2018-2019 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Department of Communication
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Chair: Professor Scott (Mass Communication).
Communication Studies: Professors Ford, Hardig; Associate Professor Ozley; Associate Professor Wang.
Mass Communication: Professor Cofield; Assistant Professors Finklea, Pruitt; Instructor Platenburg.
Department Contact
Dr. Randall K. Scott, Chair
Strong Hall
(205) 665-6625
scottr@montevallo.edu
Mission
The Department of Communication facilitates opportunities for students and faculty to develop and apply functional knowledge of relevant theory, which is necessary for successful storytelling and effective creation and management of meaning in a variety of contexts (e.g. personal, professional, public.) The department places particular emphasis on using best practices and innovative technologies to ensure interdisciplinary understanding; media and informational literacy; informed and engaged citizenship; cultural awareness; and effective ethical written, oral, and visual communication.
General Education
The department supports the General Education Core requirements by offering COMS 101 or COMS 102 which is required by all undergraduate students. MC 325 also applies toward the Humanity and Fine Arts requirement.
Majors
The Department of Communication offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in Communication Studies and Mass Communication.
Minors
Minors are available in Arts Administration , Communication Studies , Mass Communications , Multimedia Journalism , and Public Relations
Internships
Majors in the Department of Communication are encouraged to seek out internship opportunities to gain valuable real-world experience, network with professionals, and build their resumes. Majors can also earn course credit for internships. Contact the Internship Coordinator for Communication Studies or Mass Communication for details.
Experiential Approach to Learning
Effective communication must be active. One learns only by applying classroom theories in real-time situations. Thus, communication majors are encouraged to engage in a number of experiential learning opportunities including service learning, undergraduate research, internships, study away, and hands-on learning outside the classroom, such as livestreaming athletic events, attending academic conferences, and event planning. Majors get hands-on experience in our new state-of-the-art television studio producing newscasts, entertainment programs, and music shows. Majors also have access to a wide range of media production gear for class and experiential learning projects.
Strong Hall
Communication Studies and Mass Communication are housed in Strong Hall, a new state-of-the-art facility that began operations in Fall 2017. Majors in both programs learn their craft on industry-standard, digital equipment and receive personal instruction and guidance from the Communication faculty. Strong Hall ensures that the Department of Communication’s long history of preparing graduates for successful communication careers will continue.
Student Organizations
Each communication program includes a student club or honorary society: Lambda Pi Eta for Communication Studies; The National Broadcasting Society, Broadcast Education Association, and Alpha Epsilon Rho for Mass Communication. Students who meet the grade-point requirements and who desire to become actively involved should contact the student club or honorary society advisors for details.
Reproduction Rights
The Department of Communication reserves the right to retain examples of student work for instructional, publicity or recruiting purposes. Similarly, each program of the department reserves the right to use photographs, video/DVD and audio recordings of student productions in any departmental promotional material, including University-related websites and social media platforms.
Courses in Communication
Every class is not offered every semester. It is strongly recommended that students arrange their schedules around courses in the major.
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Communication Studies Minor
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Communication Studies, B.A.
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Communication Studies, B.S.
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Mass Communication Minor
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Mass Communication, Broadcast Production, B.A.
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Mass Communication, Broadcast Production, B.S.
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Mass Communication, Multimedia Journalism, B.A.
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Mass Communication, Multimedia Journalism, B.S.
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Multimedia Journalism Minor
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Public Relations Minor
COMS 101 - Foundations of Oral Communication
3 credit hours
General Education Course
Foundation in the principles of communication focusing on understanding the intrapersonal, interpersonal and group, organizational, cultural, and public communication climates within which the students interact daily. Provides students the opportunity to study and practice effective communication and to prepare for real-life situations.
COMS 102 - Honors Foundations of Oral Communication
3 credit hours
General Education Course
Principles of foundations of communications for Honors Program students.
