Bulletin 2007-2008 - Austin College

COMMUNICATION STUDIESMajors are encouraged to participatein departmental activities. Studentstaking courses in the department maybe required to participate in certaindepartmental activities as part of a specificcourse.A minor in communication studiesconsists of a minimum of five coursecredit units, four of which are froma single area within the department(speech, theatre, or media studies) andone from a different area of emphasis,with at least two classes numbered 300or above. No more than one credit unitof practicum courses may be countedtoward requirements for the minor. (Possiblecombinations, for example, are aminor emphasizing speech that mightinclude Speech 112, 222, 352, 450, andMedia 121; or a minor in theatre thatmight include Theatre 142, 143, 221,352, 450 and Speech 221; or a minorin media studies with Media 121, 231,450, 461, and Speech 221. Studentsseeking a minor should confer with anappropriate departmental faculty memberto consider specific courses.MEDIA STUDIESStudents emphasizing Media Studiesare required to take MEDA 121 andone course in individualized study(NSOC, directed or independent study).121 Introduction to Media StudiesA study of mass communication systems includingprint and non-print journalism withprimary concern for their functions and societalimpact. (Each fall and spring)122 Journalism Practicum(Variable course credit)Supervised practice in use of skills of journalismfor a publication on campus or in the Sherman-Denisonarea for 14-week term. (Gradedon S/D/U basis). Prerequisite or corequisite:Media 121 or permission of instructor. May berepeated for a total of one course credit unit.(Each fall and spring)231 Digital Video Production IStudy of principles and techniques of videoproduction with an emphasis on narrative fiction.(Each fall)232 Video Practicum(Variable course credit)Supervised practice in television productionfor 14-week term. (Graded on S/D/U basis).Prerequisite: Media 231. May be repeatedfor a total of one course credit unit. (Each falland spring)250 Topics in Media StudiesAn investigation of selected media topics andissues. May be repeated when topic varies.260 Intermediate Directed Study(Variable course credit)351 Digital Video Production IIAdvanced course in principles and techniquesof digital video production. Students producelonger forms of narrative fiction, allowing themto deepen skills acquired in Media 231. Highlightsadvanced screenwriting, directing, andediting techniques. Prerequisite: Media 231.(Each spring)450 Advanced Topics in Media StudiesAn investigation of selected media topics andissues. Admission by permission of instructor.Prerequisite: Media 121 or permission of instructor.May be repeated when topic varies.460 Advanced Directed Study(Variable course credit)Prerequisite: two courses in media studies.461 Mass Media LawCourse focuses on regulation of mass media inthe United States through study of regulatoryhistory, documents, agencies, and enduringissues surrounding print and nonprint media.Prerequisite: Media 121.462 Television CriticismAmerican television programming is a pervasiveartifact of American popular culture,influencing viewers in this and other countriesin ways not fully identified or understood.This seminar is designed to examine multipleprogram genres through a variety of criticalperspectives, to include Marxist-Feminist,Narrative, Postmodernist, Semiotic, Reader-Response, and others. Prerequisite: Media 121or permission of instructor.COURSES OF INSTRUCTION| 97