Courses

COMM 101G. Fundamentals of Communication 1.0 course credit

This course is a skills-oriented introduction to communication, in particular public
communication. The ultimate goal of this course is to provide you with fundamental skills and knowledge necessary to meet competently the communication challenges you will face throughout your lifetime.

COMM 110. Student Media Practicum I  0.25 course credit

This practicum is designed to give students an opportunity to learn media methods /practices and to apply that knowledge in student media outlets—The Courier (print and on-line newspaper), MC-TV (video production), and WPFS (radio station). Students will learn message construction appropriate to each medium along with technical skills necessary to work in the contemporary convergent media landscape. Open to all students. 

COMM 113. Communication: Workshop 0.25 course credit

Staff-supervised participation in communication projects. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit up to the maximum allowed credit for workshops.

COMM 115. Radio: Workshop 0.25 course credit

Practical experience in radio production with a primary focus on being an announcer for the student radio station. Open to all students. May be repeated for credit up to the maximum allowed credit for workshops.

COMM 116. Television: Workshop 0.25 course credit

Practical experience in television production with a primary focus on producing a weekly news/ sports program. Open to all students. May be repeated for credit up to the maximum allowed credit for workshops.

COMM 117. Journalism Workshop 0.25 course credit

Practical experience in Journalism and newsroom practices, with a primary focus on writing for the student newspaper, The Courier. on producing news/sports content across media (Print/Online, Social Media, Radio, and Television) Open to all students. May be repeated for credit up to the maximum allowed credit for workshops.

COMM 118. Video Production Workshop 0.25 course credit

Practical experience in video production with a primary focus on producing different types of video programs. Open to all students. May be repeated for credit up to the maximum allowed credit for workshops.

COMM 210. Student Media Practicum II   0.25 course credit

This practicum is designed to give students an opportunity to build on their understanding of media methods and practices developed in COMM 110- Student Media Practicum I coupled with hands-on learning opportunities working for student media. Students will get to specialize in one form of media but will continue to work with all three student media outlets: The Courier (print and on-line newspaper), MC-TV (video production), and WPFS (radio station). Prerequisite: COMM 110 or permission of instructor. 

COMM 213. Communication: Advanced Workshop 0.5 course credit

Continuation of COMM 113 with advanced work and/or a position of responsibility in communication. Primarily for junior and senior majors. Prerequisite: COMM 113,
sophomore standing and permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit up to the maximum allowed credit for workshops.

COMM 214. Print Media: Workshop 0.5 course credit

Journalism work and permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit up to the maximum allowed credit for workshops.

COMM 215. Radio: Advanced Workshop 0.5 course credit

Continuation of COMM 115 with advanced work and/or a position of responsibility at the student radio station. Primarily for junior and senior majors. Prerequisites: COMM 115 and permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit up to the maximum allowed credit for workshops.

COMM 216. Television: Advanced Workshop 0.5 course credit

Continuation of COMM 116 requiring advanced work in television production with a primary focus on producing professional quality work for the weekly news/sports program at the student television station. Primarily for upper class majors. Prerequisites: COMM 116 or 269 and permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit up to the maximum allowed credit for workshops.

COMM 217. Journalism: Advance Workshop 0.5 course credit

A continuation of COMM 117 with advanced work in journalism and news room practices, with a primary focus on producing news/sports content across media (Print/Online, Social Media, Radio, and Television). Additional practical experience in newsroom leadership and on air performance will also be possible. Prerequisite: COMM 117 or consent of the instructor. May be repeated for credit up to the maximum allowed credit for workshops.

COMM 218. Video Production Advanced Workshop 0.5 course credit

A continuation of COMM 118 with advanced work in video production with a primary focus on producing different types of video programs. Additional practical experience in production leadership will also be possible. Prerequisite: COMM 118 or consent of the instructor. May be repeated for credit up to the maximum allowed credit for workshops.

COMM 230. Introduction to Communication Studies 1.0 course credit

An introduction to the breadth of the field of communication studies through the examination of historical and contemporary communication theories. Acquaints students with general, thematic, and contextual theories of human communication to provide a more thorough understanding of communication processes in multiple contexts (interpersonal, small group, organizational, public performance, mass, and cultural). Gives attention to application of theory in practical settings and criteria for evaluating theories. Prerequisite: COMM 101 and Communication major and sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.

