Bachelor of Arts in Communication Online

What is Introduction to Human Communication?

Introduction to Human Communication explores how people create and exchange meaning through verbal and nonverbal communication. You'll examine communication theories, interpersonal and small group dynamics, organizational communication, and cultural influences on communication. The course covers the history of the communication field and provides foundations for understanding human interaction.

This course provides an overview of the Strategic and Human Communication concentration. Topics include the history of the communication field, human communication theories, verbal and nonverbal communication, culture and communication, interpersonal and small group communication, and communication in organizations.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Explain and critically reflect upon the history of the communication field including the use and conceptualization of the term "communication"

• Define human communication and explain its role in human life

• Identify and explain major types, components, concepts, and theories of human communication

• Analyze communication with human communication concepts and theories with proper citation, oral presentation, and writing in the communication field

What is Introduction to Media Studies?

Introduction to Media Studies examines mass mediated communication across platforms including newspapers, magazines, sound recording, radio, television, movies, advertising, and online media. You'll explore how media shapes society and culture while analyzing the history, structure, and impact of various media industries.

This course provides an overview of the Digital Arts and Media Studies concentration. You'll focus on mass mediated communication fields including print media (newspapers and magazines), sound recording, radio broadcasting, broadcast and cable television, film, advertising, and digital media platforms. The course examines how these media industries operate, their historical development, and their cultural and social impacts on audiences and society.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Understand the structure and functions of major media industries

• Analyze the historical development of mass media in American society

• Evaluate the cultural and social impacts of media on audiences

• Apply critical media literacy skills to contemporary media content

What is Public Speaking?

Public Speaking develops your ability to research, organize, write, and deliver effective presentations to audiences. You'll learn to craft informational and persuasive speeches, use presentation technology, practice active listening, and evaluate peer presentations in a supportive learning environment.

This course develops effective and responsible public speaking skills through hands-on practice. You'll focus on researching topics, organizing content, writing speeches, and presenting various types of speeches including informational and persuasive presentations. The course emphasizes using contemporary presentation technology, developing active listening skills, and providing constructive feedback through peer speech evaluation. You'll build confidence in public speaking while learning professional presentation techniques.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Effectively prepare and present public speeches to an audience using contemporary technology

• Demonstrate active listening skills

• Evaluate peer speeches constructively

What is Visual Communication and Design?

Visual Communication and Design teaches you to understand and apply type-image relationships, color, and form in digital design. You'll learn foundations in visual literacy, symbolism, and aesthetics while creating layouts, logos, and user interfaces. The course covers composition, motion design, and practical applications using industry-standard design software.

This course teaches you to understand and apply type-image relationships, color, and form in digital design including basic layouts. You'll explore foundations and relevant concepts in visual literacy, symbolism, and aesthetics as applied to practical considerations such as composition, motion, and design. The course covers designing visual elements including asymmetrical layouts, hierarchy, and grid systems. You'll learn user interface (UX/UI) design principles, HTML5 web design, and logo design using Photoshop or open-source software alternatives.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Design visual aspects of an object: asymmetrical layout, placement, hierarchy, permutation, repetition, abstraction, 3 x 3 grid space

• Assess the arrangement and composition of visual design elements of the user interface (UX/UI) and HTML5 web design

• Construct a logo design/design of brand identity in Photoshop, Photoshop Express, or open-source software

• Evaluate the relevant concepts in visual perception and aesthetics as they relate to practical considerations of grid systems in visual design

What is Media Writing?

Media Writing teaches you to write for multiple platforms including print news, electronic media, online sources, public relations, and advertising. You'll learn reporting, writing, and editing techniques while developing skills to structure messages for different mediums and produce content that meets professional industry standards.

This course covers basic procedures and techniques of print news reporting, writing, and editing as well as writing for electronic news media, online sources, public relations, and advertising. You'll develop understanding of general principles of media writing skills and their relevance to communication constructs. The course emphasizes effectively structuring messages for different mediums, producing writing that delivers accurate and critical information while abiding by industry standards, and demonstrating computer literacy for professional media production.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Develop an understanding of the general principles of media writing skills and its relevancy to communication constructs

• Learn to effectively structure messages for different mediums

• Produce writing that delivers accurate and critical information which abides by industry/professional standards

• Produce written entertainment messages

• Demonstrate computer literacy

What is an Internship like for a BA Communication program?

Communication internships provide off-campus professional experience in your area of interest. You'll work with an organization while documenting your work, analyzing communication practices, and reflecting on professional development. The internship includes frequent advisor meetings and a final project. Available to junior and senior majors with coordinator approval.

