Courses and Syllabi
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.
Spring 2027
Undergraduate
COMM 208: Introduction to Media Production (3 Credits)
Provides a general introduction to media production with emphasis on the basics of multimedia tools for camera, audio, lighting, and editing, focusing on non-fiction, journalism, or public relations/advocacy presentations. Offered by Communication. Limited to two attempts.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- COMM 208 - 001: Intro Media Production — Lance E Schmeidler — 10:30 AM to 01:10 PM M - David J. King Hall 1011B
FAVS 225: Film Around the World (3 Credits)
This course explores examples of many kinds of films from around the world, including documentary, fiction, and experimental. Students will learn to analyze film language and structures, with attention to cinema's many contexts, including economic institutions, historical events, political and social issues that shape and are shaped by movies.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Arts
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
FAVS 250: Business of Film (3 Credits)
This course provides an overview of the film & television industry from a business perspective. Students learn basic filmed entertainment business practices and protocol, including film financing, copyright & trademark, anti-trust, trademark, IP licensing, Agents & Managers, Entertainment Unions & Guilds, film distribution, and marketing techniques.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- FAVS 250 - 001: Business of Film — 01:30 PM to 04:10 PM R - Johnson Center - Hybrid
AVT 377: Cyberpunk (3 Credits)
Traces the ways that cinema, music, fiction, cultural theory, visual art, television, theater, and performance have embraced and been shaped by cyberpunk and cyberculture. Includes readings, writings, discussion, screenings, guest speakers, and research projects. Offered by School of Art. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Studio
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- AVT 377 - DL1: Cyberpunk — Mark Cooley — 10:30 AM to 01:10 PM W - Online
CHIN 320: Contemporary Chinese Film (3 Credits)
Explores China from 1949 to present through cinematic and literary representations. Discussions focus on representations of cultural, social, and political changes in the movies. Also introduces critical readings that address issues of gender and youth, family, ethnicity, modernity and the nation, as well as visuality and memory. Notes: Knowledge of Chinese language helpful but not required. Offered by Modern & Classical Languages. Limited to three attempts.
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- CHIN 320 - 001: Contemp Chinese Film — Hongmei Sun — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM T - Horizon Hall 5008
COMM 302: Media Theory (3 Credits)
Provides a comprehensive review of mass communication and media theory, focusing on media effects and the complex relationships between media producers, messages, technologies, and users/audiences. Examines role of media in news, politics, and popular culture. Offered by Communication. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
2 Sections Currently Scheduled
- COMM 302 - 001: Media Theory — Erik Holland — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM R - David J. King Hall 2053
- COMM 302 - DL1: Media Theory — Erik Holland - Online
COMM 360: Digital Postproduction (3 Credits)
Offers instruction on delivering high-quality image and video products for digital media. Students will be introduced to an array of video-audio editing and digital image software for integrating video, audio, photo and graphic postproduction. Student projects focus on journalism, public relations, and advocacy contexts. Offered by Communication. Limited to two attempts.
Registration Restrictions:
Required Prerequisites: COMM 355C, FAVS 255C, 255XS, COMM 208C, 208XS, L355, FAVS U255 or COMM U208.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
XS Requires minimum grade of XS.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- COMM 360 - 001: Digital Postproduction — David J. Miller — 01:30 PM to 04:10 PM T - David J. King Hall - Hybrid
COMM 364: Videography (3 Credits)
Provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and practices of visual storytelling, encompassing short documentaries, campaigns, commercial work, news and other non-fiction narratives. Mobile, DSLR and fixed-lens cameras will be used to explore all facets of visual production that tell human stories, with emphasis on character, conflict, drama, and surprise. Offered by Communication. Limited to three attempts.
