Communication, BA
Digital Filmmaking & Media Arts- Program Delivery
- On Campus, Online, Hybrid
- Total Credits
- 120 Credits
About the Program
The Digital Filmmaking and Media Arts track provides students with a comprehensive and hands-on education in digital filmmaking and TV production. Our curriculum emphasizes the theory and art of storytelling, teaching students how to use sound and images to evoke emotions and connect with their audience.
Our faculty is made up of experienced professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the program. Students will work with state-of-the-art equipment, including our flagship Panasonic EVA1 digital cinema cameras and advanced studio and location lighting equipment, while learning about craft specializations such as cinematography, audio production, editing, and screenwriting.
By participating in our program, students will gain the skills and experience needed to succeed in the fast-paced world of digital media and filmmaking. They will also have the opportunity to network with industry professionals and build a portfolio that showcases their talent and creativity.
Focus of Study
The focus of study for the Digital Filmmaking and Media Arts program is on digital filmmaking and TV production, with an emphasis on the theory and art of storytelling using sound and images. The program covers the full gamut of digital media production, from screenwriting to directing to post-production.
The aim of the program is to provide students with hands-on experiences and comprehensive education in the field so they can develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the industry.
Program Requirements
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication requires the following:
- A minimum of 39 credit hours of COMM coursework. At least 18 of those hours must be upper division (courses numbered 3000 or higher).
- At least 30 hours of COMM courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.
- A minimum 2.0 GPA must be maintained in all COMM coursework.
- No more than 60 credit hours of COMM coursework may apply to the bachelor’s degree.
- All graduating Communication majors, except for students in the Sport Communication option, must submit a Communication Writing ePortfolio before graduation. See the ePortfolio page for specific details.
Program Coursework
REQUIRED COURSES
| Required Courses | Course # | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
| 6 courses/18 CHs All required courses are offered every semester. | COMM 2030 | Introduction to Communication Theory |
| COMM 2250 | Introduction to Film and Video (Meets LAS Humanities Req.) | |
| COMM 3100 | Directing for Film and Television (Meets LAS Hum. Req.) (FA semester only) | |
| COMM 3270 | Digital Cinematography (FA semester only) | |
| COMM 3300 | Screenwriting | |
| COMM 4270 | Digital Film Production (Prereq.- COMM 2250) (SP semester only) |
FOUNDATION COURSES
| Foundation Courses | Course # | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Courses Select one course from each category for a total of 3 classes/9 credit hours | Category 1: Film & TV History and Criticism | |
| COMM 3450 | The History of TV Programming (SP semester only) Req.) | |
| COMM 3500 | American Cinema (Meets LAS Hum. Req.) | |
| COMM 3850 | Walt Disney: The Nexus of Communication and Imagination (SP semester only) | |
| Category 2: Film & TV Production | ||
| COMM 2270 | Sports and Studio TV Production | |
| COMM 4170 | Documentary Film and Video | |
| COMM 3460 | Digital Film Editing | |
| Category 3: General Communication | ||
| COMM 2900 | Writing for the Media | |
| COMM 3250 | Principles and Practices of Advertising | |
| COMM 3470 | Interactive Digital Media and Storytelling | |
ELECTIVE COURSES
| Elective Courses | Course # | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
Students may choose any four courses (12 credit hours) from the list unless they took that class as a Foundation Course. Please note the prerequisite courses required for desired upper division courses in order to take them early in the program of study. Students are encouraged to complete an internship during their program of study | COMM 1000 | Contemporary Mass Media |
| COMM 1020 | Interpersonal Communication Meets LAS Soc. Sci. Req.) | |
| COMM 1440 | Foundations of Leadership | |
| COMM 2100 | Public Speaking (Meets LAS Oral Comm. Req.) | |
| COMM 2270 | Sports and Studio TV Production | |