COMS 140 - Principles of Public Speaking
3 credit hours
Performance of several types of public speeches, with emphasis on subject matter and content, purpose, social context, and occasion. Prerequisite(s): “C” or higher in COMS 101 or 102 .
COMS 141 - Interpersonal Communication
3 credit hours
Study and practice of effective dyadic communication in family, social, and work environments. Explores development of the self-concept, perception, language, nonverbal communication, and conflict management.
COMS 200 - Introduction to Communication Research Methods
3 credit hours
Study, application, and evaluation of quantitative and qualitative research methods employed in scholarly communication research. Includes experimental, survey, textual analysis, and ethnography. Prerequisite(s): COMS 101 or 102 .
COMS 220 - Introduction to Public Relations
3 credit hours
Introduction to Public Relations theories, practices, responsibilities and management functions. Class format includes lecture, discussion, and team projects.
COMS 299 - Career and Professional Development
3 credit hours
Overview of professional and academic standards in communication profession. Career assessment, job search strategies, resume, interview skills, communication in the workplace, and career advancement. Required for all COMS majors. Prerequisite(s): COMS 101 or 102 .
COMS 310 - Social Media and Public Relations
3 credit hours
Communication techniques to build personal/corporate brands and use of social media and web tools to engage customers. Application of social media strategies to organizational needs. Class format includes lecture, discussion, case study analysis, and team projects. Prerequisite(s): “C” or higher in COMS 220 .
COMS 320 - Communication Theory
3 credit hours
Effect of communication theories on interpersonal, group, public, and other communication contexts. Formulation and evaluation of communication theories.
COMS 330 - Persuasion
3 credit hours
Study and application of theories and practices of persuasive strategies that influence human behavior and attitudes. Includes performance opportunities. Prerequisite(s): “C” or higher in COMS 140 .
COMS 344 - Organizational Communication
3 credit hours
Principles of group discussion, leadership, conflict, and communication patterns in businesses and organizations.
COMS 350 - Nonverbal Communication
3 credit hours
Communication beyond the spoken or written word, including personal appearance, touch, space, eye contact, gestures, chronemics, olfaction, body adornment, and body language.
COMS 355 - Intercultural Communication
3 credit hours
An introduction to communication between people from different cultures. Class format will include lecture, discussion, debate, and participation in intercultural events. Prerequisite(s): COMS 101 or 102 .
COMS 360 - Small Group Communication
3 credit hours
Nature, uses, and types of group discussion, including leadership, group problem solving, and the individual’s role in a group.
COMS 365 - Family Communication
3 credit hours
Effect of communication in family relationships. Functional and dysfunctional family systems across a wide range of structures and cultural backgrounds are examined. Consent of instructor required.
COMS 375 - Gender Communication
3 credit hours
Development, usage, and effects of gendered communication interpersonally and in organizational settings.
COMS 390 - Communication, Leadership, and Society
3 credit hours
Leadership as a communication phenomenon. Strategies and leadership principles.
COMS 410 - Environmental Communication
3 credit hours
Effect of communication on how the natural world is perceived. Contexts, styles, and strategies of communication about the environment examine from a rhetorical perspective.
COMS 420 - Interpersonal Conflict Management
3 credit hours
Principles of effective communication and conflict engagement. Conflict strategies employed in interaction and techniques to increase awareness of power and emotion in conflict.
COMS 430 - Argumentation and Debate
3 credit hours
Development, techniques, and styles of argumentation to facilitate communication in social, political, and cultural settings. Prerequisite(s): “C” or higher in COMS 140 .
COMS 435 - Social Movement Rhetoric
3 credit hours
Survey and criticism of the rhetoric of social movements throughout U.S. history: abolition; women’s suffrage, including 2nd Wave Feminism; 20th century civil rights and the contemporary LGBT rights movement. Prerequisite(s): “C” or higher in COMS 101 or 102 , and “C” or higher in ENG 102 or 104 .
COMS 445 - Communication Training and Development
3 credit hours
Strategies and techniques for improving communication skills of business personnel, students, and clients.
