Applied Communications
A major in the Applied Communications professional degree program is meant for students who have already been working in communication, media and technology related fields and need to finish their college degree for advancement or career growth. The program takes advantage of the prior experience of students by not requiring introductory courses and also accounts for credits received from previous post-secondary education experiences in any field.
REQUIREMENTS: To successfully complete the Applied Communications major, the following coursework is required:
· 15 credits as listed under Major Component/Requirements
· 15 credits as listed under Major Electives
· 18 credits additional electives in a "focus area" in consultation with the advisor
· 37 CORE credits
· 36 General Electives
A minimum number of 120 credits are required for degree, the last 30 of which must be earned at La Roche University. (Developmental course work does not count toward the minimum number of required credits for graduation.
Summary of Requirements
Major Courses Required: 15 Credits
CMET2003COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CULTURES
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course begins with a focus study on communication factors which affect any cross-cultural interpersonal interaction. The students then survey specific differences between U.S. cultural customs and other of countries. Finally, the role of the media in intercultural relations is discussed.
CMET2005COMMUNICATION THEORY, RESEARCH AND CRITICISM
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course is an introduction to the application of theory and research to mass communication including Internet communication. In addition, the course provides a starting point for students in understanding and creating a critical perspective on mass communication through the lens of specific theoretical perspectives.
PREREQUISITES:
CMET1001 or SLSO1008
CMET3002NEW MEDIA AND DIGITAL COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course deals with the evolution of technology and the use of communications technology for business, entertainment and information. Through readings, discussion, group work and hands-on experience the class examines the social, cultural and economic aspects of communication technology.
CMET4001LEGAL ISSUES OF MEDIA AND DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course will examine the of laws and rules affecting various types of mass communication industries in the United States, i.e., broadcasting, cable communication, the Internet, advertising and journalism. The roles of the public, political leaders, research groups, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the First Amendment and the Supreme Court will be examined.
INQU3007GAME STUDIES
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
The course is an introduction to the significance of games through human history and their evolving role in the digital age. The course will include examining how games are made, logical progressions of play, how games can teach as well as create narrative structures similar to film, television and literature.
Major Electives: Choose 5: 15 credits
CMET3009SOCIAL MEDIA RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
The goal of this class is to help students understand the significance and meaning of social media to society and culture on both a large scale and on an individual basis. The class will include reading and conducting research on the effectiveness and effects of social media on individuals and on the larger scale of politics, business, education, society and culture. Research methods like surveys and focus groups as well as participant/observation will be used to help students gather data to answer specific questions about the short term and long term effects of social media.The origins, structures and business models of the major social media platforms will be examined along with some of the fringe apps which provide similar services but to smaller, niche audiences. The future of social media, including possible regulations, the changing marketplace, extensive use of artificial intelligence and virtual reality will also be considered.
CMET4005GAMIFICATION
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course will provide the student with a deep understanding of how a wide variety of games are produced by collaborative teams for purposes as varied as entertainment, training, marketing, sales, business and education. Students will be exposed to game logic, games for learning and training, and gamification concepts for a range of activities. Individual and group projects, research, surveys and simulations will all be major parts of the class learning activities. The social, cultural and economic implications and roles of games today and in the future will be examined.
PREREQUISITES:
CMET3007 or INQU3007
ENGL3034WRITING FOR ADVERTISING
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course is designed to teach students how to write advertising copy that targets various audiences and employs multiple venues: print, radio, TV, and the internet.
PREREQUISITES:
ENGL1012(H)
ENGL3035WRITING FOR BROADCAST AND SOCIALMEDIA
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
A course designed to give students practice in the writing of copy for the broadcast media. Included is the writing of news and sports reports, commercials, features and documentaries, interview techniques, and mini-dramas.
ENGL3064WRITING CREATIVE NONFICTION
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This course expands upon the material taught in Journalism I, Journalism II, and Readings in Creative Nonfiction by inviting students to produce multiple creative nonfiction pieces about, but not limited to, people, places, things, and personal essays.
FILM1020FILM PRODUCTION I
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
This introductory production class gives students the foundation for creating films. We will cover the basic use of a digital camera (Sony a6000), camera exposure for filmmaking along with the basics of camera shots, angles, and movement. Additionally, the course covers introductory levels of filmmaking for lights (3-point lighting set-ups, C-stands, clamps, flags, cutters, color temperature/gels),sound (portable recording; single & double system recording), and editing (Adobe Premiere Pro, including titles and basic effects and color tools). Students will learn chroma keying/green screen production and lighting for green screen. In the class, we create short films to demonstrate how these basic filmmaking tools are used to tell stories, influence emotions and connect to people through sound and images. Students will draw upon their experiences in Intro to Film & Visual Storytelling to craft a short individual film project (2-3 minutes). They will also work in small groups to produce a short film of any type (3-5 minutes).
MRKT2007ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS(ADMG2007)
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
A comprehensive study of advertising, detailing its relationship to marketing practice. Topics such as advertising preparation, media evaluation, market research, pricing and retailing problems are included. The role of public relations in an organizational communication program is also explained.Cross-listed with ADMG2007
PREREQUISITES:
ADMG2021 or MRKT2021
MRKT3050INTERNET MARKETING
Credits (Min/Max): 3/3
Marketers have been using electronic tools for many years, but the Internet and other new electronic technologies have created a flood of interesting and innovative ways to provide customer value. Internet Marketing is traditional marketing using electronic methods. It affects traditional marketing in two ways. First, it increases efficiency in established marketing functions. Secondly, the technology of E-marketing transforms many marketing strategies. The transformation results in new business models that add customer value and may increase company profitability. These new opportunities create many questions that are addressed in this course. How can firms leverage new technologies to maximum benefit? How much commitment should marketers make to Internet marketing programs?
PREREQUISITES:
ADMG2021 or MRKT2021