Digital Media Studies, Journalism Emphasis (DGMJM.BA)

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Communication Arts

Journalism students train in the expanding world of the multimedia journalist, crafting information and visuals to best inform the public about what is happening in the world around them. The courses prepare students to use media to positively influence culture.

Degree Checklist

For a check list of all the courses required for this degree program and a suggested four-year sequence of study, please click on the link below.

General Education Requirements-Total Hours: 53-59

Click here for the General Education Core requirements.

This program requires six hours of foreign language at the intermediate level.

Specialty Area Requirements

Common Core

DIGM 200 - Introduction to Digital Media Credit Hours: 3

An introduction to the history, structure and practices of digital media. Discussion topics include commercial, legal, ethical, and social aspects of film, television and radio, the recording industry, the internet and other facets of present day media operations.

Prerequisites

None
DIGM 210 - Single Camera Applications and Aesthetics I Credit Hours: 3

An introduction to the basic principles and terminology associated with visual production in the modem digital environment. The course is first in a two course sequence that combines lectures and demonstrations with laboratory experience to cover the technical and creative aspects of digital media production. Perspectives on visual communication provide a theoretical foundation for practical consideration of equipment usage, story creation, production and editing. 

Prerequisites

DIGM 200 or COMM-200 or ARTS-200
DIGM 310 - Single Camera Applications and Aesthetics II Credit Hours: 3

This course is a continuation of the concepts and principles introduced in DIGM-210, with emphasis on media aesthetics and analysis, field audio, and digital video editing and effects. Students will utilize the concepts and skills acquired in the two-course sequence to produce a quality portfolio video project. 

Prerequisites

DIGM 210
DIGM 495 - Christianity and Media Credit Hours: 3

This capstone course is designed to provide Digital Media Studies majors with opportunities to study, discuss, defend and integrate a Christ-centered worldview. The course entails a comprehensive analysis of fundamentalist and evangelical Christianity's appropriation of media in a comparative context, giving attention to similarities and differences in various religious traditions. Students will examine how to integrate their faith into their careers and give practical responses to cultural and historical shifts in worldviews.

Prerequisites

COMM-200 or DIGM-200, and THEO-230 or THEO-231, and Senior Status.

Journalism Emphasis

DIGM 260 - Radio and Television Speech Credit Hours: 3

A skill-building course designed to equip the student with entry-level announcer skills for both radio and television performance. Includes exercises in pronunciation, script marking & reading, interviewing, newscasts, and ad-lib performances for radio and television. 

Prerequisites

COMM-200, or DIGM 200
COMM 250 - Basic Digital Photography Credit Hours: 3

An introductory class in the basics of digital photography.  Emphasis will be given to the technical and aesthetics of the art of photography and visual communication.   Basic PhotoShop will be used for post processing of digital images. 

Prerequisites

COMM-200 or DIGM-200 or ARTS-200
COMM 270 - Web Page Design Credit Hours: 3

An introductory course in graphic and web page design and development. This course introduces computer software for creating interactive web pages and web sites, featuring color schemes and basic design principles.

Prerequisites

COMM-200 or DIGM-200 or ARTS-200
COMM 282 - Principles of Journalism Credit Hours: 3

This course surveys the history and theories of journalism and introduces students to contemporary journalistic practices. Students will learn about the function and operation of print, electronic and online news media.

Prerequisites

COMM 200 or DIGM 200
COMM 305 - Communication Practicum Credit Hours: 1

This course provides practical experiences researching, planning, managing, writing, editing, designing and producing a variety of professional communication products in laboratory setting. Students develop their skills through work with the Lee Clarion, Vindagua or an assigned public relations client.  It is repeatable for credit.

Prerequisites

COMM-200 or DIGM-200
COMM 312 - Reporting and Writing (W) Credit Hours: 3

This course introduces techniques of journalism by developing the students' news gathering and writing abilities under deadline pressures. Emphasis is placed on news and feature writing for print, electronic and online news media.

Prerequisites

COMM 200 OR DIGM 200
COMM 410 - Media Law Credit Hours: 3

Examination of the legal and ethical aspects of publishing and broadcasting, with emphasis on freedom of the press, the right to know, copyright, libel, privacy, and obscenity.

