Biology - Major in Biology Program

Students who opt for a concentration in Communications must complete four courses from the following, with at least three taken at the 300-level:

DCOM 298 Special Topics in Communications

Topic announced at the time of registration. This course may be repeated for credit as topic changes. 3 credits.

DCOM 340 Videography

Videography will focus on developing facility with scripting/storyboarding and techniques of using a video camera to capture moving images. Students will learn scripting/storyboarding, videography (lighting, composition, shot selection) and basic non-linear editing. Satisfies the video and communications concentrations. 3 credits.

DCOM 341 Editing/Post-Production

Editing/Post-Production will teach students how to use the video editing and post-production process to tell stories using still and moving images and sounds. Students will learn non-linear editing for video and gain facility with the software and workflows of the video post-production process. Satisfies the video, design and communications concentrations. 3 credits.

DCOM 343 Sound Design

Sound Design will teach students how sound contributes to storytelling and atmosphere. Students will study best practices in how to create and record audio, Foley effects, sound effects, and score for use in video and other digital media (such as video games). Additionally, students will study audio editing and basic non-linear video editing workflows and software. Class will be composed of small hands-on projects and a large collaborative project. Satisfies the design, video, and communications concentrations. 3 credits.

DCOM 380 Advertising

Students will learn how advertising is used to create awareness in audiences, to persuade them, and move them to action, drawing from theories and practices established by academics and advertising professionals in design, psychology and rhetoric. Students will learn about the advertising industry, how advertisements are commonly structured- particularly on digital platforms-- read case studies of both successful and disastrous brand audience interactions, and learn how to gauge the effectiveness of content and measure audience engagement through the use of success metrics and analytics. They will also examine the various moderation tools and philosophies used by news organizations, commercial comment spaces, and social media sites, and develop guidelines for best moderation practices. Fulfills requirement: Critical Thinking through Writing. Prerequisite: FYE 112, and junior or senior standing. 3 credits.

DCOM 382 Editing for Web and Mobile Communication

The role of digital editor for real-time content is like that of a live-TV producer-involving fact checking, rewriting copy, performing format and design maintenance, editing graphic elements, overseeing an organization's social media outlets, making informed and ethical decisions, managing online platforms, and analyzing success metrics and analytics to measure the effectiveness of their content. Editors manage a variety of web and networked content that should communicate information to audiences clearly, accurately, and effectively. Students will learn to manage web platforms such as Word Press and Moveable Type; be introduced to basic content management systems, learn how to work with writers, graphic designers, and programmers by understanding their restrictions and concerns; perform follow-up research to rate effectiveness of content; and adhere to current industry communication standards. Fulfills requirement: Critical Thinking through Writing. Prerequisite: ENG 112 or FYE 112. 3 credits.

DCOM 383 Public Relations

This course emphasizes skills in writing, digital media, and analytics used by public relations professionals as they seek to promote good communications between organizations and their publics, between members of organizations, and between organizations and the media. We will focus on public relations communications across social and proprietary media platforms. The class will also introduce students to the elements of a successful public relations campaign and challenge them to create their own promotions projects. Fulfills requirement: Critical Thinking through Writing. Prerequisite: ENG 112 or FYE 112. 3 credits.

DCOM 385 Storytelling with Data

Those who can "read" data sets can ferret out untold narratives buried in them and are of enormous value to the institutions that employ them. Some data is consulted for specific purposes by individuals maintaining governmental, educational, and commercial organizations, but the potential for making the data tell stories exists and has already been explored by those who practice data journalism and other kinds of data-driven investigations. Students who plan careers not just in media but in any business or academic pursuit can learn to contribute more to their areas of interest by learning how to arrange data sets to answer questions, to follow through with research and interviews, to write accurate narratives that explain the process and findings of examining data sets, and to create clear, attractive infographics and data visualizations to supplement traditional storytelling. Fulfills requirement: Critical Thinking through Writing. Prerequisite: ENG 112 or FYE 112, and junior or senior standing. 3 credits.

DCOM 387 Social Media: History, Theory, and Practice

Social media connects organizations, companies, and individuals throughout the world, fostering interaction, collaboration, discussion, and community. And it is not surprising that social media networking is the number one online activity of people in the United States. Students in this course will study the history and theory of social media. They will also put into practice specific marketing, community building, and institutional support activities that take place through social media channels. This course is for students who wish to obtain analytic and practice-based skills for careers in media, Web-based companies, and publicity in any form. Fulfills requirement: Critical Thinking through Writing. Prerequisite: ENG 112 or FYE 112. 3 credits.

DCOM 398 Special Topics in Communications

Topic announced at the time of registration. This course may be repeated for credit as topic changes. 3 credits.

DCOM 465 Online Marketing

The course examines the principles and processes of Online Marketing. Students will examine current topics including search engine advertising; social media, online advertising strategies and models; metrics, and ethics. The course will also integrate a comparison and contrast of online promotion to traditional channels and extensively employ case studies. Satisfies the business technology and communications concentrations. Prerequisite: Course restricted to junior-level standing or above. 3 credits.

Subject to the approval of the advisor, TWO course may be taken outside of the concentration and/or department.