This course provides hands-on training experience closely related to one of the areas of communication through an off-campus placement. You'll participate in frequent meetings with an advisor plus complete a final project. Through various benchmarks, you'll document internship work products and analyze and reflect on communication practices and outcomes. Working closely with your internship supervisor and faculty instructor, you'll identify key internship tasks and duties to develop professional skills in targeted areas for growth. Using course readings, you'll identify and reflect on personal and professional qualities that increase career success opportunities.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Document internship work products and analyze and reflect on communication practices and outcomes through key benchmarks

• Identify key internship tasks and duties with the intent of developing professional skills in targeted areas for growth

• Identify and reflect on key personal and professional qualities that increase opportunities for achieving career success

What is Seminar in Communication?

Seminar in Communication is a capstone course where you conduct original research in your concentration area. You'll select a topic, develop a major research paper, and present findings in a formal oral presentation. The course prepares you to apply communication research methodologies professionally. Senior majors only.

This capstone course allows you to select a topic in one of the areas of concentration and develop it into a major paper including an original research study. You'll present your findings in a formal oral presentation, demonstrating mastery of communication research. The course covers tools and methodologies for communication research while differentiating key assumptions and practices of major methodological paradigms in the field. You'll communicate ideas effectively in team settings and prepare well-organized, reasoned written reports.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Identify tools and methodologies for use in communication research

• Differentiate key assumptions and practices of the major methodological paradigms in the field of communication

• Communicate ideas and observations effectively in a team setting

• Prepare a well-organized and reasoned written report

What is Communication in a Digital World?

Communication in a Digital World explores conceptual and technical aspects of digital imaging including image capture, color management, editing, and composition. You'll master design basics with Photoshop and learn to construct seamless, complex images using masking and compositing techniques for professional visual communication in digital environments.

This course explores conceptual and technical aspects of digital imaging including image capture, color management, editing and correction, composition and layout, and several types of image composites. You'll master the basics of design with Photoshop including enhancement of tone and luminance, selection techniques, color manipulation, sharpening, and pixel-level alterations. The course teaches you to construct and composite seamless and complex photos using advanced masking techniques, channel selection, layer masks, color correction, and advanced blending while appreciating the aesthetics of photographic composition.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Effectively use the basics of photo design with Photoshop including tone enhancement, color selection, image sharpening, blur effects, pixel manipulation, and resolution changes

• Construct and composite seamless and complex photos using advanced masking techniques including channel selection, layer masks, clipping masks, color adjustment, and advanced blending

• Appreciate and use the aesthetics of photographic composition including realistic, surreal, and abstract subject matter

Alternative Description for PR Track

Communication in a Digital World explores how data mining and Web 2.0 technologies shape our digital interactions. You'll examine social and technological shifts in digital spaces, explore Big Data sources, and develop data exploration skills. The course covers social media, computer-mediated communication, and mobile platforms through critical analysis and hands-on activities.

Extended Description
Data mining machines constantly probe and survey us to know our tastes, purchasing habits, social media contacts, and preferences. This introductory course overviews recent social and technological shifts in digital spaces and explores the ubiquity and exponential growth of Internet-based data sources (Big Data). You'll critically examine social and cultural consequences of Web 2.0 technologies, networks, information architectures, social media, and mobile computing platforms. The course develops data exploration skills including analyzing, quantifying, plotting, interpreting, and visualizing data while presenting summaries using Excel, SOFA Statistics, and open-source applications.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Critically examine the social and cultural consequences of Web 2.0 technologies, networks, information architectures and resources, social media and computer-mediated communication, and mobile computing platforms

• Use and demonstrate data exploration skills including analyzing, quantifying, plotting, interpreting, revising data, visualizing cluster data, and applying strategies to clean and transform data

• Present data summaries in charts or tables and simple visualizations using Excel, SOFA Statistics, and open-source applications

What is Photo Design with Photoshop?

Photo Design with Photoshop explores conceptual and technical aspects of digital imaging including image capture, color management, editing, and composition. You'll master design basics with Photoshop and learn to construct seamless, complex images using masking and compositing techniques for professional visual communication applications.

