Communication (COM) Courses
Descriptions of courses offered in the Communication Department under the Division of Communication and Fine Arts
COM 1101 Beginning Radio Practicum
One hour
Participation in supervised entry-level radio experiences. Introduction to typical station policies, methods of operation, and Federal Communication Commission (FCC) regulations.
Offered each semester
COM 1131 Beginning Media Production Performance Practicum
One hour
Five hours weekly in performance for radio, television, and other electronic media productions. A not-for-credit option is available.
Offered spring semester
COM 1153 Introduction to Video and Audio Production
Three hours
An introduction to the principles, procedures, and techniques of video and audio production. The course covers the fundamentals of producing, scripting, directing, and editing video and audio. Students gain proficiency in the operation of video switchers, cameras, sound recording, and computer-based equipment while gaining studio and field production experience as well. An additional fee associated with this course.
Offered fall semester
COM 1173 Faith, Media, and Calling
Three hours
This course challenges students to examine their faith and vocational callings in light of the role mass media play in society and culture. Considers Christianity within the context of media history, as well as contemporary media, and the many intersections between media and the gospel, including media uses in local and global Christian organizations. Also includes a study of current media trends and ideas about how Christian media practitioners can use that knowledge to influence both secular and Christian media.
Offered fall semester
COM 1233 Podcasting and Online Audio Production
Three hours
An intermediate study of audio production with an emphasis on online applications such as podcasts and web streaming utilizing Adobe Audition. Voice and music recording, sound effects, and post-production sound for video are also explored. An additional fee associated with this course. Prerequisite: COM 1101.
Offered spring semester (even-numbered years)
COM 2083 Masterpieces of Film
Three hours
A study of how filmmakers communicate and convey meaning to audiences through movies. Critically acclaimed and culturally relevant films throughout the history of the American film industry are analyzed, with emphasis on understanding Hollywood's various filmmaking techniques and philosophies. The motion picture's role in shaping society is also considered. Meets The Arts requirement of the Core Curriculum.
Offered each semester
COM 2101 Intermediate Radio Practicum
One hour
Five hours of weekly practice in practical broadcast experience on KLRC. Proficiency in announcing, control operation, handling of equipment, and other typical radio station duties are developed. Practical experience is offered through live shifts on the university's internet radio station and/or voice-tracking on KLRC. Prerequisite: COM 1101.
Offered each semester
COM 2111, 2112 Practicum in Journalism
One or two hours
Work as a staff member for a university publication in 1) reporting, proofreading, advertising, editing, photography and layout on the Threefold Advocate student newspaper or 2) working in other university journalism functions. A not-for-credit option is available. Prerequisite: COM 2123.
Offered each semester
COM 2121 Beginning Forensics Practicum
One hour
Students on the Speech and Debate Team participate in competition, judging, peer coaching, or service projects during the course of the practicum. Students will attend at least one speech or debate tournament. A not-for-credit option is available.
Offered each semester
COM 2123 News Writing and Reporting
Three hours
Introduction to news for the print and electronic media, development of news concepts; laboratory in news-gathering tools and writing skills.
Offered fall semester
COM 2131 Intermediate Media Production Performance Practicum
One hour
Five hours weekly in performance for radio, television, and other electronic media productions. A not-for-credit option is available.
Offered spring semester
COM 2163 Communication Technologies
Three hours
Gain practical experience creating and publishing a web site both from scratch and using a popular open source Content Management System like Wordpress or Joomia. Topics covered include: HTML and CSS Fundamentals; Domain Registration and Setup; Using FTP; Image Types and Optimization; Introduction to JavaScript; Embedding Media; Responsive Design; Social Media Integration; and Accessibility Considerations. An additional fee associated with this course.
Offered fall semester
COM 2333 News Editing
Three hours
Copy editing, headline writing, graphic principles and processes, and new media technology. Students will become familiar with AP Style and learn how to do a newspaper layout. The importance of headlines and proper grammar and spelling will also be discussed. Students will finish this course better able to edit their own copy and the copy of others. (Same as COM 2343.) Prerequisite: COM 2123.
Offered spring semester
COM 2343 News Editing for Public Relations
Three hours
Copy editing, graphic principles and processes for public relations. Students will become familiar with AP Style and learn how to do a newspaper layout. The importance of headlines and proper grammar and spelling will also be discussed. Students will finish this course better able to edit their own copy and the copy of others. (Same as COM 2333.) Prerequisite: COM 2123.
