Communications Course Descriptions

CAS 112 Presentational Speaking (3 credit hours)

A practical general course introducing the elements of speaking in public. Emphasis on ethics in public speaking, controlling nervousness, the importance of listening, audience analysis, speech purposes, selecting and researching topics, speech organization, language for oral style, delivery techniques including nonverbal communication skills, and use of basic support visuals. Student assignments will move from simple to relatively complex presentations.

CAS 121 Audio for Media (2 credit hours)

The study of audio production principles and practices for a variety of venues. Complex and multileveled production board operations will be combined with computer applications. The course focuses on directing, producing, editing, and critical evaluation of programming elements and styles.

CAS 126 Introduction to Communication (3 credit hours)

An introduction to mass communication from Gutenberg to the Internet. Subjects to be covered are history, development, functions, philosophy, media interrelationships, and their social and commercial basis.

CAS 171 Fundamentals of TV Production (3 credit hours)

The exploration of elementary video production principles, practices, and operations. Emphasis is placed on laboratory elements of scripting, lighting, audio, camera, switching, editing, character generator, and chromakey. Practical experience in producing video projects. Offered in alternate years.

CAS 226 Writing for the Media (3 credit hours)

Prerequisite: CAS 126 or instructor's approval.

A study of the principles of writing news and information for radio, TV, and the Internet. News articles and events are analyzed and practice in newswriting is stressed. Attention also is given to story development, research, interviewing, and follow-up.

CAS 263 Seminar (2-4 credit hours)

The study of current topics of concern within the communication area. May be repeated more than once provided the subject or topic is different.

CAS 328 Studies in Communication (3 credit hours)

This course examines current topics of concern within the communication area. Topic offerings to include health communication, communication and aging, listening, conflict communication, communication education, black rhetoric, political communication, legal communication, or gender communication.

CAS 377 Mass Communication Theory (3 credit hours)

Prerequisite: CAS 126 and Junior or Senior status

This course is an overview of the disciplinary traditions and research interests of mass communication theory. In it we will investigate the techniques and values of mass communication research and contemporary mass media. Our resources will include, but not be limited to, authors such as John Fiske, Denis McQuail, and Marshall McLuhan

CAS 463 Advanced Seminar (2-4 credit hours)

An advanced current topic in communication. May be repeated, provided that the topic is different.

CAS 476 Senior Capstone (3 credit hours)

Majors enrolled in this course will learn the technology needed to conduct a Web-based portfolio that documents their learning experiences. This portfolio will include a resume, recommendation letters, samples of speaking presentations, communication-related papers, projects, and documentation of experiential learning.