This course explores conceptual and technical aspects of digital imaging including image capture, color management, editing and correction, composition and layout, and several types of image composites. You'll master basics of design with Photoshop including tone enhancement, color selection and manipulation, image sharpening and blur effects, and pixel-level alterations. The course teaches you to construct and composite seamless and complex photos using advanced masking techniques including channel selection, layer masks, color correction, and advanced blending while appreciating aesthetics of photographic composition in realistic, surreal, and abstract styles.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Effectively use the basics of photo design with Photoshop including tone enhancement, color selection, image sharpening, blur effects, pixel manipulation, and resolution changes

• Construct and composite seamless and complex photos using advanced masking techniques including channel selection, layer masks, clipping masks, color adjustment, and advanced blending

• Appreciate and use the aesthetics of photographic composition including realistic, surreal, and abstract subject matter

What is Feature and Magazine Writing?

Feature and Magazine Writing teaches you methods in design, typography, and editing for magazine production. You'll learn to research, write, and market quality articles in magazine format while developing storytelling skills, understanding editorial markets, and creating compelling long-form content.

This course centers around methods in design, typography, and editing in magazine production. You'll learn how to find and recognize good feature stories and effective storytelling elements while understanding specific magazine markets and editorial content. The course teaches you to write and structure various forms of longer feature articles in ways that are compelling to readers. You'll develop a strong writing voice and style while demonstrating competence in pitching, querying, and article layout for professional magazine publications.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Learn how to find and recognize a good feature story and effective storytelling elements

• Understand specific magazine markets and editorial content

• Learn how to write and structure various forms of longer feature articles in a way that's compelling to readers

• Develop a strong writing voice and style

• Demonstrate competence regarding pitching, querying, and article layout

What is Introduction to Advertising?

Introduction to Advertising explores the history of advertising in the U.S. and brand development. You'll learn fundamental strategies advertisers use to capture consumer attention, create sales pitches, compete in the marketplace, and adapt to new technologies. The course emphasizes ethical considerations in advertising and promotional campaigns.

This course introduces you to the history of advertising in the U.S. and the development of brands. You'll learn fundamental strategies that advertisers use to capture consumer attention, create sales pitches, compete in the marketplace, and adapt to the introduction of new technologies. The course provides additional emphasis on ethical considerations as they relate to advertising and promotions. You'll analyze historical and modern advertisements through theoretical constructs, understand advertising profession roles, learn brand development, apply copywriting techniques, and create effective advertising campaigns integrating concepts across various mediums.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Analyze historical and modern advertisements through the lens of theoretical constructs and field-specific objectives

• Understand the advertising profession and basic functions of each role

• Understand brand development and its applicability to the field of advertising

• Apply copywriting techniques to written messages

• Create an effective advertising campaign that collectively integrates specific concepts, trends, and strategies across various mediums

What is Strategic/Promotional Writing?

Strategic/Promotional Writing develops your skills in creating public relations and professional business content. You'll practice writing and designing news releases, business reports, correspondence, project proposals, and advertising copy. The course provides opportunities for critique and improvement of your professional writing across multiple PR formats.

This course complements other courses in public relations and strategic communication by providing opportunities to practice and be critiqued on your copy and design work for multiple kinds of PR and professional business writing including news releases, business reports, business correspondence, project proposals, and advertising copy. You'll understand key principles of effective online presentations, articulate ideas from other researchers, conduct exploratory research and literature reviews for project proposals, and discern basic elements of sociological research and theory including culture and structure.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Understand key principles of effective online presentations

• Articulate ideas and concepts learned from other researchers and their research

• Conduct the pre-fieldwork exploratory research and literature reviews required for project proposals

• Discern the basic elements of sociological research and theory: culture and structure and how they complement each other; view the community through cultural, ethnic, and political lenses

What is Interaction Design?

Interaction Design offers in-depth study of programming, design patterns, and experimentation in interactive environments. You'll learn iOS app development, web development, and game engines while creating user-centered navigation experiences and exploring UX/UI principles for digital platforms and interactive applications.

This course offers in-depth study of programming, design patterns, and experimentation in interactive environments including iOS app development, web development, and game engines. You'll create interactive web interfaces and browser-based art, design timeline-based authoring, and create user-centered navigation experiences. The course covers visual design elements of user interface (UX/UI), HTML5 gaming, game programming in two and three dimensions, and experimental art applications using Adobe Animate, Dreamweaver, Construct 3 game developer, JavaScript Canvas, and p5.js. You'll evaluate perception and aesthetics as they relate to composition, motion, and web design.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Create interactive web interfaces and browser-based art and animated scenes, design timeline-based authoring, and create user-centered navigation experiences using Adobe Animate, Dreamweaver, Construct 3, JavaScript Canvas and p5.js applications

• Evaluate the relevant concepts in perception and aesthetics as they relate to practical considerations such as composition, motion, and design on the Web

What is Creative Advertising Strategies?