Offered spring semester
COM 2353 Public Relations Writing and Technology
Three hours
Students will learn the basics of how to write in any public relations form. Copy produced will include press releases, memos, a PR crisis plan, newsletter, and a brochure. Students will also discuss what PR moments there are in the news and how they, as PR professionals, would respond. Prerequisite: COM 2123.
Offered fall semester
COM 2433 Diversity and Media Issues
Three hours
A study of the cultural communication climate in the United States and its depiction in news, entertainment, and other media.
Offered spring semester
COM 2523 Public Speaking
Three hours
Students gain theoretical and applied knowledge of public speaking techniques. Speeches may include extemporaneous, impromptu, informative, persuasive, or rhetorical analysis.
Offered each semester
COM 3101 Advanced Radio Practicum
One hour
Five hours of weekly responsibilities at KLRC. Students will develop advanced proficiency in announcing, control room skills, production, promotions, or other related radio station duties. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: COM 2101.
Offered each semester
COM 3111, 3112 Advanced Practicum in Journalism
One or two hours
Advanced responsibility as a staff member for a university publication: 1) reporting, proofreading, photography, advertising, editing, and layout of the Threefold Advocate student newspaper and 2) work in other university journalism functions. A not-for-credit option is available. Prerequisite: respective experience in COM 2111 or COM 2112.
Offered each semester
COM 3121 Video/Audio Sports Practicum
One hour
Five hours weekly in performance and/or production of JBU sports content for Golden Eagle Productions. Content also may appear live on radio, cable television, and/or the Internet. May be repeated for credit. A not-for-credit option is available.
Offered each semester
COM 3131 Radio News Practicum
One hour
Five hours weekly in performance and/or production of audio news content for MyPositiveEdge.com, JBU's online radio station. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: COM 1101 and COM 2123.
Offered each semester
COM 3141 Media Production Program Assistant
One hour
Assists the faculty supervisor in the operations of TV Studio and Sports Broadcasting Lab. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: COM 1153.
Offered each semester
COM 3151 KLRC Program Assistant
One hour
Assists the supervisor of KLRC: traffic, music selection, announcing schedules, promotions, and production. Prerequisite: COM 3101.
Offered each semester
COM 3153 Specialized Media Production
Three hours
Principles and practices of news reporting; covering news beats and other news sources, including researching a news story for accuracy, comprehensiveness and interpretation. (Same as COM 3653.) Prerequisite: COM 2123.
Offered spring semester
COM 3161, 3162 Intermediate Forensics Practicum
One or two hours
Students complete advanced hands-on training and gain relevant experience in one or two of the following areas in speech and debate competition: Public Address, Argumentation and Debate, Limited Preparation Speaking, Oral Interpretation, Readers Theatre, or Student Congress. A not-for-credit option is available. Prerequisite: COM 2121.
Offered each semester
COM 3321 Independent Video Production
One hour
Practical experience in video production. Students work in consultation with a faculty supervisor to complete independent projects. Prerequisite: COM 1153.
Offered each semester
COM 3363 Magazine Writing
Three hours
Study explanatory journalism techniques applied to complex subjects (such as science, economics, and large scale social change) for books, magazines, and newspaper series. Prerequisite: COM 2123.
Offered fall semester (even-numbered years)
COM 3421 Advanced Media Production Practicum
One hour
Experiential learning in writing, producing, and presenting stories for radio, television, and the internet. Students will write and produce for the media production program on a regular basis throughout the semester. May be repeated for credit. A not-for-credit option is available. Corequisite: COM 4182.
Offered each semester
COM 3453 Social Movements
Three hours
A survey of social movements and the rhetorical strategies used to further those causes, including analysis of Abolition, Suffrage, Civil Rights, and other significant events.
Offered fall semester (odd-numbered years)
COM 3463 Opinion Writing
Three hours
Reporting and writing analytical articles, columns, editorials and blogs online, using Web attributes of interactivity, individualization, immediacy, and multi-media applications. Prerequisite: COM 2123.
Offered spring semester (odd-numbered years)
COM 3653 Specialized Media Production for Public Relations
Three hours
Public relations writing for science, technology, health, medicine, corporate finance, educational policy, law and government in broadcast and technical media, as well as newspapers and magazines, also including proposals, speeches, and correspondence. (Same as COM 3153.) Prerequisite: COM 2353.
