COM 106 Intro to Technical Communication
An introduction to the field of technical communication focusing on technical writing. Students will create technical documentation of a current project or concern on campus, usually in the form of a proposal for changes. The class is highly writing-intensive; students review and edit each other's work in class. Restricted to Communication & Information Design majors.
COM 206: Ethnographic Writing
This course continues the integrated approach to writing, reading, and research introduced in COM 106 by guiding students through a process of discovery and identification through observation and analysis. This course helps students understand how particular work cultures and contexts construct and understand their experiences; students learn to develop their own set of critical literacy skills while practicing methods for reading , interpreting, and representing culture from another perspective. The course may be organized around a theme where students learn to “read” and observe (by studying, categorizing, and analyzing language, nonverbal performance, etc.) a particular organization or work culture. Students produce a final field report.
COM 240: Writing for New Media
COM 240 is a writing course that covers both the practice of creating well-written and engaging text in a traditional format, as well as the art of shaping words that can harmoniously coexist with evolving media. Students will learn to write effectively, to connect with their own inner voice, and to translate this voice into powerful and effective writing. This course will also place a strong emphasis on peer editing and will demand that students learn to not only make the distinction between good and mediocre writing but to formulate clear arguments that support their opinions. Assignments will cover the following types of writing: hypertext, web/intranet writing, video scripting, Nonlinear creative writing, web log writing, electronic literature, and polymedia (digital environments that explore new ways to use language).
COM 302 Presentational Speaking
Students will submit a proposal and present a paper just as they would
at a professional technical communication conference. Public speaking
skills will be augmented with the latest graphic presentation skills
and software. Students will research, write, and organize a talk to
either persuade or inform an audience of technical communication professionals.
This course is designated for technical communication majors; others
on a space available basis. Students may not receive credit for both
COM 302 and COM 300.
COM 306 Report Writing and Technical Communication
Students will learn to communicate more effectively in a professional
environment through ample practice with individual as well as group
composed documents (i.e. memos, letters, instructions, proposals, and
analytical reports) and the oral presentation of a formal report. Since
the course is usually taught in a computer lab, word processing and
computer graphics are used to enhance the reports. Meets Upper Division
Writing Requirement.
COM 320 Principles of Design for Desktop Publishing
Students will be exposed to the nature of visual language and how designers
use and readers process such information. Theories and research that
relate to visual communication will be covered. Students will analyze
and evaluate selected readings and examples; and students will use modern
desktop publishing techniques to design and produce printed material.
Additionally, the theory of design of online material will be discussed
with particular emphasis on publication of World Wide Web home pages.
Projects will include home page design and publication. Concepts covered
earlier in the course will be applied to computer screen design. Prerequisites:
Knowledge of basic computer skills.
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COM 350 Designing Online Information
Teaches students to evaluate, design, and develop online information.
Students design an online tutorial that addresses human-computer interface
and design issues covered in the course. Meets Upper Division Writing
Requirement. [Students complete either COM 350 or COM 400 as a core
course. Students may then complete either course as an elective.]
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COM 380 Communication Theory
Exposes students to a range of communication theories, including those
allied to systems theory, rhetoric, linguistics, psychology, philosophy,
and anthropology. Students will explore a single theorist/theoretical
position in depth. May be taken to meet the Humanities Requirement.
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COM 400 Computer Software Documentation
Explains how to write professional computer documentation, from writing
a proposal, to gathering data, to designing a document and related visuals,
to running a usability test on the material, to revising style and polishing
the final reference. Discusses the nature of visual language and considers
the utilization of modern desktop publishing techniques to develop communication
ideas and transfer them onto the printed page. Student teams develop
a software documentation package using the schoolís desktop publishing
hardware and software. Meets Upper Division Writing Requirement. [Students
complete either COM 350 or COM 400 as a core course. Students may then
complete either course as an elective.]
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COM 495 Advanced Technical Communication/Senior Practicum in Communication
Integrates academic and practical experience by placing students in
an industrial, corporate or professional writing setting. Students will
choose clients in various businesses and industries, and they will work
either on and off site in completing their major projects. As students
work through the documentation process, they will be given detailed
classroom instruction about writing and editing in the corporate culture.
This course is designed as a one semester practicum where students will
meet with the instructor in the classroom and with their clients on
a weekly basis. Prerequisites: COM 306, COM 320, and permission of instructor.
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COM 499 Portfolio Review and Professional Development
Gives professional and technical communication majors a first-hand look
at the job search process (professional development) and portfolio development.
