Looking to take a COMM elective in the spring? Check out your options:
Choosing Your 2nd Writing Class
Are you a COMM major trying to decide which class you should take as your 2nd required writing class? Check out your options:
2310: Multimedia Journalism
Do you enjoy telling stories? Are you interested in communicating with words, photography, video, natural sound, music, colors, and any other medium imaginable that can be used to share information in meaningful ways with a positive effect on audiences and society. Multimedia Journalism is not just a writing class. It is about communicating with the world in all the mediums by which information is disseminated in our time. We explore print, radio, television and, to an extent, how those intersect and interact with social media. In this class we write, shoot video, enhance public speaking skills, and learn about the news events that form the world in which we live. Most importantly we strive to make it fun while you discover.
Prereq: COMM 2300, Media Writing.
2330: Public Relations Writing
Interested in public relations? Want to do strategic communication for a company, non-profit, or brand? PR Writing is for you. This class introduces you to persuasive writing. It is structured to illustrate both the style and content of corporate writing in today’s highly competitive public relations market. It covers major writing techniques and communication concepts related to the public relations profession with special focus on setting strategic communication objectives to target a wide range of audiences in different communication platforms.
Prereq: COMM 2300, Media Writing.
New Electives / Special Topics
We’re offering three new “special topics” electives this semester. If they interest you, grab them while you can!
COMM 3010: Social Media & Strategic Communication
Want to learn how to use social media to promote a company, non-profit, brand, or issue? In this course, you will delve into the positive, negative, and challenging aspects of social media by exploring topics related to advertising/marketing, public relations, health, and crisis communication. You will explore media audiences and their online habits, understand ethical fundamentals of social media, and use social media analytics to design authentic and impactful content #strategic. Using strategic communication practices and research, the course will help you gain practical knowledge and analytical skills related to social media implementation and analysis.
Prereq: COMM 2300, Media Writing.
COMM 4000: Exploring Chattanooga’s Music Scene
This class offers opportunities to engage in field research (i.e., go to concerts and shows), then use the data you gather (e.g., photos, audio, notes etc.) to create media content. Our goals are two-fold. First, you’ll experience and reflect upon the diversity of identities that define Chattanooga and its music communities. Second, you’ll capture moments, preserve histories, and tell stories about the people you encounter and the places you explore. As part of our work, the class will partner with the Chattanooga Tourism Company so that you’ll use an editorial calendar to produce content that may be integrated into online efforts to promote the city and its live music. This is a community-based class that intentionally connects theory, method, and professional skill.
COMM 4010: Narrative Non-Fiction
Are you a storyteller who wants to develop your skills more? In this class you will learn the art of long-form journalism using fiction techniques to write non-fiction stories. You will learn to identify what makes an interesting story and how to report and research it, but then you’ll be given the freedom to structure the piece how you see fit, whether in linear or non-linear fashion. We’ll read great works of contemporary long-form journalism and we’ll study techniques used in film, songwriting, and fiction writing.
Prereq: COMM 3610, Advanced Reporting, or COMM 3620, Sports Writing, or COMM 3630, Feature Writing.
Registration for this class is controlled: you will need to contact Christopher-Dortch@utc.edu to apply to, and be accepted into, the course.
Public Relations
Interested in pursuing a career in public relations / strategic communication? Check out these classes, which will provide with a variety of relevant skills and knowledge.
COMM 3010: Social Media & Strategic Communication
Want to learn how to use social media to promote a company, non-profit, brand, or issue? In this course, you will delve into the positive, negative, and challenging aspects of social media by exploring topics related to advertising/marketing, public relations, health, and crisis communication. You will explore media audiences and their online habits, understand ethical fundamentals of social media, and use social media analytics to design authentic and impactful content #strategic. Using strategic communication practices and research, the course will help you gain practical knowledge and analytical skills related to social media implementation and analysis.
Prereq: COMM 2300, Media Writing.
COMM 3300: Principles of Public Relations & Advertising
Interested in public relations or advertising? Take this class! It provides an introduction to the concepts of public relations and advertising. You’ll learn about how these fields have impacted our economy and culture and will analyze real-time public relations issues and challenges. The curriculum includes an overview of the field in both theory and practice. This course will provide the fundamentals needed to take additional PR classes.
COMM 3350: Publication Design I
Our culture is a very visual culture. What a communication message looks like is, in some ways, as important as what is says. In this class you’ll learn how to create visually appealing communication messages.
Prereq: COMM 1100, Communication Technology and COMM 2300, Media Writing.
