Approved Courses Each Semester
Academic Catalog Year Definition
An enrolled student's academic catalog year is defined by the academic year in which the student first enrolls at American University. It aligns with the program requirements published in that year's University Catalog. The academic catalog year remains the same during the student's continuous enrollment at AU, and is only changed under specific circumstances within the span of that continuous enrollment.
The University reserves the right to revise the program requirements and to correct errors in the University Catalog at any time.
Fall 2023
Communication Studies Courses
*For catalog year 2017-2018 or earlier
Please contact your advisor for course options.
*For catalog year 2018-2019 or later
Skills
- COMM-105 Visual Literacy
- COMM-260 Quantitative Methods for Journalists
- COMM-282 Writing for Visual Media
- COMM-291 Communication Field Experience (1 credit)
- COMM-330 Principles of Photography
- COMM-391 Communication Careers Internship (2 credits)
- COMM-418 Data-Driven Journalism
- COMM-491 Senior Professional Internship (3 credits)
- COMM-496 Storytelling for Changemakers
Media Studies
- COMM-209 Communication and Society
- COMM-414 History of Cross-Cultural Cinema
- COMM-416-001 Topics in Film and Media Arts: Radical Image
- COMM-420 Comedy for Social Change
- COMM-420-005 Media Infrastructures (Available to substitute for COMM-359 if not used for Media Studies)
- COMM-439 Political Communication
- COMM-467 Communication, Copyright, and Culture (Available to substitute for COMM-359 if not used for Media Studies)
- COMM-490 Independent Study
Communication Minor Courses
*For catalog year 2017-2018 and earlier
Please contact your advisor for course options.
*For catalog year 2018-2019 and later
Media Studies
- COMM-270 How the News Media Shaped History
- COMM-323 Raking the Muck
- COMM-396 Identity, Power, and Misrepresentation
- COMM-401 Communication Law
- COMM-413 Producing Film and Video
- COMM-414 History of Cross-Cultural Cinema
- COMM-416 Radical Image
- COMM-445 Global Journalism in the 21st Century
- COMM-509 Politics and the Media
Film and Media Arts Courses
* For catalog year 2018-2019 and later
HISTORY OR MEDIA STUDIES
- COMM-365 Digital Media & Culture
- COMM-414 History of Cross-Cultural Cinema
- COMM-416 Topics in Film and Media Arts: Radical Image
- COMM-420 Comedy for Social Change
PRODUCTION
- COMM-291 Communication Field Experience (1 credit)
- COMM-391 Communication Careers Internship (2 credits)
- COMM-416-002 Designing Immersive Experiences
- COMM-434 Film & Video Production II
- COMM-435 Television Studio Production
- COMM-455 Motion Compositing
- COMM-466 Writing the Feature Film
- COMM-474 The Business of Television
- COMM-476 Photojournalism & Social Documentary
- COMM-479 Fine Art Photography
- COMM-490 Independent Study
- COMM-491 Senior Professional Internship
- COMM-496 Storytelling for Changemakers
- COMM-568 Environmental Filmmaking for Public Television
WRITING
- COMM-466 Writing the Feature Film
- COMM-484 Writing the Episodic TV Series
Journalism Courses
*For Catalog Year 2019-2020 and earlier
SKILLS
- COMM-105 Visual Literacy
- COMM-291 Communication Field Experience (1 credit)
- COMM-330 Principles of Photography
- COMM-385 Digital Audio Production
