Communication Courses
COMM 115 • Intercollegiate Forensics • Individual (1 unit)
Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor required. As part of the forensics (speech and debate) team this course offers training and experience in individual events for the purpose of intercollegiate competition. More hours are required than listed in catalog. May be repeated up to four units.
COMM 116 • Intercollegiate Forensics • Debate (1 unit)
Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor required. As part of the forensics (speech and debate) team this course offers training and experience in parliamentary debate for the purpose of intercollegiate competition. More hours are required than listed in catalog. May be repeated up to four units.
COMM 119 • Publications • Newspaper (1 unit)
Prerequisite: Permission of the Instructor. Members of the class constitute the editorial staff of the college newspaper. Class meets weekly for critique on news reporting, writing, editing, makeup, and production of the campus newspaper. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 units.
COMM 201C • Speech Composition and Presentation (3 units)
This course is designed to provide the student with a general working knowledge of the fundamentals of speech communication. General requirements for speech preparation, composition and presentation will be covered. A foundation will be established upon which further speech development may transpire. Lab fee.
COMM 212 • History of Communication Studies (3 units)
A historical and interdisciplinary analysis of the development of communication and arts theories, concepts and practices from the classical rhetorical tradition to the present.
COMM 220 • Visual Storytelling (3 units)
An introduction to story structure, this course focuses on envisioning story ideas and developing those ideas into written formats for the screen.
COMM 222 • Photography (4 units)
Prerequisite: Communication major or permission of instructor. The science of film’s physical and compositional structure, the zone system, the measurement of light, experimentation with filters and exposure; all explored in depth with the still film camera. Lab Fee.
COMM 223 • Oral Interpretation of Literature (3 units)
This course is designed to introduce the student to the theory and practice of communicative reading performance. This course will provide the student with a focused view on analysis and oral interpretive performance of the literary forms of prose, drama, and poetry.
COMM 227 • Introduction to Cinema (3 units)
An introduction to the origination and development of motion picture images, this course offers a historical timeline approach to significant contributions in cinema style and artistic aesthetic.
COMM 258 • Christianity/Artistic Culture (3 units)
Combines film screening, critical analysis and theory to enable students to examine morality, ethics and screen portrayals pertaining to Christianity, gender, and ethnicity. The aim is to motivate students toward personal accountability and responsibility, as well as creative refinement and sophistication when producing media content.
COMM 273 • Visual Technology (3 units)
An introduction to the technological necessities of the Communication major. This course equips the student for future communication classes regardless of concentration or emphasis. Lab Fee.
COMM/PLST 290 • Introduction to Interpersonal Communication (3 units)
The primary elements of the communication process as it occurs between two persons in everyday settings. Among the topics considered are language and meaning, nonverbal communication, person perception, and self-concept. This course does not fulfill a core curriculum requirement.
COMM 291, 292, 293 • Special Topic (1, 2, 3 units)
Study of a special topic in communication. May be repeated for credit.
COMM 305 • Communication Theory and Research (3 units)
Prerequisite: MATH/SOCS 265C. Survey of classical and contemporary theories of communication. Special emphasis is placed upon reading, understanding, and conducting communication research.
COMM 309 • Graphic Design (4 units)
Students will learn industry standard graphics programs to create and develop visually invigorating work. Project management, presentational design, web design are elements of crucial engagement for this course.
COMM 315 • Intercollegiate Forensics • Individual (1 unit)
Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor. As part of the forensics (speech and debate) team this course offers training and experience in individual events for the purpose of intercollegiate competition. More hours are required than listed in catalog. May be repeated up to four units.
COMM 316 • Intercollegiate Forensics • Debate (1 unit)
Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor. As part of the forensics (speech and debate) team this course offers training and experience in parliamentary debate for the purpose of intercollegiate competition. More hours are required than listed in catalog. May be repeated up to four units.
COMM 317 • Creative Process—Theory and Practice (3 units)
This course will consider the theory and practice of creative communication. It will focus on creative problem-solving strategies and on sharpening communication skills to stimulate higher levels of creativity.
COMM 318 • Nonverbal Communication (3 units)
This course will serve as an introduction to nonverbal communication in everyday interaction. That includes the scholarship and research supporting our understanding of nonverbal communication to improve the student’s knowledge as a communication expert. Aspects of body movement, facial expressions, eye behavior, physical appearance, voice, touch, space, smell, time and environmental features will be examined. Emphasis will also be placed on the intercultural dimension of nonverbal communication.
