Academic Catalog 2023-2024

COM - Communication Studies

COM 1000  Principles of Human Communication (FE)  (3 Units)  

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.

COM 1050  Introduction to Media Communication  (3 Units)  

Explores the development and influences of mass media (books, newspapers, magazines; film; radio, television, and internet) in contemporary society. Considers the rights and responsibilities of producers and consumers of mass communication.

COM 1075  Scriptwriting for Television and Film  (3 Units)  

A survey of the process, forms, and techniques for writing scripts for television and film. This includes advertising and public service announcements (PSAs), documentary, corporate training and promotion, news and sports, interview shows, reality shows, drama, comedy, and short films. This course also includes the laws and ethics of scriptwriting, and preparing for working in the television and film media.

COM 1090  Interpersonal Communication  (3 Units)  

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.

COM 2010  Communication Practicum I  (1-2 Units)  

Requirements vary according to the activity developed in consultation with the instructor.

May be repeated up to a total of eight (8) units. Credit/No Credit.  
COM 2020  Small Group Communication  (3 Units)  

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.

COM 2031  Argumentation and Debate (FE)  (3 Units)  

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.

COM 2041  Audio Production  (2 Units)  

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 Point Radio.  
COM 2043  Introduction to TV and Film Production  (3 Units)  

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 Point TV YouTube channel.

COM 2050  Intercultural Communication  (3 Units)  

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.

COM 2065  Introduction to Research in Communication  (3 Units)  

This course introduces students to disciplinary expectations for research in communication, including source evaluation and citation, and equips them to review literature, select methods, and propose ethical research in communication from qualitative and quantitative perspectives.

COM 3000  Narrative and Documentary Film  (3 Units)  

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.

COM 3010  Nonverbal Communication  (3 Units)  

Theory and research on nonverbal aspects of speech communication, emphasizing the importance of time, space, body language, touch and vocalics.

COM 3012  Gender and Communication  (WS)  (3 Units)  

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.

COM 3013  Television News Production  (3 Units)  

Combines principles of journalistic writing and reporting with field production techniques of television news. Students learn the basic concepts of reporting and producing a variety of television news stories, from simple anchor readers to complex packages.

Prerequisite(s): COM 2043 and JRN 2050  
Pre or Corequisite(s): JRN 3012  
Corequisite(s): COM 3013 and JRN 3012 are corequisites and must be taken in the same semester.  
COM 3015  Oral Interpretation  (3 Units)  

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

COM 3030  Persuasion  (3 Units)  

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

COM 3040  Organizational Communication  (3 Units)  

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.

COM 3045  Leadership Communication  (3 Units)  

An examination of contemporary theories and research related to the communication of leadership in organizational settings, including ethical leadership and followership, organizational culture, the nature of power, vision, and creativity in leadership.

COM 3050  Electronic Media in Communication  (3 Units)  

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.

Prerequisite(s): COM 1050  
COM 3060  Professional Speaking for Career Settings  (3 Units)  

Advanced exploration of the theory, preparation, and delivery of presentations for professional arenas, such as business, government, media, education, and ministry. Practical application will also include an emphasis on technology and the stewardship of communication practices.

Prerequisite(s): COM 1000 or COM 2031  
COM 3071  Professional Acting for the Camera (offered for the Film Studies concentration @ the Los Angeles Film Studies Center - LAFSC)  (3 Units)  

An advanced workshop in the practice and process of acting for the camera aimed at students who have a desire to pursue acting as a career. Instruction includes an overview of current camera acting techniques and thorough discussion of the art of acting. The class primarily consists of acting scene work with all scenes being filmed and critiqued on the big screen. Students will also be required to pursue roles in student and independent films. Several class sessions throughout the course will be devoted to the business of acting for film and television in the Hollywood entertainment industry with an emphasis given to developing the materials and relationships necessary for a successful career.

COM 3090  Introduction to Public Relations  (3 Units)  

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.

COM 3095  Media Literacy  (3 Units)  

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, research, and media ethics 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.

Prerequisite(s): Junior or Senior Standing.  
COM 4000  Sundance Film Festival  (1 Unit)  

Students critically analyze the aesthetics and themes presented in Sundance Film Festival films while attending the festival in Park City, Utah. Participants pay a course fee on top of block tuition, attend film screenings and forums, and complete course assignments including a final project.

