Course Catalog

The course outlines different types, practices, and principles of public relations. It looks at some key frameworks and developments in PR theory and practice, offering a straightforward combination of theory and case studies. In an increasingly global context, it is also imperative to take into account the international and intercultural perspectives of PR.

This course provides an overview of political communication theories, modes, means and institutions and serves as an introduction to how communication scholars study politics and the media. We will cover prevalent political communication theories and trends, the relationship between political institutions and the press both in the US and in other countries, elections, debates, political campaigning and advertising, new media and politics, political socialization, education, politics and popular culture.

An advanced feature-writing workshop focused on techniques for long-form and investigative journalism. Students will gain experience in story ideas, researching, interview techniques, structuring feature articles. Emphasis will be placed on researching and data gathering for in-depth magazine and investigative reporting. This workshop will develop writing skills for careers in magazine style and investigative journalism on subjects selected by students. Articles can be published on the Peacock Plume website.

This course introduces students to audio and video storytelling for television and digital platforms. Class meetings will include the production of AUP’s weekly television news webcast. A significant amount of course time will therefore be devoted to mastering news writing skills and journalistic techniques such as interviewing, news scripting, etc. The course will also examine how news stories are produced for ear and eye, including the construction of various story formats. The classes will help the student understand the role of the broadcast reporter, through the study and discussion of current issues in audio visual journalism, historical development and the organization of news operations.

Gives students a basic overview of the process of producing audiovisual material for non-fiction radio and television, with an emphasis on broadcast news and documentaries; explores the various stages of news production, from the development of a story concept to completion of the finished program. The goal is to enable the student to achieve an understanding of the basic techniques, equipment and the role of key personnel in a professional news environment. Students who take this course may not take CM/FM 1019 Principles of Video Production.

This course will focus on approaches to writing about travel and cultures of places. Emphasize will be place on developing unique writing styles and “voices” and contributing articles to the Peacock magazine and Peacock Plume website Travel page. Students will gain insight into the changing set of processes linked to the practice of commodified travel and the way space for tourist use is represented and used. Urban place-making and branding strategies are examined as part of the journalistic approach to travel writing.

In the Age of the Enlightenment, the classification and organization of facts and objects gave birth to the concept of the modern 'museum'. This course investigates the construction and communication of national, cultural, and community identities through the medium of the contemporary museum, where material culture is exhibited to express narratives that evoke particular definitions and interpretations of history and values. Please note that an additional fee will be charged for this course.

Introduces a practical area of journalism or mass communications. Topics-oriented, and subject to change, the course is taught by a professional journalist, film-maker, or video maker. Options include: photojournalism, radio journalism, writing for magazines, and multimedia, depending on the availability of professionals and equipment. May be taken more than once for credit.

Examines how constitutional and statutory law define and protect media in different countries. Introduces students to libel law, copyright and author's rights, commercial rights issues, and variations across countries. Examines the role of government institutions and regulatory bodies in formulating policy on matters such as children's television and advertising regulation. Explores the process of self-regulation and issues of journalist's ethics.

Introduces theories of human-computer interaction and analyzes human factors related to the design, development, and use of Information Systems. Students will apply these theories with examples of design, implementation, and evaluation of multimedia user interfaces. The subject of this course is inherently interdisciplinary and the students attending the course normally represent several majors.