HomeMedia Arts and Studies Curriculum
Requirements
1. The following courses (13 hours) are required before undergraduate students can declare a major and take further course work:
COM 1500 -- Survey of Mass Communication (3 credits)
COM 1600 -- Introduction to Audio-TV-Film Production (3 credits)
COM 2010 -- (VP) Introduction to Film (4 credits)
COM 2210 -- Writing for Radio-Television-Film (3 credits)
2. Students must then elect either the "Studies Track" major (18 hours) or the "Production Track" major (17 hours):
Production Track:
COM 3010 -- (WI) Mass Media Analysis and Criticism (3 credits) (Writing Intensive)
COM 4310 -- Audio Production (4 credits)
COM 4410 -- Television Production (4 credits)
COM 5380 -- Video-Film-Audio Editing (3 credits)
COM 5400 -- Techniques of Film-Video Production (4 credits). Senior level capstone course that should be taken in the last 12 credits of study.
Studies Track:
COM 2020 -- History of Film (3 credits)
COM 3010 -- (WI) Mass Media Analysis and Criticism (3 credits) (Writing Intensive)
COM 5010 -- History of Television and Radio (4 credits)
COM 5060 -- Documentary and Non-Fiction Film (4 credits)
COM 5510 -- Mass Communications and Society (3 credits). Senior level capstone course that should be taken in the last 12 credits of study.
3. An additional nine credit hours in elective courses from the list below are required of both Studies and Production track majors and should be selected in consultation with a department adviser. Check the Bulletin for pre-requisites for all elective courses.
COM 2020 (VP) History of Film (3 credits)
COM 2230 Radio & TV Reporting (3 credits)
COM 4240 African Americans: Broadcasting (4 credits)
COM 4310 Audio Production (4 credits)
COM 5010 History of TV and Radio (4 credits)
COM 5020 Studies in Film History (4 credits, Max 12)
COM 5060 Documentary & Nonfiction (4 credits)
COM 5270 Screenwriting (4 credits)
COM 5380 Video and Film Editing (3 credits)
COM 5400 Techniques: Film/Video Production (4 credits)
COM 5420 Director's Workshop (4 credits)
COM 5440 Film Production (4 credits)
COM 5480 Topics in Advanced Production (4 credits, Max. 12)
COM 5510 (ST) Mass Communication and Society (3 credits)
COM 6190 Internship (3 credits, Max. 6)
COM 6680 Individual Projects: Radio-TV-Film (3 credits, Max. 12)
AFS 3200 African American Film Experience (4 credits)
APH 2400 Introductory Photography (3 credits)
MUA 5610 (CL) Intro to Music Technology (3 credits)
MUA 5630 Intro to Recording Techniques (3 credits)
MUA 5660 Recording Workshop (1 credit)
Important Reminder
You must complete all courses in the College of Fine, Performing Communication Arts with a C (2.0) or better. This also includes all transfer credits that may be applicable to the major programs. You must also complete the university’s general education and competency requirements as well as the college’s group requirements, which include completion of a foreign language through the third semester.
Facilities
The production labs and studio are located in Old Main, on the corner of Warren and Cass avenues.
Advising
The full-time faculty advises students. You are expected to follow the published curriculum for your major and to consult regularly with an adviser. To assure timely completion of your major requirements, it is important to meet with an adviser as early as possible.
Special Activities
Coursework is only one part of your undergraduate education. Employers pay close attention to the types of activities in which applicants participated as students. There are many valuable activities in which to participate on campus. The Department of Communication sponsors the Wayne State University chapter of the Public Relations Students Society of America (PRSSA), as well as the nationally acclaimed debate and speech team. In addition, you are encouraged to participate in such activities as student government and the student newspaper (The South End).
Administration
Department Chair: Dr. Matthew Seeger
Academic Services Officer: Ms. Victoria Dallas
Director of Media Arts and Studies : Dr. Hayg Oshagan
Contact the Department of Communication: (313) 577-2943