COMM 231. Interpersonal Communication 1.0 course credit

An examination of the verbal and nonverbal features of face-to-face communication in everyday life, social interaction, professional activity, and in our culture as a whole. Attention is given to language as a cultural system and as a meaning system, communication as behavior, relationship development, and communication systems and effects. Emphasis is placed on understanding theory, systematically observing communicative behavior, analysis of communication situations, and skill improvement. Prerequisite: COMM 101.

COMM 235. Small Group Communication 1.0 course credit

A study of task-oriented, small group communication emphasizing effective organization, decision-making, participation, and leadership. Methods of correcting specific problems that may hinder small groups are explored. Includes opportunities to participate in and analyze small group interaction. Prerequisite: COMM 101.

COMM 236. Argumentation and Debate 1.0 course credit

An introduction to how logical arguments are structured and analyzed. Includes development of abilities in composing logically valid messages and avoiding fallacies, emphasis is placed on what makes arguments strong and effective. Portions of the course will be devoted to how arguments are used in various fields (e.g. Law, Journalism, Science, History, or Politics). Frequent in-class, written and oral practice will occur, including formal debating. Prerequisite: COMM 101 and 230, or permission by the instructor.

COMM 250. Special Topics in Communication 0.5 to 1.0 course credit

An examination of selected problems and issues from a Communication Studies perspective. May be repeated for credit.

COMM 260. Introduction to Journalism 1.0 course credit

An examination of the fundamentals of news writing, news gathering and reporting for print and electronic press. Stresses the elements of style, construction and syntax in writing clear and concise copy. Special emphasis will be placed on writing and reporting news stories that are researched, written and published in the Monmouth College student newspaper, The Courier or posted on the Warren County Newswire, an on-line news site published exclusively by Monmouth College students. The course will include instruction in writing and reporting for print and electronic media. We will examine the editorial decision making process as well as media coverage of major news events. Prerequisites: COMM 101 and ENGL 110.

COMM 261. Mass Media and Modern Society 1.0 course credit

An inquiry into the mass media of our time (print, film, radio, television, etc.), including study of the forces that created them and the effects they have on society. Special attention is given to theories of mass communication and the medium of television.

COMM 269. Multi-Media Production 1.0 course credit

A study of contemporary electronic communication technology. Applications include the creation and implementation of multimedia projects (audio, video, graphics). Combines application of communication theory with practice in developing successful projects. Prerequisite: COMM 101.

COMM 270. Sports Communication 1.0 course credit

This course examines how we communicate about sport, how sport is communicated to us, and what is communicated by sports. This course provides a survey of the many approaches in communication studies of sport, focusing on different contexts including media, fan cultures, player-coach relationships and small group/team relationships.

COMM 310. Student Media Practicum III  0.5 course credit

This practicum is designed to give students an opportunity to build on their understanding of media methods and practices developed in COMM 210- Student Media Practicum II coupled with more hands-on learning opportunities by working for student media. Students will develop leadership skills by taking on leadership/training roles with students enrolled in COMM 110 & 210. Students will specialize in one form of media working with one student media outlet: The Courier (print and on-line newspaper), MC-TV (video production), and WPFS (radio station). Prerequisite: COMM 210, Junior Standing or permission of instructor. 

COMM 321. Vocational Discernment & Career Preparation 0.5 course credit

An examination of the goals and outcomes of study in Communication. Includes
opportunities to prepare and present projects and develop a student Web-based electronic portfolio. Individual and group study will occur. Topics include: an overview of issues and choices facing Communication majors, internship and independent study planning, web and portfolio design, as well as career analysis and planning. Prerequisite: Communication major and junior standing or permission of the instructor.

COMM 333. Organizational Communication 1.0 course credit

An analysis of organizational communication theories and methods and the study of organizational culture, motivation, conflict, decision-making, and power, and patterns for successful leadership and careers. Includes practice in forms of communication used in business with an extensive laboratory simulation in communication training and development. Prerequisite: COMM 101 and junior standing or permission of the instructor.

COMM 337. Communication Criticism 1.0 course credit

A study of various critical perspectives and methods as applied to a variety of different communication texts, including public speeches, plays, films, and television news broadcasts. Emphasis is placed on enhancing critical thinking skills as well as on writing and articulating persuasive arguments. Prerequisite: COMM 101 and 230 or permission by instructor.

