Courses to take if your major is outside of ComArtSci
ADV 205: Principles of Advertising
3 credits
Have you ever wondered how Superbowl ads get made? Or how that Instagram ad gets you to click? In ADV 205 you’ll go behind the scenes to explore what a career in advertising could be.
ADV 225: Basic Skills for Advertising Careers
3 credits
Your foundational writing experience for the advertising world begins now! In ADV 225, you’ll learn AP Style, practice collecting reliable information, and produce a variety of written communications, applicable to real-world creative roles.
CAS 110: Creative Thinking
3 credits
What is creativity and why is it important? Master creative problem solving with CAS 110. Learn the theories of critical thinking and practice solving complex problems to create impactful media content. Plus, learn how critical and analytical thinking support innovation.
CAS 112: Story, Sound and Motion
3 credits
Level up your storytelling skills by understanding the role of sound and editing in media communications.
CAS 114: Creativity and Innovative Entrepreneurship
3 credits
In this course, explore creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship! You'll discover the habits and actions of innovative thinkers, the work of successful entrepreneurs and situate creativity specifically by focusing on inquiry, observation, experimentation, and other creative processes.
CAS 116: Media Sketching and Graphics
3 credits
In CAS 116, learn how to visualize your ideas from sketching to final application in real and conceptual imagery using both traditional and digital methods.
CAS 117: Games and Interactivity
3 credits
Communicate through games in CAS 117! Develop responsive media and interactive designs through physical games and modern interactive software.
CAS 203: Design in Media Settings
3 credits
Essential techniques for creating single and multiple page layouts for print communication products.
CAS 204: Web Design in Media Settings
1 credit
Master professional web authoring techniques in media settings while practicing aesthetic design, modern production, and technology standards.
CAS 205: Photography in Media Settings
1 credit
Get behind the camera in CAS 205. Learn the essential techniques for capturing, processing, and exporting digital images for the world of media.
CAS 209: Introduction to Video Production
2 credits
CAS 209 is a beginning level course designed to introduce students to producing and directing videos using single camera location videography and non-linear editing. You'll learn about professional video and audio techniques, technologies, aesthetics and procedures.
COM 100: Human Communication
3 credits
Looking to brush up on your interviewing or public speaking skills? Enter COM 100 where you’ll dive into the ins and outs of human communication. Learn how to best communicate your skills and professional experience to future employers. An added bonus? Say goodbye to communication apprehension and public speaking anxiety.
COM 225: An Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
3 credits
Interpersonal communication is how we communicate with others. In COM 225, you’ll learn about different communication methods – verbal, nonverbal, conflict, computer-mediated and cultural communication, among others. These skills will help you best maneuver social connections personally and professionally.
COM 240: Introduction to Organizational Communication
4 credits
Communicating to and for an organization – big or small – is no easy task, So, how do places like the local coffee shop or Google do it? Step into COM 240 and gather tips on how to effectively create a communication structure within an organization.
COM 275: Effects of Mass Communication
3 credits
Mass media plays a central role in our lives, from shaping attitudes to influencing behavior and decision- making processes. This course is an exploration of the various influences – intentional or not – that mass media has on those who consume it. Things like entertainment media, political media, video games and more, will take center stage in this class.
COM 399: Spec Topics in Communication
1-3 credits
COM 483: Sales Communication
1 credit
JRN 108: The World of Media
3 credits
Let’s talk media! That feels like a big word, doesn’t it? JRN 108 will take you on a media journey that highlights journalism and media industries of the U.S., while breaking down how these industries formed, how information gets disseminated and how these industries are structured. You’ll get a broad overview of journalistic and media practices, and their roles in our larger communication landscape.
JRN 200: Writing and Reporting News
3 credits
What does a journalist do? How is a story formed? Dive right in with JRN 200 and learn the ins and outs of what it takes to be a journalist. You’ll learn reporting and writing skills; ethics and AP style. Plus, you’ll actually report on and write articles.
JRN 203: Visual Storytelling
3 credits
Storytelling isn’t just words. We know that so much more than that can create good stories. In JRN 203, you’ll learn how to tell stories through visuals! Whether it’s photos, an infographic or a reel, practice what makes an effective visual story.
JRN 212: 2D Animation Storytelling
3 credits
Let your creativity flow in this 2D animation course! Tell stories to educate or entertain using animations you develop. Learn the technical skills to create the images and practice the basics of putting together characters and plot.
JRN 218: Sports in Contemporary Media
3 credits
he best thing about sports is not the games that get played. It has been the ability of athletes, teams and sports events to change the world in unimaginable ways. The class will analyze how sports have and can change the world – and how those stories were told by amazing journalists, photographers, filmmakers, videographers and social media experts. Are you the next amazing journalist to tell sports stories?
JRN 303: On-Air Announcing, Interviewing and Hosting
3 credits
Want to produce content for broadcast? In JRN 303, you will – for MSUTV. You’ll also learn how to best interview and host your stories. Practice these broadcast skills and put them to use, and differentiate yourself among other journalists.
JRN 312: Stop Motion Animation Storytelling
3 credits
Have you ever wondered what stop motion animation is? Look no further than JRN 312. Practice storyboarding, plot and sequence development and be well on your to telling an engaging story sequence that captivates audiences. It takes some effort, but trust us -- it’s worth it.
