Course Descriptions
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts
Courses marked with a double asterisk (**) are included in the Department of Communication Arts Core. For a list of all courses, along with degree requirements, visit the course catalog.
Course Descriptions
This course gives students a foundation for beginning studies in the Department of Communication Arts. It will focus on the history of the department, its philosophy, its four-and five-year degree plans, its concentrations and its faculty as well as help equip students to plot their course from matriculation to graduation at this university.
We are a communicative species, living in an information age where content is being created and consumed at unprecedented rates. From the rise of the radio to the latest viral video and everything in between, this course, as part of the UIW Core Curriculum will empower students to be active learners who are aware of the diverse past, present, and probable future of media. The ability to identify and critically analyze different types of media, as well as to understand messages being communicated, helps individuals become less vulnerable to those who control information and increases understanding of how to produce effective communication. The primary focus of this course is to examine various forms of media in popular culture, the uses, gratifications, benefits, and limitations of media tools, the impact of media on society, as well as ethical dimensions to creating and consuming media in socially positive ways. This course introduces students to empirical and rhetorical methods of analysis to help sharpen students' analytical and critical thinking skills as they explore media in their daily lives.
This course introduces basic computer terminology skills and concepts in communication. The student receives hands-on experience in file management techniques, Internet and e-mail software, online library databases and software, word processing and presentation software, spreadsheet and database management software. Media software and communication applications will be emphasized. This course meets the computer literacy requirements for Communication Arts majors.
This course introduces students to the preparation, deliver and evaluation of informative and persuasive speeches.
An examination and practice of the types of writing that are produced in the media arena. In this course, the emphasis is on style, structure, and techniques involved in a wide spectrum of writing platforms: print journalism, copywriting, broadcast journalism, online writing forms, public relations writing, and scriptwriting.
This course introduces students to the historical, cultural, and intellectual developments of contemporary media and culture. Emphasis will be placed on how media has, is, and continues to shape cultural formation and meaning and inter-relatedly, how such cultural meaning further influences our design and use of media in culture. Readings and class discussions will cover various movements and developments within both media and culture with a particular focus on theories of mass communication and the strategic and ethical considerations therein.
This class introduces the student to audio production theory and technique. The course focuses on sound aesthetics and values while providing an overview of traditional analog sound production and audio equipment. It is an introduction to desktop audio and the digital audio workstation which includes an introduction to Protocols or other editing software.
This course examines the role of Communication in professional, organizational, and industrial settings. It covers informative reports and sales presentations, interviews, small-group discussion, meetings, nonverbal communication in the workplace, and negotiation processes.
An examination of American and international cinema. The international nature of the silent era will be studied as well as the introduction of sound. The birth of film styles, including Russian Formalism, German Expressionism, Classical Hollywood Cinema, Italian Neorealism, and the French New Wave will be analyzed. Film concepts such as film conventions and genres will be studied and the social and cultural impact of film will be assessed. Additionally, the influence of new technologies, film standards, and production modes will be surveyed as they changed through the decades.
This class explores the fundamentals of writing news for print and electronic media with an emphasis on newspaper journalism. Class focus will be on story organization, leads, style, clarity, conciseness, attribution, balance, objectivity, etc.
A survey of past and current trends in communication theory. The class emphasis is on perspectives found in social science and cultural studies. May be taken as a Cultural Studies elective.
This course introduces students to event planning basics. Topics include fundamentals of event planning; selecting event dates and venues; developing agendas; time line; budgets and contracts; marketing events; sales and facilitating events. There is a service learning component in which students participate in coordinating a fundraising gala as to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility.
This course explores diversity and its role in the media. Students will explore intersections of class, race/ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and disabilities as they manifest across a range of media platforms, including film, television, advertising, and social media.
This class explores the theory and principles of sight and sound values that relate to media production. It involves examination of color, light, space, time-motion and sound.
This class explores the principles, techniques, and practice of script preparation. This course focuses on commercial and promotional writing for radio/television, including script formats, verbal to visual style.
