Communications and Media - Junior

Course # MDIA 3195

Credits 6

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: None

Course Description

This course offers an in-depth analysis of digital and social media ecosystems and their impact on local and global communication, culture, and commerce. The course focuses on case studies and enable students to research and learn about digital media platforms, affordances, user engagement, and strategic storytelling practices. The course blends theoretical and applied perspectives to help students better understand how digital and social media shape communities, organizations, and industries as well as navigating digital technology and their disruptive impacts on production, dissemination and consumption of information. Practical examples and exercises are used to illustrate selected concepts throughout the semester.

Course Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Analyze the historical, cultural, and economic dimensions of digital and social media by applying these perspectives to real platforms, campaigns, or digital practices.
• Assess interventions on digital platforms for framing and guiding the ways in which digital communities communicate.
• Design and implement basic digital strategies toward organizational or community goals.
• Evaluate practical cases from the digital media industry to explain how strategies are designed and implemented in real organizational contexts.
• Navigate the dominant continuities and disruptive shifts in media phenomena in the digital age.

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # COMP 1073

Credits 6

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: None

Course Description

This "Introduction to Computer Science" course is designed for students majoring in Communications and Media, offering a comprehensive overview of the fundamental concepts in computer science with a special focus on data science and AI. Throughout the semester, students will explore key areas including data manipulation using Excel, introduction to machine learning and AI, web development, and programming in Python (optional). The course emphasizes practical skills in data analysis, visualization, and/or web design development, culminating in a final project where students will apply their knowledge to real-world projects. Ethical considerations in research, data science, and AI are also integral to the curriculum, preparing students for responsible and informed engagement in the digital world.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Explain fundamental computing concepts and how computer systems, data, and networks support modern digital communication and media platforms.
• Apply basic data science and AI concepts to analyse, interpret, and communicate insights from digital media and social data.
• Describe how machine learning and recommendation algorithms operate and critically evaluate their impact on content visibility, public opinion, and audience behaviour.
• Design and evaluate simple web-based and interactive media content using principles of user experience, accessibility, and human centred computing.
• Demonstrate awareness of digital security, privacy, and ethical risks in media technologies, and propose responsible and lawful solutions.
• Create data driven or interactive digital stories using cloud based and web technologies, showing effective communication, creativity, and social responsibility.

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # MDIA 3192

Credits 6

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: Media Production TV

Course Description

This course covers the basics of filmmaking, including the narrative elements of storytelling for documentary films. In the course, students learn every stage of the filmmaking process, from pre-production to post-production, and have opportunities to put their knowledge into practice. The course focuses on the development of documentaries and explores different genres and modes of production. Students analyze documentaries from directors in Central Asia and worldwide, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the industry. The course combines a theoretical and practical approach to documentary filmmaking.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Generate ideas for documentary films
• Plan the script elements in preparation for a documentary film project
• Write a script that can convey a storyline
• Operate essential video and audio equipment items to create a professional product
• Analyze different kinds of non-fiction and fiction films
• Apply post-production methods and techniques using editing software.

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # MDIA 3156

Credits 6

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: None

Course Description

The Film Development Course is a hands-on filmmaking programme that guides students through the essential stages of transforming their storytelling potential from an initial concept to a comprehensive film project package ready for production. Through practical workshops and team collaboration, students gain hands-on experience in preparing essential pre-production elements, including logline, synopsis, director's vision statement, production budget, marketing strategy, and distribution plan.

Throughout the programme, students explore film development's creative and industry aspects, from narrative structure and visual storytelling to market analysis and audience engagement. They learn to balance artistic vision with practical considerations, developing skills in script analysis, project pitching, and industry collaboration. The course emphasizes real-world applications through case studies and intensive workshop sessions.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Develop a Film Project Package consisting of a Teaser and a Film Project Dossier that meet industry standards.
• Articulate story, vision, and production strategy for a short film in a structured format.
• Deliver a professional pitch of their developed film project to industry representatives.

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # MDIA 2075

Credits 6

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: None

Course Description

The Russian Writing for Media course is designed to equip journalism students with professional-grade Russian-language writing skills within the context of contemporary media ecosystems. The discipline merges theoretical foundations with intensive practical workshops, covering news, analytical, publicistic, and digital formats. Special emphasis is placed on stylistic precision, structural integrity, logical argumentation, source verification, and the adaptation of content for diverse platforms including print, online media, and social networks.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Produce grammatically correct and logically structured media texts in Russian.
• Distinguish between and correctly apply various journalistic genres.
• Critically edit and refine their own work as well as the work of peers.
• Master the art of headline writing, lead construction, and fact-based reporting.
• Adapt complex narratives for digital and social media environments.

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # MDIA 3087

Credits 6

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: None

Course Description

This course extends student knowledge and skills in communication studies into the field of science communication.  The course provides an introduction to forms of science communication intended for non-scientific audiences, such as writing for both online and print outlets, podcasting and short video production.  Students will develop a critical understanding of the wider societal context of both science and communication.  They will examine how communication practices can address contemporary science communication challenges and enhance public understanding of science.  Science communication is examined through both conceptual analysis and practical skill development and critical issues and themes in the field are explored.

Course Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course students will be able to:

• Discuss the conceptual basis of science communication.
• Analyse contemporary global science communication issues and practices.
• Examine ways that communication practices can address contemporary science communication challenges and enhance public understanding of science.
• Use a variety of media to share science information in different formats and contexts.
• Discuss the relationship between non-western knowledge and science and the ways that non-western worldviews can shift our conception of science

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # HUSS 3082

Credits 0

Prerequisites and/or Corequisites: None 

Course description

The purpose of physical education is to strengthen health and develop the physical and mental abilities of students. Physical exercises and sports games are the way to a powerful and functional body, clear mind and strong spirit. The course is both practical and theoretical, it covers basic concepts of anatomy and physiology as well as health and safety requirements.  

Course learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to: 

• Perform a range of physical activities
• Understand health and safety requirements for a range of physical activities
• Describe the role and progress of sport in Central Asia
• Choose an appropriate physical activities programme for their age and gender
• Identify tiredness and its symptoms to control the body during athletic exercises
• Describe the technique of running for a long and a short distance and jumping
• Accomplish running for a short and a long distance and jumping according to all necessary norms
• Describe the rules of a range of sports games

Course Assessments and Grading

The course will be graded with PASS/FAIL.

Course # COOP 3001

Credits 2