COM 350-001 Politics and Film
Monday 3:30-6:15 pm
Leutze Hall 108
PCOM & COM Majors ONLY
This is an interesting course that gives students the opportunity to view significant films with political themes and to participate in a discussion of them.
FOCUS OF COURSE:
Politics and Film examines the way American movies have portrayed politics from the Great Depression to the present day. The course focuses on the way the dramatic structure of film is used to convey a point of view about politicians and the workings of the political system to the American public. Dramatic stories conveyed through images have such broad persuasive appeal that they come to represent the "truth" about the complex interplay of people and forces that make up the political world. We will investigate this process through a critical examination of thirteen political films.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
· Students will investigate how the dramatic structure of the medium of film conveys meaning
about politics to the audience.
· Students will investigate and discuss the historical background of the various films to see how
reality is frequently changed by the film makers to meet the needs of an entertainment
medium.
· Students will gain a greater understanding of the dramatic requirements of the medium
through a comparative analysis of the development of the political film.
· Students will learn how the dramatistic perspective of Kenneth Burke can be used to develop a
greater understanding of the persuasive effects of political films.
ASSIGNMENTS:
The class will view thirteen films and discuss them. The films include Casablanca, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, A Face in the Crowd, The Last Hurrah, Dr. Strangelove, All the President's Men, The Manchurian Candidate, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Candidate, Primary Colors, Wag the Dog, and Fahrenheit 911.
To facilitate discussion, three students will be assigned in advance to be responsible for downloading from the net or reading in the library material on the film and its political background. This could include contemporary reviews of the film and later scholarly commentary about the importance of the film and its theme. Particular attention should be given to explaining to the class the political background of the film. For example, The Last Hurrah is loosely based on a real mayor of Boston and presents a somewhat romantic view of his actions and that of his political machine. How realistic is it? Those who are assigned to make the presentations should consult with me before hand and work together to make a coherent presentation to the class. There will be a midterm exam and a final. Both will be essay.
COURSE POLICIES:
Grades will be based on the following percentages: 40% for the class presentation and 60% for tests with each test having equal weight. Obviously, attendance is strongly encouraged. You need to be present to view the films in order to write the exams. You also need to make an effective presentation.
COM 460: Desktop Publishing
COM 460-001: Monday 2:00-3:15 pm
COM 460-002: Wednesday 2:00-3:15 pm
Location: Leutze Hall 248
Instructor: Mrs. Natalie Stephenson
Prerequisite: COM 270 or Permission of Instructor
This course introduces students to fundamental principles and theories of graphic design for communication. Through a range of studio projects, students will demonstrate design skills essential for creating and editing materials like brochures and newsletters. Industry-standard software, primarily the Adobe Creative Suite, will be used to produce pieces for your portfolio.
You’ll develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills that will benefit you in many ways. While this course is relevant for future advertising and public relations professionals, employers in any field will view this “hands-on” experience as a plus!
Desktop Publishing will be a hybrid course. In addition to meeting in the mac lab once a week, a significant amount of learning will be done online.
Mrs. Natalie Stephenson will be teaching Desktop Publishing in the fall. She is an award-winning designer and creative director. Mrs. Stephenson’s portfolio includes work from leading advertising agencies in the Southeast and Australia. To learn more about the instructor, please visit her website @ www.nataliestephenson.com
Natalie can be reached at stephensonn@uncw.edu if you have any questions.
COM 495-001 Personal and Mediated Communication
Monday 6:30-9:15 pm
Leutze Hall 132
Dr. Jennifer Brubaker
Permission of Instructor
Evolving technology is changing our existing social structure and relationships. This course looks at that ever-growing intersection of interpersonal and mass-mediated communication. In addition to examining interpersonal and mass communication theory, the course will specifically address contexts such as cell phones, text messaging, email, Facebook/MySpace, blogs, online discussion, talk radio, coviewing, and parasocial interaction. In addition to classroom discussion, the course will have a heavy online (Blackboard) emphasis to better address our current technological environment.