- COMM-391 Communication Careers Internship (2 credits)
- COMM-418 Data-Driven Journalism
- COMM-420 Words to Eat By: Food Reporting (1 credit)
- COMM-426 Sports Writing and Reporting
- COMM-432 Backpack Video Journalism
- COMM-491 Senior Professional Internship
- COMM-496 Storytelling for Changemakers
- COMM-521 Opinion Writing
MEDIA STUDIES
- COMM-270 How the News Media Shape History
- COMM-323 Raking the Muck
- COMM-365 Digital Media and Culture
- COMM-396 Identity, Power, and Misrepresentation
- COMM-420 Comedy for Social Change
- COMM-445 Global Journalism in the 21st Century
- COMM-490 Independent Study
- COMM-509 Politics and the Media
*For Catalog Year 2020-2021 and later
MEDIA STUDIES ELECTIVES
- COMM-270 How the News Media Shape History
- COMM-365 Digital Media and Culture
- COMM-396 Identity, Power, and Misrepresentation
- COMM-445 Global Journalism in the 21st Century
- COMM-509 Politics and the Media
COMMUNICATION ELECTIVES
*if not taken to fulfill another requirement of this program*
- COMM-105 Visual Literacy
- COMM-270 How the News Media Shape History
- COMM-291 Communication Field Experience (1 credit)
- COMM-330 Principles of Photography
- COMM-365 Digital Media and Culture
- COMM-385 Digital Audio and Podcast Production (for Journalism track)
- COMM-391 Communication Careers Internship (2 credits)
- COMM-418 Data-Driven Journalism
- COMM-420 Words to Eat By: Food Reporting (1 credit)
- COMM-425 Advanced Reporting (for Broadcast track)
- COMM-426 Sports Writing and Reporting
- COMM-432 Backpack Video Journalism
- COMM-490 Independent Study
- COMM-491 Senior Professional Internship
- COMM-496 Storytelling for Changemakers
- COMM-509 Politics and the Media
- COMM-521 Opinion Writing
Photography Courses
*For Catalog Year 2019-2020
HISTORY AND CULTURAL STUDIES
-
ARTH-210 How Art Became Modern
- COMM-416 Topics in Film and Media Arts: Radical Image
INTERMEDIATE
*if not taken to fulfill another requirement
- ARTS-205 The Artist’s Perspective: Drawing
- COMM-476 Photojournalism and Social Documentary
- COMM-479 Fine Art Photography
PORTFOLIO BUILDING
- ARTS-464 Printmaking Studio: Screenprint
- COMM-331 Film and Video Production I
- COMM-416 Topics in Film and Media Arts: Radical Image (if not utilized to fulfill requirement above)
- COMM-434 Film and Video Production II
- COMM-491 Senior Professional Internship
*For Catalog Year 2020-2021 and later
HISTORY AND CULTURAL STUDIES
- ARTH-210 How Art Became Modern
- COMM-416 Topics in Film and Media Arts: Radical Image (if not utilized to fulfill requirement below)
- COMM-420 Comedy for Social Change
INTERMEDIATE
*if not taken to fulfill another requirement
- ARTS-205 The Artist’s Perspective: Drawing
- ARTS-235 The Artist’s Perspective: Video Art
- ARTS-245 The Artist’s Perspective: Digital Photography
- COMM-330 Principles of Photography
- COMM-476 Photojournalism and Social Documentary
- COMM-479 Fine Art Photography
PORTFOLIO BUILDING
- ARTS-464 Printmaking Studio: Screenprint
- COMM-331 Film and Video Production I
- COMM-416 Topics in Film and Media Arts: Radical Image (if not utilized to fulfill requirement above)
- COMM-434 Film and Video Production II
- COMM-491 Senior Professional Internship
Public Relations and Strategic Communication Courses
*For catalog year 2017-2018 and earlier
Please contact your advisor for course options.