Creative Advertising Strategies uses a team-based approach to develop integrated marketing communications (IMC) campaigns for real clients. You'll work in teams designing integrated strategies to solve advertising problems, then pitch your ideas to clients for industry critique. The course emphasizes strategic campaign design and client relationship management.

This course uses a team-based approach in the development of integrated marketing communications (IMC) campaigns for real-world clients. You'll work in teams and design integrated strategies to solve advertising problems as agreed upon with your client. Toward the end of the semester, teams pitch their ideas to the client for industry critique. The course teaches fundamentals of strategic advertising campaign design, principles of developing strong client relationships, and fundamentals of advertising/marketing visual and copy design through hands-on project work.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Learn the fundamentals of strategic advertising campaign design

• Learn principles of developing a strong client relationship

• Learn the fundamentals of advertising/marketing visual and copy design

What is Communication in a Digital World?

Communication in a Digital World explores conceptual and technical aspects of digital imaging including image capture, color management, editing, and composition. You'll master design basics with Photoshop and learn to construct seamless, complex images using masking and compositing techniques for professional visual communication in digital environments.

This course explores conceptual and technical aspects of digital imaging including image capture, color management, editing and correction, composition and layout, and several types of image composites. You'll master the basics of design with Photoshop including enhancement of tone and luminance, selection techniques, color manipulation, sharpening, and pixel-level alterations. The course teaches you to construct and composite seamless and complex photos using advanced masking techniques, channel selection, layer masks, color correction, and advanced blending while appreciating the aesthetics of photographic composition.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Effectively use the basics of photo design with Photoshop including tone enhancement, color selection, image sharpening, blur effects, pixel manipulation, and resolution changes

• Construct and composite seamless and complex photos using advanced masking techniques including channel selection, layer masks, clipping masks, color adjustment, and advanced blending

• Appreciate and use the aesthetics of photographic composition including realistic, surreal, and abstract subject matter

Alternative Description for PR Track

Communication in a Digital World explores how data mining and Web 2.0 technologies shape our digital interactions. You'll examine social and technological shifts in digital spaces, explore Big Data sources, and develop data exploration skills. The course covers social media, computer-mediated communication, and mobile platforms through critical analysis and hands-on activities.

Extended Description
Data mining machines constantly probe and survey us to know our tastes, purchasing habits, social media contacts, and preferences. This introductory course overviews recent social and technological shifts in digital spaces and explores the ubiquity and exponential growth of Internet-based data sources (Big Data). You'll critically examine social and cultural consequences of Web 2.0 technologies, networks, information architectures, social media, and mobile computing platforms. The course develops data exploration skills including analyzing, quantifying, plotting, interpreting, and visualizing data while presenting summaries using Excel, SOFA Statistics, and open-source applications.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Critically examine the social and cultural consequences of Web 2.0 technologies, networks, information architectures and resources, social media and computer-mediated communication, and mobile computing platforms

• Use and demonstrate data exploration skills including analyzing, quantifying, plotting, interpreting, revising data, visualizing cluster data, and applying strategies to clean and transform data

• Present data summaries in charts or tables and simple visualizations using Excel, SOFA Statistics, and open-source applications

What is Photo Design with Photoshop?

Photo Design with Photoshop explores conceptual and technical aspects of digital imaging including image capture, color management, editing, and composition. You'll master design basics with Photoshop and learn to construct seamless, complex images using masking and compositing techniques for professional visual communication applications.

This course explores conceptual and technical aspects of digital imaging including image capture, color management, editing and correction, composition and layout, and several types of image composites. You'll master basics of design with Photoshop including tone enhancement, color selection and manipulation, image sharpening and blur effects, and pixel-level alterations. The course teaches you to construct and composite seamless and complex photos using advanced masking techniques including channel selection, layer masks, color correction, and advanced blending while appreciating aesthetics of photographic composition in realistic, surreal, and abstract styles.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Effectively use the basics of photo design with Photoshop including tone enhancement, color selection, image sharpening, blur effects, pixel manipulation, and resolution changes

• Construct and composite seamless and complex photos using advanced masking techniques including channel selection, layer masks, clipping masks, color adjustment, and advanced blending

• Appreciate and use the aesthetics of photographic composition including realistic, surreal, and abstract subject matter

What is Introduction to Public Relations?

Introduction to Public Relations teaches you principles of managing relationships between organizations and their publics. You'll learn to develop and maintain relationships with various clients while becoming a better writer, speaker, designer, and strategic thinker. The course covers PR fundamentals, essential documents, and portfolio development.