Offered spring semester
COM 3703 Leadership and Media Management
Three hours
Dramatic changes in the media industry require new management and leadership techniques and paradigms. This course aims to give students a survey of some of the latest management and leadership theories, including those encouraging a new sense of social responsibility.
Offered fall semester (even-numbered years)
COM 4161, 4162 Advanced Forensics Practicum
One or two hours
Students complete advanced hands-on training and gain relevant experience in one or two of the following areas in speech and debate competition: Speech Coaching, Debate Coaching, Tournament Administration, Team Management, Team Promotion, or Communication Praxis Preparation for Secondary Education. A not-for-credit option is available. Prerequisite: COM 3161.
Offered each semester
COM 4182 Sports/News Broadcasting
Two hours
Specialized concepts and techniques required to write scripts for a variety of storytelling media and contexts including podcasts, online video, radio and television news and narrative performance. Prerequisite: COM 2123. Corequisite: COM 3421.
Offered fall semester (odd-numbered years)
COM 4211, 4212 Online News Bureau Practicum
One or two hours
Advanced online journalism training. Students work as online reporters, editors, and producers for an online news magazine. Students also package copy from the print and broadcast. A not-for-credit option is available. Prerequisite: COM 3111 or COM 3112.
Offered each semester
COM 4243 Script Writing Workshop
Three hours
Specialized concepts and techniques required to write scripts for a variety of storytelling media and contexts including podcasts, online video, radio and television news, and/or narrative performance. Prerequisite: COM 2123.
Offered spring semester (odd-numbered years)
COM 4293 Media Law and Digital Ethics
Three hours
A case-study approach to legal and ethical problems commonly encountered by mass media practitioners in digital and in traditional media contexts, with an emphasis on the First Amendment and its application. Topics include free speech, libel, invasion of privacy, copyright, freedom of information, protection of sources and federal media regulations. Prerequisite: COM 1173.
Offered spring semester
COM 4333 Advanced Video/Audio Production
Three hours
Advanced principles, procedures, and techniques of video and video production. Students refine their skills producing for online video and television through the planning, production, and editing of a variety of single and multi-camera productions. An additional fee associated with this course. Prerequisite: COM 1153 or ART 2103.
Offered spring semester (even-numbered years)
COM 4343 Media Programming and Promotion
Three hours
This course focuses on principles, strategies, and approaches for creating, scheduling, bundling, marketing, and promoting content for digital media programming on the web, as well as digital radio and television. Students develop analytical framework for understanding industry trends in media programming and how those trends are influenced by audience research. Students create and schedule programs, apply programming strategies and philosophies, and learn relevant terminology and audience measurement techniques. Prerequisite: COM 4293.
Offered spring semester (odd-numbered years)
COM 4363 Political Communication
Three hours
A study of the role of communication in the American political process. Campaign strategies, political oratory, grass roots activism, and other forms of political rhetoric will be explored.
Offered fall semester (even-numbered years)
COM 4373 Online Advocacy
Three hours
Online advocacy is a survey of the Internet use and the tools it provides to promote an issue, candidate, or organizational brand. This advocacy is demonstrated through a number of different formats and strategies and commonly includes the use of dedicated social networking sites.
Offered spring semester (even-numbered years)
COM 4413 Selected Topics in Media Production
Three hours
A seminar that offers students the opportunity for critical examination of a particular issue in contemporary media from a Christian perspective.
Offered upon sufficient request
COM 4433 Interpersonal Communication
Three hours
Students analyze and create messages used to manage personal relationships in social and professional contexts. By examining research, theory, and processes of interpersonal communication, students learn important principles for managing impressions and building rapport, identifying needs and seeking influence, reducing relational uncertainty and adapting to change. Students will learn to communicate the value of healthy relationships as well as develop relational skills for excelling in careers such as digital media and management, public relations, sales and marketing, peer counseling, education, and community leadership.
Offered spring semester
COM 4443 Communication Internship
Three hours
Practical experience working under a qualified professional within governmental, non-profit, public relations, or media organizations. Responsibilities are tailored to develop skills in the student's particular area of concentration. Only one internship for credit may apply toward graduation. Prerequisites: junior standing.
Offered each semester
COM 4453 Public Relations Planning
Three hours
Analysis of eight major programs typically carried out by public relations professionals: employee, media, financial, member, governmental, and community relations. Fundraising and dealing with activist publics are also major PR programs. Prerequisite: COM 3653.
Offered fall semester (odd-numbered years)