*For catalog year 2018-2019 or later
Topics and Skills
- COMM-310 Public Speaking
- COMM-327 The PR Presidency
- COMM-387 Strat Comm and Event Management
- COMM-388 Collaboration and Team Communication
- COMM-408 Social Media Strategies and Tactics
- COMM-420-004 Comedy for Social Change
- COMM-439 Political Communication
- COMM-441 Crisis Communication
- COMM-481 Entertainment Communication
- COMM-485 Strat Comm and Content Creation
- COMM-490 Independent Study
- COMM-496 Storytelling for Changemakers
- COMM-542 Media Relations
- COMM-573 Visual Design in Strategic Communication
Electives
- COMM-105 Visual Literacy
- COMM-291 Communication Field Experience
- COMM-310 Public Speaking
- COMM-327 The PR Presidency
- COMM-330 Principles of Photography
- COMM-365 Digital Media and Culture
- COMM-387 Strat Comm and Event Management
- COMM-388 Collaboration and Team Communication
- COMM-391 Communication Careers Internship
- COMM-396-001 Identity, Power, and Misrepresentation
- COMM-408 Social Media Strategies and Tactics
- COMM-414 History of Cross-Cultural Cinema
- COMM-420-004 Comedy for Social Change
- COMM-439 Political Communication
- COMM-441 Crisis Communication
- COMM-481 Entertainment Communication
- COMM-485 Strat Comm and Content Creation
- COMM-490 Independent Study
- COMM-491 Senior Professional Internship
- COMM-509 Politics and the Media
- COMM-521 Opinion Writing
- COMM-533 Ethics in Strategic Communication
- COMM-542 Media Relations
- COMM-573 Visual Design in Strategic Communication
Spring 2023
Journalism Courses
*For Catalog Year 2019-2020 and earlier
Skills
- COMM-105 Visual Literacy
- COMM-291 Communication Field Experience (1 credit)
- COMM-325 Feature Article Writing
- COMM-330 Principles of Photography
- COMM-385 Digital Audio & Podcast Production
- COMM-391 Communication Career Internship (2 credits)
- COMM-417 The Fundamentals of News Design (if not utilized for requirement below)
- COMM-419 In-Depth Journalism
- COMM-420 Freelance and Contracts: Be Your Own Boss (1 credit)
- COMM-420 Police, Courts, and Community (1 credit)
- COMM-420 Covering Danger, Handling Trauma (1 credit)
- COMM-420 Podcasting Tools & Techniques (if not utilized for requirement below)
- COMM-432 Backpack Video Journalism
- COMM-487 Advanced Broadcast Production***
- COMM-491 Senior Professional Internship (3 credits)
- COMM-496 Storytelling for Changemakers
- COMM-588 Race, Ethnic, and Community Reporting
***COMM-428 Advanced TV/Video Production is now COMM-487 Advanced Broadcast Production
Media Studies
- COMM-270 How News Media Shape History
- COMM-323 Raking the Muck
- COMM-326 Sports Journalism
- COMM-365 Digital Media and Culture
- COMM-411 History of Documentary
- COMM-417 The Fundamentals of News Design (if not utilized for requirement above)
- COMM-420 Podcasting Tools & Techniques (if not utilized for above requirement)
- COMM-420 The American 1990s
- COMM-443 Foreign Policy and the Press
- COMM-490 Independent Study
- COMM-509 Politics and the Media
*For Catalog Year 2020-2021 and later
Media Studies Electives
- COMM-270 How News Media Shape History
- COMM-323 Raking the Muck
- COMM-326 Sports Journalism
- COMM-365 Digital Media and Culture
- COMM-417 The Fundamentals of News Design
- COMM-420 The American 1990s
- COMM-443 Foreign Policy and the Press
- COMM-509 Politics and the Media
Communication Electives
*if not taken to fulfill another requirement of this program*
- COMM-105 Visual Literacy
- COMM-291 Communication Field Experience (1 credit)
- COMM-325 Feature Article Writing
- COMM-326 Sports Journalism
- COMM-330 Principles of Photography
