Communication Arts & Sciences

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Majors/Minors

This major exposes students to six different areas and allows them to concentrate in one area through additional advanced courses. The six areas are: film, general speech, corporate communication, media/journalism, theatre performance and dramatic literature.

Requirements for the major include 40 semester hours chosen with a department adviser, including at least one course in each of these areas:

general speech
corporate communication
media/journalism
film.

In addition, students take:

two courses in theatre and one in writing beyond English 102.

While students are free to complete the major with additional courses from among the broad spectrum of general communication, once six area courses are completed, a concentration through advanced courses in a single area such as journalism/ media or film studies can be developed. Internships are generally available for up to eight semester hours of credit and are encouraged for all communication arts and sciences students.

Courses in language, international studies and a semester abroad are also recommended for students who wish to add a global perspective to their career focus. For courses available in dramatic literature and production, see the theatre arts brochure.

Film Program

Dominican University offers a variety of film and media courses covering a wide range of topics, including:

film history
film authorship
national cinema
film comedy
women and film
classes that focus on individual masterpieces

Students will learn to understand the basic elements of film, including editing, camera movements, sound, lighting and color. Students will take one course in each of the four areas listed under communication arts and sciences. The remaining courses will be selected from film courses, with a total maximum of 48 hours.

Courses

General Speech Courses

150. SPEAKING AND LISTENING (3)

Basic communication skills in speaking and listening. The principles described in traditional public speaking texts are presented in full and are treated as tools for use in specific speech assignments.

160. VOICE AND DICTION (3)

Listed also as Theatre 160.

221. ELEMENTS OF DEBATE (3)

This class will introduce the structure of parliamentary debate. Students will strengthen their writing, oral and research skills. Throughout the course, students will learn to identify faulty arguments and propositions. This course will include in-class team debate opportunities to sharpen presentation and listening skills, and will also promote greater self-confidence in speaking and making oral arguments. This class is ideal for any student who would like to improve the strength of their speaking and writing skills, those students planning to attend graduate school and for students preparing for any vocation, especially those entering business and law. No prior speech experience is necessary.

241. FAMILY COMMUNICATION (3)

This course explores the communication concepts of effective interaction in the family, including verbal and non-verbal communication, family meetings as a mode of communication and casual barriers to effective communication.

Corporate Communication Courses

180. COMMUNICATION: PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND CAREER FOCUS (3)

This introductory course includes theory, techniques and practical exercises in intrapersonal and interpersonal communication, covering a variety of social and work situations. The Myers-Briggs character and temperament types, as well as Stephen Covey’s personal leadership text will be covered in full. Students will create a personal mission statement based on The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.

200. BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL SPEECH (3)

Students participate in realistic communication activities, giving presentations in various communication situations.

222. MASS MEDIA AND SOCIETY (3)

Listed also as Sociology 222 and American
Studies 222.

240. SELF AND SOCIETY (3)

Listed also as Sociology 240.

246. THE ART OF LEADERSHIP (3)

An analysis of the field of leadership and of the achievement of organizational goals in business organizations, as well as in not-for-profit and educational institutions. Students will learn the steps to quality leadership and the practices of exemplary leadership.

250. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION (3)

Concepts and insights for a better understanding of the dynamics of face-to-face interpersonal relations. Students experiment and practice ways of improving communication patterns.

306. HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (3)

Listed also as Business Administration 245.

320. ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION AND BEHAVIOR (3)

An experimental learning laboratory for developing skills associated with the responsibility of leadership; learning to contend with others on a face-to-face basis; understanding the human needs of others; learning to motivate others to action; and exercising authority in a just and satisfactory manner.

321. INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION (3)

This course is aimed at demonstrating how the theory and insights of cultural anthropology and communication can positively influence the conduct of global business and intercultural communication. World culture and economic geography are also included.

326. CORPORATE COMMUNICATION (3)

This course has two areas of concentration. It examines, through case studies, the corporate communication function within organizations, including topics such as managing image, corporate advertising, media and investor relations and government affairs. It also provides experiential learning in the critical interpersonal skills needed to manage.

361. INDUSTRIAL/ORGANIZATIONAL
PSYCHOLOGY (3)

Listed also as Psychology 360.

396. LEADERSHIP IN A DIVERSE MULTICULTURAL ENVIRONMENT (3)

This course provides leaders with the tools necessary to interact effectively with all individuals and subcultures. Rather than expatriates and international assignments, the focus in this course is on leaders in domestic organizations, providing them with the skills to develop their own multicultural awareness and knowledge.

415. COMMUNICATION AS AN INSTRUMENT OF PERSONAL POWER (3)

This course examines the skills and knowledge necessary to develop a strong base for multiple career paths. An executive coach guides students in preparing for positions requiring a high level of communication skill. Course content includes journaling, resume construction, techniques and media authorship.

Journalism/Media Courses

130. INTRODUCTION TO DESIGN APPLICATIONS (3)

Listed also as Art 208.

224. RADIO PRODUCTION (3)

A hands-on course in radio broadcasting, management, writing and production.

229. MAGAZINE WRITING (3)

Students will learn to write in a range of magazine and newspaper feature styles.

Prerequisite: Communication Arts and Sciences 256 and sophomore standing

230. TELEVISION PRODUCTION I (3)

A basic laboratory experience in television production.

236. WEB PAGE DESIGN (3)

Listed also as Art 227.

237. INTRODUCTION TO GRAPHIC DESIGN I (3)

Listed also as Art 240.

