COM BA Undergraduate Degree Courses

 

Introductory Course (3 credits)

COM 201 Introduction to Communication (3)
An overview of communication emphasizing intercultural, organizational and international communication and media arts with introduction to multimedia, ICTs, and public relations perspectives. *DS

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Foundation Courses (9 credits)

COM 310 Media Arts (3)
Combined lecture-discussion on theories and criticism of visual media, covering aesthetic development and delivery through multimedia and cinematic principles. A-F only. Pre: 201 (or concurrent) or consent. *DA

COM 320 Communication and Communities (3)
Combined lecture-discussion on communication within organizational communities and between organizations and their communities with attention to intercultural issues in local, global, and online interactions. Pre: 201(or concurrent) or consent. *DS

COM 330 Information and Communication Technology Concepts (3)
Combined lecture-discussion on basic technical concepts related to ICTs embedded in sociocultural context. Pre: 201 (or concurrent) or consent.

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300 and 400 Level Electives Courses (18 credits)

COM 331 Techniques of Video and Digital Cinema (3)
Orientation to techniques of production. Emphasis on history, language, and theory of the creative process and application to video production and multimedia. Pre: 310 or consent.

COM 337 Techniques of Multimedia (3)
Combined lecture-lab course providing an orientation to, and examination of, procedures and techniques of multimedia. Emphasis on new media literacy, human-computer interaction and basic design of electronic multimedia. Pre: 310 or consent.

COM 340 Intercultural Communication (3)
Problems and opportunities of communication in a variety of intercultural contexts. Focus on theory, research, and managing intercultural effectiveness. Pre: 201 or consent. *DS

COM 350 Mediated Interpersonal Communication (3)
Theory and practice of interpersonal communication from a social science perspective. Pre: 201 or consent. *DS

COM 390 (Alpha) Communications Workshops (V)
Short-term intensive workshops in Journalism and mass communication skills and projects. (B) workshop in new media; (C) workshop in reporting; (D) workshop in editing; (E) workshop in broadcast journalism; (F) workshop in public relations. Repeatable one time. Pre: 201 or consent. (Cross-listed as JOUR 390)

COM 401 Survey of Inquiry Methods in Communication (3)
Exploration of quantitative and qualitative research methods commonly used in communication studies and related to professional work. Pre: 201 or consent. *DS

COM 420 Communication in Multicultural Organizations (3)
Cultural diversity in multicultural and multinational organizations is examined regarding communication-related aspects of working life. Pre: 320 and 340 or consent. *DS

COM 421 Public Relations Strategies (3)
Practice and effects of public relations. Strategic management, techniques, new communication technologies, diverse publics, ethics, and social responsibility wiill be emphasized. A-F only. Pre: 201 or consent.

COM 431 Studio Production (3)
Studio production ranging from three-camera studio production to broadcast and magazine show formats to on-line web production. Fundamental knowledge of lighting, sound, blocking, and equipment competency. Pre: 201 or consent.

COM 432 Information and Communication Technology Services (3)
Combined lecture-discussion on situated use of ICTs in various personal and institutional settings. Pre: 201 or consent.

COM 433 Video Scriptwriting (3)
Application of communication theory to creating and revising commercial and dramatic script material for video production. Pre: 331 or consent.

COM 434 Video Production Lab II (3)
Creating, scripting, and producing complex programs. Media aesthetics and professional production, preparation, and execution are emphasized. Pre: 331 or consent. (NOTE: COM 434 will not be offered after Spring 2012)

COM 436 Media Effects (3)
Social, political, economic, and cultural effects of broadcast media are examined to understand their impact on human behavior. Pre: 201 and junior standing, or consent.

COM 437 Interactive Multimedia Design & Development (3)
The design, development, and evaluation of interactive computer-based multimedia communication. The course emphasizes authoring and production of such multimedia elements as full-motion images, audio, graphics, etc. Pre: 337 or consent. (NOTE: COM 437 will not be offered after Spring 2012)

COM 438 Telecommunication in the Pacific Hemisphere (3)
Development of international telecommunication with special emphasis on the evolution of wireless communication and the internet. Pre: 201 or consent. *DS

COM 444 Communication & Gender (3)
Theories, myths, and the missing links in gendered communication. Application of established and emerging theories of gender and communication to interpersonal, organizational, intercultural, and mass communication. Pre: 201 and junior standing, or consent. *DS

COM 451 Communication & Law (3)
Role of communication in the legal process; impact of law on communication processes. Pre: 201 and junior standing, or consent. (Cross-listed as JOUR 365) *DS

COM 452 Building Communication Theory (3)
Major theories of communication in terms of requirements for a theory, theory development, associated research, and application. Pre: 201 and junior standing, or consent. *DS

COM 459 Special Topics (3)
Topics of interest to faculty and students; taught by regular and visiting faculty. Repeatable on different topics to six credit hours. Pre: 201 and junior standing, or consent.

COM 460 Media Ethics (3)
Ethics and social responsibility for media professionals. Application of ethical theories and principles to case studies and research projects. A-F only. Pre: any 300-level course in ACM, COM or JOUR and junior standing; or consent. (Cross-listed as ACM 460 and JOUR 460)

COM 475 Global Communication (3)
Problems and opportunities of communication in a variety of international contexts. Focus on commerce, diplomacy, and mass communication. Pre: 201 or consent. (Cross-listed as JOUR 475) *DS

COM 480 Communication Seminar (3)
Application of theoretic and methodological criteria to researchable questions. Topics will vary. Pre: 201 and senior standing, or consent.

COM 489 Communicating Creativity (3)
The role of communication in fostering or inhibiting creativity. Exploration of theoretical bases for shared scientific or artistic creativity in communication research. COM major or consent. Pre: 201 and senior standing; or consent. (Once a year)

COM 490 Senior Thesis Project (3)
Completion of a thesis project appropriate to the selected area of concentration within the context of a seminar. Requirs a minimum of 4,000 words of graded writing. Pre: 201 and senior standing, or consent. (NOTE: COM 490 will be phased out after Spring 2012)

COM 495 (Alpha) Communication Internship (V)
Application of communication skills and knowledge. (B) community setting; (C) School of Communications activity. Under faculty supervision, interns participate in operations of an organization and analyze communication processes and effects. Maximum of three credits per semester; six credits total toward major. Pre: 201 or consent.

COM 499 Special Problems (V)
Independent study of selected topics under faculty supervision. Repeatable up to three credits. Pre: 201 and junior standing, or consent.

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Capstone Courses (3 credits)

COM 476 Capstone in Digital Cinema Production (3)
Creating, scripting, and producing complex programs. Media aesthetics and professional production, preparation, and execution are emphasized. COM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 310, 320, 330, and 331 or consent.

COM 477 Capstone in Interactive Multimedia Design and Development (3)
Design, development, and evaluation of interactive computer-based multimedia communication. Emphasizes authoring and production of such multimedia elements as full-motion images, audio, and graphics. COM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 310, 320, 330, and 337 or consent.

COM 478 Capstone in Communication in Communities (3)
Synthesize knowledge, apply research findings in service to community, and develop proposal for intervention or campaign. COM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 310, 320, 330; and 340 or 421; or consent.

COM 479 Capstone Project in ICTs and Policy (3)
Focus on specific ICT and policy problems related to Hawai'i and Asia-Pacific region. COM majors only. A-F only. Pre: 310, 320, 330; and 432 or 438; or consent.

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*DA = can be applied to the Art Diversification Requirements

*DS = can be applied to the Social Sciences Diversification Requirements