COMM 1120: KRTU DJ Intern, Matt Fleeger

This is the introductory course for all students interested in being an on-air host for KRTU 91.7 FM, Trinity University’s radio station. Students will learn not only the mechanics of running our broadcast equipment, but also how to speak effectively on-air as well as the intricacies of modern radio programming.

Meeting time: R 2:10 - 3:25

COMM 1131: TigerTV Production, James Bynum

TigerTV Production is one of the internal, pass-fail apprenticeships of the Department of Communication, providing opportunities for praxis - the practical application or exercise of television. No prior experience with television equipment is required. Programs include all aspects of multicamera studio production and introduces students to program directing and producing.

Meeting time: R 3:35 - 4:50

COMM 1160: KRTU Development, Kate Rawley

This course is an excellent look into the fundraising end of a working public radio station. No previous experience required, but a great hands-on experience for anyone interested in a career in public relations or fundraising.

Meeting time: M 2:30 - 3:45

COMM 1302-1 Introduction to Film Studies, Dr. Keating

This course is an introduction to the aesthetic, cultural, and scholarly importance of film.

Meeting time: MWF 10:30, M 6:30-9:00

COMM 3120-1 La Telenovela en Amer Latina, Dr. Huesca

Since the beginnings of television in the early 1950s, the telenovela, or soap opera, has evolved as a major social, cultural, political, and economic force in Latin America. This course will examine recent communication research of the telenovela as it relates to a broad range of concerns. The course will be conducted entirely in Spanish and requires proficiency equivalent to completion of SPAN 2302.

Meeting time: W 3:55-4:45

COMM 3325-1 Hackers in Popular Culture and Real Life, Dr. Delwiche

Whether they are portrayed as heroes or villains, computer hackers have become a familiar icon in global popular culture. They are typically depicted as brilliant geniuses who slice through complex information systems without breaking a sweat. But how much of this is Hollywood fantasy? What are hackers really like? What are their core beliefs, and what role did they play in the birth of the personal computer industry? Why are hackers stereotypically portrayed as adolescent boys when the first hacker was a Victorian Countess named Ada Lovelace? How do hackers break into mechanical and human networks, and how do they rationalize their intrusions? In this seminar, we will explore these questions by consulting a wide range of cultural texts. From films, novels and short stories to fascinating text-files stashed away in obscure Internet archives, we will hunt for the truth about this dimly understood subculture. You do not need to be a computer expert to take this class. The only pre-requisites for this course are intellectual curiosity and an open mind. Prerequisite: COMM 1301 or permission of instructor.

Meeting time: MWF 9:30

COMM 3325-2 Film Noir, Dr. Keating

Starting in the 1940s, Hollywood filmmakers produced a cycle of films characterized by a new mood of paranoia, confusion, and despair. Film noir can appear in many different genres, but all of the films express a set of deep anxieties about American society – such as anxieties about the Cold War, anxieties about changes to the American economic system, and anxieties about the shifting role of women in society. In this class, we will take a close look at several classic examples of the film noir cycle, seeking to understand the cultural significance of the works. Topics will include: noir's narrative strategies, the role of the femme fatale, the visual style of noir, and the changing representation of the modern city. The primary focus of the class will be on films from the 1940s and 1950s, but we will also consider precursors to noir, such as hard-boiled literature, and neo-noir films from recent decades. Prerequisite: COMM 1301 or permission of instructor.

Meeting time: TR 12:45 - 2:00, T 6:30 - 9:00

COMM 3325-3 Media Fandoms, Dr. Henderson

Drawing on the literature of audience studies in the field of communication this course will explore how fans of media products form communities and influence popular culture in the virtual and real worlds. The course will focus on the development of fan groups, their transformation into communities, their influence on the original media texts, and the discourses that permeate these groups. Multiple fandoms will be examined including but not limited to: Harry Potter, Twilight, Star Trek, Star Wars, Terminator, World of Warcraft, and Jane Austin. Prerequisite: COMM 1301 or permission of instructor.

Meeting time: TR 11:20

COMM 3340-1 Media Writing: Multimedia Journalism, Dr. Rutigliano

Analyze how the Internet is changing journalism and gain experience writing and producing photos, audio, and video for the Web. Students will compare the work of online-only news organizations, non-profits, community blogs, and individual bloggers, and learn about the unique economic, ethical, and legal issues they face. The class will also cover the application of these different types of websites to community issues, politics, and international events as they develop their own group blogs. Prerequisite: COMM 2302 or consent of instructor.

Meeting time: MW 3:55

COMM 3342-1 Visual Communication: Narrative Production, Dr. Keating

This course introduces you to the techniques of video production, with a particular focus on the conventions of fictional narrative video. Lessons will cover the principles of composition, the rules of the continuity system, and the basic techniques of lighting and sound design. Working with digital video equipment, students will create short video projects, applying the principles of visual storytelling. Prerequisite: COMM 2302 or consent of instructor.

Meeting time: MW 2:30

COMM 3344-1 Interactive: Games for the Web, Dr. Delwiche

In this course, we will explore the behaviors, cultural practices and motivations of people who play massively multiplayer online games. Along the way, we will investigate, design and critically analyze a variety of games. In addition to exploring game mechanics, game design principles and video-game aesthetics, we will investigate sociological and psychological dimensions of virtual worlds as well as social controversies surrounding game violence and gender representations. Prerequisite: COMM 2302 or consent of instructor.

Meeting time: TR 9:55 - 11:10 and W 6:30 - 9:00.

Also being taught:

COMM 1301: Mass Media
COMM 2302: Media Interpretation and Criticism
COMM 3303: Media Audiences
COMM 3360: Principles of Public Relations
COMM 3362: Media Law and Policy
COMM 4395: Communication Capstone Seminar