This degree features a wide variety of media-related courses. Subjects cover a diverse range of topics and skill sets, which allow students to be knowledgeable in many aspects of the media industry.
Program Learning Objectives
- Improve written, oral, and multimedia communication skills
- Practice collaborative learning and leadership skills
- Critically analyze media messages and understand media theory, research, law, and ethics
- Demonstrate a practical skill related to a media industry
- Integrate and apply academic skills in experiential learning
Program Requirements (44 units):
- Major Core (24): All students complete 24 units of required coursework.
- Major Skill (4): All students complete 4 units of skill coursework
- Major Outlet (8): All students complete 8 units of media outlet coursework.
- Major Electives (8): All students complete 8 units of COMS elective courses.
Core Courses (24 units required)
- COMS 200 Principles of Media Communication or COMS 160 A/B Media & Society [also A3/C3 GE]
- COMS 202 Methods of Media Criticism or COMS 162 A/B Media Literacy [also A3/C3 GE]
- COMS 301 Media Theory and Research
- COMS 302 Media Ethics and Law
- COMS 402 Senior Seminar
- COMS 499 Media Internship
Skills Courses (4 units required—additional units can be used for COMS Elective credit)
- COMS 201 Video Production (required pre-req for Studio Blue COMS 369)
- COMS 210 Web and Print Journalism (required pre-req for the STAR COMS 368)
- COMS 240 Public Relations (required pre-req for Primitivo COMS 340)
- COMS 265 Radio and Audio Production (required pre-req for KSUN COMS 385)
- COMS 320 Selected Topics
- COMS 322 Broadcast Journalism
- COMS 323 Health, Science, and Environmental Journalism
- COMS 324 Scriptwriting for TV
- COMS 325 New Media
- COMS 326 Advanced Presentation Techniques
- CINE - certain CINE production skills classes can count(please check with your COMS Advisor)
Media Outlets (8 units required—additional units can be used for COMS Elective credit)
- COMS 340 PR Firm ( required pre-req is COMS 240)
- COMS 368 The Star (required pre-req is COMS 210)
- COMS 369 Studio Blue (required pre-req is COMS 201)
- COMS 385 KSUN (suggested pre-req is COMS 265)
Electives* (8 units required)
- COMS 273 Selected Topic: Media Pop Culture
- COMS 275 21st Century Television as Art
- COMS 320 Selected Topics
- COMS 321 International Communications
- COMS 327 Media and Children
- COMS 328 America at the Movies
- COMS 329 Reality TV and Film
- COMS 435 Seminar in Mass Media (Cross-listed with SOCI 435)
- CINE - certain CINE courses can count (check with your COMS Advisor)
- Any other COMS course (please check with your COMS Advisor)
Majors may take 4 units of Elective credit outside the department from the following list:
- AMCS 392 Ethnic Images in Film {also a C1}
- ARTS 310 Digital Imaging
- CALS 393 Chicano/Latino Cinema {also C1}
- CINE 310 Audio Production and Post Production
- CINE 330 Post Production
- ENGL 368 Small Press Editing
- FR 300 Literary Analysis & Critical Writing {also C3}
- FR 314 Special Topics in French Culture {also C2}
- GER 314 Literature & Culture of the German-Speaking World {also C2}
- LIBS 320C Film Theory & Narrative
- NAMS 338 Native Americans in the Cinema {also C1}
- SOCI 435 Media Censorship
- SPAN 300 Advanced Spanish Language {also C3}
- THAR 120 Fundamentals of Acting
NOTE: 4 Elective units are also earned by any of the following:
- The COMS 160A/B LC or COMS 162A/B LC (which yields 4 Elective units for the year)
- Taking an extra/additional Skill or Media Outlet course;
- Taking an approved course in another Arts & Humanities department.