CCM Course Descriptions
COM 120 Introduction to Critical and Creative Media. (3h).
Introduction to the major theories and aesthetics of motion pictures and other media forms
through a study of styles related to writing, directing, cinematography, editing, and sound.
Students are introduced to oral, written, and visual competencies required for successful completion of the major or minor.
COM 215 Broadcast Journalism. (3h). Introduction to the theory and practice of broadcast
journalism. Topics include ethics, technology, and the media as industry, and projects address
writing, producing, and performing for radio and television.
COM 247 Media Production I. (3h). Students produce a variety of short-form media projects.
P – COM 120
COM 270 Special Seminar. (1h-3h). Examination of selected topics. Can be repeated for credit if
the topics are different.
COM 280 Internship. (1.5h, 3h). Individual media studies internships to be approved, supervised,
and evaluated by an appropriate faculty adviser.
Pass/Fail only. P – POI
COM 284 Production Practicum I. (1.5h). Individual projects in debate to be approved,
supervised, and evaluated by an appropriate faculty adviser.
Pass/Fail only. P—POI.
COM 285 Production Practicum II. (1.5h). Individual projects in debate to be approved,
supervised, and evaluated by an appropriate faculty adviser.
Pass/Fail only. P—POI.
COM 286 Individual Study. (1-3h). Directed study in an area of interest to be approved and
supervised by a faculty adviser. P – POI
COM 301 Film Genres. (3h). A content-variable course, this course explores the conventions and
variations of film and media genres such as Science Fiction, Horror, Western, Anime, Epic, Noir,
and others. Film Genre may be repeated for credit as long as the genre type is different.
COM 310 Media Production II. (3h). Students produce advanced media projects over which they
assume significant creative control. P – COM 247
COM 312 Film History to 1945. (3h). Survey of the historical, technological, cultural and
aesthetic developments of motion pictures to 1945.
COM 313 Film History 1945 to Present. (3h). Survey of the historical, technological, cultural,
and aesthetic developments of motion pictures from 1945 to present.
COM 316 Screenwriting. (3h). Introduction to the art and practice of writing for the screen.
Through numerous exercises, students learn to use experiences, observations, and imagination to
create compelling characters and stories for a variety of mediums and complete an original, short
screenplay.
COM 318 Culture and the Sitcom. (3h). Explores the intersection of American culture and the
television situation comedy, one of the oldest and most ubiquitous forms of television
programming.
COM 319 Media Ethics. (3h). Examines historical and contemporary ethical issues in the media
professions within the context of selected major ethical theories while covering, among other
areas, issues relevant to: journalism, advertising, public relations, filmmaking, regulation, and
media management.
COM 320 Media Theory and Criticism. (3h). Critical study of media including a survey of major
theoretical frameworks. P – COM 120
COM 323 Superheroes, Cinema, and American Mythology. (3h). Examines the emergence of
superhero films in American cinema as a representation and response to historical and
ideological contexts.
COM 325 On-Camera Performance. (3h). Introduces the theory and practice of performing for
the camera. Covers basic method acting, newscasting, and other performance formats.
COM 326 Advanced Screenwriting. (3h). Emphasis on narrative theory as well as examination
of the role of the screenwriter in the motion picture industry, the influence of genre on
screenwriting, and exploration of non-traditional narrative structures. Students complete a
feature-length screenplay. P – COM 316
COM 370 Special Topics in Media Studies. (3h). Examination of topics not covered in the
regular curriculum. Can be repeated for credit if the topics are different.