COMM 319 • Publications • Newspaper (1 unit)
Prerequisite: Permission of the Instructor. Members of the class constitute the editorial staff of the college newspaper. Class meets weekly for critique on news reporting, writing, editing, makeup, and production of the campus newspaper. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 units.
COMM/ENGL 320 • Journalism Principles (3 units)
Prerequisite: ENGL 120C. Fundamentals of writing and publication, including editing and administration, news gathering, feature writing, editorials, advertising, and the problems of publishing.
COMM 326 • History of International Cinema (3 units)
An introduction to diverse talents of Cinema in many different cultures, particularly major Japanese, Russian, German, Indian, Swedish, French, Italian and Latin American contributions to the world of film over the last century.
COMM 327 • Directing for Film and Digital Media (3 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 329. An in-depth study of the professional craft of directing, this course offers insights into the development of an actor’s vocabulary, script analysis, handling pressure on-set, conflict management, communicating a vision, and trusting your filmmaking intuition.
COMM 329 • Digital Audio and Video Principles (4 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 220 and COMM 273. An introduction to pre-production, crew responsibilities, equipment rental, single camera operation, basic non-linear editing, field recording and post-production sound. This class includes lectures, screenings and hands-on assignments.
COMM 331 • Television Advertising (3 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 273. A survey of the advertising industry with emphasis on the role of television as an advertising medium. Students will research, design, and present an advertising campaign.
COMM 333 • Small Group Leadership (3 units)
Study of the research into and theory of small group dynamics, particularly leadership. Exercises in problem solving in small groups. Study of conflict management.
COMM 336 • Screenwriting Principles (3 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 220. This course will focus on screenwriting fundamentals. Students are introduced to the craft, taught basic screenplay format and over the course of the semester, students write the first act of a feature screenplay.
COMM 339 • Producing for Television and Film (3 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 329. Exploration of the role of the independent producer and how a concept is taken through the steps of development, financing, scheduling, production, marketing, and distribution.
COMM/ICST 345 • Intercultural Communication (3 units)
The process of communication as it applies to cross-cultural situations, i.e., where the respective participants in the process are members of distinctly separate cultural groups. The problems peculiar to such communicative settings and potential solutions to those problems.
COMM 350 • The Network (2 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 329. Through the lens of traditional network programming, students learn the development, testing, production and advertising needed to create successful programming in the online technological frontier.
COMM 351 • Documentary / Ethnographic Film Production (4 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 329. An introduction to the history of documentary filmmaking, an emphasis on camera frame choices, the interview process, choosing subjects wisely and the gender, historical and cultural significance of creating ethnographic film.
COMM 353 • Cinematography (4 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 222 and 329. Hands-on intensive training and experimentation with 8mm and 16mm motion picture camera and film stocks, with an emphasis on set production roles and lighting techniques. Lab Fee.
COMM 354 • News, Sports, and Media Broadcasting (4 units)
Prerequisites: COMM 329. Students will gain performance, writing and producing skills in news anchoring, reporting, interviewing in the sports and broadcast media arena. Important events in broadcasting history, industry terminology and networking in the broadcasting arena will be seen via actual footage analyzed, and discussed. Assignments include conducting talk shows, hosting, news team anchoring, live video broadcast. Lab Fee.
COMM 358 • Writing the Short Screenplay (3 units)
Prerequisites: COMM 329 and COMM 336. Students will learn to economize and tell a story within a very restrictive set of parameters. Students will pitch their screenplays and one will be chosen to be made into a 16mm short in Film Production.
COMM 362 • Contemporary Issues in Public Discourse • Religious, Political and Social Issues Communication (3 units)
Critical analysis of the rhetorical nature of various forms of religious political and social issues communication found in contemporary American society. Topics include • Current evangelistic movements, religious personalities, political communication in modern presidential administrations, political personalities, abortion, and euthanasia rhetoric.
COMM 364 • Organizational Communication (3 units)
This course examines the inter-relationships between management and communication theories. The microsystems and macrosystems within an organization are emphasized in terms of intrapersonal, interpersonal, small group and organizational communication theories.
COMM 365 • Sound Design (4 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 329. This course is an exploration into the orchestration of the diagetic and non-diagetic sound elements created for a film.
COMM 374 • Gender Communication (3 units)
This course examines the connections between language use and gender. Current research will be studied and topics may include • Conversational interactions, power, inequality and public versus private language use.
COMM 376 • Interracial Communication (3 units)
Surveys how race influences the communication process. Major issues of race and ethnic relations and how each affects interracial communication are considered. Major theories of interracial communication, the universal human processes which contribute to racial differences, and the practical approaches to communicating more effectively with persons from the other and same races.
