Communication

Lower-Division

COM 100 (3) PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN COMMUNICATION–GE

A survey of the human communication process. Emphasis is placed on intrapersonal, interpersonal, and public communication. Particular attention is paid to the preparation and presentation of speeches. Offered fall and spring.

COM 150 (3) INTRODUCTION TO MEDIA COMMUNICATION

Explores the development and influences of mass media (books, newspapers, magazines; film; radio, television, and internet) in contemporarys ociety. Considers the rights and responsibilities of producers and consumers of mass communication. Offered fall and spring.

COM 175 (3) SCRIPTWRITING FOR TELEVISION AND FILM

A survey of the process, forms, and techniques for writing scripts for television and film. This includes advertising, documentary, corporatetraining and promotion, magazine, sports, variety, drama, and comedy. Offered fall.

COM 190 (3) INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

Focuses on the social scientific study of dyadic (two-person) communication. Opportunities are given to integrate theory and practice in an effort to stimulate self-awareness and highlight taken-for granted aspects of interpersonal communicative behavior. Offered fall and spring.

COM 195 (3) MEDIA LITERACY

A critical approach to interpreting media messages is grounded in the study of how messages are constructed, how media industries function and how communication theory and research explain media impact on society. Emphasis is placed on making informed choices as a media consumer, and considering the impact of media from a Christian perspective. Offered fall and spring.

COM 210 (1-2) COMMUNICATION PRACTICUM I

Requirements vary according to the activity developed in consultation with the instructor.May be repeated up to a total of three units. Graded Credit/No Credit. Offered fall and spring.

COM 220 (3) SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION

Analysis of the communicative behavior of group members. Theory, methods, and practical application in developing the art of communicating effectively in a variety of task-oriented groups. Offered fall and spring.

COM 231 (3) ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE-GE

A study of the development of argumentation from classical rhetoricians to contemporary research theories. Practical application of this study through participation in debates and other forensic experiences. Offered each fall.

COM 243 (3) Introduction to TV and Film Production

Fundamentals of studio and field TV and film production. This includes basic technical and creative aspects of camera, lighting, sound, graphics, producing, directing, and editing. Group projects are viewed and critiqued by peers and the instructor for consideration of being included on the campus cable TV channel. Offered fall and spring.

COM 260 (3) ADVANCED PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONAL SPEAKING

Development of speaking skills for public and professional arenas, such as business, government, media, education and the ministry. Appropriate presentational technology is examined along with audience analysis andadaptation techniques. Offered every spring. Prerequisite: Communication 100.

Com 275 (2) Audio Production

A basic course that provides students with skills in writing and production of audio content for radio (e.g., commercials, promotional announcements, PSAs), and TV and film (multi-track recording, mixing, and sound effects). Course deals with announcing acoustics, microphones, and remote broadcasts. Required for broadcast journalism majors and other students desiring to work at KPLR. Offered fall and spring.

Upper-Division

COM 300 (3) NARRATIVE AND DOCUMENTARY FILM

A survey of narrative and documentary motion pictures, from Edison and Lumiere to the present. Course covers the historical, structural, technological, and aesthetic trends of motion pictures through the viewing and analysis of selected classic films that exemplify these trends. Course also includes readings and online discussion about issues of Christian faith and film. Offered fall 2008.

COM 310 (3) NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION

Theory and research on nonverbal aspects of speech communication, emphasizing the importance of time, space, body language, touch and vocalics. Offered each spring. Prerequisite: Communication 100.

COM 312 (3) GENDER AND COMMUNICATION–WS

A study of how the self-perception of men and women evolves as a function of cultural influences and the differences and similarities in the way each uses communication patterns.Offered spring 2010.

COM 315 (3) ORAL INTERPRETATION

Analysis of techniques of oral interpretation to develop reading skills, with intensive practice in various literary forms (prose, drama, and poetry). Offered fall 2008.

COM 330 (3) PERSUASION

Study of the social scientific theory and practiceof persuasion. Persuasion is situated within the broader notion of influence. Topics include persuasion tactics, audience analysis and research, and modern advertising practices. Offered fall and spring.