Students will be expected to research some aspect of the field, complete
and write up an informational interview, submit a portfolio for review,
and go on an actual interview. Prerequisite: COM 302, COM 306, COM 320,
and COM 380.
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COM
308 Analytical & Research Writing -
[COM 308 can not be used to meet the upper division writing requirement.]
Students pursue a research project of their own design, using primary
sources. Statistical and theoretical sources are analyzed in class and
used in the research essay. Students keep a research log and practice
a variety of research methods. COM308 should only be used as a program elective with the approval of your
advisor.
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COM 310 Technical Editing
A study of the principles of editing and their application to a wide
variety of documents. Students will complete two major projects, one
in copyediting and one in comprehensive editing. For both projects,
students work with documents and clients from off campus. Students edit
many sample documents and review each otherís work in class.
Prerequisite: COM 306 or equivalent.
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COM 311 Public Relations Writing
Designed to teach students the basic concepts of effective public relations
writing and to give them a solid foundation in the use of multiple communication
tools that are used in the public relations industry. The emphasis is
on media techniques, preparation of materials, and the dissemination
of them through appropriate channels. Prerequisites: COM 306 or COM
308. It is also desirable for students to have background in or have
completed a course in basic newswriting and desktop publishing.
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COM 315 Theater and Communication
As the art of human interaction, theater provides a means to explore
communication issues through role-playing, improvisation, and scripting.
Designed for students concerned with group dynamics, public education,
and counseling, this course will examine, through reading and exercise,
how theater has affected contemporary America. Students will apply theater
techniques to public issues, education, conflict resolution, and group
dynamics. May be taken to meet the Humanities Requirement.
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COM 316 Media and Communication
The impact of the mass media (television, radio, journalism, film) upon
American society is well-documented. Emerging technologies (computer-mediated
communication, cable video, satellite communications) will further change
the ways in which we communicate. Through study of communication theory,
survey of traditional and new media, and creation of original media
projects, students will explore the relevance of the new technologies
to their own disciplines. May be taken to meet the Humanities Requirement.
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COM 341 Video and Communication
Examines the role of video in the new communication technologies through
projects which use video for various applications: education, training,
sales promotion, etc. Emphasis is placed on the design process and the
many choices available to deliver a video-based message. The course
will draw upon the Instituteís Instructional Media studio capabilities.
Pre/co-requisite: COM 342 is recommended, but not required.
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COM 342 Field and Studio Video Production
Covers the fundamentals of basic television and audio production. The
student develops skills necessary to serve on production crews and operate
audio and video equipment in the broadcast studio. Also covers the fundamentals
of television production with emphasis on direction, and operation of
associated broadcast field equipment, developing the various skills
necessary to produce quality video.
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COM 350 Designing Online Information
Teaches students to evaluate, design, and develop online information.
Students design an online tutorial that addresses human-computer interface
and design issues covered in the course. Meets Upper Division Writing
Requirement. [Students complete either COM 350 or COM 400 as a core
course. Students may then complete either course as an elective.]
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COM 353 Newswriting
Provides an introduction to the field of journalism. Students will participate
in a group discussion about the newswriting process, from story ideas
and development through to a close review of the final product. Students
will develop story ideas and write articles suitable for publication.
Prerequisite: Any upper division writing course.
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COM 354 Newspaper Production [2 credits]
Designed to help students develop insight and a better understanding
of the role that newspapers play in society while providing hands-on
experience in the production of a student newspaper. Students will discuss
and write about such issues as news judgment and the impact of the media
on public attitudes, government programs, and politics. Student discussions
and papers will reflect, in part, their experiences managing, designing,
writing, editing, and laying out a university-based publication. They
will also read and discuss relevant literature. Both traditional and
electronic (Web) publishing will be discussed. May be taken twice for
a maximum of 4 credits.
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COM 360 Product Design and Usability Testing
The only way to judge the usefulness of a document product or interface
in the marketplace is by usability testing. Students will study various
evaluation methodologies and practice the basics of test design and
analysis real products. Students will refine testing methodology and
administration, in addition to understanding the factors affecting information
and product quality.
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COM 400 Computer
Software Documentation
Explains how to write professional computer documentation, from writing
a proposal, to gathering data, to designing a document and related visuals,
to running a usability test on the material, to revising style and polishing
the final reference. Discusses the nature of visual language and considers
the utilization of modern desktop publishing techniques to develop communication
ideas and transfer them onto the printed page. Student teams develop
a software documentation package using the schoolís desktop publishing
hardware and software. Meets Upper Division Writing Requirement. [Students
complete either COM 350 or COM 400 as a core course. Students may then
complete either course as an elective.]