COMM 3450: Video Production
So, you want to make a movie, a commercial, a package or a documentary? Or, you just want to understand what the Images and sounds bombarding us on the news, films, commercials, and shows are trying to communicate? Video Production is here to answer these questions so you can deconstruct and construct your own projects. This course opens the way to advance classes in Postproduction, Documentary, Film Production at the 4000 level and will help you become a better influencer.
Prereq: COMM 1100, Communication Technology and COMM 2300, Media Writing.
COMM 4350: Publication Design II
Did you take Publication Design I and want to learn more? This class is for you. Focused on design thinking and creative problem solving, this course is designed to help you gain a mastery of Adobe CC and the creative process. This course is co-listed with The Public Relations Campaign (COMM 4700) providing an agency feel and giving you and your classmates an exciting, fast-paced, collaborative real-world experience working on a creative team as you produce work for actual clients.
Prereq: COMM 3350: Publication Design I.
COMM 4700: The Public Relations Campaign
Want to get real world public relations experience? In this class you will develop and implement public relations campaigns for area not-for-profit organizations. The class will operate as a student run agency where “teams” will gain real-life PR experience and develop their portfolios. A must for students interested in a career in public relations.
Prereq: COMM 2330, PR Writing, and COMM 3300, Principles of PR & Advertising.
Registration for this class is controlled: you will need to contact David-Norman@utc.edu to apply to, and be accepted into, the course.
Journalism
Interested in pursuing a career in journalism? Check out these classes, which will provide with a variety of relevant skills and knowledge.
COMM 3420: Podcasting
Podcasts are a unique form of media because people use them both to learn and to be entertained. As a professional communicator, you should learn how you can make the most of this popular medium. In Podcasting I, you will find your voice while developing creativity and confidence, and create work you are proud to share as you prepare to enter the working world.
Prereq: the catalog says COMM 2310, Multimedia Journalism – but if you’ve taken COMM 2300, Media Writing we’ll let you in, just ask your advisor for a pre-req override.
COMM 3500: TV News Production
Want to go into TV News? This is the class for you. Through this class we will learn about what makes the best qualities for television news: The value of a strong first sentence, concise writing matching the visuals of the video, the strength of a precise story pitch, good interview soundbites that build the narrative along with the values of a powerful stand-up. Those elements will help us build news updates and newscasts while repurposing the stories for a web platform with mocsnews.com. Finally, our work will construct a news magazine show and portfolios for each student which will count as the course final. We will also hear from news professionals about their experience in television news and see best examples of work in the industry.
Prereq: COMM 2310, Multimedia Journalism.
COMM 3630: Feature Writing
Looking to develop your writing and storytelling abilities? In this class you will learn how to write professional, nonfiction stories for a variety of purposes and audiences. Assignments include not only long-form news stories, but also profiles, film reviews, restaurant reviews, and personal columns.
Prereq: COMM 2300, Media Writing.
COMM 3700: Photojournalism
Still images are one of the strongest ways to communicate a story. In this class you will be introduced to photojournalism and will learn the basics of taking images that visually tell stories.
Prereq: COMM 2300, Media Writing.
COMM 4010: Narrative Non-Fiction
Are you a storyteller who wants to develop your skills more? In this class you will learn the art of long-form journalism using fiction techniques to write non-fiction stories. You will learn to identify what makes an interesting story and how to report and research it, but then you’ll be given the freedom to structure the piece how you see fit, whether in linear or non-linear fashion. We’ll read great works of contemporary long-form journalism and we’ll study techniques used in film, songwriting, and fiction writing.
Prereq: COMM 3610, Advanced Reporting, or COMM 3620, Sports Writing, or COMM 3630, Feature Writing.
Registration for this class is controlled: you will need to contact Christopher-Dortch@utc.edu to apply to, and be accepted into, the course.
COMM 4420: Podcasting II
Already took Podcasting I and want to perfect your audio storytelling abilities? Now that you have developed your skills toolbox in Podcasting I, it’s time for you to put it to professional practice. In Podcasting II, you will identify your target audience, their needs, interests, and preferences, and tailor your content and style accordingly to create your own expert podcast.
Prereq: COMM 3420, Podcasting I.
COMM 4550: Documentary Filmmaking
Love filmmaking? Interested in telling non-fiction stories? In this class you’ll develop your video production and storytelling skills while you produce and edit a short documentary film.
Prereq: COMM 3450: Video Production.
COMM 4750: Photojournalism II
Have you taken Photojournalism and want to learn even more? In Photojournalism II you will learn advanced photojournalism techniques, including how to tell stories using still mages and multi-media.
