Courses
COMM-100 Intro Mass Communication (3)
Media in the 21st century have undergone tremendous change as a result of the growth of the Internet and the rising popularity of social media and mobile technologies. In this course, students will study audiences as users and producers of content, the changes occurring within media industries, and political and legal influences within the areas of strategic communication (public relations, advertising and social media marketing), entertainment (television, video games, books, radio and music), and journalism (online, print and broadcast). At the conclusion of the course, students will be able to analyze the decisions made by media executives and policy makers while understanding how media have become more interactive and collaborative.
Attributes: YLIBCOMM-199C RW Research-Based Writing (3)
Students learn the basics of writing an academic research paper in this discipline. Emphasis is on elements of persuasive argumentation, the inclusion of more than one perspective on an issue, the proper use and documentation of sources, and revision. Students also learn how to make an effective oral presentation of their research. Department-determined topic may change from semester to semester and is likely to include literary texts as primary materials. Restricted to freshmen and transfers. Note: 199C courses may not be taken for credit more than once and are not applied to major requirements.
Attributes: RW YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Freshman, SophomoreCOMM-205 P3 Media Issue Contmp Cult (3)
Students examine how all media, including video games and social networks, impact and influence the culture. Patterns of human behavior are explained and interpreted through the analysis of gathered data. The importance of the economic imperative, media theories, ethical standards, and developing new media comes under scrutiny as students determine the impact of these issues on American culture, and specifically, American democracy which depends on informed citizens.
Attributes: CJMP P3 YLIB
Pre-requisites: COMM-100 D-COMM-220 P1 Visual Communication (3)
This course provides an introduction to visual literacy by considering how the fundamentals of visual communication can be used to enhance understanding of broader communication processes. The methods, practicalities, and ethics of visual communication will be explored by analyzing examples and applications in a variety of digital forms, including print, graphics, illustrations, photographs, motion pictures, and computer imagery. The goal is to prepare students for advanced study in communication, with particular attention given to preparation for courses in print, video and web production.
Attributes: P1 PROD YLIBCOMM-250 Speech Communication (3)
An introduction to the field of human communication. Topics include interpersonal communication, small group communication, and public speaking. Equal emphasis is placed on acquiring a theoretical body of knowledge related to each topic and on practicing skills in the form of presentations, speeches, and group discussions. Not available as an audited course.
Attributes: STCO YLIBCOMM-253 Business Communication (3)
This course is designed to improve the effectiveness of students? business writing, with additional attention also given to presentation and visual summary skills. Students learn a systematic communication process that incorporates analyzing, composing, and evaluating their messages prior to communicating them. Through course work this process is applied to the creation of business documents including memos, emails, letters, social media messages, reports, and proposals. Students also learn to prepare and deliver effective, logically structured and convincing business presentations, designed to inform or persuade their audience. Attention is also given to extemporaneous (i.e., spontaneous) presentations, the use of presentation software, and how to appropriately deliver negative news messages. Not available as an audited course.
Attributes: STCO YLIBCOMM-261 P1 Documentary Film (3)
Students study various styles of documentary film, focusing on both the narrative content and aesthetic qualities of the art form, and learn how documentaries may educate, inform, persuade and coerce an audience. Note: this course is primarily a film studies course, rather than a production course.
Attributes: P1 PROD YLIBCOMM-265 Cable and Cutting-Edge TV (3)
Surveys different forms of recent television programming: broadcast, basic cable, premium cable, and new media. The course focuses on programs since the turn of the century and looks at various influences in their production, distribution, and consumption. Students will critically examine representations of diversity on television in this post-network era and understand today’s TV socially, economically, politically, artistically, and televisually. They will also make educated predictions as to what the future of television might look like. In this class we will examine shows such as “The Sopranos”, The Wire”, “Glee”, “Mad Men”, “Friday Night Lights”, and more.
Attributes: BCST PROD YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Class: FreshmanCOMM-270 Intro to Public Relations (3)
Examines the history and scope of the public relations industry, along with contemporary issues and criticisms. The course includes techniques of research, writing, planning, communication, and evaluation in the public relations process.
Attributes: CJMP PR YLIB
Restrictions: Excluding: -Class: SeniorCOMM-281 Intro to Advertising (3)
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of advertising and the role it plays today in business and marketing. Topics that are covered include: the evolution, environment and business of advertising; segmentation, targeting, and the marketing mix; communication and consumer behavior; account planning and research; the creative process; and media planning and buying. Additional emphasis is placed on platform specific advertising considerations for print, television, radio, and digital interactive media. Students will take on advertising agency roles during the semester to create and ?pitch? a multiplatform ad campaign.