COM 340 (3) ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION

A study of traditional, modern, and post-modern approaches to organizational communication as well as its functions, forms and consequences. Provides a theoretical overview of management theory and gives practical insights for communicating in a variety of organizations. Offered fall and spring.

COM 345 (3) MANAGEMENT COMMUNICATION

An in-depth analysis of the primary issues in management communication including leadership, conflict, decision-making, and ethics. Students explore the communication abilities,dilemmas, and challenges confronting organizational leaders. Offered spring 2010.

COM 350 (3) ELECTRONIC MEDIA IN COMMUNICATION

Critical examination of forces that shape the history and future of electronic media in the United States. Primary attention is given to the role of regulatory law, economics, and technology. Offered spring 2010.
Prerequisite: Communication 150.

COM 365 (3) INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

A study of intercultural principles, processes, and topics including; verbal and nonverbal communication, perception, cultural values and expectations, and media impact. Students  develop an increased awareness, understanding, and appreciation of other cultures. Offered Spring 2009.

COM 390 (3) INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC RELATIONS

An introduction to the theory and practice of public relations. This includes public relations roles, publics, research, media relations, special events, and an introduction to cases and campaigns of public relations. This course considers the process of public information dissemination in business, educational, and nonprofit organizational settings. Offered every spring.

COM 405 (3) PUBLIC RELATIONS CASES AND CAMPAIGNS

This course involves the study and application of organizational policy objectives to public relations program development. It includes case studies from PR history as well as methods of audience research, data analysis and planning of strategic communication objectives. Students plan and execute a public relations program for an established organization. Offered Spring 2009.
Prerequisite: Communication 390.

COM 420 (1-2) COMMUNICATION PRACTICUM II

Continued application of communication concepts and skills. Requirements vary according to the activity developed in consultation with the instructor. Credit not applicable toward upper-division requirements in the department. May be repeated for up to a total of eight units. Graded Credit/NoCredit. Offered fall and spring.
Prerequisite: Prior university experience in applied communication activities.

COM 421 (3) INTERNSHIP IN COMMUNICATION

Participation in an internship supervised by departmental faculty. May be repeated up to a total of six units. Graded Credit/No Credit. Offered fall and spring.
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing.

COM 422 (1) PORTFOLIO CONSTRUCTION

Completion of a portfolio and supporting documentation for assessment and preparation for employment. Graded Credit/No Credit. Offered fall and spring.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

COM 425 (1) ADVANCED TELEVISION WORKSHOP

Planning, production and presentation of television programming for multiple audiences. Required of upper-division students working as staff for campus television channel. Group projects are viewed and critiqued by peers and the instructor for consideration of being included on the campus cable TV channel. May be repeated up to a total of six units. Offered fall and spring.
Prerequisite: Communication 243.

Com 435 (1) Advanced Audio Production

Required for broadcast journalism majors and students desiring to work at KPLR. Students are responsible for a minimum of 30-hours per semester of work, including music programming, news, sports, and station management. May be repeated up to a total of fours units. Offered fall and spring.
Prerequisite: Communication 275.

COM 442 (2) FIELD TELEVISION PRODUCTION

Television production and operations associated with field production including concepts and practices in scripting, producing, editing, and on-location directing with a single-camera format. Group projects are viewed and critiqued by peers and the instructor for consideration of being included on the campus cable TV channel. Offered spring 2010.
Prerequisite: Communication 225.

COM 443 (2) STUDIO TELEVISION PRODUCTION

Television production and operations associated with studio production including concepts and practices in scripting, producing, and directing for multi-camera studio production. Group projects are viewed and critiqued by peers and the instructor for consideration of being included on the campus cable TV channel. Offered spring 2009.
Prerequisite: Communication 225.