Prereq: COMM 3700: Photojournalism
COMM 4820: Rising Rock
Looking to build your professional portfolio and further develop your storytelling abilities? In this class you will work collaboratively with other students to pitch, select, report, edit, and publish stories on RisingRock.net, a multi-media magazine that tells stories about people in the Chattanooga area.
Prereq: COMM 1100, Communication Technology and one of the following classes: COMM 3420, Podcasting I or COMM 3450, Video Production or COMM 3610, Advanced Reporting or COMM 3620, Sports Writing or COMM 3630, Feature Writing or COMM 3700, Photojournalism or COMM 4420, Podcasting II or COMM 4450, Video Post-Production or COMM 4750, Photojournalism II.
Registration for this class is controlled: you will need to contact William-Weeks@utc.edu to apply to, and be accepted into, the course.
Video & Film Production
Interested in pursuing a career in film and/or video production? Check out these classes, which will provide with a variety of relevant skills and knowledge. These classes also pair well with interests in public relations and journalism.
COMM 3450: Video Production
So, you want to make a movie, a commercial, a package or a documentary? Or, you just want to understand what the Images and sounds bombarding us on the news, films, commercials, and shows are trying to communicate? Video Production is here to answer these questions so you can deconstruct and construct your own projects. This course opens the way to advance classes in Postproduction, Documentary, Film Production at the 4000 level and will help you become a better influencer.
Prereq: COMM 1100, Communication Technology and COMM 2300, Media Writing.
COMM 3500: TV News Production
Want to go into TV News? This is the class for you. Through this class we will learn about what makes the best qualities for television news: The value of a strong first sentence, concise writing matching the visuals of the video, the strength of a precise story pitch, good interview soundbites that build the narrative along with the values of a powerful stand-up. Those elements will help us build news updates and newscasts while repurposing the stories for a web platform with mocsnews.com. Finally, our work will construct a news magazine show and portfolios for each student which will count as the course final. We will also hear from news professionals about their experience in television news and see best examples of work in the industry.
Prereq: COMM 2310, Multimedia Journalism.
COMM 3600 – Screenwriting
You really want to get that film you want to write out of your head. And the only way to do it is to get it in the right format. Screenwriting gives you the tools to understand how fictional stories are constructed and how to make them shootable. You will learn how to write a short film and how to adapt a short story. Screenwriting needs no other communication pre- requisites. But it opens the door for television writing at the 4000 level, and teaches you written communication skills that can help improve your feature writing.
Prereq: ENGL 1020 or HIST 2100 or UHON 1020.
Graphics & Design
Interested in pursuing a career in graphics and design? Check out these classes, which will provide with a variety of relevant skills and knowledge. These classes also pair well with interests in public relations and journalism.
COMM 3350: Publication Design I
Our culture is a very visual culture. What a communication message looks like is, in some ways, as important as what is says. In this class you’ll learn how to create visually appealing communication messages.
Prereq: COMM 1100, Communication Technology and COMM 2300, Media Writing.
COMM 3700: Photojournalism
Still images are one of the strongest ways to communicate a story. In this class you will be introduced to photojournalism and will learn the basics of taking images that visually tell stories.
Prereq: COMM 2300, Media Writing.
COMM 4350: Publication Design II
Did you take Publication Design I and want to learn more? This class is for you. Focused on design thinking and creative problem solving, this course is designed to help you gain a mastery of Adobe CC and the creative process. This course is co-listed with The Public Relations Campaign (COMM 4700) providing an agency feel and giving you and your classmates an exciting, fast-paced, collaborative real-world experience working on a creative team as you produce work for actual clients.
Prereq: COMM 3350: Publication Design I.
COMM 4750: Photojournalism II
Have you taken Photojournalism and want to learn even more? In Photojournalism II you will learn advanced photojournalism techniques, including how to tell stories using still mages and multi-media.
Prereq: COMM 3700: Photojournalism
Storytelling
Interested in developing your skills as a storyteller? Check out these classes, which will provide with a variety of relevant skills and knowledge. These classes also pair well with interests in public relations and journalism.
COMM 3420: Podcasting
Podcasts are a unique form of media because people use them both to learn and to be entertained. As a professional communicator, you should learn how you can make the most of this popular medium. In Podcasting I, you will find your voice while developing creativity and confidence, and create work you are proud to share as you prepare to enter the working world.
Prereq: the catalog says COMM 2310, Multimedia Journalism – but if you’ve taken COMM 2300, Media Writing we’ll let you in, just ask your advisor for a pre-req override.