JRN 313: Political Cartoons
3 credits
It’s cartoon time! You read that right. In JRN 313, experience the world of political cartoons from ancient Egypt through today’s political landscape. Then, try your hand at creating your own.
JRN 325: Journalism History
3 credits
For those who love history! How did journalism become what it is? Step back in time to see how it has evolved throughout the years. Learn about significant people, events and issues influencing the development of news media, and how media reported these events and issues.
JRN 345: Images and Messages
3 credits
Learn to extract meaning through images in JRN 345. Every image has a story, and in this course, you’ll practice how to take a critical look at visuals. You will train your eyes and minds to engage in a dialogue with images to become visually literate observers and responsible, compelling, and influential storytellers.
JRN 412: Scoring for Moving Pictures
3 credits
When you hear John Williams, do you think of Jurassic Park? Star Wars? Jaws? Immediately, you know the iconic scores attached to each of those movies, don’t you? Well, you can create your very own score for a movie, trailer or TV in JRN 412.
JRN 413: 3D Animation Storytelling
3 credits
Tell your stories in 3D in JRN 413! You’ll go over details, details, details! Face animation to hand gestures to camera sequencing -- you’ll learn it all.
JRN 430: News Media Law and Ethics
3 credits
This course covers legal and ethical issues related to reporting and presenting the news, journalists’ rights and responsibilities, federal and state regulations, platforms rules and regulations and the importance of legal precedent.
JRN 472: Environmental, Science and Health Reporting
3 credits
Let’s talk about the environment. In this course, you’ll learn about the coverage of the environment. You’ll also have the chance to publish stories on Great Lakes Echo, the award-winning nonprofit, professional-caliber environmental news service that provides stories, photos, graphics and podcasts by students, faculty members and professional journalists.
JRN 492: Special Topics (section 731)
1 credit
Topic: Reporting Crisis and Disasters.
If you are unable to enroll in this class, please submit a course request at https://override.cas.msu.edu or email hagopia9@msu.edu.
JRN 492: Special Topics (section 733)
3 credits
Topic: Careers in Sports Media and Professional Sports Organizations. Do you love sports and know you want to work in that world but aren't sure of what you could do? This class will explore the worlds of sports media and jobs within professional sports organizations. Prof. L.A. Dickerson will interview industry professionals on site and by Zoom. Goal will be to provide insight into a myriad of potential sports-related occupations. Discussions will include skills required, job responsibilities, job hunting tips, possibility of internships, career advice and what working in that world looks like. Students will submit weekly writing assignments and there will be a final paper in lieu of a final exam. There will be assigned readings but no textbook. There also may be optional Zoom networking opportunities.
If you are unable to enroll in this class, please submit a course request at https://override.cas.msu.edu or email hagopia9@msu.edu.
JRN 492: Special Topics - Brand yourself! (section 730)
1 credit
Don't just brand your work — brand yourself. Learn branding principles to create and develop your own brand to launch or further your own career as an entrepreneur, freelancer or other creative professional.
If you are unable to enroll in this class, please submit a course request at https://override.cas.msu.edu or email hagopia9@msu.edu.
MI 101: Understanding Media and Information
3 credits
This course provides an introduction to, and overview of, the history and significance of mediated communication in our recent past. The course addresses print, radio, film, TV, phones, the Internet, social media and video games. And learn about the history, policy and ethics surrounding these media.
MI 201: Introduction to Information Science
3 credits
This course is intended to help students cultivate an appreciation of the role of information in the evolution of society, to become critical consumers of information and information products and services, and to provide a foundation upon which to build careers in such areas as media, information technologies, information management, and the design of information systems.
MI 220: Methods for Understanding Users
3 credits
How do you understand digital users? In this class, take a look at methods for collecting data about people’s experiences, beliefs and practices related to the technologies they currently use. Then, learn how to interpret and utilize that data. Plus, dive into the careers related to this type of work.
MI 239: Digital Footprints: Privacy and Online Behavior
3 credits
What is a digital footprint and digital privacy? This course will provide a high-level overview of different kinds of technologies involved in capturing this information, who owns it and controls it, and how it is used to both make our lives easier and at the same time more publicly visible.
MI 247: Three-Dimensional Graphics and Design
3 credits
Principles of 3D computer graphics applied in cinema, games, illustration, design and sculpture. Use of 3D software to create and manipulate synthetic objects, materials, lights, and cameras.
MI 291: Special Topics
3 credits
Get an introduction to VR through multiple lenses: historical, technological, psychological, and social. We will discuss potential impacts of VR (and the metaverse)—both positive and negative—within important societal domains, such as health, education, business, and relationships. Plus, you get to experience VR!
MI 339: Games and Society
3 credits
Learn about the impact of video games on society – from the historical, political and economic aspects. The class takes a broad overview of ongoing and broad research of the field of Game Studies, offering students an opportunity to understand how important, pervasive and impactful games are.
MI 490: Independent Study
1-7 credits
MI 493: Internship
1-7 credits
PR 225: Writing for Public Relations
3 credits
Experience hands-on public relations writing in PR 225, with explanations of PR theories and practical applications of written business communications.
PR 260: Principles of Public Relations
3 credits
Explore the role and function of public relations in society and history, and understand the unique professional areas within the field of PR.