- COMM-365 Digital Media and Culture
- COMM-385 Digital Audio and Podcast Production
- COMM-391 Communication Careers Internship (2 credits)
- COMM-411 History of Documentary
- COMM-417 The Fundamentals of News Design
- COMM-419 In-Depth Journalism
- COMM-420 The Data of Divides
- COMM-420 Freelance and Contracts: Be Your Own Boss (1 credit)
- COMM-420 Police, Courts, and Community (1 credit)
- COMM-420 Covering Danger, Handling Trauma (1 credit)
- COMM-420 Podcasting Tools & Techniques
- COMM-425 Advanced Reporting
- COMM-432 Backpack Video Journalism
- COMM-443 Foreign Policy and the Press
- COMM-487 Advanced Broadcast Production
- COMM-490 Independent Study
- COMM-491 Senior Professional Internship
- COMM-496 Storytelling for Changemakers
- COMM-509 Politics and the Media
- COMM-544 Foreign Correspondence
- COMM-560 Backpack Documentary
- COMM-588 Race, Ethnic, and Community Reporting
Film and Media Arts Courses
*For Catalog Year 2018-2019 and later
History or Media Studies
- COMM-365 Digital Media & Culture
- COMM-400 Community Documentary
- COMM-420 Advanced Writing for Film and TV (if not utilized for requirement below)
- COMM-477 History of Photography
Production
- COMM-291 Communication Field Experience (1 credit)
- COMM-391 Communication Careers Internship (2 credits)
- COMM-420 Immersive Filmmaking
- COMM-420 Podcasting Tools & Techniques
- COMM-420 Freelance and Contracts: Be Your Own Boss (1 credit)
- COMM-420 Police, Courts, and Community (1 credit)
- COMM-420 Covering Danger, Handling Trauma (1 credit)
- COMM-420 Advanced Writing for TV/Film
- COMM-420 Advanced Post Production
- COMM-420 Language Learning Video Games
- COMM-434 Film & Video Production II
- COMM-438 Advanced Directing
- COMM-438 Cinematography and Lighting
- COMM-478 Adv Portfolio: Large Format Photography
- COMM-486 Documentary Production
- COMM-490 Independent Study
- COMM-491 Senior Professional Internship
- COMM-496 Storytelling for Changemakers
- COMM-524 Producing Environmental and Wildlife Films
Writing
- COMM-483 Writing the Documentary Film
- COMM-420 Advanced Writing for Film/TV (if not utilized for requirement above)
- COMM-466 Writing the Feature Film
Photography Courses
*For Catalog Year 2019-2020
HISTORY AND CULTURAL STUDIES
- ARTH-210 How Art Became Modern
- COMM-477 History of Photography
INTERMEDIATE
- ARTS-205 The Artist’s Perspective: Drawing
- ARTS-470 Expanded Media Studio: Video and Photography (if not taken to meet requirement below)
PORTFOLIO BUILDING
-
ARTS-470 Expanded Media Studio: Video and Photography (if not taken to meet requirement above)
- COMM-331 Film and Video Production I
- COMM-434 Film and Video Production II
- COMM-491 Senior Professional Internship
- GDES-320 Visual Concepts and Image Making for Design
*For Catalog Year 2020-2021 and later
HISTORY AND CULTURAL STUDIES
- ARTH-210 How Art Became Modern
- COMM-477 History of Photography
INTERMEDIATE (if not taken to fulfill another requirement)
- ARTS-205 The Artist’s Perspective: Drawing
- ARTS-235 The Artist’s Perspective: Video Art
- ARTS-245 The Artist’s Perspective: Digital Photography
- ARTS-470 Expanded Media Studio: Video and Photo
- COMM-330 Principles of Photography
PORTFOLIO BUILDING (if not taken to fulfill another requirement)
-
ARTS-470 Expanded Media Studio: Video and Photo
- COMM-331 Film and Video Production I
- COMM-434 Film and Video Production II
- COMM-491 Senior Professional Internship
- GDES-320 Visual Concepts and Image Making for Design
Public Relations and Strategic Communication Courses
*For Catalog Year 2017-2018 and earlier
Please contact your advisor for course options.
