CMA - Communication Arts

All forms of mass media -- from journalism to advertising to entertainment -- profoundly influence society. This course explores how and why media are so impactful, both on the people who produce it as well as those who consume it. 

Prerequisite: ENGL 100 or 3 credits from ENGL 110-139. May not be taken on an audit basis. An introduction to writing for various publics using a variety of formats within the contexts of informing, persuading and entertaining. Areas addressed include writing for print, broadcast, public relations, social media and the web.

The history and development of mass communications in the United States, from colonial newspapers and pamphlets to recent innovations in satellite and fiber optics transmissions, with attention to the significance and effect of the media on American culture.

Prerequisite: ENGL 100, or 3 credits from ENGL 110-139. An analysis and application of theories and techniques to communicate effectively with another person, and with small, large and massive groups in a variety of situations.

Prerequisite: CMA 201 or permission of the instructor. May not be taken on an audit basis. Credit by exam. Evaluation and preparation of copy, pictures and other graphic materials for publication; page layouts; newspaper makeup. Some attention to newsletters and house organs.

Students will explore how the mass media foster, influence and are shaped by political and social revolutions from ancient times to the modern day. Students will consider how predominant press theories explain the media’s role in events that include the American Revolution, the fall of the Soviet Union and Middle East protests.

In the digital-media age, we are vulnerable to misinformation both because of its quantity and the ease with which it can be spread. How do we know what to believe? The skill used to distinguish information is called skepticism, and developing it is the focus of this course.

Lab fee. Introduction to video production, including script writing, camera work, editing and sound in both field and studio situations. Includes survey of commercial and non-commercial video applications. Video screenings, written and visual projects required.

This course is planned to provide a working knowledge of basic skills required in the graphics field including layout, design and desktop publishing. Studio problems and lectures provide diversified experiences upon which future specialization can be developed. Extensive computer use. No computer experience necessary.

Prerequisite: CMA 201 or permission of the instructor. May not be taken on an audit basis. A study of the basic types of feature articles; emphasis on practice in research and writing.

Prerequisite: ENGL 100. May be repeated with a different lettered course. A study of films and their filmmakers, including techniques and genres.

Prerequisite: ENGL 100 or 3 credits from ENGL 110-139. Alfred Hitchcock is widely considered the greatest director of suspense films in the medium's history. This course will study Hitchcock's films within the social, political, and economic context of their time, and analyze why his films are so revered and imitated.

Prerequisite: ENGL 100 or 3 credits from ENGL 110-139. An exploration and analysis of reporters, editors, photojournalists, and broadcasters as depicted in feature narrative films made in the U.S. from the 1930s to the present, with attention to their social and political contexts.

Prerequisite: ENGL 100 or 3 credits from ENGL 110-139. This course examines classic American film comedy from the silent era through modern day with emphasis on slapstick, screwball, and the more social comedies of the modern era.

Prerequisite: ENGL 100 or 3 credits from ENGL 110-139.  Students will acquire the tools to analyze the form and content of American contemporary and classic motion pictures through an examination of the film industry, the elements of cinematography and screen writing and the criteria for critical review.

Prerequisites: CMA 280 or ART 275 or permission of the instructor. Introduction to Screenwriting is designed to acquaint students with the process of writing fiction narrative film. The class will concentrate on story structure, scene construction, character development, and dialogue. (CW)

Prerequisites: ENGL 100 or 3 credits from ENGL 110-139. A survey of American narrative film from the great silents through the 3D blockbusters of today. Emphasis will be placed on every major period of American narrative film history through the 20th Century, in relation to the cultural and political history of the times in which they were made.

An opportunity for groups of eight or more students to study topics suggested by their special interests and those of the staff and not included in the regular offerings. Topics will vary. Offered at the discretion of the Department of English.

Prerequisites: CMA 226 or permission of the instructor. Lab fee. Students will advance their video production skills and knowledge while creating digital video content. Work includes producing scripted and unscripted industry video packages. Included are advanced video production skills in the context of pre-production, production and post-production processes.

Prerequisite: CMA 201 or permission of the instructor. Advanced exercises in the gathering and writing of news with emphasis on more complex forms of reporting and writing, including interpretive and investigative work. Off-campus reporting assignments will be encouraged.

Prerequisites: CMA 201 and completion of or concurrent enrollment in CMA 226. This course will focus on learning to report and tell stories across multiple platforms, including print, photography, video and audio. Some attention also will be paid to legal and ethical issues multimedia writers face.

Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing. CMA 200 or CMA 201 or LWPS 230, or permission of the instructor. A survey of the evolution of the laws of mass communication including journalism, advertising, broadcasting, and the varieties of intellectual property. Emphasis is on the First Amendment, the application of the laws of defamation and privacy, and media regulation in the digital age.

Prerequisite: ENGL 100 or 3 credits from ENGL 110-139. Sophomore standing. May not be taken on an audit basis. This course focuses on forms of writing required in today's ever-evolving digital world, including e-mail, blogging, writing for the web and social media, as well as letters, memoes and reports. Students will also write their own bio-sketches, resumes and letters of recommendation.