COMM 339. Persuasion 1.0 course credit

A study of the classic concepts of persuasion in relation to modern theories of how people effect changes in others’ beliefs, attitudes, and behavior. Includes opportunities to prepare and present persuasive efforts culminating in the development of a persuasive campaign plan. Prerequisite: COMM 101 and 230.

COMM 340. Communication Research Methods 1.0 course credit

An examination of the research methods utilized in the study of communication processes and effects. This course is designed to introduce students to the basics of conducting and understanding communication research. Students will also conduct their own original research projects as a part of the course. Prerequisite: COMM 230 or PUBR 241.

COMM 350. Special Topics in Communication 0.5 to 1.0 course credit

An examination of selected problems and issues from a Communication Studies perspective. May be repeated for credit.

COMM 361: Media Criticism- Superheroes “Great Power Great Responsibility”

“With great power, comes great responsibility.” This driving philosophy constantly present in the mind of Spiderman provides a lesson for how we all might live our lives, conscious of how our actions affect those around us. This course makes similar rhetorical connections between the American superhero in its various incarnations (comic book, television, film) and a number of important ideas that explore issues of Values, Identity, Diversity and Equality in contemporary society. Our popular culture heroes such as superheroes can tell us a great deal about what we as a society value, and through the fantastical trope of the superhero, we can seek to better understand ourselves and others. In this course, we will do so both by reading and studying about specific superheroes and how they reflect distinct values (the X-men as marginalized and oppressed minorities, Wonder Woman and gender identity, Spiderman and guilt, Batman and revenge, Superman and the immigrant identity, Black Panther and racial hatred, among others). These explorations will be firmly grounded in critical theory (gender, race, identity, psychoanalytic) and will involve deep readings of critical texts and writings on those texts. This will culminate with a larger analytical essay focusing on Identity, Diversity and Equity issues within a Superhero text. Students in the course will also utilize the superhero and the various tropes of the genre in general (superpowers, mutation, sidekicks, secret identities, supervillains, justice) to construct a reflection of each individual’s own identity and worldview.

COMM 369. Convergent Media Production 1.0 course credit

Advanced study of contemporary electronic communication technology. In particular, the course will build on the production skills of the introductory class, study the elements of cross-media or trans-media production and look at its application to the convergent media world. Students will apply this knowledge to the creation of a trans-media project incorporating traditional and new media (including a central video program, supporting website and social media elements). Combines application of communication theory with practice in developing successful trans-media projects. Prerequisite: COMM 269.

COMM 391. Freedom of Expression and Communication Ethics  1.0 course credit

A study of the foundations of freedom of expression and communication ethics in our society. Major historical documents pertaining to the freedom of communication and the moral and ethical base of communication will be reviewed. The continuing tension between artistic freedom and censorship will also be examined. Historical materials will be applied to current points of contention in the arts, business, media, and politics. Prerequisite: COMM 230

COMM 490. Independent Study 0.25 to 1.0 course credit

A faculty directed program of individual study consisting of reading, research, or creative production. Prerequisite: Prior approval of the department. May be repeated for credit.

COMM 491. Communication Studies Senior Capstone   1.0 course credit

A study of the foundations of freedom of expression and communication ethics in our society. Major historical documents pertaining to the freedom of communication and the moral and ethical base of communication will be reviewed. The continuing tension between artistic freedom and censorship will also be examined. Historical materials will be applied to current points of contention in the arts, business, media, and politics. Culminating experience required of all majors. Prerequisite: Senior Communication major or minor or senior Public Relations major, or permission of the instructor.

COMM 494. Internship in Communication 1.0 to 2.0 course credit

A course designed to allow the student to use skills and knowledge developed during major study in a field-based experience designed to prepare the student for a career in communication. Prerequisites: Junior standing and prior approval of the department. May be repeated for credit.

COMM 495. Internship in Print Media 1.0 to 2.0 course credit

A course designed to allow the student to use skills and knowledge developed during major study in a field-based experience designed to prepare the student for a career in print media. Prerequisites: Junior standing and prior approval of the department. May be repeated for credit.

COMM 496. Internship in Electronic Media 1.0 to 2.0 course credit

A course designed to allow the student to use skills and knowledge developed during major study in a field-based experience designed to prepare the student for a career in electronic media. Prerequisites: Junior standing and prior approval of the department. May be repeated for credit.