*For Catalog year 2018-2019 and later
Topics and Skills
- COMM-310 Public Speaking
- COMM-327 The PR Presidency
- COMM-387 Strategic Communication and Event Management
- COMM-388 Collaboration and Team Communication
- COMM-396-001 Identity, Power, and Misrepresentation
- COMM-408 Social Media Strategies and Tactics
- COMM-420-005 The American 1990s
- COMM-420-007 Podcasting Tools & Techniques
- COMM-420-009 Strategic Communication Leadership and Management
- COMM-441 Crisis Communication
- COMM-447 Multicultural Strategic Communication
- COMM-449 International Strategic Communication
- COMM-457 Strategic Communication in Advertising
- COMM-469 Digital Communication Analytics and Certifications
- COMM-473 Reputation Management
- COMM-481 Entertainment Communication
- COMM-485 Strat Comm and Content Creation
- COMM-490 Independent Study
- COMM-496 Storytelling for Changemakers
- COMM-533 Ethics in Strategic Communication
- COMM-540 Social Marketing for Social Impact
- COMM-542 Media Relations
- COMM-543 Speechwriting
- COMM-580 Strategic Health Communication
Electives
- COMM-105 Visual Literacy
- COMM-291 Communication Field Experience
- COMM-310 Public Speaking
- COMM-327 The PR Presidency
- COMM-330 Principles of Photography
- COMM-365 Digital Media and Culture
- COMM-387 Strategic Communication and Event Management
- COMM-388 Collaboration and Team Communication
- COMM-391 Communication Careers Internship
- COMM-408 Social Media Strategies and Tactics
- COMM-420-003 Telling Stories with Data
- COMM-420-005 The American 1990s
- COMM-420/620-007 Podcasting Tools & Techniques
- COMM-420-009 Strategic Communication Leadership and Management
- COMM-441 Crisis Communication
- COMM-449 International Strategic Communication
- COMM-457 Strategic Communication in Advertising
- COMM-469 Digital Communication Analytics and Certifications
- COMM-473 Reputation Management
- COMM-481 Entertainment Communication
- COMM-485 Strategic Communication and Content Creation
- COMM-490 Independent Study
- COMM-491 Senior Professional Internship
- COMM-509 Politics and the Media
- COMM-533 Ethics in Strategic Communication
- COMM-537 Sports Communication
- COMM-540 Social Marketing for Social Impact
- COMM-542 Media Relations
- COMM-543 Speechwriting
- COMM-580 Strategic Health Communication
Communication Studies Courses
*For Catalog Year 2017-2018 and earlier
Please contact your advisor for course options.
*For Catalog Year 2018-2019 and later
Skills
- COMM-105 Visual Literacy
- COMM-260 Quantitative Methods for Journalists
- COMM-282 Writing for Visual Media
- COMM-291 Communication Field Experience (1 credit)
- COMM-330 Principles of Photography
- COMM-391 Communication Careers Internship (2 credits)
- COMM-420-003 Telling Stories with Data
- COMM-420-004 Technology, Justice, and Sustainable Futures
- COMM-420-007 Podcasting Tools & Techniques
- COMM-447 Multicultural Strategic Communication Campaigns
- COMM-491 Senior Professional Internship (3 credits)
- COMM-540 Social Marketing for Social Impact
Media Studies
-
COMM-209 Communication and Society
- COMM-411 History of Documentary
- COMM-420-005 The American 1990s
- COMM-443 Foreign Policy and the Press
- COMM-468 Musical Cultures and Industries
- COMM-477 History of Photography
- COMM-496 Storytelling for Changemakers
- COMM-490 Independent Study
Communication Minor Courses
*For Catalog Years 2017-2018 and before
Please contact your advisor for course options.
*For Catalog year 2018-2019 and after
Media Studies
- COMM-323 Raking the Muck
- COMM-326 Sports Journalism
- COMM-401 Communication Law
- COMM-411 History of Documentary
- COMM-417 Fundamentals of News Design
- COMM-420-005 The American 1990s
- COMM-420-007 Podcasting Tools and Techniques
- COMM-420-016 Environmental Media
- COMM-443-001 Foreign Policy and the Press
- COMM-468 Musical Cultures and Industries
- COMM-477 History of Photography
- COMM-509 Politics and the Media
Summer 2023
Journalism Courses
*For Catalog Year 2019-2020 and earlier
SKILLS
- COMM-291 Communication Field Experience (1 credit)
- COMM-391 Communication Careers Internship (2 credits)
- COMM-491 Senior Professional Internship
MEDIA STUDIES
- COMM-365 Digital Media and Culture
- COMM-420-001 Podcasting Tools and Techniques
*For Catalog Year 2020-2021
MEDIA ELECTIVES
*if not taken to fulfill another requirement
- COMM-365 Digital Media and Culture
COMMUNICATION ELECTIVES
*if not taken to fulfill another requirement
- COMM-365 Digital Media and Culture
- COMM-391 Communication Careers Internship (2 credits)
- COMM-420-001 Podcasting Tools & Techniques
- COMM-491 Senior Professional Internship
Film and Media Arts Courses
*For Catalog Year 2017-2018 and earlier
Please contact your advisor for course options.