Prerequisite: CMA 201 or CMA 306 or permission of the instructor. The history, theory and practice of public relations in corporate, institutional and government settings.

Prerequisites: Completion of the Quantitative Literacy area of the Core. Completion of one or more of the following is recommended, but not required: CMA 200, CMA 310, MGMT 301, or MGMT 306. This course will examine the basic components of communication research including logic, theories, and ethics. Topics covered include the different approaches to communication research, the essential elements of both qualitative and quantitative research, analysis and interpretation of data, and resources available.

Prerequisites: CMA 310. This course will prepare students to become effective and persuasive public relations communicators. They will learn how to decisively communicate complex information in simple and clear prose appropriate for the intended audience. As a final project, students will assemble a comprehensive writing portfolio of all assignments.

Prerequisite: CMA 201. This course is designed to teach students the techniques of writing, reporting and editing for the broadcast media. Topics to be covered include interviewing for broadcast, selecting and matching video and soundbites and the use and potential misuse of video and sound.

Prerequisites: CMA 201 or ARTS 211 or permission of the instructor. Lab fee. This course will introduce students to the communication field of photojournalism. Photojournalism is a very powerful tool in documenting the world around us. From community events, conflicts around the world, the political arena, high school through professional sports and the environment, photojournalists are empowered to show to their audience events that affect their daily lives.

Prerequisites: MGMT 205. Drawing from information systems, social science, and communications, students will explore social media trends and applications. Connections will be made to organizational objectives and strategies, including design, implementation, and assessment. Topics covered include the origins of social media, impact on news dissemination, communication styles, campaigns, crowdsourcing, conflict resolution, and impact on society.

Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. (May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credits). Interested students are selected by the department. Grading is on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Prerequisite, CMA 246 or permission of the instructor. CAIT 221 does not fulfill this prerequisite. Lab fee. This course expands on the fundamentals of design introduced in CMA 246. In addition to learning about typography, color and composition, students will be expected to use critical thinking skills to solve fundamental design problems. Students will complete more complex projects and will be expected to demonstrate their skills at a higher level.

Prerequisites: CMA 336 or permission of the instructor. Lab fee. This course will focus on creating finished professional-quality work. Students will complete a portfolio of advanced projects, including one with real clients. Emphasis will be on showcasing a unique style and demonstrating conceptual abilities. Students will research, write, edit and create their own imagery for the final project.

Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing and completion of the Social and Behavioral Analysis area of the Core. An examination of the cultural, political and sociological effects of television on America. The course will offer a brief history of the development of television, and then examine such issues as television and violence; television and children; television and politics; and television and society.

Prerequisites: ENGL 100 and CMA 201. 

This practicum gives students an opportunity to create, edit and produce the Hood student newspaper, the Blue & Grey, and prepares them for internships and professional environments post graduation. 

Prerequisites: 12 credits in communication arts at the 200-level or above and permission of the instructor and the director. May be repeated once. An opportunity for students to explore topics in communications not covered by coursework or to conduct projects involving communications skills

An upper-level special topics course offered at the discretion of the department. The content and methods vary with the interest of students and faculty members

Prerequisites: Open to majors and other qualified students who have completed with distinction most or all of the Communication Arts requirements. Permission of the department required. (May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credits).   Practical experience in the application of communication concepts and the utilization of communication skills in settings such as business, industry and the mass media. Grading is on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Prerequisites: Open to declared IMC majors; permission of co-directors required. Practical experience in which students apply integrated marketing and communication concepts and skills in an appropriate business setting. Grading is on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Permission of IMC co-directors required. May be repeated once. Grading is on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Prerequisites: CMA 302. Students will further refine their video production skills and knowledge while creating near-professional-quality digital video content. Students will work in teams to produce and distribute media projects to the College community while building personal portfolios of work.

Prerequisites: CMA 201 and CMA 310. This course will explore the theory, research, and practice of crisis communication. Topics covered include the life cycle of a crisis, the principles of crisis management, and strategic crisis management. This course aims to prepare the student to strategically plan, implement, and evaluate crisis communication across a variety of crises. 

Prerequisites: CMA 313 and CMA 312 or MGMT 423.  This is an advanced course in public relations. The focus of this course is on the process of public relations and includes all key elements of the process: research, planning, implementation, evaluation. Learning will be achieved through application of the process to a real organization's legitimate problem/opportunity.

Prerequisite: CMA 305 and junior standing. With an eye toward reconciling the evolving norms of a digital world, this course uses small discussions to critically analyze ethical issues in mass communication. 

Prerequisite: By invitation of the department. The departmental honors paper is a two-semester senior-year program designed for students who wish to pursue intensive research or special projects in close coordination with faculty advisers. Departmental honors students are known as the Christine P. Tischer Scholars and receive 6 credits for this work.