COMS 450 - Rhetorical Criticism
3 credit hours
A survey and practice of rhetorical methods and criticism through analysis of speeches, campaigns, and other rhetorical artifacts. Prerequisite(s): “C” or higher in COMS 101 or 102 , and ”C” or higher in ENG 102 or 104 .
COMS 460 - Seminar in Communication Studies
3 credit hours
Special offerings on a Communication Studies topic not covered in the curriculum. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.
COMS 475 - Internship in Communication Studies
1-6 credit hours
Practical experience in a professional environment. Applications, including requirements, are available in departmental office. May be repeated for a total of 6 credit hours. Graded Pass/Fail. Open to juniors and seniors only with departmental and Internship Coordinator consent.
COMS 491 - Directed Studies in Communication Studies
1-3 credit hours
Supervised, directed study in communication-related area. Faculty adviser must approve research topic the semester prior to registration. Consent of instructor required.
COMS 495 - Public Relations Campaigns
3 credit hours
Current PR practices related to planning, proposing, implementing, and analyzing public-relations campaigns. Application of theory and research strategies to current problems and needs of organizations. Class format is primarily discussion and team projects, including case study analyses and service-learning projects. Prerequisite(s): “C” or higher in COMS 220 .
COMS 499 - Senior Seminar in Communication Studies
3 credit hours
Presentation of a senior project or thesis that synthesizes and evaluates how research in Communication Studies has contributed to the understanding of communication. Senior standing and consent of Instructor required. Must be taken during fall semester of senior year. Must be taken during fall semester of senior year. Senior standing and consent of instructor required. Prerequisite(s): COMS 299 .
MC 100 - Introduction to Mass Media
3 credit hours
Evolution of mass media, including books, radio, TV, newspapers, magazine, the Internet, and their influence on society. Processes of mass communication, related theories, and media effects.
MC 200 - Introduction to Mass Media Writing
3 credit hours
Developing and improving news writing and professional skills for print, online, and broadcast.
MC 210 - Introduction to Media Production
3 credit hours
Fundamentals of photography, video, and audio production.
MC 215 - Producing Video in the Studio
3 credit hours
Principles and practices of television production in a studio environment.
MC 265 - Broadcast News Writing
3 credit hours
Television, radio, and online news writing. Includes tease writing and social-media writing.
MC 300 - Advanced Journalism Practices
3 credit hours
Practical approaches to print journalism, including covering a beat, developing sources, news writing, and editing. Introduction to layout and design for newspapers Prerequisite(s): “C” or higher in MC 200 .
MC 305 - Media Writing
3 credit hours
Writing commercials, promotional announcements, and public service announcements for radio and television.
MC 310 - Publication Layout and Design
3 credit hours
In-depth layout and design for newspapers, magazines, brochures, and other publications using desktop-publishing software.
MC 315 - Video Field and Post Production
3 credit hours
Electronic field production for video. Scripting, producing, and directing for location videography, including lighting techniques and audio recording, and the post-production process including basic Photoshop® and video editing. Prerequisite(s): “C” or higher in MC 210 .
MC 320 - Multimedia Videojournalism
3 credit hours
Videography for television and online news. On-camera interviewing techniques. Shooting, writing, and editing news stories for the weekly campus newscast. Students are not required to appear on camera. Prerequisite(s): “C” or higher in MC 315 and MC 200 .
MC 325 - Survey of American Cinema
3 credit hours
General Education Course
Examining the impact, techniques, theories, and style of American cinema. Includes regular screening of movies.
MC 327 - Electronic Photojournalism
3 credit hours
Multimedia storytelling techniques for television and online reporting, emphasizing writing, videojournalism, and interviewing skills. Students produce news packages for various campus television shows. Requires students to be on camera. Prerequisite(s): “C” or higher in MC 210 and MC 265 .