COMM 377 • Animation (4 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 329. A multi-faceted approach in history, technique and creation of animation, this course includes flip book, clay, collage, drawing workshops, traditional cell animation, flash animation and an introduction to 3-D. You do not have to "know how to draw" in order to take this course. Lab Fee.
COMM/MRKT 378 • Public Relations • Corporate Communication, Information Management (3 units)
This course examines the management and control of information within a corporate body. Students will deal with single concepts, such as shaping and producing highly focused advertisement, press releases, fact sheets, backgrounders, etc. Students will be expected to create and present detailed approximations of final, printed projects sufficiently clear and detailed as to convince a client of the viability of the various solutions.
COMM/MRKT 380 • Public Relations • Corporate Communication, Projects and Campaigns (3 units)
This course examines corporate projects and campaigns. Students will deal with complex issues and the development of crisis management responses, delta management, downsizing, marketing strategies, new product roll-outs, and customer-employee communication.
COMM 403 • Readers Theatre (3 units)
This course focuses on group reading performance and scriptwriting for group performance. Topics discussed • Readers Theatre for the church, Interviewing/Ethnographic Practice and writing the ethnodrama, chamber theatre for children and adults, and writing and performing personal narratives.
COMM 441 • Special Effects in Production (4 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 329. The history, theory and technique of special effects for motion pictures and digital media. Students will learn the process of optical illusions, compositing video material, working with mattes, rotoscoping, motion tracking, color matching, using models and miniatures, and keying techniques for special effects in films and digital media. Lab fee.
COMM 442 • Non-Linear Editing for Motion Pictures (4 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 329. This course offers a comprehensive approach to the theory and practice of editing motion pictures. The course will begin with the basic fundamentals of editing technique, progress through the foundations of both industry standard programs Final Cut Pro and Avid, and offer advanced digital solutions by the end of the semester. Lab Fee.
COMM 444 • Argumentation and Debate (3 units)
Study of the theory and principles of argumentation and debate. Analysis of lines of argumentation found in the contemporary social, political, and religious scenes. Study of techniques of debating. This course does not fulfill a core curriculum requirement.
COMM 445 • Persuasion (3 units)
Study of the research and theory of persuasion. Presentation of several persuasive speeches. This course does not fulfill a core curriculum requirement.
COMM 447 • Ethnographic Communication Research (3 units)
This course is designed to introduce students to the techniques, theories, and debates concerning ethnographic fieldwork and its application to the field of communication studies.
COMM 450 • Internship (1-3 units)
Prerequisite: Must have consent of instructor and Department chair. Must be in junior or senior standing. Students may seek a position which relates to their major with a cooperating business in the communication industry. Students are required to work fifty hours for each academic unit hour received. A weekly report to the supervising professor is required. Repeatable up to six units.
COMM 451 • Motion Graphic Design (4 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 273. This advanced course introduces students to title and motion graphic design for film, High Definition, and digital media. Techniques include layer-based compositing, interactive menu design and special effects.
COMM 452 • Advanced Interpersonal Communication (3 units)
This course examines the pragmatic and research approaches to the study of interpersonal communication.
COMM 455 • Communication Teaching Internship (1-6 units)
Prerequisite: Open to juniors or seniors with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or above. Must have the consent of the instructor and the Department chair. Regular hours each week for classes and/or meetings are established at the beginning of the semester. The teaching intern helps an instructor in planning and conducting a course and/or research session. This course may be taken for 1-3 units per semester. May be repeated for a maximum of six units.
COMM 457 • Game Design and Development (4 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 329. An introduction to game design and development with a focus on 3d content creation, programming, and asset production. This course also focuses on the skills, mechanics and ethical aspects of mind/game play.
COMM 459 • Film Production (4 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 329. This course is an in-depth practical application of story development, the pitch process, fundraising, producing, cinematography, non-linear editing for film, sound design, and scoring in order to create one 16mm color film where each class member serves a particular crew position. Lab Fee.
COMM 462 • High-Definition Production (4 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 329. An in-depth exploration of 24p and High-Definition digital video technologies, cameras, and editing processes introducing students to a professional workflow for film and commercial projects. Lab fee.
COMM 464C • Media Criticism (3 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 305. This course is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the nature and function of media criticism; survey of approaches, theories, and the systems of rhetorical analysis from classical to contemporary models. Practice in critical appraisal of various types of media communication.