COMM 3500: TV News Production
Want to go into TV News? This is the class for you. Through this class we will learn about what makes the best qualities for television news: The value of a strong first sentence, concise writing matching the visuals of the video, the strength of a precise story pitch, good interview soundbites that build the narrative along with the values of a powerful stand-up. Those elements will help us build news updates and newscasts while repurposing the stories for a web platform with mocsnews.com. Finally, our work will construct a news magazine show and portfolios for each student which will count as the course final. We will also hear from news professionals about their experience in television news and see best examples of work in the industry.
Prereq: COMM 2310, Multimedia Journalism.
COMM 3600 – Screenwriting
You really want to get that film you want to write out of your head. And the only way to do it is to get it in the right format. Screenwriting gives you the tools to understand how fictional stories are constructed and how to make them shootable. You will learn how to write a short film and how to adapt a short story. Screenwriting needs no other communication pre- requisites. But it opens the door for television writing at the 4000 level, and teaches you written communication skills that can help improve your feature writing.
Prereq: ENGL 1020 or HIST 2100 or UHON 1020.
COMM 3630: Feature Writing
Looking to develop your writing and storytelling abilities? In this class you will learn how to write professional, nonfiction stories for a variety of purposes and audiences. Assignments include not only long-form news stories, but also profiles, film reviews, restaurant reviews, and personal columns.
Prereq: COMM 2300, Media Writing.
COMM 3700: Photojournalism
Still images are one of the strongest ways to communicate a story. In this class you will be introduced to photojournalism and will learn the basics of taking images that visually tell stories.
Prereq: COMM 2300, Media Writing.
COMM 4000: Exploring Chattanooga’s Music Scene
This class offers opportunities to engage in field research (i.e., go to concerts and shows), then use the data you gather (e.g., photos, audio, notes etc.) to create media content. Our goals are two-fold. First, you’ll experience and reflect upon the diversity of identities that define Chattanooga and its music communities. Second, you’ll capture moments, preserve histories, and tell stories about the people you encounter and the places you explore. As part of our work, the class will partner with the Chattanooga Tourism Company so that you’ll use an editorial calendar to produce content that may be integrated into online efforts to promote the city and its live music. This is a community-based class that intentionally connects theory, method, and professional skill.
COMM 4010: Narrative Non-Fiction
Are you a storyteller who wants to develop your skills more? In this class you will learn the art of long-form journalism using fiction techniques to write non-fiction stories. You will learn to identify what makes an interesting story and how to report and research it, but then you’ll be given the freedom to structure the piece how you see fit, whether in linear or non-linear fashion. We’ll read great works of contemporary long-form journalism and we’ll study techniques used in film, songwriting, and fiction writing.
Prereq: COMM 3610, Advanced Reporting, or COMM 3620, Sports Writing, or COMM 3630, Feature Writing.
Registration for this class is controlled: you will need to contact Christopher-Dortch@utc.edu to apply to, and be accepted into, the course.
COMM 4420: Podcasting II
Already took Podcasting I and want to perfect your audio storytelling abilities? Now that you have developed your skills toolbox in Podcasting I, it’s time for you to put it to professional practice. In Podcasting II, you will identify your target audience, their needs, interests, and preferences, and tailor your content and style accordingly to create your own expert podcast.
Prereq: COMM 3420, Podcasting I.
COMM 4550: Documentary Filmmaking
Love filmmaking? Interested in telling non-fiction stories? In this class you’ll develop your video production and storytelling skills while you produce and edit a short documentary film.
Prereq: COMM 3450: Video Production.
COMM 4750: Photojournalism II
Have you taken Photojournalism and want to learn even more? In Photojournalism II you will learn advanced photojournalism techniques, including how to tell stories using still mages and multi-media.
Prereq: COMM 3700: Photojournalism
COMM 4820: Rising Rock
Looking to build your professional portfolio and further develop your storytelling abilities? In this class you will work collaboratively with other students to pitch, select, report, edit, and publish stories on RisingRock.net, a multi-media magazine that tells stories about people in the Chattanooga area.
Prereq: COMM 1100, Communication Technology and one of the following classes: COMM 3420, Podcasting I or COMM 3450, Video Production or COMM 3610, Advanced Reporting or COMM 3620, Sports Writing or COMM 3630, Feature Writing or COMM 3700, Photojournalism or COMM 4420, Podcasting II or COMM 4450, Video Post-Production or COMM 4750, Photojournalism II.
Registration for this class is controlled: you will need to contact William-Weeks@utc.edu to apply to, and be accepted into, the course.