Prerequisites

COMM 200 or DIGM 200
DIGM 365 - Innovation and Social Media Credit Hours: 3

A course designed to engage students in the social media world both practically and theoretically. Students will use key social media innovations and explore the implications of social media upon interpersonal interaction, business, marketing, politics, religion and human cognition.

Prerequisites

DIGM 200 or COMM-200 or ARTS 200
DIGM 400 - Internship Seminar Credit Hours: 1

A course designed to prepare students for their on-site workplace internship in their chosen discipline. This course is a prerequisite for the DIGM 401 Internship course.

Prerequisites

Junior or senior Digital Media Studies major or minor; COMM-200 or DIGM-200.
DIGM 401 - Internship Credit Hours: 2

A course designed to assist students in attaining practical skills in a specific digital media-oriented occupation. Academic credit depends on number of hours the student works at the internship placement.  All Digital Media Studies majors are required to take DIGM 401 (2 credit hours and 150 work hours).  Those completing this initial internship requirement may sign up for a second and third internship of DIGM 402 (1 credit hour and 100 work hours) or repeat DIGM 401 (2 credit hours and 150 work hours). 

Prerequisites

COMM-400 or DIGM-400 Internship Seminar.  This course is open to second semester junior and senior Digital Media Studies majors and minors.
COMM 362 - Feature Writing Credit Hours: 3

Introduces student journalists to the craft of creative non-fiction storytelling through narrative and other feature story types.  Students will cultivate their voices as writers while developing their reporting, researching, and interviewing skills as journalists.   Computer-assisted instruction.

Prerequisites

COMM-200 or DIGM-200

OR

DIGM 242 - Broadcast Journalism Credit Hours: 3

This course provides instruction and practice in the specialized field of writing and producing for broadcast journalism. Course content includes mechanics of news gathering, interviewing, writing and reporting.  Discussion topics include news values, ethical considerations and development of individual stories.

Prerequisites

ENGL 110
COMM 260 - Desktop Publishing Credit Hours: 3

A course that concentrates on the techniques of layout, writing and production of various publications, using prescribed computer hardware and software. Students will first become familiar with the computer and appropriate applications. Emphasis is then placed on the preparation of publication projects.

Prerequisites

COMM-200 or DIGM-200 or ARTS-200
COMM 271 - Advanced Web Page Design Credit Hours: 3

This is an advanced course in graphic and web development that will introduce the student to programming in web development as well as special techniques to show creativity. The course emphasizes new techniques and the practical aspects of web development versus the theories of designing. The course offers a thorough introduction to advanced software used in the web development industry.

Prerequisites

COMM-270
COMM 273 - Multimedia Design and Production Credit Hours: 3

This course will comprehensively examine the multimedia production process.  It will introduce, analyze, and review the hardware and software products necessary for success in the multimedia production industry.  A strong emphasis will be placed on a team approach in order to simulate the collaborative efforts so necessary for success in today's market place.

Prerequisites

COMM-200 or DIGM-200 or ARTS-200
COMM 331 - Photojournalism Credit Hours: 3

This intermediate class in photography focuses on the techniques and methods of photographing non-staged people, places, and events for publication or other commercial purposes.  Emphasis is placed on the documentary or storytelling quality of the visual image.  A digital SLR camera is required.

Prerequisites

COMM-250
COMM 332 - Advanced Digital Photography Credit Hours: 3

This class is designed to further the photography student's knowledge of the medium of digital photography in relation to the making of images and contemporary art as well as the manipulation of images through Photoshop.

Prerequisites

COMM 250
COMM 350 - International Communication Credit Hours: 3

This course introduces the key theories, concepts, and practices in the broadly defined field of international communication. Expanding knowledge beyond national borders, communication concepts are conceptualized through the lens of a Global Perspectives trip, teaching context-specific fundamental responsibilities and constraints.