COM 445 (3) TELEVISION NEWS

An advanced course combining principles of journalistic writing and reporting with the field production techniques of television news. Students learn the basic concepts of reporting and producing a television news program and apply those concepts in a weekly newscast. Offered spring 2010.
Prerequisites: Writing 250, Communication 225.
Corequisite: Writing 312 (Broadcast Journalism majors only)

COM 450 (2) COMMUNICATION TRAINING ANDDEVELOPMENT

This course acquaints the prospective human resources trainer and/or consultant with the skills to design, implement, and assess communication instructional programs. Each participant in this experiential class develops a one-half daytraining program suitable for a professional audience. Offered fall 2008.
Prerequisites: Junior or Senior standing.

COM 460 (3) RHETORICAL THEORIES AND MODELS

Development of rhetorical theory and rhetorical criticism, from ancient Greece through the present, as mechanisms for generating and understanding public address. Offered fall 2009.

COM 465 (3) COMMUNICATION THEORIES ANDRESEARCH

Survey of contemporary approaches to human communication emphasizing theory development, epistemological perspectives, meaning negotiation, and research methodology. Participants complete an original research project that is publicly presented in a poster session. Offered fall and spring.
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing.

COM 480 (3) INDEPENDENT STUDY

This course may be setup by special request and arrangement. In order to be considered students may submit a portfolio and a project proposal. Students with approved projects will be appointed a mentor who is a professional in the Hollywood industry to supervise the project. Projects could include further development of a portfolio or reel, critical research, or a senior thesis project. The independent study option is not guaranteed and is intended for students with experience in a specific area of cinema or those needing to complete a senior project for graduation. The number of independent studies offered each semester is determined by Los Angeles Film Studies Center (LAFSC) faculty, the availability of a suitable mentor, and approval from the department chair.

COM 485 (2) COMMUNICATION, VALUES, AND SOCIETY

Senior seminar series focused on value-driven approaches to communication, applying a Christian perspective to real world contexts. Required of all majors in the department. Offered fall and spring.
Prerequisite: Senior standing.

COM 490 (1-3) SPECIAL STUDIES INCOMMUNICATION

Intensive study of a selected problem by an individual or group in the field of communication and theatre under the direction of a member of the department. May be repeated up to a total of six units.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Theatre

Lower-Division

TRE 101 (2) INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE–GE

Introductory theatre appreciation course. Historical and stylistic developments are studied as well as the elements of theatre. Includes basic terminology and instruction for aesthetic understanding of western theatre form. Offered fall and spring.

TRE 204 (3) ORIENTATION TO THEATRE

Entry level course for the student majoring in theatre as well as for those interested in a deeper understanding of the theatrical profession.Course includes study and discussion of critical issues within the arts as well as tours of local professional theatres, libraries, and bookstores. Offered each spring.

TRE 210 (1-2) THEATRE PRACTICUM I

Requirements vary according to the activity developed in consultation with the instructor. May be repeated up to a total of three units. Graded Credit/No Credit. Offered fall and spring.

TRE 250 (2) VOICE AND DICTION

Practical training in developing the speaking voice, articulation, and pronunciation through a variety of applications including stage, film, and broadcasting. Offered every spring.

TRE 270 (3) ACTING I

Development of basic acting techniques and vocabulary through exercises, character analysis, monologues, and scene work. Offered fall 2008.

Upper-Division

TRE 304 (3) THEATRE HISTORY

Creative study of theatre practice, trends, and styles from the Greeks to the present. Offered spring 2010.

TRE 350 (3) MUSICAL THEATRE

Exploration of the historical and theoretical approaches for this unique genre, as well as development of practical performances skills. Acting, directing, and choreographing is explored in workshop performances from representative musicals, in addition to attending and analyzing area productions. Offered spring 2010.

TRE 354 (3) MOVEMENT I

Introduction to the Laban “effort shaping” method. Essential for the study of mime, mask, and advanced stage movement techniques. Offered each fall.

TRE 370 (3) ACTING II

Advanced study of role interpretation, with emphasis on character analysis and scene work. Offered fall 2009.
Prerequisite: Theatre 270.

TRE 385 (2) DIRECTING

Consideration of aesthetic and technical aspects of stage directing. Focuses on script analysis and interpretation, conceptualization, and theatrical communication. Offered fall 2008. Prerequisites: Theatre 270 and 354.