Attributes: ADVE CJMP STCO YLIB ZCIV
Restrictions: Excluding: -Class: SeniorCOMM-295 Multimedia Writing (3)
In this course students will learn to collect and process information then present it in multiple media on various platforms using modern digital technology. The course will cover differences in writing for print and online publication, along with basic video production, online research, and use of social media for professional purposes. Integration of professionally produced media with user-generated content and use of networked digital tools to build communities of interest will be examined also.
Attributes: YLIB
Pre-requisites: COMM-100 D- OR COMM-263 D-COMM-301 Journalism I-News W&R (3)
Students learn what makes events newsworthy, practice basic research and reporting skills, and gain practical experience in journalistic-style writing. In the course of discussing the reporting process, students examine the role of a free press in society and are introduced to legal and ethical concerns for journalists.
Attributes: YLIB
Pre-requisites: COMM-295 Y D-
Restrictions: Excluding: -Class: FreshmanCOMM-302 Journalism II:Adv News W&R (3)
This course emphasizes practice in news reporting and writing with a strong emphasis on computer-assisted multimedia reporting skills. The course covers beat reporting, including police, courts, and local government.
Attributes: JRNL YLIB
Pre-requisites: COMM-301 D-COMM-304 Magazine Writing (3)
Seminar workshops in magazine-style reporting and writing. The basic skills for researching and writing magazine articles are emphasized. Writers use creative skills in producing content to appeal to specific audiences. Students learn if they have the talent, desire and dedication for a career in magazine writing.
Attributes: JRNL YLIB
Pre-requisites: COMM-100 D-COMM-308 Feature Writing (3)
Examines enterprise reporting and writing techniques used in developing entertainment features and news features. Students write profiles; columns, editorials, and reviews; and news enterprise stories.
Attributes: JRNL YLIB
Pre-requisites: COMM-301 D-COMM-310 Sports Reporting (3)
A course in sports journalism that emphasizes interviewing and reporting. Coursework includes several out-of-class assignments and some deadline, in-class assignments. Guest speakers who are professionals in the field discuss various aspects of sports reporting. Students study differences in writing for print and online environments.
Attributes: JRNL YLIB
Pre-requisites: COMM-295 D-COMM-322 COMM Careers Seminar (1)
This course will provide junior majors and minors the opportunity to explore the myriad career options in the field of communications and the media. Particular emphasis will be placed on the impact of a liberal arts curriculum and new media on searching for internships and professional positions after graduation. The course will include resumes and personal branding, informational interviews, Career Center resources, and visits from alumni and career professionals.
Attributes: YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Junior, SeniorCOMM-346 Media Law (3)
Provides students with an overview of the law as it applies to mass media and with related ethical issues that face professional communicators, with emphasis on the First Amendment, libel and privacy, newsgathering, copyright, commercial speech doctrine, and broadcast and new-media regulation. Lecture and discussion highlight application of the law and ethical principles from a practitioner’s viewpoint. Case studies focus on media professionals facing legal and/or ethical decisions in ways that take into account all stakeholders’ concerns, with a special emphasis on cases from print and broadcast journalism, public relations, and advertising.
Attributes: CJMP YLIBCOMM-349 Media Management & Econ (3)
Students will learn the basic economic principles that underlie media operations such as firm organization and industry structure, interpret how those characteristics affect business operations, and evaluate how those business issues affect the performance of media firms. This course teaches students how to apply traditional strategic management models, frameworks, and typologies such as Porter?s Five Forces, value chains, and the BCG matrix. Innovation-driven approaches that address how to create blue ocean strategies and benefit from disruptive technologies will also be addressed.
Attributes: STCO YLIBCOMM-352 Group Dynamics (3)
A theoretical and practical course that examines the nature and functions of task-oriented groups in a variety of settings. Topics studied from a communication-based perspective include: group formation, goals, norms, process analysis, leadership, conflict, satisfaction, and productivity. Not available as an audited course. Cross-listed with PSYC 352.
