2009 Summer Distance Learning Courses
COMM-337 N01L: Public Relations Writing
Instructor: Joseph Graf
Principles and practice in writing skills development for major formats in controlled and uncontrolled media including news for print, radio, television, and online communications; public service announcements; features; internal communication programs; speeches and presentations; business media; and institutional advertising. Also covers AP style, editing, and critiques. This on-line course takes advantage of technologies such as digital audio, on-line chat groups, and discussion boards.
COMM-350 N01L: Digital Imaging
Instructor: K. Brannon
An introduction to the technical aspects of digital imaging and basic techniques such as selection and retouching tools that challenges students to create effective visual communication designs. The course includes how to effectively use layers, channels, and masks to edit and composite images with discussions focusing on creating and recognizing effective visual communication concepts and carrying out these concepts through design.
COMM-496 N01L: New Media Practice and Techniques
Instructor: Brigid Maher
Do you youtube? Can’t wait to download The Office on to your IPod? This on-line course, oriented to any student interested in learning new media language and applying it to their own work, provides a survey of contemporary new media practices and techniques, which are being applied through broadcast, web, and mobile devices such as pod movies. From Saul Bass to Hillman Curtis, students study the methodology and apply what they learn to their new media projects. Students also engage in contemporary reading by new media makers in the field. Students keep an online journal, blog about their research, and apply the techniques to a production-oriented final project within their selected field.
COMM-535 N01L: Special Topics in News Media: Visual Strategies
Instructor: Lynne Perri
This course offers students a comprehensive approach to explaining the news visually. It will cover the elements of reporting a story with the goal of providing material other than narrative or in addition to it, using charts, maps, graphics, lists, timelines and tables, polling, quizzes, schematics and photography. Students will study the history of publication graphics and design, analyze current trends and report and build visual presentations.
COMM-535 N02L: Special Topics in News Media: Backpack Journalism Abroad
Instructor: Bill Gentile
This course is an online version of the highly successful course Foreign Correspondence first taught in 2004. This course is a new model for producing and distributing public media from abroad and, in fact, a new model for the contracting role of the "traditional elite" foreign correspondent. This course will be taught in conjunction with the production of a documentary film about the work of foreign correspondents (location of field work to be determined and will depend, in large part, on current events).
COMM-535 N03L: Special Topics in News Media: Media @ the Millennium
Instructor: Amy Eisman
This on-line course explores the ever-changing influences of technology, audience, business, and bias on the quality and role of journalism. It focuses on everything from targeted content to blogging, moblogging, citizen journalism, crowdsourcing, content rating, and more, with a hard look at emergent technology and the changing role of the gatekeeper.
COMM-546 N01L: Foreign Policy and the Press
Instructor: Alison Schafer
The role of the American news media in the coverage of foreign policy issues. Philosophical issues include whether freedom of the press is adequately exercised in the foreign policy field and whether the national media sometimes serve as propagandists for the United States government. Students should be prepared to engage in adversarial debates over key issues.
COMM-596 N01L: Visual Storytelling
Instructor: Maggie Stogner
This on-line course offers a comprehensive approach to envisioning and communicating visual stories through storyboards and applies to narrative films, documentaries, historical re-creations, commercials and public service announcements. This is a basic course for anyone interested in learning to storyboard for visual media pitches, concept approval, film production, blocking shots, directing, envisioning re-creations, or adapting creative works to visual media.
COMM-696 N01L: New Media Practice and Techniques
Instructor: Brigid Maher
Do you youtube? Can’t wait to download The Office on to your IPod? This on-line course, oriented to any student interested in learning new media language and applying it to their own work, provides a survey of contemporary new media practices and techniques, which are being applied through broadcast, web, and mobile devices such as pod movies. From Saul Bass to Hillman Curtis, students study the methodology and apply what they learn to their new media projects. Students also engage in contemporary reading by new media makers in the field. Students keep an online journal, blog about their research, and apply the techniques to a production-oriented final project within their selected field.
