Listed here are courses I am experienced and passionate in teaching as well as courses I have developed and proposed to the university governance process. My teaching currently focuses on media studies, public relations, and basic communication courses. In the future I hope to expand this list to include civic media and media technology courses.
Courses Taught
Media Studies Courses
COM 220 Media Literacy, Salem State University 2016-2018
Course Catalog Description: In this course students will use a critical perspective to become informed consumers and creators of media texts–to access, analyze, evaluate, and communicate information in print, electronic and digital formats. Issues discussed in class will address topics like the social impact of popular culture, influence of advertising on media content, mass media as a global industry, how to read the news, and media as a source of information and entertainment.
Course Document Examples
COM 304/206 Mass Media and Society, Salem State University 2014
Course Catalog Description: This course offers an exploration of the role of the mass media in today’s society from a cultural studies perspective. Issues surrounding gender, race, and class are given special emphasis; other categories, such as age, family, and ability, are also considered. Attention is given to various theories that explain the relationship between mediated depictions of society and cultural ideas about different groups within society, and structural inequalities within society.
Course Document Examples
Public Relations Courses
COM 349 Principles of Public Relations, Salem State University 2013-2018
Course Catalog Description: Course provides an introduction to public relations and an overview of skills, techniques, concepts, and definitions relevant to the public relations field.
Course Document Examples
COM 351 Public Relations Writing, Salem State University 2014-2017
Course Catalog Description: Course addresses the written expression of public relations strategies, tactics and programs. Students explore and produce traditional written genres, including news releases, brochures, and fact sheets as well as new and emerging digital media formats, including social media releases, blogs, and website content.
Course Document Examples
Core Communication Courses
COM 201 Introduction to Communications, Salem State University 2013-2015
Course Catalog Description: Course examines key concepts of the mass media, tracing the evolution and history of major media institutions, from the invention of the printing press to the Internet and emerging media technologies and systems. Studying the media from multiple perspectives, students will become more media literate and sophisticated in their assessment of its influence on the global community.
Course Document Examples
Online Courses
COM 201 Introduction to Communications, Salem State University 2014-2017
COM 220 Media Literacy, Salem State University 2016-2017
COM 503 Communications Portfolio Seminar, Salem State University 2015-2017
Course Catalog Description: This capstone course will focus both on helping students reflect on and critique their body of work in the major and assisting them in the formation of their professional identities. Using materials gathered from current and previous class assignments, publications, and internships, students will create a professional portfolio suitable for presentation at job interviews in the communications industry. Capstone course.
COM 315 Communication Theory, Salem State University 2015
Course Catalog Description: In this course we will examine ways of understanding human communication behavior from both scientific and humanistic perspectives, with applications to mass communications and social interaction. Major communication theories will be evaluated and debated.
Other Courses Taught
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- Media Activism
- First Year Seminar: Social Justice & Superheroes
- Directed Study in Media and Communication (Capstone)
- Undergraduate research and Honors thesis research
- Internship in Communications
- Independent Research in Media Studies (Capstone)
- Public Speaking
- Advanced Public Relations Writing
Other Courses Assisted
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- Mass Media Effects
- Presentation in the Organization
- Introduction to Scientific Methods in Communication Research
- Intercultural Communication
Courses Developed
Media Literacy (Approved, First offered Spring 2016)
Course Catalog Description: In this course students will use a critical perspective to become informed consumers and creators of media texts–to access, analyze, evaluate, and communicate information in print, electronic and digital formats. Issues discussed in class will address topics like the social impact of popular culture, influence of advertising on media content, mass media as a global industry, how to read the news, and media as a source of information and entertainment.
Civic Media (Approved)
Course Catalog Description: This course uses comparative, global, and historical perspectives to examine media practices that foster civic participation. Students will learn civic media theories, academic and practitioner research, and project design methods to understand how media can be used for civic engagement. Case studies are used to explore civic media across platforms, contexts, audiences, and purpose to touch upon concepts like participatory culture, citizen journalism, resistance media, and media activism.
Civic Media Co-Lab (Approved)
Course Catalog Description: This project-based studio course builds from concepts introduced in COM332 and asks students to investigate the creation and use of civic media in society through analytical, participatory, and collaborative approaches. Emphasis is placed on co-design and the application of technology to civic problems to provide students with the tools they need to grapple with contemporary and civic challenges. Students will work with a community partner to create civic media projects that meet an identified real-world community need over the course of the semester.
Cindy S. Vincent, Ph.D. 