Course Listings

Public Relations & Strategic Communication

Area F (Common for All Concentrations)

COMM 2101 Writing for Multimedia (3 credits)

This is a lecture and laboratory course which introduces students to the fundamentals of writing news for online, print/broadcast media, and writing public relations copy for similar forms. Prerequisites: ENGL 1101 and ENGL 1102.

COMM 2105 Mass Media and Society (3 credits)

This is a general examination of the foundation, organization, control, and current media status. Economic and social impacts of media (radio, television, newspapers, books, magazines, and comics) are surveyed. Broad comparisons of the American media system with global media systems are included as well as an analysis of digital technology use, and who this technology has changed the operations of media systems.

COMM 2106 African Americans in the Media (3 credits)

A survey of the history, contributions, representations, and portrayal of African Americans and other minorities in the media. An assessment is made of the impact of such portrayal on social, political, and cultural interactions.

COMM 2107 Women in the Media (3 credits)

The course explores and analyzes the unique experience of women in the United States and around the world as portrayed in and stereotyped by the media in history - and in the modern and postmodern world. It also examines women's role as active participants - journalists, editors, producers, directors, public relations, and advertising professionals - inside the media. The course looks to the future and the impact of women's image on self and society's understanding of gender roles.

COMM 2810 Intro to Communications Research (3 credits)

An introduction to social science research concepts and techniques in the study of the mass media. Survey of quantitative research methods in media situations and media rating services.

Prerequisites: Completion of AREA F in the mass communications core curriculum.

Public Relations & Strategic Communication

COMM 3110 Layout & Design (3 credits)

This course is an in-depth, hands-on application of multimedia publishing and production.

COMM 3120 Introduction to Communications Theory (3 credits)

The course is an overview of the major concepts and applications of human communications theories. While interpersonal and intercultural communications will be examined, applications of the theories and concepts in mass media will be emphasized.

COMM 3401 Introduction to Public Relations and Strategic Communication (3 credits)

The course is an introduction to the role of public relations and advertising in society. It examines how "publics" and markets are determined and targeted, different types of public relations fields, use of public relations in image packaging, use of advertising in selling goods/services, and the relationship of advertising agencies to advertisers and multimedia.

Prerequisites: COMM 2101 and COMM 3110

COMM 4402 Strategic Campaign Principles (3 credits)

This course is an analysis of strategic and multimedia campaigns that reflects an integrated marketing communication approach incorporating public relations and advertising tactics, research, planning, implementation, and evaluation of various goal-oriented messages.

Prerequisites: COMM 3401 and COMM 4101

COMM 4406 Strategic Campaign Production (3 credits)

This is an intensive hands-on course that stresses the production of professional strategic and multimedia public relations and/or advertising materials pre-approved or specified by the instructor. Students work in groups but meet as a class with an instructor for critiques. It also focuses on products that meet professional standards in content, style, quality, and shows evidence of an integrated marketing communications approach.

Prerequisites: COMM 3401 and COMM 4101

COMM 4902 Professional Media Internship (3 credits)

This course is only open to juniors and seniors majoring in mass communications at Savannah State University. Students work with various professional media in Savannah and other areas.

Prerequisites: Candidate for graduation and permission of instructor.

COMM 4705 Media Ethics & the Law (3 credits)

This course addresses the complex ethical and legal issues involving the media, including the evolution of ethical thought and the concepts of freedom of speech, press, libel, copyright, and privacy.

Prerequisites: Junior or Senior Standing

Multimedia & Digital Communications

COMM 3101 Media Arts & Design (3 credits)

The course develops basic skills in graphics online technology, print, and video. The course introduces students to the practice of image-making and new technologies. It includes layout, page design, and other graphic elements necessary for public relations and advertising campaigns.

COMM 3120 Introduction to Communications Theory (3 credits)

COMM 3301 Introduction to Multimedia Production (3 credits)

This course is designed to provide students with a working knowledge of the disciplines and techniques involved in video production for broadcast and multimedia formats. It will also give students a basic operating knowledge of the digital technology and terminology used in the production of video and multimedia programs.

Prerequisites: COMM 2105

COMM 3303 Scriptwriting for Multimedia (3 credits)

The course provides practical experience in writing various forms used in video, social media, new media, and gives students exposure to the needs of diverse audiences through professional multimedia production techniques.

Prerequisites: COMM 2101 and COMM 3301

COMM 4110 Audio Production & Sound Design (3 credits)

This course builds on what was taught in COMM 3306 and gives advanced instruction in audio production including directing, programming, equipment/audio software, and uses of audio in multimedia platforms.

Prerequisites: COMM 3301 and COMM 3306

COMM 4815 The Documentary (3 credits)

This course is a survey and analysis of the documentary format employed in video and online productions from the 1980s through the present. Students will employ the knowledge and skills with multimedia production learned in COMM 4107 and will use digital technology to prepare and produce a full-length mini-documentary and a short narrative profile project.

Prerequisites: COMM 4107

COMM 4705 Media Ethics & the Law (3 credits)

This course addresses the complex ethical and legal issues involving the media, including the evolution of ethical thought and the concepts of freedom of speech, press, libel, copyright, and privacy.

Prerequisites: Junior or Senior Standing

COMM 4902 Professional Media Internship (3 credits)

This course is only open to juniors and seniors majoring in mass communications at Savannah State University. Students work with various professional media in Savannah and other areas.

Prerequisites: Candidate for graduation and permission of instructor.

Journalism

COMM 3105 News Writing and Reporting (3 credits)

The course is a continuation of COMM 2101 with emphasis on writing for print and online digital media. It introduces students to the fundamentals of news judgment, reporting, and writing in a changing news environment. Heavy emphasis will be placed on ethics and the use of information from the Internet. The course also stresses the importance of attribution, news judgment, and accuracy in a 24-hour news cycle.

Prerequisites: COMM 2101

COMM 3110 Layout & Design (3 credits)

This course is an in-depth, hands-on application of multimedia publishing and production.

COMM 3120 Introduction to Communications Theory (3 credits)

COMM 3201 Feature Writing (3 credits)

The course is designed to further develop a student's skills in researching, organizing, and writing news features and human interest stories.

Prerequisites: COMM 3105

COMM 4170 Advanced Journalism (3 credits)

This course is a continuation of COMM 3105 with emphasis on writing for print and online media, including newspapers/magazines, in traditional and digital formats. It prepares students to become proficient in developing a "beat" and to generate story ideas from a particular coverage area. Additionally, students will develop portfolios they can utilize in future job searches, and create weekly online content and blogs.

Prerequisites: COMM 3305

COMM 4201 Copy Writing (3 credits)

The course is designed to give students training in the theory and practice of copy editing and headline writing. Students will utilize online content, copy from online services, local news copy, and how to edit for multimedia platforms.

Prerequisites: COMM 3105

COMM 4705 Media Ethics & the Law (3 credits)

This course addresses the complex ethical and legal issues involving the media, including the evolution of ethical thought and the concepts of freedom of speech, press, libel, copyright, and privacy.

Prerequisites: Junior or Senior Standing

COMM 4902 Professional Media Internship (3 credits)

This course is only open to juniors and seniors majoring in mass communications at Savannah State University. Students work with various professional media in Savannah and other areas.

Prerequisites: Candidate for graduation and permission of instructor.