Fall 2020
BA or BS in Communication Studies, emphasis MEDIA STUDIES (35 hours+)
Name: _____________________________________ Z-ID: ___________________ Date: ______________
Complete ALL of these:
□ COMS 251 Introduction to Media Studies
□ COMS 355* Media Writing
□ COMS 356 Critical Interpretation of Film/Television
□ Elective COMS/JOUR course 200-level+: __________________
□ COMS 407 Practicum (1)
Group 1
Complete ONE of these media production courses:
□ COMS 349 Introduction to Digital Audio Production (4)
□ COMS 357 Introduction to Studio Production (4)
□ COMS 358 Introduction to Field Production (4)
□ COMS 359 Interactive Media Production I (4)
Group 2
Complete ONE of these law courses:
□ COMS 403 Freedom of Speech and Communication Ethics
□ COMS 455 Media Law and Ethics
□ COMS 465 Computer-mediated Communication
□ JOUR 480 Journalism Law and Regulation (PRQ: Junior standing)
Group 3
Complete FIVE of the following for 15 credits. At least six credits must be 400-level. Courses cannot double count. Also
counts below: COMS 446, 449, 454, 457, 459, 463, 469, 470, 498A, 498B.
□ COMS 309 Performance in Speech Communication (PRQ: COMS 100)
□ COMS 349 Introduction to Digital Audio Production (4)
□ COMS 357 Introduction to Studio Production (4) -- SPRING ONLY
□ COMS 358 Introduction to Field Production (4)
□ COMS 359 Interactive Media Production I (4)
□ COMS 370 Principles of Advertising
□ COMS 380 Corporate Advocacy and Issue Management
□ COMS 390 Major Directors (May be taken twice when topics vary)
□ COMS 392 Special Topics in Media Production (May be taken twice when topics vary)
□ COMS 419* Political Communication in America
□ COMS 426 Advanced Documentary Field Production (4) (PRQ: COMS 358 and consent) -- FALL ONLY
□ COMS 427 Advanced Narrative Field Production (4) (PRQ: COMS 358 and consent) -- SPRING ONLY
□ COMS 436 Advanced Post Production (PRQ: COMS 357 or 358)
□ COMS 456C History of Film before 1950
□ COMS 456D History of Film after 1950
□ COMS 460 Television Theory and Criticism
□ COMS 462 Film Theory and Criticism
□ COMS 465 Computer-mediated Communication
□ COMS 466* Narrative Scriptwriting (PRQ: COMS 355) -- FALL ONLY
□ COMS 475 Film Festival Administration – SPRING ONLY
□ COMS 492 Special Topics in Media Production (May be taken twice when topics vary)
□ COMS 493 Special Topics in Media Studies (May be taken twice when topics vary)
□ COMS 497 Internship
This guide only covers major emphasis requirements. Consult NIU Undergraduate Catalog for degree requirements. Consult College of Liberal
Arts and Sciences advising on non-major degree requirements. A star (*) indicates a writing-infused course. Courses are 3.00 credits unless
otherwise noted.