Registration Restrictions:
Required Prerequisites: COMM 355C, FAVS 255C, 255XS, COMM 208C, 208XS, L355, FAVS U255 or COMM U208.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
XS Requires minimum grade of XS.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- COMM 364 - 001: Videography — David J. Miller — 01:30 PM to 04:10 PM W - David J. King Hall 1011B
COMM 372: Sports and the Media (3 Credits)
Examines the role of mass media in constructing images of athletes, sport, and sports culture. Critical attention is given to broadcast, print, and film of sport media. Assesses sociological and cultural issues that shape sport media and culture. Offered by Communication. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- COMM 372 - 001: Sports and the Media — Rodger Smith — 01:30 PM to 02:45 PM MW - Krug Hall 253
COMM 380: Media Criticism (3 Credits)
Examines practical criticism of a wide variety of media texts including television programs, newspapers, articles, films, photographs, and advertisements. Introduces principles of major contemporary modes of analysis for systematically interpreting visual and verbal forms of communication. Offered by Communication. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Writing Intensive in Major
Recommended Prerequisite: Completion of 60 hours or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- COMM 380 - DL1: Media Criticism — David J. Miller - Online
ENGH 371: Global TV (3 Credits)
Learn to identify and analyze formal elements of television. Learn how to situate and evaluate television in their cultural and historical contexts, interpret specific texts, and understand the relationships among broadcasting and networks, citizenship, audiences, and the public sphere. Offered by English. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Arts
Recommended Prerequisite: Satisfaction of University requirements in 100-level English and in Mason Core literature.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ENGH 371 - 001: Global TV — Hatim El-Hibri — 01:30 PM to 02:45 PM TR - Thompson Hall 1018
ENGH 372: Introduction to Film (3 Credits)
Introduces film medium as an art form. Offered by English. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Arts
Recommended Prerequisite: Satisfaction of University requirements in 100-level English and in Mason Core literature.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
3 Sections Currently Scheduled
- ENGH 372 - 001: Introduction to Film — Kevin M. Flanagan — 01:30 PM to 02:45 PM MW - Krug Hall 204
- ENGH 372 - 002: Introduction to Film — Kevin M. Flanagan — 03:00 PM to 04:15 PM MW - Krug Hall 204
- ENGH 372 - 003: Introduction to Film — Jessica Scarlata — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM M - Enterprise Hall 274
FAVS 300: Global Horror Film (3 Credits)
This course is an introduction to the horror film genre. Looking at various national and transnational cinemas, the course traces horror’s development from its literary beginnings through contemporary filmic storytelling. We’ll consider artistic, commercial, and sociopolitical aspects of the horror film and explore themes such as war, terror, and censorship. Students will learn to identify how horror texts both reflect and influence cultural interdependence and inequality across the world.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
3 Sections Currently Scheduled
- FAVS 300 - 001: Global Horror Film — Joey J Robbins — 10:30 AM to 01:10 PM M - Nguyen Engineering Building 1107
- FAVS 300 - 002: Global Horror Film — 10:30 AM to 01:10 PM T - Nguyen Engineering Building 1107
- FAVS 300 - 003: Global Horror Film — 10:30 AM to 01:10 PM R - Innovation Hall 319
FAVS 352: Film Ethics (3 Credits)
This course examines connections among ethics, screen stories, and image production and consumption. Readings and discussions about moral philosophy and frameworks for ethical decision-making prepare students to create new film projects in a more informed manner, as well as revisit and analyze their past creative work. Students will develop a more complex view of the ethics of screen creation and representation and become more media-literate in the process.Offered by Film & Video Studies. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Synthesis
Recommended Prerequisite: Completion of 21 credits within the Film program.
Registration Restrictions:
Required Prerequisites: ((ENGH 302C, 302XS, HNRS 360C, 360XS, 361C or 361XS) and (FAVS 255C or 255XS)).
C Requires minimum grade of C.
XS Requires minimum grade of XS.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Film and Video Studies.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- FAVS 352 - 001: Film Ethics — Thomas Britt — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM T - Enterprise Hall 274
FAVS 399: Special Topics in Film and Video Studies (1-3 Credits)
In-depth presentation and exploration of topical studies. Notes: Subject matter varies. May be repeated when taken under different topics.Offered by Film & Video Studies. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
3 Sections Currently Scheduled
- FAVS 399 - 001: Animated Media Studies — Khaled Dakak — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM W - Exploratory Hall (formerly Science and Tech II) L111
- FAVS 399 - 002: Music Documentary — 01:30 PM to 04:10 PM T - Art & Design Building 1005
- FAVS 399 - 004: Visual Effects — 01:30 PM to 04:10 PM W - Innovation Hall 233
MUSI 301: Music in Motion Pictures (3 Credits)
Intensive study and analysis of using music tracks in motion pictures to introduce the picture, set a scene, create moods, or for musical numbers. From the silent film scores of the 1920s to the present (including electronic music). Offered by Dewberry School of Music. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Arts
Recommended Prerequisite: Completion of 30 credits. Music and non- music majors welcome.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
COMM 452: Advanced Portfolio in Media Production (1-3 Credits)
Theory and practice in creation, distribution, and response to media productions. Students complete minimum 150 hours of work as assistants to engineers, producers, directors, and organizers of media production facilities on campus, under supervision of a sponsoring faculty member. Notes: Only 3 credits may be applied to the communication major. Offered by Communication. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
Recommended Prerequisite: COMM 208, 303, or 348.
Schedule Type: Internship
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- COMM 452 - 001: Advanced Portfolio in Productn — David J. Miller
ENGH 472: Topics in Film/Media Theory (3 Credits)
Advanced studies of theories about various aspects of production, distribution, and reception of film-mediated experiences. Topics may include theories of spectator, semiotics, feminist film theory, theories of narrativity, structuralist film theory, or deconstruction. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different. Offered by English. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: ENGH 372 or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ENGH 472 - 001: Streaming Media — Hatim El-Hibri — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM T - Aquia Building 219
ENGH 472: Topics in Film/Media Theory (3 Credits)
Advanced studies of theories about various aspects of production, distribution, and reception of film-mediated experiences. Topics may include theories of spectator, semiotics, feminist film theory, theories of narrativity, structuralist film theory, or deconstruction. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different. Offered by English. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: ENGH 372 or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ENGH 472 - 001: Streaming Media — Hatim El-Hibri — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM T - Aquia Building 219