*For Catalog Year 2018-2019 and later
HISTORY OR MEDIA STUDIES
- COMM-365 Digital Media and Culture
PRODUCTION
- COMM-291 Communication Field Experience (1 credit)
- COMM-391 Communication Careers Internship (2 credits)
- COMM-491 Senior Professional Internship
- COMM-438-001 Web Portfolio
- COMM-420-001 Podcasting Tools and Techniques
Public Relations and Strategic Communication Courses
*For catalog year 2017-2018 and earlier
Please contact your advisor for course options.
*For catalog year 2018-2019 and later
Topics and Skills
- COMM-310 Public Speaking
- COMM-408 Social Media Strategies and Tactics
- COMM-420-002 Podcasting Tools and Techniques
- COMM-420-003 Web Studio
- COMM-439 Political Communication
- COMM-441 Crisis Communication
- COMM-485 Strat Comm and Content Creation
Electives
- COMM-310 Public Speaking
- COMM-365 Digital Media and Culture
- COMM-408 Social Media Strategies and Tactics
- COMM-420-002 Podcasting Tools and Techniques
- COMM-420-003 Web Studio
- COMM-439 Political Communication
- COMM-441 Crisis Communication
- COMM-485 Strat Comm and Content Creation
Communication Studies Courses
*For catalog year 2017-2018 and earlier
Please contact your advisor for course options.
*For catalog year 2018-2019 and later
Skills
- COMM-291 Communication Field Experience
- COMM-391 Communication Careers Internship
- COMM-491 Senior Professional Internship
Media Studies
- COMM-365 Digital Media and Culture
- COMM-420-002 Podcasting Tools and Techniques
- COMM-439 Political Communication
- COMM-443 Foreign Policy and the Press
Communication Minor
*For catalog year 2017-2018 and earlier
Please contact your advisor for course options.
*For catalog year 2018-2019 and later
Media Studies
- COMM-365 Digital Media and Culture
- COMM-420 Podcasting Tools and Techniques
- COMM-443 Foreign Policy and the Press
Hours Outside of SOC
Journalism and Public Relations and Strategic Communication majors are required to complete 72 credit hours of course work outside the School of Communication. Anything that does not have the COMM prefix will count.
U.S. History
All SOC majors except Foreign Language and Communication Media majors are required to take one U.S. History course from the following list:
- HIST-130 History of American Popular Culture
- HIST-205 American Encounters: 1492-1865 (FA2)
- HIST-206 U.S. History since 1865
- HIST-208 African-American History: to 1877
- HIST-209 African-American History: 1877 to Present
- HIST-210 Ethnicity in America (FA4)
- HIST-215 Social Forces That Shaped America (FA2)
- HIST-219 Women in America to 1850
- HIST-220 Women in America since 1850 (FA4)
- HIST-235 West in Crisis, 1900-1945 (FA2)
- HIST-288 Oliver Stone's America
Economics
All Journalism majors are required to take one Economics course. Journalism majors can choose from:
- ECON-100
- ECON-110
- ECON-200
All Public Relations and Strategic Communication, Film and Media Arts, and Communication Studies majors are required to take either one economics course or MKTG-250. Students in these majors can choose from:
- ECON-100
- ECON-110
- ECON-200
- MKTG-250
Minor or Second Major
For majors in Communication Studies, Film and Media Arts, Journalism, and Public Relations and Strategic Communication, a minor or second major outside the School of Communication is required. Students should discuss with their SOC academic advisor how much room they have in their graduation plan in order to assist in their decision whether to pursue a minor or second major. See the minors offered at AU.