MC 333 - Television Newscast Production
4 credit hours
Students work as producers, anchors, and reporters to create a weekly newscast. Emphasizes news judgment, time management, story and tease writing, newscast producing techniques, anchoring, on-camera performance, and social-media management Prerequisite(s): “C” or higher in MC 265 .
MC 355 - Scriptwriting
3 credit hours
Advanced writing skills, including character, plot development, visualization, action and dialog for television and film scripts. Prerequisite(s): MC 305
MC 357 - Special Topics in Public Relations
3 credit hours
Varied topics in the field related to public relations agency work. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.
MC 360 - Mass Communication Theory and Media Effects
3 credit hours
Overview of research in media effects and mass communication theory.
MC 375 - Strategies for Video in Social Media
3 credit hours
Using Internet-based video to promote products or issues in a professional setting, either as an entrepreneur or for a client. Includes analytics, social-media applications, mobile video, and techniques to increase a video’s reach. Students will develop a plan to increase a video’s impact by using Web-based social and technical video techniques, apply the plan, and analyze the results.
MC 400 - Special Topics in Journalism
3 credit hours
Varied topics in the field, offered on a one-time basis. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.
MC 411 - Video Engineering
3 credit hours
Theoretical and practical application of video engineering principles in a modern digital broadcast environment, including working as technical crew for weekly newscasts. Prerequisite(s): “C” or higher in MC 215 .
MC 412 - Audio Engineering
3 credit hours
Aesthetic and technical considerations for digital multi-track recording, mixing, and sound reinforcement. Prerequisite(s): “C” or higher in MC 315 .
MC 415 - Advanced Video Post Production
3 credit hours
Philosophy and technical considerations in software based, non-linear video editing. Restricted to junior or senior MC majors. Prerequisite(s): “C” or higher in MC 315 .
MC 425 - Documentary Production
3 credit hours
Individual projects completed under faculty supervision. Includes documentaries, dramas, animation, or other appropriate subjects. Topic must be approved by Instructor prior to registration Prerequisite(s): “C” or higher in MC 415 .
MC 433 - Advanced TV Newscast Production
4 credit hours
As Executive Producer, the student will gain advanced managerial experience in producing and overseeing the operations of the campus newscast. Consent of instructor required. Prerequisite(s): “C” or higher in MC 333 .
MC 450 - Seminar in Mass Communication
3 credit hours
In-depth examination of critical Mass Communication issues. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
MC 452 - Public Relations Writing
3 credit hours
Writing news releases, videos, online material, fact sheets, position papers, and other PR-oriented messages. Prerequisite(s): “C” or higher in MC 200 and MC 310
MC 453 - Advanced Journalism Practicum
3 credit hours
Practical experience in the production of the campus newspaper.
MC 455 - Media Law
3 credit hours
Examination of laws affecting broadcast, cable, and print media.
MC 460 - Media Management
3 credit hours
Management and motivational theories applied to print, broadcast, and cable industries.
MC 475 - Internship
1-6 credit hours
Practical experience in a professional environment. May be repeated for a total of 6 credit hours on a pass/fail basis. Open to juniors and seniors only with departmental consent. Applications available in the departmental office.
MC 491 - Directed Study
1-3 credit hours
Supervised, directed study in media related area. Faculty adviser must approve research topic the semester prior to registration.
MC 494 - Location Production
3 credit hours
Theoretical and practical instruction in the techniques of advanced video production. Teamwork aspects of location production are emphasized. Prerequisite(s): “C” or higher in MC 315 .
MC 495 - Broadcast Production Capstone
1 credit hour
Production of an advanced media project and e-portfolio with detailed critical anaylsis. Project topics and guidelines must be approved by faculty adviser the semester prior to registration. Broadcast Production senior in last 30 hours of study. Prerequisite(s): “C” or higher in MC 415 .
MC 499 - Multimedia Journalism Capstone
3 credit hours
Practical hands-on experience creating stories for print, television, and the Internet. Portfolio of work required. Prerequisite(s): MC 300 and 327 .
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