Introduction to the structure, process, and logic of quantitative empirical research in communication. Topics include research design, measurement, descriptive and inferential statistics, and basic multivariate analysis. Students acquire an ability to critique various methodological approaches and techniques. Preparation for more advanced courses. Required of all Communication graduate students.

Students work individually or in small groups to devote the entire semester's class time to the creation and completion of a substantial media project: e.g. short narrative film, documentary, music videos, TV or Web series, etc. Students are required to have a script or outline of the project prior to the start of the semester so that projects will commence production shortly into the semester and move on to completion of post-production, including creation of a soundtrack; run test screenings; develop marketing strategies for distribution and/or festival exhibitions.

This course aims to further understanding about 1) historical trends in media portrayals and public opinion about LGBT issues; 2) the effects of mass media on attitudes toward sexual and gender minorities; 3) the interplay of LGBT issues and electoral politics; and 4) the evolving role of sexuality and gender identity/expression in U.S. politics and society.

The Commonwealth Honors College thesis or project is intended to provide students with the opportunity to work closely with faculty members to define and carry out in-depth research or creative endeavors. It provides excellent preparation for students who intend to continue their education through graduate study or begin their professional careers. The student works closely with their 499Y Honors Research sponsor to pursue research on a topic or question of special interest to them in preparation for writing a 499T Honors Thesis or completing a 499P Honors Project.

Honors Thesis expectations are high. The intended end-product is a traditional research manuscript with accompanying artifact(s), all theses: - are 6 credits or more of sustained research on a single topic, typically conducted over two semesters. - begin with creative inquiry and systematic research. - include documentation of substantive scholarly endeavor. - culminate in an oral defense or other form of public presentation.

Honors Project expectations are high. The intended end-product is a traditional project manuscript with accompanying artifact(s), all projects: - are 6 credits or more of sustained research on a single topic, typically conducted over two semesters. - begin with creative inquiry and systematic research. - include documentation of substantive scholarly endeavor. - culminate in an oral defense or other form of public presentation.

Continuation of Comm 499C, this course is devoted to the implementation of students' individual research projects. Each will culminate in an archivable Honors Thesis. Comm 499C and Comm 499DI together satisfy the Integrative Experience requirement for BA-Comm majors. Prerequisite: Comm 499C.

This course examines how media technologies shape the way we communicate and how the way we communicate in turn shapes the development of media technologies as evolving cultural practices. We will read technologies not as machines or tools invented to perform preconceived functions, but as forms of tech, understood as way of making things. So, in this course, we will try to understand how media users cause media to improve their efficiency as much as how media users themselves are changed as they continue to communicate.

This class introduces students to actors, institutions and public interest battles fought nationally, regionally and globally for the control of the Internet. It considers the interaction between law and policy, technological design, industry, organized civil society and social movements in shaping infrastructure, code and content of the global web.

This course will examine the different ways that communication and digital technologies are shaping notions of work and labor. We will engage with ongoing debates on topics such as the sharing economy (e.g., Uber/Lyft driving), microwork (e.g., Amazon Mechanical Turk), microcelebrity (e.g. YouTube stars and Instagram influencers), tech entrepreneurship both in Silicon Valley and other parts of the world, as well as the work that goes into making popular consumer technologies like the iPhone.