In the event that more students are interested in taking the course than spots are available, priority will be given 1st to Media Communication majors, and 2nd in order of seniority (seniors, juniors, etc.) to ensure as many students as possible can participate while attending PLNU.  
COM 4005  Public Relations Cases and Campaigns  (3 Units)  

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.

Prerequisite(s): COM 3090  
COM 4013  Advanced Television News Production  (3 Units)  

Provides students with the theory and organization of newscasts, as well as skills in conducting live news remotes, coordinating newscasts, supervising news personnel, anchoring, using news production software, and applying advanced reporting skills in various news situations.

Prerequisite(s): COM 3013 and JRN 3012  
COM 4014  Long-Form Broadcast News  (3 Units)  

Focuses on the development of skills at in-depth storytelling through radio and television news production. Students learn to research, script, and produce stories, while applying aural and visual news presentation techniques.

Prerequisite(s): COM 3013 and JRN 3012  
COM 4020  Communication Practicum II  (1-2 Units)  

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 up to a total of eight (8) units. Credit/No Credit.  
Prerequisite(s): COM 1075 for Screenwriting; COM 2043 for Production Project. Prior university experience in applied communication activities.  
COM 4021  Internship in Communication  (3 Units)  

Participation in an internship supervised by departmental faculty.

May be repeated up to a total of six (6) units. Credit/No Credit.  
Prerequisite(s): Junior or Senior standing.  
"C" Designation is for California Internships. "E" Designation is for Out of State Internships.  
COM 4022  Portfolio Construction  (1 Unit)  

Completion of a portfolio and supporting documentation for assessment and preparation for employment.

Credit/No Credit.  
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.  
COM 4025  Advanced Television Workshop  (1-3 Units)  

Planning, production and presentation of television and film programming for multiple audiences. Group projects are viewed and critiqued by peers and the instructor for consideration of being included on the Point TV website and YouTube pages.

Required for upper-division students working as staff for the Point TV leaders. May be repeated up to a total of six (6) units.  
Prerequisite(s): COM 2043  
COM 4035  Advanced Audio Production  (1 Unit)  

Students are responsible for a minimum of 30-hours per semester of work, including music programming, news, sports, and station management.

Required for students desiring to work for the student radio station. May be repeated up to a total of four (4) units.  
Prerequisite(s): COM 2075  
COM 4042  Field Television Production  (3 Units)  

Film and 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 Point TV and YouTube websites.

May be repeated up to a total of six (6) units.  
Prerequisite(s): COM 2043  
COM 4043  Studio Television Production  (3 Units)  

Film and 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 Point TV and YouTube websites.

May be repeated up to a total of six (6) units.  
Prerequisite(s): COM 2043  
COM 4050  Communication Training and Development  (2 Units)  

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 day training program suitable for a professional audience.

Prerequisite(s): Junior or Senior standing; Organizational Communication major or consent of instructor.  
COM 4050L  Communication Training and Development Lab  (1 Unit)  

An optional lab course designed for applied practice and formative assessment of principles of training and development.

Corequisite(s): COM 4050  
COM 4060  Rhetorical Theories and Models  (3 Units)  

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

COM 4065  Communication Theories and Research  (3 Units)  

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.

Prerequisite(s): Junior or Senior standing and COM 2065 or consent of instructor.  
COM 4070  Hollywood Production Workshop (offered for the Film Studies concentration @ the Los Angeles Film Studies Center - LAFSC)  (4 Units)  

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 4071  Faith and Artistic Development in Film (offered for the Film Studies concentration @ the Los Angeles Film Studies Center - LAFSC)  (3 Units)  

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 4072  Internship: Inside Hollywood (offered for the Film Studies concentration @ the Los Angeles Film Studies Center - LAFSC)  (6 Units)  

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(s): Consent of instructor.  
COM 4073  Narrative Storytelling (offered for the Film Studies concentration @ the Los Angeles Film Studies Center - LAFSC)  (3 Units)  

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 4074  Professional Screenwriting (offered for the Film Studies concentration @ the Los Angeles Film Studies Center - LAFSC)  (3 Units)  

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 4080  Independent Study (offered for the Film Studies concentration @ the Los Angeles Film Studies Center - LAFSC)  (3 Units)  

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 4085  Communication, Values, and Society  (2 Units)  

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.  
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing.  
COM 4090  Special Studies in Communication  (1-3 Units)  

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 (6) units.  
Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.  
COM 4092  Independent Study  (1-3 Units)  

Independent investigation, under the direct supervision of a faculty member, of a specific issue relevant to the study of communication.