Independent study in special subjects.

Independent study in special subjects.

Independent study in special subjects.

Independent study in special subjects.

Ethnographic approaches to recording and analyzing communicative events and practices in their sociocultural context. Emphasizes hands-on application of theoretically-informed methods. Students practice ethnographic observation, audio-visual recording, interviewing, transcription, and presentation of analyses of interaction. Students must have semester-long access to a research site and receive written permission from the subjects of their study.

This course examines sociotechnical problems with existing modes of social media and works towards building new, affirmative visions for social media through technical and policy means. Students will examine interventions to address problems with contemporary social media and design and develop possible interventions.

This course offers an introductory overview of major approaches to the study of film and audiovisual media, including formalism and realism ("classical" film theory), and theoretical and critical methods informed by structuralism, semiology, phenomenology, psychoanalysis, political theory, and cultural studies. Auteurism, feminist film theory, queer theory, genre studies, spectator/audience/ reception, star and performance studies, apparatus theory, postcolonial theory, and theories of new media will also be considered.

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.

Building on the introductory course (COMM 445: Seminar-Screenwriting), 593D is an intensive workshop where students receive continuing, in-depth feedback on their work in progress, as they strive for professional competence in feature-length theatrical screenwriting or writing for episodic television. Included is an analysis of two professional screenplays and the films or shows produced from them, as students delve into the writer's art and craft.

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.