The following section contains a complete list of courses approved by the CMU Senate for its curriculum. For current course listings please see the Course Description section of our website.

COMM-1000/3 Communications and Media: This course introduces students to contemporary public communications media, examines how audiences and content are determined, and identifies critical issues such as media ethics, financing, regulation and ownership.

COMM-2000/3 New Media: This course investigates the userexperience, theory, and current trends in the field of New Media. The course’s core interests are in identifying and understanding the principles of New Media design and experience, and in applying these principles to the analysis of
New Media artefacts and environments. The course will enhance the capacity of students to understand, design, and assess current and future developments in emergent digital media. A technology fee will be assessed for this course.

COMM-2010/3 Digital Video Storytelling: This is an introductory course in film-style production in the medium of digital video. Instruction will include all the elements of production, including scriptwriting, storyboarding, videography, sound, lighting, and editing. A core interest of the course is to understand the technical and aesthetic language of images in motion. Students work in creative, collaborative teams to produce several short video pieces. A technology fee will be assessed for this course.

COMM-2015/1.5, 2016/1.5 Media Workshop: This workshop is an applied media production experience focused primarily on media storytelling. Production teams will be mentored and supervised by CMU faculty and staff. The workshop will include focused training modules for particular aspects of media production. It will assist students in quality portfolio development. Students will work cooperatively on projects, which will normally be determined in consultation with the Communications and Marketing Department at CMU. The course may occasionally be offered as an intensive skillsbuilding weekend workshop. The workshop may include a media production tour. A technology fee will be assessed for this course. Prerequisite for COMM-2015: Admission will be on the basis of an interview for a place in the production team. Prerequisite for COMM-2016: COMM-2015.

COMM-2020/3 Oral Communication: This course covers the theory and practice of formal and informal speeches, presentations, interviews, meetings, and other forms of oral communication. The course is designed to enhance public speaking ability, and seeks to develop skills in the use of microphones, visual aids, and body language for engaging small and large audiences.

COMM-2040/3 Audio Engineering and Production Techniques: An introduction to the techniques and technologies of audio recording production. The primary focus is recording in a studio environment. Remote location recording, live sound, multi-media production and broadcasting also are covered. A practical component includes recording music ensembles, voiceovers, and assisting in an audio production. A technology fee will be assessed for this course.

COMM-2050/3 Graphic Design: A study of the creative use of the elements and principles of design as applied to the problems of graphic communication, and of the use of symbols, pictographs, writing and letter forms. A technology fee will be assessed for this course.

COMM-2060/3 Journalism—Principles and Practice: This course studies the principles and practices of journalism that can be applied to all media. Students examine the nature and role of the media, evaluate the news processes, consider the role of reporters, and learn basic journalism practices, including how to conduct an interview, how to write various kinds of articles, and how to do research for journalism. A technology fee will be assessed for this course. Students may not hold credit for both this course and the former COMM-1080.

COMM-2070/3 Broadcasting: This course surveys the principles, production, and critique of various kinds of broadcast media. It also covers hands-on components of radio production, including news gathering, writing, editing, and effective delivery. A technology fee will be assessed for this
course.

COMM/BUSI-2080/3 Business and Organizational Communications: This course will cover oral and written communications used in business and organizational settings. Topics covered include methods of logic, organization, analysis, presentation and mechanics of written and oral
communication. The course is designed to improve students’ writing and public speaking skills. Prerequisites: BUSI-1000/3 or IDS-1020/3 or COMM-1000/3.

COMM-2950/3 Topics in Communications and Media: The content of this course will vary from year to year, depending on the needs of students and the interests and availability of instructors.

COMM/POLS/SOCI-3000/3 Politics, Society and Mass Media: This course examines the relationship between the mass communications media and the political and social processes in which they operate, investigating the state of research on mass media, the role of media in creating and
shaping political awareness, and in influencing human behaviour and values. Examples of topics which may be covered are: media ownership and organization patterns, media in the electoral process, the media in developing nations, the media and globalization, propaganda, media freedom and public opinion. Prerequisite: 30 credit hours of university-level studies, including six credit hours in social science.

COMM-3010/3 Theories of Communication and Media: This course analyzes the character and significance of theory in communication and media studies. A variety of theoretical perspectives will be assessed, from classical rhetorical theory to contemporary communication theory. Prerequisite: COMM- 1000/3 and 30 credit hours of university-level studies, or permission of the instructor.

COMM-3020/3 Group Communication and Creative Process: This course surveys the theory and practice of communication within small groups in various contexts, exploring topics such as: roles; leadership and participation; brainstorming and idea assessment; group formation and
team building; conflict; and problem solving and decisionmaking. Students will develop understanding and skills applicable in secondary groups such as work and activity groups, committees, boards, and media production teams, Prerequisite: 30 credit hours of university-level studies, or
permission of the instructor.

COMM-3030/3 Public Relations: This course examines the principles and practices of communication between corporate, public, and not-for-profit organizations and their various constituencies. It includes the study of public opinion research, communication campaigns, media relations,
consumer identity, and representational ethics. Students learn basic skills including: assessing needs; designing, planning and evaluating communication strategies; writing news releases and planning news conferences. Prerequisite: 30 credit hours of university-level studies, or permission of the instructor.

COMM-3950/3 Topics in Communications and Media: The content of this course will vary from year to year, depending on the needs of students and the interests and availability of instructors. Prerequisite: COMM-1000/3 and 30 credit hours of university-level studies.