239. TELEVISION PRODUCTION II (3)

Advanced laboratory experience in television production.

Prerequisite: Communication Arts and Sciences 230

244. NEWSPAPER AND MAGAZINE EDITING (3)

Students will learn how to transform raw stories written for magazines and newspapers into clear, compelling and polished news and feature articles. The course also includes units on headline writing and design.

Prerequisites: Communication Arts and Sciences 256 and sophomore standing

256. INTRODUCTION TO JOURNALISM (3)

Students will study the basics of journalism and of the media business and will practice fundamental news writing and reporting skills. The class will include lecture, discussion and deadline news-writing exercises on a range of topics. Students also will report stories on campus events and issues.

Prerequisite: English 101

259. INTRODUCTION TO TELEVISION AND RADIO INDUSTRY (3)

This course is an introduction to the American broadcast and cable industry. Students will look behind the microphones and cameras to examine the history of the industry and to analyze the forces that shape it and influence everything from federal regulations to the choice of music on the radio.

264. JOURNALISM PRACTICUM (1)

Students will write for the school newspaper, the Dominican Star, using the knowledge gained from Introduction to Journalism and gaining valuable published samples of their work for their portfolios. This practicum can be taken four times.

Prerequisite: Communication Arts and Sciences 256

268. FUNDAMENTALS OF PUBLIC RELATIONS (3)

This course focuses on the “working tools” required for employment in public relations: doing research, developing PR strategies, writing press releases and feature stories, creating special events and managing media relations. Analysis of PR case studies will be included.

Prerequisites: Communication Arts and Sciences 256 and sophomore standing

269. ADVANCED PUBLIC RELATIONS (3)

In this class, students will build on the skills acquired in CAS 268 and design strategies and campaigns for corporations, non-profit agencies and advocacy groups.

Prerequisite: Communication Arts and Sciences 268

274. INTRODUCTION TO ADVERTISING (3)

A study of basic functions, principles and techniques of advertising, including the role of advertising in the marketing system and as a process of mass communication.

275. ADVERTISING STRATEGY (3)

Students will learn how to plan advertising accounts and develop advertising campaigns, with an emphasis on research, analyses of consumer behavior, strategic planning and creative execution. Much of this course will consist of case studies and hands-on team applications.

Prerequisite: Communication Arts and Sciences 274

293. MEDIA LAW AND ETHICS (3)

Students will examine ethical and legal issues in journalism, public relations and advertising. They will cover the constitutional basis of press freedom, as well as legal developments relating to government regulation, copyright protection, libel, invasion of privacy and journalistic privilege. This course will critically analyze the media’s ethical standards and shortcomings and will help students develop their sense of personal and professional ethics.

294. AMERICAN MASS MEDIA HISTORY (3)

This course analyzes the sources of American news and entertainment media and examines their development up to the present day.

Listed also as American Studies 294 and History 296.

296. BEGINNING COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY (3)

Listed also as Art 230.

298. GLOBAL MEDIA (3)

Students will explore the role of news and entertainment media in a rapidly globalizing world. This course will examine national, regional and global media, and place media globalization in the context of broad economic, political, social and cultural developments.

316. TELEVISION CULTURE (3)

This course critically examines television as a cultural force in our society. It covers production techniques, genres and narrative strategies, and it examines how television both reflects and influences dominant American cultures.

351. PROPAGANDA, PERSUASION AND THE
MASS MEDIA (3)

This course examines the nature, use, history and ethics of propaganda in modern Western society. Students study how governments and movements harness literature, journalism and film to further their agendas, and how others try to resist and subvert those efforts. Topics include war propaganda and censorship, Nazi and Communist propaganda and modern American public relations/advertising.

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent
of instructor

352. CONVERGENT JOURNALISM (3)

In this course students take on the rapidly changing world of Web-based converged news--where journalists use text, sound and visuals to report the news and tell stories. Students will learn the necessary technical skills and apply them by reporting stories and packaging them for the converged media.

Prerequisite: Communication Arts and Sciences 256

356. INTERMEDIATE JOURNALISM (3)

This class builds on the reporting, writing and editing skills learned in Introduction to Journalism. Students will report real stories in real time—both on campus and in the surrounding community—and write them on deadline. Most articles will be submitted for publication.

Prerequisite: Communication Arts and Sciences 256

358. GENDER AND MEDIA (3)

All cultures recognize differences between the sexes. Yet “ masculinity” and “femininity” are understood by anthropologists to be culturally determined. This course studies theories and instances of gender differences as they are articulated in mass-mediated popular culture discourses. It considers the relationship between gender and genre, explores advertising and consumer ideologies, and considers historical and contemporary film, television, and print media texts.

359. ARTS CRITICISM PRACTICUM (3)

Listed also as Art 354.

411. NEWSPAPER PRACTICUM (3)

Students will lead the Dominican Star newspaper and related on-line productions.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

420. SPECIAL TOPICS IN JOURNALISM (3)

Students will study and critically analyze major issues facing journalists and the news media.

Prerequisite: Junior standing

422. ADVANCED JOURNALISM (3)

Students will study investigative and specialized reporting techniques, cover an area community, and write in-depth stories on a variety of topics.

Prerequisite: Communication Arts and Sciences 356

Film Courses

205. MASTERPIECES OF THE CINEMA (3)

This course will be devoted to works that have withstood the test of time. Films will include such works as Citizen Kane, The Godfather and Casablanca, as well as films from European cinema. The course will focus on the merits of each work, as well as on what the films reflect about society and individual values.