COMM
501 INTRODUCTION TO MASS COMMUNICATION THEORY
Covers selected topics in modern media and communication
research and addresses key concepts and debates at an advanced
level. Topics include history and concepts in mass communication
research, mass media and society, mass communication processes
and effects, mass media and social problems (e.g., children,
violence, advertising), media economics, and media and international
relations.
COMM
502 PUBLIC OPINION AND POLITICAL COMMUNICATION
Focuses on the close relation that has developed between
politics and mass communication in our times. Relevant topics
include: political communication; opinion polls and media
coverage; political socialization; political culture; election
campaigning; party publicity; political communication in
Britain and America; agenda setting; and political effects.
COMM
503 MEDIA EFFECTS
This course describes and analyzes the history and the theories
of the impact mass media have on the public. Offers an advanced
understanding of important issues: propaganda and rhetoric;
social movements and public communication campaigns; advertising;
and political communication. Theories and types of the audience,
the psychology of the audience, theories of attitude change
and social information processing are discussed.
COMM
504 RESEARCH METHODS IN MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION
Focuses on concepts and methods or research in media and
communication and application of various research techniques
selected from both the quantitative and qualitative research
paradigms: content analysis of the media; structural and
semiotic analysis; media effects design; survey research
and questionnaire design; descriptive and inferential statistics;
focus group discussions; interviewing; audience measurement;
and case studies.
COMM
511 MASS COMMUNICATION ETHICS AND LAW
Identification and analysis of ethical issues raised by
the media. Relevant topics include: history and evolution
of journalism and broadcast law; the ethical dimensions
of art and entertainment; invasion of privacy; copyright;
and ethics in cyberspace.
COMM
512 MEDIA MANAGEMENT AND ADVERTISING
This course emphasizes the commercially operated media and
includes an examination of marketing and promotion concepts
and the pragmatic strategies and techniques used by media
personnel to generate revenues through the sales of advertising.
Advertising campaigns, including their design and implementation,
are also a focus of the course.
COMM
513 NEWS PRODUCTION
Course designed to offer a complete understanding of the
news production process. It covers the following topics:
the genre of media news; social functions and relevant questions
about facts and values; research and reporting; writing
and editing; interviewing; broadcast news; documentary;
magazine editing and design; editorial writing and news
analysis; language; and law and free speech.
COMM
514 PUBLIC RELATIONS THEORY
Course designed to provide a complete understanding of the
organization and implementation of public relations: history,
theories and methods; analyzing goals; setting objectives;
designing messages, choosing channels, planning implementation
(budgeting, staffing, timetables); crisis management and
problem solving; evaluating effects; and marketing and advertising
techniques.
COMM
521 COMMUNICATION, CULTURE AND SOCIETY
The aim of this course is to provide an advanced analysis
of the social and cultural context of mass media. Relevant
topics include: theories of literature, society, culture
and ideology; popular and mass culture; media modernism
and postmodernism; cross-cultural communication and globalization;
advertising and consumerism; cultural studies; political
economy; and critical theory.
COMM
522 THEORY AND CRITICISM OF MEDIA PRODUCTION
Course where basic production techniques are reviewed in
order to analyze and evaluate the quality, intention, and
effects of production strategies: production and post production
techniques; technological determinism; negotiation of control
in media organizations; and public vs. private television.
COMM
530 TOPICS IN COMMUNICATION (offered at home campus)
Course about a particular area of mass communication not
covered comprehensively in one of the other advanced courses.
The topic for a given semester is announced prior to registration
for the semester, having been selected in response to student
needs and wishes.
COMM
540 PRACTICUM
Students may be assigned to on-the-job training positions
with communication organizations. Supervision will be provided
by an on-site professional as well as a faculty member.
Students are involved in various aspects of the mass communication
process (e.g., production of media content, management of
public relations campaigns, etc.). The master's practicum
consists of a minimum of 90 hours on site. In the end students
are asked to produce a report of 5,000 words describing
and accounting for their involvement. A grade of Satisfactory
or Unsatisfactory is assigned.
NON-PRACTICUM OPTION
COMM
550 THESIS / PROJECT
Students should provide a thesis or a research project of
not more than 10,000 words on a topic in media and communication
approved by the candidate's instructors.
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