| COMM 2900 | Writing for the Media | |
| MUS 2950 | Audio Engineering | |
| COMM 3000 | UCCS TV Workshop: The Bluffs - Studio | |
| COMM 3010 | UCCS TV Workshop: The Bluffs - Writing | |
| COMM 3200 | Principles and Practices of Public Relations | |
| COMM 3250 | Principles and Practices of Advertising | |
| COMM 3400 | Digital Communication Technologies | |
| COMM 3450 | The History of TV Programming (Offered Spring semester only) | |
| COMM 3460 | Digital Film Editing | |
| COMM 3470 | Interactive Digital Media and Storytelling | |
| COMM 3500 | American Cinema (Meets LAS Hum. Req.) | |
| COMM 3650 | Mass Media and Society | |
| COMM 3850 | Walt Disney: The Nexus of Communication and Imagination (SP semester only) | |
| COMM 4000 | Rhetorical Dimensions in Communication (Meets LAS Hum. Req.) | |
| COMM 4010 | Privilege and Oppression in Popular Culture (FA semester only) | |
| COMM 4140 | Media Effects | |
| COMM 4170 | Documentary Film and Video | |
| COMM 4460 | Advanced Editing & Colorization | |
| COMM 4690 | Internship in Communication (with approval of Internship Director) | |
| COMM 4900 | Special Topics in Communication (with approval of Director of Undergraduate Studies) | |
| COMM 9400 | Independent Study in Communication (with approval of Director of Undergraduate Studies) |
SUGGESTED 1ST YEAR
| Course # | Course Title |
|---|---|
| COMM 2030 | Introduction to Communication Theory |
| COMM 2250 | Introduction to Film and Video (Meets LAS Hum. Req.) |
| One Foundation Course | Select a foundation course from the foundation table above |
SUGGESTED 2ND YEAR
| Course # | Course Title |
|---|---|
| COMM 3100 | Directing for Film and Television (Meets LAS Hum. Req.) (FA semester only) |
| COMM 3270 | Digital Cinematography (FA semester only) |
| One Foundation Course | Select a foundation course from the foundation table above |
SUGGESTED 3RD YEAR
| Course # | Course Title |
|---|---|
| COMM 3300 | Screenwriting |
| Foundation Course | Select a foundation course from the foundation table above |
| Elective Course | Select an elective course from the elective table above |
| Elective Course | Select an elective course from the elective table above |
SUGGESTED 4TH YEAR
| Course # | Course Title |
|---|---|
| COMM 4270 | Digital Film Production (COMM 2250 Prerequisite) (Offered Spring semester only) |
| Elective Course | Select an elective course from the elective table above |
| Elective Course | Select an elective course from the elective table above |
A Bachelor of Arts in Communication requires 39 credit hours in Communication courses with 18 of those credits being upper division. An internship for advanced students with a 3.0 GPA is available in certain tracks. All Communication majors must take COMM 2030.
Additionally, Communication majors take 3 Foundation Courses, 6 required courses in their track, and 3 courses from the list of electives in their track. Some Foundation Courses may be taken as electives but cannot be counted as both a Foundation Course and an elective.
All Communication majors must submit examples of their coursework to an ePortfolio as a requirement to graduate. The examples (artifacts) will differ depending on a student's chosen track. Students will submit their entire completed ePortfolio during their final semester. More information can be found on the ePortfolio page.
To graduate with a degree in Communication, students must have a 2.0 GPA or better.
| Communication Courses | 39 Credit Hours |
| General Education | 81 Credit Hours |
For program coursework, please visit the Academic Catalog.
The Bluffs TV Series
The Bluffs is a student-produced web and TV series currently in its 10th season of production. It is offered as three separate courses over three semesters: a TV Writing course in the Spring semester where students are tasked with writing the next season of the series, a TV Production course in the Fall semester where students shoot that season, and a TV Post-Production course the following Spring semester where students edit and finalize the season for the big premiere each May. This is a great opportunity for students to get experience on a professional production.
Watch all past seasons of The Bluffs here.
Contacts
Matt Morgan
Director of Digital Filmmaking and Media Arts Track
Laura Eurich
Director of Undergraduate Studies/lnternships
Note: All Communication majors should receive academic advising with Professor Eurich at least once a year.