This studio course provides a hands-on approach to the art and technique of television news production. Students will produce news stories that air on UIWtv's live news broadcasts. Newsgathering techniques, scriptwriting, and natural sound as a storytelling device will be emphasized. The course also focuses on the operation of studio and control room equipment.
This course is an intensive study of the influence and interplay of media on various aspects of our culture. Topics may include the socio-economic and physiological effects of media, and the imagery and impact of advertising. Topics will vary each semester.
This course provides students with the tools, practices, and processes of sports broadcasting. Students will develop live and packaged sports programming.
This course examines the rhetorical power of media and popular culture. It studies rhetorical theories that explore how mediated texts communicate, and illustrate ways in which people make sense of these messages. Throughout the course students will apply a rhetorical lens to examine everyday messages distributed by mass media in order to reach a more critical and self-reflexive understanding of these texts.
In this class, students learn the principles of writing, editing, and presenting television news. It incorporates an overview from newsroom organization to basic television news gathering and studio production.
In this class, the fundamentals of gathering and reporting information for the news media are analyzed. The class emphasis will be on gathering facts, observation, interviewing, and research. The course includes an advanced news-writing component.
This class gives students practical experience working for The Logos. Students will design, write, and publish the University newspaper.
This class provides students with the basic production technology necessary to design and create multimedia. Students will be given the opportunity to learn various tools concentrating on different aspects of the technology: text, graphics, audio, video and website technology. Through developing their own multimedia, students will explore how this technology can be used in society as a communication tool for education, industry and media production.
This course explores the role of communication in corporate contexts related to organizational culture and communication with a particular focus on crucial conversations, related to value and vision and conflict management and resolution, along with corporate and executive coaching and consulting.
This course is designed to familiarize the student with the fundamentals and processes of digital film production. II will focus on basic concepts and techniques of film production. Course work emphasizes proficiencies in camera operation, audio recording, 3-point lighting and non-linear editing. Students will gain confidence to successfully operate and control the building blocks of a production.
This course builds upon the concepts of digital film production through improvement of technical knowledge and incubation of creativity. It is designed to give students practical hands-on experience of the production process including pre-production skills: planning, pitching, and script writing; production ski/ls: production management, camera operation, lighting, and audio; post-production concepts and distribution of completed film. Students will gain experience working with clients and producing professional projects. Emphasis is placed on engaging storytelling.
This course introduces students to various forms of organizational dynamics and communication related to the development of leadership attitudes and practices. Emphasis will be placed on how to design and deliver competent and confident, versatile and adaptable, forms of communication as it relates to a range of prominent developments and issues in organizations and leadership. Readings and class discussions will cover various issues related to organizational dynamics and leadership.
This seminar course offers historical and critical-theoretical frameworks to examine different aspects of media environments within contemporary cultural contexts. This course facilitates students to understand various topics concerning media and culture from critical media-cultural perspectives.
This course introduces students to various forms of strategic communication planning and practice. Emphasis will be placed on how professional communicators convey deliberate message(s) through the most suitable media to the designated audience(s) at the appropriate time to contribute to and achieve desired short- and long-term effect. Readings and class discussions will cover various concepts of corporate communication; theories of mass communication, persuasion and public opinion; public relations; ethical communication practices; and strategic communication case studies.
This course is designed to give students practical hands-on experience in live television studio productions. Students will learn multicamera operation, switching and directing live productions, and working with talent and crews. It will focus on basic concepts and techniques of studio production including panel programs, scripted programs, and music and entertainment programs. Students will gain confidence and skills to successfully direct and operate all aspects of live television.
This course explores the persuasive influence of media and popular culture. It delves into diverse rhetorical theories to reveal how mediated texts communicate and illuminate individuals' nuanced interpretations of these messages.
This class gives students practical experience working for the campus radio station. Students will manage, promote, produce, and broadcast on the radio station.
This course surveys the theory and application of social and physical environment, body image, and artifacts, gesture and posture, face, eyes, voice, time, and the senses.