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COM 410 Communication Research Methods
Gives an overview of the communication research process and provides
training in research methods. Considers theory, underlying logic, and
various quantitative and qualitative tools. Students apply principles
and strategies by designing, conducting, and reporting on preliminary
communication research projects as time permits. Computers are used
for statistical analysis of data. Course satisfies the social science,
but not the humanities requirement. Prerequisite: Valid campus computer
account AND COM 306 OR COM 308 OR COM 400 OR equivalent.
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COM 411 Communicating on Computer Networks: Issues and Implications
Examines the various facets of computer networks; their history, the
reasons for their existence, their use, operation and design, collaborative
issues, and concerns regarding copyright and intellectual property.
Emphasis is placed on the nature of networks, how they can and will
effect our world, and how they are best utilized. Although there will
be hands on training and use of the Internet throughout the semester
this is not a "tools" course on using the Internet. Rather,
we will use our experiences on the network to write about and discuss
the underlying social, political, legal, and educational aspects of
networking. Students will become familiar with issues involved with
networking as well as associated terminology and jargon.
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COM 412 Digital Photography and Imaging
Explores concepts and techniques in electronic photography and imaging.
The class will build and reinforce critical digital imaging skills such
as image manipulation, light effects, scanning, color correction and
special effects. Combines design theory and hands-on work, introducing
students to basic aesthetic issues in photography and image manipulation
and the ethical concerns associated with the medium. Students will generate
a portfolio of images based on specific themes. COM 490 Special Topics
in Communication An in-depth treatment of a selected topic not normally
treated extensively in other communication courses. The subject matter
will be related to current trends in communication. Prerequisite: Permission
of instructor.
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COM 413 Digital Animation
Using a mix of theoretical and practical assignments, students will
develop an understanding of the conceptual issues regarding animation
while also producing an animation project. Students will create a set
of storyboards, a simple animation with images, graphics, sound and
special effects, and produce a video on various media, including a Web
site. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of computer
operating systems and will be expected to learn computer animation software
while in the course. The animation software will be determined by the
instructor at the time the course is taught.
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COM 414 Advanced Digital Graphic Design
Designed to increase the studentís ability to creatively design
within the digital domain. Major topics include: essentials for successful
digital design, color and color accuracy in the digital world, symmetric
and asymmetric layout techniques, creative use of shapes and space,
large file management techniques, theoretical and applied typography,
professional production methods to increase workflow, and stereographic
imagery. Pre-requisite: Basic Photoshop Knowledge.
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COM 420 Web Site Design
Provides instruction in various processes that involve innovation, planning,
analysis, design, implementation, and promotion of Internet-based information
publishing, especially on the World Wide Web. Introduces students to
the theoretical principles of visual language and also affords the practical
opportunity to apply the principles using modern Internet publishing
tools.
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COM 460 Advanced Web Site Design
This course builds on the design, layout, and development principles
learned in previous courses by teaching students to approach web site
design and structure in a new way. Where previous courses focus on designing
the front end of a static web site, COM460 focuses on developing the
back end of a dynamic web site. Students will produce an interactive
commercial web site, incorporating specific data structures, web elements,
and web technologies, while employing the design principles learned
in previous courses. Prerequisite: COM COM420.
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COM 490 Special Topics in Communications [1-4 credits]
An in-depth treatment of a selected topic not normally treated extensively
in other communication courses. The subject matter will be related to
current trends in communication. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
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COM 491 Independent Study [1-4 credits]
Extensive study and research on a particular topic of student interest
under the supervision of a faculty member. The student is required to
submit a written proposal which includes a description of the project,
its duration, educational goals, method of evaluation, and number of
credits to be earned. Prerequisites: Matriculated students only, permission
of instructor and dean of subject area. Standard grading or S/U option
at discretion of faculty supervisor. Options must be chosen no later
than last day to add/drop.
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COM 492 Technical Communication Internship [2-8 credits]
The internship, for qualified senior Technical Communication majors,
is designed to provide practical work in the field of computer documentation,
editing, public relations, graphics, or Web design. Students either
work on or off campus under the direction of a qualified communication
specialist. Prerequisite: 3.0 GPA in major; permission of program faculty
and internship corporate sponsor. Only S/U grades are awarded for this
course.
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