Travel and Special Topics Courses

Special topics courses give students the chance to explore subjects not covered in the standard curriculum, often shaped by emerging trends in the field or by a faculty member's particular area of expertise. These courses change from semester to semester, so students should check current course listings to see what's being offered.

Travel courses extend classroom learning beyond Montclair State University's campus, giving students the opportunity to study firsthand in locations relevant to their coursework. Past travel courses have included trips tied to journalism, media production, and communication studies, allowing students to report, create, and observe in professional environments outside the classroom. 

Students interested in either course type should speak with their academic advisor to confirm availability, prerequisites, and any associated fees.

Governor Mikie Sherill and President Jonathan Koppell on set for Cooking With Koppell

Cooking With Koppell

In this hands-on production course, students work on every stage of producing "Cooking with Koppell," from research and pre-production through post-production editing and graphics. Students gain real-world experience creating professional content while building the skills needed to thrive in the media industry.

Travel Courses

Students and professors take group photo at Grand Canyon.

JOUR 360: Reporting from the Field

This semester-long, 3-credit course centers around taking a select group of students to a location during spring break to report on relevant topics of the region. During the semester's first half, the class will plan the trip by researching stories and booking interviews. The class will then travel to the location where teams will use video and multimedia tools to gather material for their productions. For the remainder of the term, the class will edit and prepare their reports for distribution via outlet including The Montclarion, WMSC 90.3 FM, and Montclair News Lab.

Students in a canoe and red life vests.

International Study Abroad Opportunities

In partnership with the International Academic Initiatives, CCOM offers courses that pair your coursework with travel and fieldwork in communities around the world. CMST 350: Costa Rica, Explorations and Digital Narratives, is one example, where you'll travel to Costa Rica to document its culture and environment through photography, video, and writing, then shape that material into digital narratives.

Special Topic Courses

  • Social Media Uses and Effects
  • Crisis Communication
  • Food Media Literacy
  • Advanced Pro Tools Workshop
  • Audio for Thesis Films
  • Audio Post for Thesis Films
  • Audiobook Production and Narration"Cooking with President Koppell"
  • Concert Production
  • Drum Recording Workshop
  • Emerging Media Platforms and Innovation Design
  • Fundamentals of Pre-Production, Production, and Post-Production for Film Festivals and Distribution
  • Home Studio Design
  • Live Streaming Production Lab: vMix and Digital Broadcast
  • Logic Pro Workshop
  • Role of the Record Label: A&R, Legal, Product Management
  • Satire and Mass Media
  • Special Topics in Media Analysis
  • Studio and Remote Lighting Design
  • The Business and Programming of Streaming
  • The Montclarion
  • Vocal and Guitar Recording Workshop
  • Food Journalism
  • Investigative Audio Reporting
  • Live Newscast Production
  • On-Air at WMSC: Introduction to Radio Broadcasting

  • Social Media Journalism

     

  • Sports Documentary
  • History of Sports Broadcasting
  • Sports Fandom
  • Introduction to Sports Production
  • Sports Media in the Creator Economy
  • AI in Strategic Communication

Contact Academic Advising

Have questions on how to enroll for any of these travel-abroad or special topics courses? Reach out to Academic Advising via the email below or schedule your next advising appointment on Navigate.