This course introduces you to principles of public relations and the field. You'll learn about developing and maintaining relationships between various types of organizations/clients and their publics. Class assignments are structured to encourage you to become better writers, speakers, designers, and strategic thinkers. The course covers fundamentals of PR departments, competencies, tactics, and tools. You'll evaluate and write PR essential documents such as media kits, press releases, and pitch letters, analyze actual PR case studies, develop a PR portfolio, and demonstrate computer literacy.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Understand the fundamentals of PR departments, competencies, tactics, and tools

• Evaluate and write PR essential documents such as media kits, press releases, pitch letters, etc.

• Analyze and critique actual PR case studies

• Develop a PR portfolio

• Demonstrate computer literacy

What is Strategic/Promotional Writing?

Strategic/Promotional Writing develops your skills in creating public relations and professional business content. You'll practice writing and designing news releases, business reports, correspondence, project proposals, and advertising copy. The course provides opportunities for critique and improvement of your professional writing across multiple PR formats.

This course complements other courses in public relations and strategic communication by providing opportunities to practice and be critiqued on your copy and design work for multiple kinds of PR and professional business writing including news releases, business reports, business correspondence, project proposals, and advertising copy. You'll understand key principles of effective online presentations, articulate ideas from other researchers, conduct exploratory research and literature reviews for project proposals, and discern basic elements of sociological research and theory including culture and structure.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Understand key principles of effective online presentations

• Articulate ideas and concepts learned from other researchers and their research

• Conduct the pre-fieldwork exploratory research and literature reviews required for project proposals

• Discern the basic elements of sociological research and theory: culture and structure and how they complement each other; view the community through cultural, ethnic, and political lenses

What is Organizational Communication?

Organizational Communication explores communication processes in various workplace contexts. You'll examine how communication affects working relationships, develop interpersonal and presentation skills for team situations, and learn to use self-reflection to improve your effectiveness in diverse organizational environments.

This course provides theoretical exploration of communication processes in a variety of organizational contexts. You'll explore how communication affects working relationships while developing interpersonal and presentational skills for working in different work team situations on diverse projects. The course emphasizes using self-reflection to improve your ability to function in different work team situations. You'll learn to identify and articulate critical theory and principles of organizational communication, applying these concepts to practical workplace scenarios.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Develop a variety of interpersonal and presentational skills for working in different work team situations and on a diversity of projects

• Use self-reflection in the process of improving one's ability to function in different work team situations

• Identify and articulate critical theory and principles of organizational communication

What is Interaction Design?

Interaction Design offers in-depth study of programming, design patterns, and experimentation in interactive environments. You'll learn iOS app development, web development, and game engines while creating user-centered navigation experiences and exploring UX/UI principles for digital platforms and interactive applications.

This course offers in-depth study of programming, design patterns, and experimentation in interactive environments including iOS app development, web development, and game engines. You'll create interactive web interfaces and browser-based art, design timeline-based authoring, and create user-centered navigation experiences. The course covers visual design elements of user interface (UX/UI), HTML5 gaming, game programming in two and three dimensions, and experimental art applications using Adobe Animate, Dreamweaver, Construct 3 game developer, JavaScript Canvas, and p5.js. You'll evaluate perception and aesthetics as they relate to composition, motion, and web design.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Create interactive web interfaces and browser-based art and animated scenes, design timeline-based authoring, and create user-centered navigation experiences using Adobe Animate, Dreamweaver, Construct 3, JavaScript Canvas and p5.js applications

• Evaluate the relevant concepts in perception and aesthetics as they relate to practical considerations such as composition, motion, and design on the Web

What is Public Relations Project Management?

Public Relations Project Management integrates theory and practice in planning, implementing, and evaluating actual PR campaigns and events. You'll interview for management and team roles in a student-run PR organization, design messages for key publics, and work on real projects. The course emphasizes effective message design and stakeholder communication.

This course examines public relations through integration of theory and practice in planning, implementation, and evaluation of an actual PR campaign and/or event. Emphasis is placed on effective design of messages and their distribution among key publics/stakeholders. You'll interview for and be selected into various management and team roles in a PR organization made up of students in the class. The course reinforces foundational principles in PR practice, develops strong client communication programs through work on various projects, and instills the importance of critical analysis and self-reflection into project outcomes and team performance.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Reinforce the foundational principles in the practice of public relations

• Develop strong client communication programs through work on a variety of public relations projects

• Instill the importance of critical analysis and self-reflection into the overall quality of project outcomes as well as individual and team performance