Attributes: YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Junior, SeniorCOMM-353 Public Speaking (3)
This course develops a student’s ability to research, prepare, and deliver effective presentations before a variety of groups, particularly in educational, business, and professional settings. Students study rhetorical theory, prepare and present their own speeches, use presentation software, deliver team presentations, and evaluate the presentations of others. Not available as an audited course.
Attributes: YLIBCOMM-354 Interviewing (3)
This course provides an in-depth study of the interviewing process, from the perspective of both the interviewer and the interviewee. Students study effective interviewing techniques and participate in a variety of interviews, including informational interviews, employment interviews, and appraisal interviews. This course is applicable to students in all fields of study. Not available as an audited course.
Attributes: YLIB ZCIV
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Junior, SeniorCOMM-367 Emergent Media&Web Culture (3)
Interactivity, collaboration, and content creation by formerly passive audiences are leading to profound changes in the experience of media and the nature of human communication. This discussion-driven seminar will require students to critically analyze both full-length texts and scholarly articles as a means to study themes related to new media and digital cultures, resulting in the production of several papers, both traditional and multimodal. Possible themes include: big data and advertising; the economics of digital media; new media art; disability, gender and race in online environments; cyborg theories; redefinitions of private and public spaces; and social media and activism.
Attributes: CJMP YLIB
Restrictions: Excluding: -Class: FreshmanCOMM-372 PR Case Studies (3)
A study of the functions, processes, and problems in the practice of organizational public relations, paying particular attention to media relations. Students learn about creating successful public relations campaigns through a combination of hands-on research with local companies and a review of national programs.
Attributes: PR STCO YLIB
Pre-requisites: COMM-270 D-COMM-375 Sport and Social Media (3)
Examines how and why sports fans make connections to favorite sports, teams, athletes and experts through social media at all levels. Historical, sociological and geographical relationships are examined via readings, lectures, seminar discussions and computer lab work analyzing emerging trends. Course includes the practical application of social media in promoting athletes, coaches and teams through the creation of a student e-portfolio. Cross-listed with SPST 375.
Attributes: PR SPHR YLIB
Pre-requisites: COMM-253 Y D- OR COMM-270 Y D-
Restrictions: Excluding: -Class: FreshmanCOMM-420 Communication Seminar (3)
Students examine the nature and function of communication theory as it applies to the study of mass communication. Emphasis is placed on the study of theories and models in applied settings and the process of communication research.
Attributes: YLIB
Pre-requisites: COMM-100 D-
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Communication/Journalism, Media and CommunicationCOMM-472 Advanced PR Programs&Mgmt (3)
This course covers the application of advanced public relations theories and concepts to the practice of public relations. It also covers the use of basic research methods in developing public relations and advertising campaigns. Students focus on the concepts and skills of developing relationships with public relations clients and professionals.
Attributes: PR YLIB
Pre-requisites: COMM-270 C
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Junior, SeniorCOMM-475 Washington DC-Internship (6 TO 9)
Washington Experience semester is offered through The Washington Center. Permission of the advisor, department chair, and TWC liaison (Dr. Monica Cherry) is required to register.
Attributes: YLIB
Pre-requisites: COMM-476 Y D-COMM-476 Washington DC-Seminar (3 TO 6)
Washington Experience semester is offered through The Washington Center. Permission of advisor, department chair and TWC liaison is required to register.
Attributes: YLIB
Pre-requisites: COMM-477 Y D-COMM-477 Washington DC-Forum (1 TO 3)
Washington Experience semester is offered through The Washington Center. Permission of the advisor, department chair, and TWC liaison (Dr. Monica Cherry) is required to register.
Attributes: YLIBCOMM-488 Media Management Practicum (3)
Students will assume leadership roles in projects under the auspices of PRIMA, Fisher?s student-run public relations firm. They will also visit local organizations to explore the culture and practices of profit and non-profit companies with a focus on the media management profession.
Attributes: YLIB
Pre-requisites: COMM-270 D-COMM-490 Internship (1 TO 3)
This course allows qualified students to gain professional experience in the field of Communication/Journalism. The department maintains a list of internships in the Rochester area, or students may find their own internships. Interns generally work 10 to 12 hours a week and complete additional departmental requirements. Summer and out-of-town internships are also offered. More information is available from the internship director. Students are limited to a maximum of two internships for credit. Not open to first-semester transfer students. Permission of the internship coordinator is required to register.
Attributes: YLIB ZCIV ZEXL
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Communication/Journalism, Media and Communication, Media Management -Class: Junior, Senior