Digital Media Studies Major

• Core Curriculum

• Complete ALL of the following Courses:

• COM 222: Theory and Practice of Journalism
• 3

This course will introduce the basics of journalism writing, style, theory, investigation, ethics, and interviewing including news, features, sports, review, and opinion styles. At least six (6) written articles will be submitted to The Concordia Courier.

• COM 280: Theories of Human Communication
• 3

As a systematic exploration of the theories scholars use to explain human communication, this course will deal with rhetoric, persuasion, interpersonal, intercultural, small group, media, organizational, and gender communications.

• COM 281: Big Data and A.I. Literacy
• 3

This course introduces students to the foundational concepts of big data, focusing on data’s impact on communication in society. The course emphasizes ethical considerations and responsible use of data in democratic society. Students will develop critical thinking skills to evaluate data sources, methods of collection, and the implications of big data on privacy, democracy, and social justice.

• COM 312: Podcasting and Video on Demand Theory and Production
• 3

This course explores the theoretical and practical aspects of podcasting and video on demand (VOD) production. Students will learn key elements of digital storytelling, audio and video production, and distribution techniques. By the end of the course, students will produce a multi-episode podcast and a short VOD project while analyzing the role of influencers and creators in shaping online content.

• COM 321: Digital Media Communication
• 3

This course will focus on the personalities, inventions, developments, terminologies, and issues closely associated with seven (7) mass media industries with a special emphasis on internship preparation and media job opportunities. Article reports using business magazines, newspapers, and trade journals read by media professionals will be required.

• COM 344: Theory and Practice of Interviewing
• 3

This course will examine the theory and techniques of oral communication in the process of interviewing with the practical application to employment, information gathering (as in journalism and investigations), and persuasive interviews (as in selling and legal argument).

• COM 371: Introduction to Social Media
• 3

This course will explore the fundamentals of and introduce social media and other emerging technologies and tools, current trends and future directions, benefits, values, and risks. Case studies will be reviewed to assess how social media impacts and influences fields such as communication and marketing and how it informs future trends and developments. Prerequisites: (WRT 102 or WRT 201) and (COM 280 or MKT 341).

• COM 490: Internship: Communication

This course is an intense, practical, full- or part-time experience outside the classroom that is an integral part of a professional program, contributing significantly to the student's preparation for entrance into a profession. Approximately forty (40) contact hours are required for each unit of credit. Each department may limit the maximum number of internship credits.

OR

• COM 400: Communication Capstone
• 2

As the capstone course for Communication Studies major, this course serves as the culminating experience in the major. In conjunction with, and under the direction of the student's mentor professor, each student will develop and complete a culminating research project, comprised of a written paper and an oral presentation. Prerequisites: (COM 485 or COM 488) and senior standing.

• COM 488: Communication Research Methods
• 3

As an introduction to the research process, this course will examine how research is planned and designed; introduce the process of data collection and analysis; explore the methodology for communication research (including sampling, questionnaire design, and introduction to statistics); and provide experiences in conducting original research. Prerequisite: COM 280.

• NOTE: Required units: COM 490: (2 units)
• 0

This course is an intense, practical, full- or part-time experience outside the classroom that is an integral part of a professional program, contributing significantly to the student's preparation for entrance into a profession. Approximately forty (40) contact hours are required for each unit of credit. Each department may limit the maximum number of internship credits.

• Focus Area #1 Content Creation

• Complete at least 3 of the following Courses:

• COM 310: Writing for Content Marketing
• 3

This course equips students with the skills needed to write both long-form and short marketing materials and custom content (branding) articles and media pieces for corporate, government and nonprofit agencies. Students will create articles that are sound in content and mechanics. They will explore the practices of good journalism and learn how to position a corporation’s “story” within 21st century mass media. An emphasis will be placed on crafting content tailored to specific audiences and mediums – such as blogs, social and video – to meet the needs of a client (company, organization, brand or product). Working with corporate executives, public relations and advertising agencies will also be explored.

• COM 412: Media and Script Writing
• 3

This course will examine script writing for radio, television and film with projects including announcements, commercials, news, features, documentaries, comedy, and game and music shows.

• COM 422: Studies in Public Relations
• 3

Public relations (PR) as a communication discipline will be examined in this course with an emphasis on developing and implementing campaigns including presentations by PR professionals and in-class projects/exercises on topics such as public relations in nonprofit organizations, corporate and social responsibility, media relations, technology, and ethical issues.

• COM 471: Advanced Strategies in Social Media
• 3

This course will utilize the practical tools and strategies required to successfully leverage social networks to develop and understand core concepts that can be applied to various applications. This course will utilize the practical tools and strategies required to successfully leverage social networks to develop and understand core concepts that can be applied to various applications and give you the necessary tools to manage a social media account as a business representative. In this course you will gain experience creating a social media marketing strategy, such as curating actual content, creating a social media training plan, advertisements, and a crisis and metrics plan. Prerequisite: COM 371 or consent of the instructor.

• Focus Area #2 Production and Presentation

• Complete at least 3 of the following Courses:

• ARTG 261: Graphic Design I
• 3

This studio art course will give students an introduction to the study of graphic design, as they are exposed to the history of visual communication, typography, advertising, and learn how to identify the elements and principles of design by creating image and text related projects. Students will also develop skills using the digital techniques of scanning, typographic adjustments, vector drawing, exporting, and printing. Class fee: $75. This course is offered every spring semester.

• ARTG 361: Graphic Design II
• 3

Students will produce intermediate design projects that emphasize aesthetics, the theory of design, and the relationship between text and image in this course including the development of digital imaging and layout skills using Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator. A portion of this course will be devoted to a service learning assignment creating design projects for a nonprofit organization within the community. Class fee: $75. This course is offered every fall semester. Prerequisite: ARTG 261.

• ARTG 271: Digital Image Manipulation
• 3

Students will become proficient using Adobe Photoshop in this course, including its applications in graphic design, advertising, web design, animation, and multimedia. Examination of the ways in which complex ideas and messages can be interpreted and represented in visual form will also be included. Class fee: $75. This course is offered every fall semester.

• FDVP 330: Film and Digital Video Production
• 3

Pre-production, planning, scripting, principal photography will be done for the film project. Emphasizes lighting, camera operation, sound recording and directing. Students complete 2 projects: visual & narrative. Corequisite: FDVP 335.

• FDVP 335: Editing Principles and Techniques
• 3

Students study the basic principles and aesthetics of editing film, video, and digital media, with practical experience in Final Cut Pro lab through the completion of short editing projects. Corequisite: FDVP 330.