2008-2009 Catalog - Virginia Wesleyan College

70 COMMUNICATIONS/JOURNALISM326 Persuasion and Media: Advertising (3)Examination of the methods and techniques thatadvertisers use to persuade audiences. Prerequisite: COMM211. Offered each fall.327 Children and the Media (3)A study of children as a media audience with aparticular focus on contemporary televised media.Attention is given to both prosocial and antisocial effects ofthe media. Prerequisite: COMM 211 or consent. Offeredspring of even-numbered years.328 Public Relations (3)An introduction to the practice of the public relationsand advertising profession with an emphasis on writing.Students examine the role of public relations andadvertising in a free society and the demands andconstraints, including ethical, placed upon them.Coursework includes writing background or briefingpapers, press releases, informational and persuasive copyand finding promotable elements in products and services.Identical to JOUR 328. Offered each semester.333 Mass Media and American Society (3)A look at the ways in which mass media have reflectedand affected modern American culture. Includes lectures,discussions, readings, and research assignments to focus ona particular theme or era in mass media and culture studies.May be repeated if the topic is different. Sample topicsinclude “American Silent Film,” “Women in Film,”“Movies of the 1930s,” and “Movies of the 1940s.’’Prerequisite: COMM 211 or consent. Offered frequently.334 Genres in Mass Media (3)A course in types of popular fiction/television/filmentertainment such as the western, the hard-boileddetective story, the romance and the science fantasy thatserve as distorted mirrors of American culture. As valueschange, so do the popular forms that promote them.Students evaluate two or more genres, showing how theyreveal modern thinking in mythic and cultural terms.Prerequisite: COMM 211 or consent. Offeredintermittently.335 Christian Theology and Film (4)Same as RELST 335.336 Filmmaking on Hollywood, In Hollywood (3)(Winter Session)Investigates the historical and cultural contexts of theHollywood film industry, exploring key cinematic texts thatrepresent Hollywood to itself (e.g. Singing in the Rain, ThePlayer, etc.) and examining how this genre of films hasconstructed a mythic place and mindset called Hollywood.This course is taught as a travel course in southernCalifornia. Prerequisite: three semester hours ofcommunication; preferably a film history course. Offeredin selected Winter Sessions.350 Advanced Video Production (3)Students expand their knowledge of video productiontechniques into a more sophisticated and technical realm.The four main disciplines (videography, lighting, editing,and audio) are covered in significant depth usingprofessional-grade equipment. Students demonstrate theirmastery through a group of exercises and a mainproduction assignment. Prerequisite: COMM 200 orJOUR 200. Offered each fall.422 The Documentary Tradition (3) (I) WIn-depth investigation into the art, history and ethics ofthe documentary in film, radio, television, and digitalmedia. Prerequisites: COMM 211 and junior/senior status.Offered fall of odd-numbered years.495 Communications Studies Internship (3)The internship is seen as a significant, practical learningexperience for the student of communications and, as such,is a required component of the program of studies. Studentsmay do up to two internships as part of the major. Allinternships must be approved by the program coordinator.Offered each semester.JOURNALISM COURSES (JOUR)200 News and Documentary Video (3)Introduces students to the techniques, traditions, andlegal aspects of non-fiction video production. Emphasis ison completion of two short projects (a news feature and ashort documentary) and mastery of basic technicalprinciples of videography, location lighting, and nonlinearediting. Offered each spring.201 Introduction to Journalism (3) (C) WA fundamental approach to the principles of reporting,writing and editing for newspapers, including ethical andlegal concerns. Each student writes several news stories andlearns the elements of style. Prerequisite: grade of C orbetter in ENG 105 or consent. Offered each semester.210 Journalism Workshop (3)A practical workshop providing opportunities forstudents to contribute to The Marlin Chronicle (the VWCstudent newspaper—printed and online) as writers,designers, and photographers. Students are encouraged todiscover and develop a specialty. Prerequisite: JOUR 201 orconsent. Offered each semester.303 Design and Editing (3)An exploration of design and editing concepts incontemporary journalism, with attention to communicatingclearly through visuals and words. Throughnumerous exercises and class discussions, students learnabout content, typographical details, headline writing, andphotojournalism. Course fee. Prerequisite: JOUR 201.Offered each semester.