The Film Survey course explores the history and art of cinema from its beginnings in 1895 to the present day. Based on weekly screenings, students will discuss and write about: the pioneering work of Lumière and Melies; the four traditions of film: fictional, documentary, experimental, and animated, including silent era documentary and dramatic films; the transition to sound films, featuring the early work of Alfred Hitchcock; Film Genres, from western to musical to comedy; the language and grammar of film; the elements of directorial style, including the thematic and symbolic features of film. Cinematic samples from American, European and Asian filmmakers will form the basis for this survey. The course format will consist of class lectures, film screenings, film journals and presentations, discussions, and in-class recall and reflective writing.

This course introduces students to the World Wide Web and the Internet. Internet Survey explores the history and rapid growth of the World Wide Web over the past decade and provides an overview of searching methods using current web browsers. Students will examine the principles of good web design, study what makes a website effective, and learn how to create web pages. The first part of the course will concentrate on using basic HTML, while the latter part will focus on creating Cascading Style Sheets, generating web-ready graphics, implementing JavaScript, and bringing all of these elements together to produce effective web pages. Students will also learn the benefits of hand-coded pages versus pages generated with applications such as Dreamweaver, and they will be prepared for more advanced studies in website development.

This course will introduce students to basic photographic theory and techniques using digital media. Students will learn to use digital cameras, explore lighting techniques including flash and available light and work with Photoshop. This course is designed to provide students with the skills to use photography and image capture as a tool in self-expression and visual communication, and to encourage visual literacy and creativity. Before the end of the semester, students will build a unique and individual portfolio of their own work.

This course covers the basic foundations of design. Its goal is to make students aware of the diversity of conceptual and layout skills as used within the world of media communications. The interrelationship of traditional and digital design techniques will be explored as they are found within the print (graphic design, journalism) and web (multimedia) professions. The creative process will be explored. Students will use basic tools of the trade, primarily traditional with digital comparisons, to apply the principles and elements of design. They will be introduced to composition and layout, typography and colour theory, and experiment with communicating concepts and experiences through visual application. Students will analyze and critique examples of existing design (print and web advertising) to determine their effectiveness and cultural relevance. Drawing techniques and brainstorming will be explored as part of the creative process. Practical assignments will help students think strategically and apply the design fundamentals learned in class.

Public Relations and Presentation Skills will provide students with an understanding and appreciation of the practice of public relations. Public relations requires creative and critical thinkers who are able to apply strong analytical, writing, and strategic-thinking skills to their work. Students will concentrate on writing a traditional news release for the news media, as well as develop and present a public relations plan. Students will use computers and word processing software to complete their assignments. Additionally, in the field of public relations, effective speaking techniques and critical listening skills are essential. Students will learn skills to develop poise and speak with confidence by delivering a presentation to a large group. This course will also provide instruction on how to write a resumé to successfully apply to the student's next program of study in media (or to a media related job), as well as how to prepare for a successful media job interview or media program application interview.

The goal of this course is to improve students' writing skills to the level required of further programs within the School of Media Studies & Information Technology and beyond. To that end, students will study and apply the basic principles of grammar, composition, punctuation and usage; analyze writing style, complete in-class and out-of-class writing/editing/reading assignments; and learn to write, according to purpose and audience, description, narrative and analysis.

This course will introduce students to the methods used in audio production for radio, video, film and TV, Internet and electronic journalism. The topics covered will include the application of announcing and interview techniques, theory of sound, interview techniques, analog and digital recording, and linear and multi-track digital editing with the use of several editing programs. The students will learn how to write for the ear and create radio commercials, public service announcements, and radio features. They will also produce a short formal radio show. Students will learn how to add sound effects and music to voice tracks, to mix down through the multi-track process, and to create fully produced Wav and Mp3 files for mastering and archiving purposes.