Averett University Undergraduate Catalog

 


Courses of Instruction in Communication Studies/Journalism

Number Title Credits Description
COM/TH 103 Introduction to Human Communication 3 The study of communication forms and contexts, including intrapersonal, interpersonal, and public.  Emphasis on development of individual communicative competency in such areas as listening, reasoning, interviewing, small group, and nonverbal communication.  Completion of ENG 111 is recommended as prerequisite.
COM 201 Persuasion 3 Course that focuses on persuasion theory, research and ethics.  Students will learn the theories and practices of persuasion.  They will be able to create and critically evaluate persuasive messages, understanding the role persuasive messages play in our culture.
COM 202 Mass Communication 3 Study of the characteristics of mass media and their social significance.  Students will gain an understanding of the theories of mass communication, the media’s power to influence our thoughts and actions, and learn how to apply these theories as media consumers and communications professionals.
COM 203 Organizational Communication 3 Focuses on the role of communication in creating effective organization.  Emphasis is on organizational communication theory and practices that enable organizations to create/recreate their identities.  Students will gain an understanding of organizational change, leadership, culture, and conflict.
COM 204 Interpersonal Communication 3 Focuses on the theory and practice of creating effective communication in interpersonal relationships.  Includes an examination of the impact of technology on interpersonal relationships.  Students will gain an understanding of the issues that affect interpersonal communication including ethics, perception, language, and listening, and acquire the skills that will enhance their own interpersonal communication competence.
COM 205 Small Group and Team Communication 3 Focuses on the theory and practice of creating effective communication in small groups/teams.  Students will gain skills for leadership in small groups/teams as well as be able to analyze and recommend changes to group processes.
COM/JR 220 Public Relations 3 A course designed to give students the opportunity to combine theory and practice in developing public relations skills.  Its purpose is to introduce students to the field of public relations through a study of the historical background and current image of public relations, and the laws and ethics of public relations.  Students will learn the basics of writing for public relations and will put together graphic materials such as annual reports, brochures, and manuals.  Alternate years.
COM/TH 300 Public Speaking 3 A course designed to build self-confidence in the student and to acquaint the student with the structural elements of various forms of public discourse working toward logical, coherent, and easy communication.
COM 301 Communication Theory 3 Students will explore the field’s key communication theories as well as gain an understanding of the process of inquiry, theory development and evaluation.  Students will learn to evaluate communication theories and apply these theories to their lives and careers.  Students will also gain a foundational understanding of the issue of epistemology, ontology, and axiology and their relationship to theory.  Prerequisite:  TH103/COM103; completion of one of the following, COM 202, 203, 204, or 205 is recommended.
COM 304 Rhetoric in Popular Culture 3 This course surveys the trends in the development of rhetorical theory and practice in the evolution from ancient Greece to the media-saturated, popular culture of today.  Students will gain an understanding of message construction and effectiveness with particular emphasis on analyzing arguments presented by the media. Prerequisite: COM201
COM/JR 303 Digital Media 3 This course will give students the opportunity to learn more about the societal impact of digital media and how the internet has changed the world.  Though the students learn to better understand these special types of media, they will also develop and support an online blog dealing with a special interest, write for various online sites, develop online sources, edit visual and audio components to be posted on the internet, look at opportunities for careers in digital media, and study the legal and ethical issues of digital media.
COM/JR 440 Internship 3 An opportunity for working and training with media.  Students will perform assigned duties in a communications organization approved by the college and the department.  Direction and evaluation will be a joint responsibility of the college instructor and the work supervisor.  Prerequisites:  18 hours of Journalism courses, junior or senior status, 2.0 cumulative grade point average, and permission of instructor.
JR 110 Introduction to Media 3 A course that deals with the historical, social, legal, and economic development of the mass media including newspapers, magazines, television, cable and satellite communication, radio, advertising, and public relations.
JR 115 News and Feature Writing 3 A foundation writing course in which students are introduced to journalistic style, interviewing techniques, news writing, feature writing, and investigative reporting.
JR 152 Student Publications:  Newspaper 1-6 An opportunity for students to work on the university newspaper while receiving credit.  A maximum of six semester hours of credit may be earned, with no more than one hour earned per semester.  Students will have the opportunity to carry out all tasks necessary for putting together a student newspaper.
JR 210 Photography 3

A basic study of digital photography which includes instruction in camera-handling, composition, and lighting.  Students must provide a camera.  Lab fee charges.  Alternate years.

JR 225 Editorial and Current Affairs 3 A course in which the emphasis is on opinion writing (editorials, columns, criticism [e.g., movie reviews, book reviews, music reviews]).  Students are introduced to research techniques required of opinion writers in the mass media, which include keeping up with current events.  Students are required to keep up with current affairs on the campus, in the community, in the state and nation, and in the world.  Prerequisite:  JR 115.
JR 230 Editing and Layout 3 An opportunity to develop graphic creativity by learning the basic elements of page layout and design, by learning how to write ancillary copy (e.g., headlines, captions and subheads), and by learning the major parts of desktop publishing by using Aldus Pagemaker and/or other desktop publishing programs.  Students in this class get hands-on experience in layout by working with The Chanticleer, the student newspaper.  Prerequisite:  JR 115.
JR 303 Digital Media 3 This course will give students the opportunity to learn more about the societal impact of digital media and how the internet has changed the world.  Though the students learn to better understand these special types of media, they will also develop and support an online blog dealing with a special interest, write for various online sites, develop online sources, edit visual and audio components to be posted on the internet, look at opportunities for careers in digital media, and study the legal and ethical issues of digital media. Alternate years.
JR 310 Broadcasting 3 A course which introduces students to basic news and script writing for radio and television.  The exercise of news judgment and preparation of scripts for broadcast will be key elements of the course.  In addition, this course will provide hands-on experience in writing and taping news and feature items, commercials, promotions, and public service.
JR 330 Media Law and Ethics 3 Students will study various key federal and state cases relating to print and broadcast media. They will use a law library for research. In addition to learning the rights of journalists, students will also be taught the responsibilities of the media in modern society, and they will deal with ethical issues related to the mass media. Alternate years.
JR 411 Magazine Article Writing 3 An opportunity for students to write and market nonfiction articles for general periodicals.  Magazine analysis, writing style development, and manuscript preparation are areas which will be covered.  Alternate years.