TRE 420 (1-2) THEATRE PRACTICUM II

Prior university experience in applied theatre activities is required. Continued application of communication concepts and skills. Requirements vary according to the activitydeveloped in consultation with the instructor. Credit not applicable toward upper-division requirements in the department. May be repeated for up to a total of eight units. Graded Credit/NoCredit. Offered fall and spring.

TRE 421 (3) INTERNSHIP IN THEATRE

Participation in an internship supervised by departmental faculty. May be repeated up to a total of six units. Graded Credit/No Credit.
Prerequisite: Senior standing or consent of instructor.

TRE 422 (1) PORTFOLIO CONSTRUCTION PRACTICUM

Completion of portfolio and/or supporting documentation for evaluative instruments of performance assessment. Graded Credit/No Credit.

TRE 436 (2) STAGECRAFT TECHNIQUES

Study of production and stagecraft practice including selection of script, management, set and costume design and construction, props, and sound. Offered each spring.

TRE 437 (2) LIGHTING AND MAKEUP TECHNIQUES

Study of McCandless lighting theory and practice, as well as study of street and stage makeup techniques. Students complete practical exercises in design and application for both areas. Offered each spring.

TRE 451 (3) MOVEMENT II

Continuation of the Laban “effort shaping” method with emphasis on construction of a “movement piece.” Offered spring 2009.
Prerequisite: Theatre 354.

TRE 490 (1-3) SPECIAL STUDIES IN THEATRE

Intensive study of a selected problem by an individual or group in the field of theatre under the direction of a member of the department. May be repeated up to a total of six units. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

LOS ANGELES FILM STUDIES CENTER COURSES

The Los Angeles Film Studies Center (LAFSC) is a selective, off-campus cooperative program sponsored by the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) in partnership with Point Loma Nazarene University. Students must meet academic requirements and exhibit Christian commitment in order to be recommended to the program by PLNU, and the final selection is made by LAFSC. The program is open to students from any field of study and credits may be counted toward completion of the Media Communication major.

The following courses are offered at LAFSC only and are available to full-time students who have been accepted into the off-campus program:

COM 470 (3) HOLLYWOOD PRODUCTION WORKSHOP

A series of lecture/discussions focused on the development and integration of a Christian world-view as it relates to the Hollywood entertainment industry.

COM 471 (4) THEOLOGY IN HOLLYWOOD

A study of the relationship between film and popular culture, with emphasis on Christianity’s role in these arenas. The course examines how faith, film, and culture mutually influence one another.

COM 472 (3/6) INTERNSHIP: INSIDE HOLLYWOOD

Students participate in an internship experience in some aspect of the Hollywood film or television industry. These are non-paying positions primarily in an office setting such as development companies, agencies, personal management companies, production offices, etc. Orientation to the internship includes an overview of the creative and operational aspects of the Hollywood entertainment business, including the role of the Christian in entertainment. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

COM 473 (3) MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTION

An introduction to the theory and practice of motion picture filmmaking. Topics include familiarity with filmmaking equipment; basic motion picture techniques; converting idea to image; the use of lighting, editing and sound in film; and the role of acting, directing, and good storytelling in the filmmaking process.

COM 474 (3) PROFESSIONAL SCREENWRITING

An introduction to contemporary screenwriting, including an understanding of dramatic structure, character and dialogue development, and the writing process. Students complete a full-length screenplay for a feature film or “movie-of-the week.” Emphasis is given to the role of Christian faith and values as they relate to script content.

COM 475 (3) SEMINAR IN PRODUCING THE INDEPENDENT FILM

An introduction to the process of producing an independent feature film. Topics include legal structures, business plans, preproduction activities such as scheduling and budgeting, and an overview of the producer’s role in production, post-production, and distribution.

COM 476 (3) ACTING IN HOLLYWOOD

An introduction for the practice of acting in the Hollywood entertainment arena. Topics include the role of agents, managers, casting directors and the unions; equity waiver theatres and showcases; photos and resumes and an exploration of the audition process used for commercials, live theatre, film, and television.