Prerequisites

COMM-200 or permission of instructor.Co-requisite: GNST-251, 252, or 253 (Cross-Cultural Experience)
COMM 353 - Sport and Communication Credit Hours: 3

This course covers the basic principles and techniques of sport communication for collegiate and professional sports.  Students will also examine the interrelationship between sport and media in today's society. Students will consider the functions and ethical responsibilities of media and sports communication personnel as well as the societal effects and impact of sports media.

Prerequisites

COMM 200 or DIGM 200 or consent of instructor.
COMM 422 - Communication in Society Credit Hours: 3

Explores the theoretical and practical aspects of human communication and mass communication within culture. Both critical and institutional approaches will be studied. Specific areas will include the critical functions of language, relationship between interpersonal communication and the media, media values, and mediated reality within societies in both developed and underdeveloped countries.

Prerequisites

COMM 200 or DIGM 200
DIGM 315 - Multimedia Journalism Credit Hours: 3

A course designed to expose the student to the converged world of journalism and information sharing. Emphasis will be placed on combining the technical aspects of audio and visual image capturing and editing with journalistic story-telling techniques in ways to best communicate with the modern audience.

Prerequisites

DIGM-310 or consent of instructor.
DIGM 370 - Studio Production (Lab Required) Credit Hours: 3

This course provides practical experience in multi-camera studio television production and associated skills with emphasis on "team" approaches. Topics to be covered include personnel, equipment, and the creative and theoretical approaches to visual programming.  Requires co-requisite enrollment in DIGM 370L

Prerequisites

DIGM 210 or consent of instructor.
DIGM 375 - Studio Production II (Lab Required) Credit Hours: 3

A course that emphasizes the producing and directing aspects of multi-camera, studio-based television and video production.  Requires co-requisite enrollment in DIGM-375L.

Prerequisites

DIGM-370 
DIGM 480 - International Media Credit Hours: 3

Comparative analysis of the culture, economy and structure of global media. This course discusses the operation of international media worldwide.

Prerequisites

COMM-200 or DIGM-200
DIGM 491, 492, 493 - Contemporary Topics in Digital Media Studies Credit Hours: 1

Courses presenting various topics of contemporary interest. Topics will change each semester. Repeatable for credit as long as the topic is different with each enrollment.

Prerequisites

DIGM 200
DIGM 492 - Contemporary Topics in Digital Media Studies Credit Hours: 2

A course presenting various topics of contemporary interest. Topics will change each semester.

Prerequisites

DIGM 200
DIGM 493 - Contemporary Topics in Digital Media Studies Credit Hours: 3

A course presenting various topics of contemporary interest. Topics will change each semester.

Prerequisites

DIGM 200
ENGL 302 - The English Language Credit Hours: 3

This course is intended to give the student an in-depth look at the structure of the English language, focusing on traditional and alternative theories of grammar and principles of linguistics with applications for second-language acquisition.

Prerequisites

ENGL-110
ENGL 350 - Technical and Professional Writing (W) Credit Hours: 3

A course designed to teach students to design documents that communicate technical and professional information effectively and efficiently. Students will learn to analyze the linguistic and design features of existing documents. They will also analyze specific rhetorical situations to understand how audience, purpose, and context shape all professional communication. This course also focuses on ethical issues related to technical writing and the role technology plays in designing, developing, and delivering documents. A writing-intensive, service-learning course.

Prerequisites

ENGL 110
ENGL 362 - Introduction to Writing Creative Nonfiction (W) Credit Hours: 3

A study of the techniques of writing nonfiction by reading and critiquing established and original work in a writing workshop setting. 

Prerequisites

ENGL-110
ENGL 370 - Writing Articles for Markets (W) Credit Hours: 3

A survey of the techniques of writing commercial articles such as feature, memoir, religion and travel/hobby, with an emphasis on the preparation of materials for publication.

Prerequisites

ENGL-300
THEA 250 - Critical Writing About the Theatre Credit Hours: 3

A study of the art of theatre criticism and review, with emphasis placed on written analysis of theatrical performances, identifying key elements of productions, and critiquing performance choices.  Attendance at performance events is a required part of the course.

Prerequisites

ENGL-110

Specialty Area Subtotal Hours: 48

Electives-Total Hours: 13-19

Total Hours in Program: 120