coms 359: interactive media production
This course addresses the technologies and techniques of interactive multimedia production. The course considers interactive methodologies, multimedia production approaches, and content design for web-based delivery. Students will learn and practice critical reading of interactive programs, examining content design, presentation methodology, and general effectiveness. They will engage in the production process, designing and producing multimedia programs in HTML for specific applications. And they will cooperate to assess and to evaluate the design and effectiveness of each others work.

coms 465: computer-mediated communication
This undergraduate seminar engages students in a critical investigation of computer-mediated communication technologies, which includes but is not limited to the Internet, cyberspace, and virtual reality. The course has both a theoretical and practical component. On the one hand, seminar members examine the significance and consequences of computer-mediated communication (CMC), researching its economic, social, political, and philosophical effects. On the other hand, they gain practical experience with the technologies and techniques of computer-based communication and information systems. Students will learn how to use the Internet as a tool for communication and research, explore virtual worlds, examine multimedia architecture, and create web pages. The seminar, therefore, not only investigates the structure, significance and consequences of CMC but fosters cultural literacy with respect to these new technological forms.

coms 469: interactive media production II
This production seminar addresses advanced technologies and techniques for developing interactive multimedia over the web. The course considers client and server side scripting languages (JavaScript and PHP/MySQL) for creating dynamic web pages and database driven content. Students will produce two interactive media projects for web delievery. The first will address web-based training or education; the second will consist of a site for e-commerce. Both projects will be created in conjunction with a client or content expert.

coms 647: communication technology
This graduate seminar engages students in a critical investigation of new communication technology, which includes but is not limited to the Internet, hypertext, interactive media, and virtual reality. The course has both a theoretical and practical component. On the one hand, seminar members examine the significance and consequences of communication technology, researching economic, social, political, and philosophical effects. On the other hand, they gain practical experience with the technologies and techniques of computer-based communication systems. Seminar members will learn how to examine and assess technology, explore interactive and hypertext information systems, and create original research projects for web publication. The seminar, therefore, not only investigates the structure, significance, and consequences of communication technology but fosters cultural literacy with these new technological forms.

COMS 450: instructional media
This seminar addresses the technologies and techniques of video production for education and training. The course considers instructional methodologies, critical pedagogy, and content design for both traditional (linear) and interactive (non-linear) video programs. Seminar members will practice critical reading of instructional media and training programs, examining content design, presentation methodology, and general effectiveness. They will engage in the production process, writing, producing and editing educational/training video programs in both tape and interactive formats. And they will cooperate to assess and to evaluate the design and effectiveness of each others work.

COMS 455: media law & ethics
This seminar provides an introduction to the legal and ethical issues surrounding mediated communication. The course fosters both a functional and critical understanding of the legislative acts and juridical decisions that are most relevant to professionals in the field of communication. The seminar is topics oriented, engaging seminar members in an examination of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, libel, privacy, obscenity, and electronic media regulation. Instruction is interactive and achievement is evaluated through examinations.

coms 467: corporate scriptwriting
This practicum concerns scriptwriting for non-broadcast media, which includes but is not limited to corporate training, employee orientation, public service, public relations, corporate image, and product demonstration. The course considers content design and presentation methods for both traditional formats (film and video) and interactive systems (multimedia CD-ROM, web pages, etc.). Seminar members will practice critical reading of corporate media programs, examining content design, presentation methodology, and general effectiveness. They will engage in the scriptwriting process, producing video and multimedia scripts for specific clients and objectives. And they will gain practical experience with client relations and project presentations.