This class gives students practical experience working for UIWtv, the campus television station. Students will manage, promote, produce, and broadcast on the television station.
This seminar course provides a view of the communication industry through a series of guest speakers. Speakers present lessons learned, state-of-the-industry perspective, and hiring tips and practices.
This class provides an introduction to new technology and explores the ramifications of the use of that technology and its impact on current culture. This course will help students to critically explore the new forms of communication and their effects on the societal dynamics, which fiber optics, satellites, teleconferencing, the Internet and personal computing have forged in our culture.
This course introduces and examines ethical standards and legal issues in convergent media. It employs case studies and critical thinking to explore questions of law and policy, news, media and industry, governance, and privacy to promote public consciousness and civic engagement through communication arts.
This class offers discussion and study of various topics in cinematography and the film industry. Content will include screen artists (specific directors, producers, screenwriters, and cinematographers), as well as film genres, content analysis, and the business of the film industry.
This course introduces the leading issues in the study of global media and focuses on the dynamic transformations in various media in a broad global and comparative context. This course explores the socio-historical, political-economic and textual forces which shape media culture in local and global environments.
This course will explore the history of auteur study and assess how authorship has been used within cinema studies. Throughout the course, the work of a single or multiple directors may be utilized to examine issues of cinematic authorship and how this mode of filmmaking situates the filmmaker, the film itself, and its audience.
This course offers academic credit earned through practical experience. Students work part-time in the professional media with the guidance of an on-site supervisor. Minimum 140-160 hours of work required.
This class features principles and Application of graphics used in the Communication arts professions. It examines design, layout, paste-up and typography of graphics, both fundamental and current trends.
This course will cover convergent media theory, practice and studies. Through the readings, in class group workshops, individual projects and research papers, students will develop a skill set needed to succeed both professionally and academically in the convergent media field.
This course explores the impact and potential of publishing via new electronic media. Students will become familiar with a variety of on-line publications, will learn about the similarities and differences between electronic and other forms of publishing, and will practice the non-linear writing and design techniques required for electronic publishing.
This class explores the role and the evolution of journalism including the influence of various political and economic changes in journalist practices, and the role of journalism in society. It also covers the history and evolution of various technologies used to present the news.
This course will familiarize students with multiple digital platforms used in journalistic and electronic writing practices to gather and disseminate information. This course will explore theories, practices and experience of digital writing. Students will learn various strategies to enhance skills through various digital platforms including blogging, podcasting, and writing for new online media. Topics may vary depending on trends in the industry.
This course focuses on non-linear digital audio and video editing with an emphasis in hands-on production, DVD production, creating files for new technologies, and creating special effects. Students will spend considerable lab time outside of the classroom.
This course leads a student through the process of writing, producing, directing, and completing a personal short film. This course emphasizes pre-production elements, production management, production values and development of directing techniques. It includes a critical analysis of the directors' interpretations and artistic vision.
This course surveys the theory and application of social and physical environment, body image, and artifacts, gesture and posture, face, eyes, voice, time, and the senses.
This course explores issues related to cultural identities and communicative processes. Emphasis is placed on issues that shape experiences and identities of particular communities within multicultural societies, and/or intercultural communication between different countries/cultures. The approach is interdisciplinary, pulling from communication and cultural studies, the social sciences and the humanities. Topics may vary each semester.
This course covers the building of an electronic portfolio. The course emphasizes the preparation of a multimedia or print portfolio for professional development and evaluation. This is the capstone course for the Communication Arts undergraduate degree.
This course is a workshop designed to prepare honors students for formal public presentation of their research or creative projects. The workshop will prepare students for successful presentations through instruction in and application of public speaking and the use of electronic media.
The Honors Capstone class is offered to Communication Arts majors who are following the Honors track program of study. This course is part of the University of the Incarnate Word Honors Program Curriculum. It is designed, in addition to fulfilling disciplinary and UIW Core objectives, to require students to think deeply about what it means to be human. Enrollment is restricted to students who have been accepted into, and are in good standing in this program. The honors student will take this course in his or her senior year.