COMM 467 • Culture and Rhetoric of Pentecostalism (3 units)
This course will look at the evolution of Pentecostal rhetoric from its inception to the present day along with its various forms and themes. Several key Pentecostal rhetors throughout the history of the movement will be discussed and studied in depth. It will consider Pentecostalism as a cultural phenomenon, and survey the various cultural manifestations and expressions of the movement both in the United States and around the world.
COMM 470 • Special Topics (1-4 units)
Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor. Study of a special topic in the areas of Communication Studies and TV and Film. May be repeated for credit. May include a lab requirement and lab fee.
COMM 478 • Filmmakers Series (3 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 329. A forum and guest lecture series featuring important directors, producers, screenwriters and artists who have created a lasting artistic, ethical, social, or cultural impact on the industry. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 units.
COMM 480 • Individual Studies (1-3 units)
Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor and Department chair. May be repeated for credit.
COMM 483 • The Recording Studio in Production (4 units)
Prerequisite: COMM 329. Hands-on-training in recording studio operation and production technique for film, and digital media.
COMM 495a • Senior Project • Film
Prerequisite: Senior standing and approval of professor. The student writes, directs, or serves in a production role (cinematographer, editor, production sound, sound designer), on a faculty approved film, video, documentary animation, or commercial project into final form for festival distribution. Lab fee.
COMM 495b • Senior Project • Reel
Prerequisite: Senior standing. The student refines and finished the extent of their production experience on DVD as a business card for the professional world. Lab fee.
COMM 495d • Senior Project • Script or Publication
Prerequisite: Senior standing and approval of professor. The student creates a three-act polished screenplay or publication for distribution. Lab fee.
Los Angeles Film Studies Center (LAFSC) Courses
Because VU is a participant in LAFSC, students attending VU can take the following courses during a semester-in-residence in Burbank, CA. For more information, visit their website: http://www.bestsemester.com/lafsc
LA 325 • Internship • Inside Hollywood (6 units)
Students participate in an internship experience in some aspect of the Hollywood entertainment industry. These are nonpaying positions primarily in an office setting such as development companies, agencies, producer's offices, etc. Students work 20 to 24 hours a week throughout the entire length of the semester.
LA 342 • Motion Picture Production (3 units)
This is an intense, hands-on course in short film production. Students individually write, shoot, direct, and edit their own projects. Visual storytelling is achieved through developing skills in directing, cinematography, and editing. This course is designed to enable both novice and advanced students to develop their integration of story with technical skill. This course is taught by professional, experienced Christian filmmakers with credits in the Hollywood industry.
LA 350 • Hollywood Production Workshop (3 units)
Students work collaboratively in groups to create a festival-ready piece, including all the legal documentation and rights to enable the finished production to qualify for festival submission. The course offers students the opportunity to make a motion picture production using Hollywood locations, resources, and protocol. Students participate in a competitive vetting process of scripts, pitches, and meetings much like the process of the professional industry. For example, those who want to direct submit reels for a review by a selection panel. This course operates as a community building experience in which all students participate in at least one key role in the production process. The course also offers small group tutorials for each student’s production position. The workshop environment is specifically designed to meet the needs of both novice and experienced students. The major emphases of the course are the importance of each contribution to a production, the process of production, and effective production management. This course compliments the more specialized, skill-focused, elective courses and is taught by professional, experienced Christian filmmakers with credits in the Hollywood industry.
LA 364 • Theology in Hollywood (4 units)
This course will provide students with basic theological underpinnings for their lives as entertainment artists and professionals, or as consumers. Discussions, screenings and readings will seek to place the student's work of entertainment creation in the context of the Christian's call to serve and spread the Gospel to the whole world.
1. We will consider the intersection of cinema, entertainment, art and theology through 21st Century culture, cinema and the culture of Hollywood. Various approaches to film criticism will be considered as well as minor emphasis given to film history out of which 21st century cinema arises. The goal is insight into the relationships between film and theology and the creation of entertainment with spiritual depth and artistic rigor.
2. We will consider the ethical issues that define the entertainment industry, the engagement and meaningful response of believers in Hollywood seeking to be "shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves."
3. Finally, we will consider the spiritual challenges of living as an apostle in the entertainment arena and explore this vocation and call.
LA 374 • Professional Screenwriting (3 units)
This is a course in 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.” Whether novice or advanced, students are expected to develop and improve their skills. Emphasis is given to the role of the Christian faith and values as they relate to script content. The course is taught by a working, credited Christian screenwriter.
LA 388 • Independent Study (3 units)
This course may be set up 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.
Please Note: 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 will be determined by LAFSC faculty, the availability of a suitable mentor and approval from your school's film/communication department head.