing with film interpretation and criticism. (Also listed as ARTH 1301, ENGL 1301, and FILM 1301.)
COMM 2302 Media Interpretation and Criticism
A critical study of the aesthetics, interpretation, and criticism of media messages.
COMM 2320 Media, Advertising, and Society
Studies the impact of advertising on individuals, culture, and society.
COMM 3120 La Telenovela en América Latina
An examination of the Latin American telenovela, or soap opera, from the perspectives of development communication, popular culture, and international television. This course will be conducted entirely in Spanish. (Also listed as INTL 3107.) Prerequisite: SPAN 2302, the equivalent, or consent of instructor.
COMM 3300 Media Management Practicum and Study
Integration of work experience and study of management in information companies. Specific study areas include personnel, organization, programming and content policies, ethics and professional responsibilities, regulation, finance, sales, promotion, audiences, and administrative problems in newspapers, magazines, radio, television, cable, web publishing, and public relations and advertising companies. Includes a major project or case study related to management practices. Students are selected from management positions in media organizations including KRTU-FM, Publication Production, TigerTV, and Multimedia Production. Prerequisites: Junior status, recommendation of departmental faculty, and approval of instructor.
COMM 3303 Media Audiences
A study of audiences, how they use and are affected by media. Prerequisites: COMM 1301 and 2302; or consent of instructor.
COMM 3321 Arts Criticism
Integration and understanding of the role of the artist, the audience, and the critic in relation to the arts.
COMM 3322 International Communication
Studies communication as an essential component of international organizations and relations. Surveys major topics in international communication and international decision-making, comparative media systems and national philosophies, and Third World issues and policy development. Prerequisite: COMM 1301 or permission of instructor. (Also listed as SPCH 3374.)
COMM 3324 Ethics and the Mass Media
A study of the ethical decisions, beyond mere legal restrictions, that media practitioners must face in the range of material they present to the public. Survey of literature and case studies. Prerequisite: COMM 1301.
COMM 3325 Special Topics in Communication Media
Contemporary communication media topics, to be offered at initiative of faculty and announced during preregistration. Course may be repeated for different topics with departmental approval. Prerequisite: COMM 1301 or consent of instructor.
COMM 3326 History of Mass Media
A survey and analysis of American mass media from the rudimentary colonial newspaper through the 20th century development of radio, television, and film. Media contributions to the flow of information, opinion and culture will be studied as a counterpoint to changes in social and political processes. Prerequisite: COMM 1301.
COMM 3328 Media, Culture and Technology
Examines the economic, historical and social context of evolving communication technologies and how media help to structure, maintain, and alter power relations in contemporary society. Special attention is given to the creation and maintenance of subcultural groups by and through the media. Prerequisites: COMM 1301 and Junior status.
COMM 3340 Media Writing
Understanding and using the written word through conceptualizing, gathering, writing, and editing a variety of media texts. Classes may stress one or more genres, formats, or themes. May be repeated for different topics with departmental approval. Prerequisite: COMM 2302 or consent of instructor.
COMM 3341 Audio Communication
Understanding and using audio through conceptualizing, gathering, writing, editing, and producing aural communication. Classes may stress one or more genres, formats, or themes. May be repeated for different topics with departmental approval. Prerequisite: COMM 2302 or consent of instructor.
COMM 3342 Visual Communication
Understanding and using visual communication techniques through conceptualizing, creating, and editing visual media productions. Classes may stress one or more genres, formats, or themes. May be repeated for different topics with departmental approval. Prerequisite: COMM 2302 or consent of instructor.
COMM 3343 Print Communication
Understanding and using print and graphics through conceptualizing, gathering, writing, editing, and producing print communication. Classes may stress one or more genres, formats, or themes. May be repeated for different topics with departmental approval. Prerequisite: COMM 2302 or consent of instructor.
COMM 3344 Interactive Multimedia Communication
Understanding and using interactive multimedia techniques through conceptualizing, gathering, writing, editing, and producing interactive multimedia communication. Classes may stress one or more genres, formats, or themes. May be repeated for different topics with departmental approval. Prerequisite: COMM 2302 or consent of instructor.
COMM 3-45 Media Communication Workshop
Media communication production and procedures, to be offered at initiative of the faculty and announced during preregistration. Course may be repeated with departmental approval. 1-6 semester hours. Prerequisite: COMM 2302 or consent of instructor.
COMM 3360 Principles of Public Relations
Covers both principles and techniques of public relations from the management and social science viewpoint of managing ideas, publics, and corporate or personal images. Prerequisite: COMM 1301.
COMM 3361 Principles of Advertising
Advertising fundamentals in relationship to modern marketing activities, audience analysis, and the planning of advertising campaigns. Prerequisite: COMM 1301.
COMM 3362 Media Law and Policy
Study of issues in the contemporary media policy environment with special focus on free expression in relation to emerging electronic communication technologies. The course adopts a broad historical and cultural approach to the role of the First Amendment in a democratic system (including defamation and libel), and emphasizes the study of the legal relationships that govern the interaction of individuals, groups, and institutions.
COMM 3363 Media Management
A survey of major management concerns in the print and electronic media. Specific areas to be covered include personnel, organization, programming and content policies, regulation, finance, sales, audiences, and administrative problems in newspapers, magazines, radio, television, cable, and the Internet. Prerequisite: COMM 1301.
COMM 3-98 Honors Readings
Independent study in selected areas in preparation for Honors Thesis. May be taken for up to three hours of credit. Prerequisite: Admission to the departmental Honors Program.
COMM 4-35 Advanced Selected Topics in Communication
Special topics in any area of communication. Course will be offered at the initiative of the department faculty and will be announced during preregistration. May be repeated on different topics with departmental approval. Prerequisite: COMM 1301 or 4-90 or 4398 or 4399 or consent of instructor.
COMM 4350 Advanced Producing
Special producing activities in selected areas. Students should check with department prior to registration for syllabus. May be repeated for different topics with departmental approval. Prerequisites: Any COMM 11— course and any COMM 334- course.
COMM 4370 Mass Communication Research
Approaches to research in mass communication; emphasis on applying research methods to media management problems. Prerequisite: COMM 1301.
COMM 4-90 Directed Studies in Communication
Independent study that allows advanced students to work on specified projects under the supervision of departmental faculty. 1-6 semester hours. Prerequisites: Advanced students who demonstrate competence in specific areas of study in communications; upperclass standing and permission of instructor.
COMM 4395 Communication Capstone Seminar
Students will select one of three options to demonstrate their understanding of communication theories and practices: (1) A traditional research paper; (2) A research paper that builds on students’ internship or work experiences; (3) A major creative project. In all options, a major component of the capstone course is research and analysis. Prerequisites: Senior or rising senior standing and COMM 1301, 2302, and 3303.
COMM 4398, 4399 Honors Thesis
Individual research and scholarly investigation under faculty supervision leading to the preparation of an honors thesis. To be taken only by senior honors students in both terms of their senior year. Includes participation in senior colloquium where students present reports on their thesis work.