Courses

This course operates in conjunction with MCOM 190 “Communication Colloquium.” Students gather with the entire department together on a weekly basis to talk about important issues facing communication students and professionals, consider the connections between their faith and their careers, build community in the program, and prepare to find and build their careers after graduating. Students dive deeper into this last goal of professional preparation in this course than MCOM 190.

Course covers the art of cinema as it explores issues and ideas related to the study of film as an aesthetic, moral, textual, social, and technical art. In doing so, it will help students investigate and discover how to read and interpret narrative film from a variety of perspectives. It will also give students the opportunity to create short films that explore cinematic expression from a hands-on perspective. Though the emphasis will be on traditional narrative approaches to cinema the course will also compare and contrast this approach with experimental, alternative, and transgressive cinemas that challenge the status quo and offer unconventional and unorthodox perspectives. Ethical and spiritual considerations from a Christian perspective will also be explored.

This introductory course in the art and craft of digital video production familiarizes students with the classical approach to cinematic aesthetics and techniques. Students work individually and collaboratively as they produce, shoot, and edit short films. Emphasis is placed on analyzing films from a filmmaker's perspective.

An active exploration of graphic design essentials, creative ideation methods, and visual communication techniques. Students use creative thinking methodologies to experiment with a wide range of design approaches, evaluate the aesthetic and conceptual value of specific design solutions, and sharpen their creative, critical thinking, and perceptual skills.

A continuation of GAME 140 “Introduction to Game Design." Students focuses on applying game design principles explicitly to the video game medium. By engaging in constant design projects and exercises, students will broaden their knowledge of design theory and develop the necessary skills to rapidly prototype and test game design ideas.

The journalistic principle of serving the public interest has been understood as serving one's own public, social class or nation. With the global reach of media, journalism's public becomes the citizens of the world. How are ethical principles of objectivity, balance and independence understood in a global context? How can journalism help citizens understand local, national, and global problems such as poverty, environmental degradation, technological inequalities and political instability? Students examine Canadian and international media, evaluate the news process, consider the role of reporters in this process, and learn basic news writing.

In this course, students examine the role of public relations within and among various sectors of society including business, government, and nonprofit organizations. Case studies are used to illustrate the profession and practice of public relations where possible, and ethical standards in public relations are emphasized. Media, consumer, employee, and community relations, as well as ethical standards in the public relations industry are examined.

You can't make this stuff up. Narrative nonfiction’s creative tools bring true stories to life. In this introductory workshop-style course, students analyze examples of compelling published literary memoir, personal narrative, and critical writing about pop culture. They interpret the author’s craft, study general editorial requirements, and formulate aesthetic principles for their own feature material. Students will write several pieces in a variety of nonfiction genres; critique each other’s work; and revise their own—with the intent to publish. Fulfills departmental writing competency requirement.

Leadership Communication introduces students to the art, science, and practice of influencing and being influenced by others in diverse contexts. The course explores the role of communication in building credibility, exercising power, motivating, and expressing one's leadership style. It also considers the topics of followership, the ethics of leadership, leadership development, and leading in times of crisis. The course serves as a foundation for future studies in the leadership communication stream within the Department of Media + Communication.