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Classes are designed to challenge your thinking and develop your professional skills. You’ll leave each class with a unique set of tools to approach new communications challenges.

Tailor your experience to your career goals by focusing on one of eight areas of specialization. Use the search widget below to sort classes by quarter, specialization, instructor and degree track for each quarter. Get a comprehensive view of the full academic year in our Course Guide.

View the University of Washington Academic Calendar for important dates, including quarter start and end dates, registration dates and deadlines, and campus holidays.

Registration numbers (SLNs) are located on the Time Schedule. Please read the Department’s statement on internet resource requirements for access to courses.

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COMMLD 530B: Foundations of Video Storytelling: Documentary

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

Open Elective | 5 Credits
Thursdays 1/7 – 3/11, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Room on Time Schedule
Registration SLN: 12655

Course Description

Foundations of Documentary Storytelling is a workshop-based course where students get hands-on experience in building documentary stories from start to finish. This course supports and cultivates curiosity-driven mindset and the technical skill development needed to produce compelling documentary media for innovative marketing and media production. How do you take a compelling topic and make it an engaging story? Documentary Storytelling will teach you to take stories, characters and themes and craft them into stories by breaking chronology, building emotional resonance and cultivating buy-in so that we want to know what happens and get invested in the outcome. 

You will learn to craft character-driven nonfiction narratives while mastering the complete production process: research, story craft, video/audio styles and equipment use, field recording and interview techniques, film editing and constructing feedback. This course looks at both technical proficiency and ethical responsibility in documentary as well as exploring production roles, documentary industry standards, and the power dynamics inherent in capturing others’ stories. 

Students will create multiple documentary productions with various crew structures and independent work which will be paired with guest speaker workshops and film case studies from award-winning professional documentarians. You will leave the class with a strong understanding of what is required throughout a production process through holding a variety of production roles. Get ready to deep dive on building stories from the world around you and explore how documentary techniques can transform your skills and repertoire as a communications leader.

Note: This is one of the two foundational courses covering video storytelling. The other class is “COMMLD 531: Foundations of Video Storytelling.” Both will qualify you for taking Advanced Video Storytelling.

This Course is Ideal for Students Who:

Aspire to integrate relational storytelling methods into their communication leadership practice

Seek project-based learning experience

Want to develop transferable core storytelling and editing skills 

Are interested in understanding how documentary can successfully shift culture, policy and public opinion through storytelling

I learned so much in Elliat’s class. Honestly, before the class, I hadn’t thought much about documentary filmmaking (I’m more of a fiction-oriented storyteller). Through the class, I had the opportunity to learn about the conventions of the genre, the most revered filmmakers within it, and the steps to take to make our own documentaries. I also learned how to use fancy camera equipment for the first time, which used to intimidate me. My team and I ended up making a “dogumentary” about a female-owned, sustainable dog clothing company, which was an absolute delight to capture on screen. We had so much fun. I’d recommend this class to any storyteller, creative, or even someone interested in commercial work. You’ll have a new appreciation for this medium.—Aviva Peltin, MCCL cohort ’25

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COMMLD 530C: Mobile Media Production

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

Open Elective | 5 Credits
Mondays 1/4 – 3/15, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Room on Time Schedule
Registration SLN: 21940

Course Description

The Mobile Storytelling course prepares professional communicators to create visual stories spontaneously, record them inexpensively, and distribute them instantly. High-quality visual storytelling no longer requires expensive equipment or large production teams for every story you want to tell. Students will learn how to plan, shoot, edit, and distribute compelling visual content using smartphones and other accessible, low-cost production tools, and evaluate their impact once posted online. Whether you’re working at nonprofits or small businesses and need solutions that won’t break the bank, or you work at larger organizations looking to move fast, mastering these skills can help you deliver professional, powerful stories using technology that’s already in your pocket.

This course covers visual storytelling, camera techniques, lighting, sound recording, interviewing, mobile editing, and social media publishing and campaigns. Students will explore how to adapt visual content for different audiences, platforms, and communication goals. Through practical exercises and real-world production projects, students will develop the creative, technical, and strategic skills to produce effective visual content independently, even with limited time, equipment, and budgets.

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COMMLD 530D: Building a Social Video Channel: Formats, Series, and Audience

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

MCDM Elective | 5 Credits
Wednesdays 1/6 – 3/10, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Room on Time Schedule
Registration SLN: 21999

Course Description

This course is designed for students interested in both content creation and marketing roles. Students will develop a social-video channel or recurring series for an organization, business, community, or area of interest. Rather than concentrating primarily on a single video, students design a sustainable system for producing an ongoing body of work.

Students identify their audience, develop a channel identity, design repeatable formats, and produce a small group of short- and longer-form social-native videos. They use audience feedback and basic analytics (such as retention, completion, and engagement) to refine their formats and production strategy. Students finish with a channel concept, a portfolio of completed videos, a repeatable production plan, and recommendations for future content.

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COMMLD 532: Advanced Video Storytelling

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

MCDM Elective | 5 Credits
Saturdays 1/16, 1/30, 2/13, 2/27, 3/13, 9:00am – 5:00pm | Off-site location, see SharePoint
Registration SLN: 12657

Course Description

The world of video production is a mysterious and ambiguous place consisting of freelancers, business owners, and in-house roles. In this course students will learn how to add structure to their client interactions, how to ensure that they’re delivering content that fits their client’s needs, and how to navigate studio-based filming environments. Class will consist of qualitative analysis of how to approach storytelling problems as well as hands-on experiences with advanced camera gear in a professional setting. Students will collaborate in teams throughout the quarter to create one short video for a real-world client.

This course is a good match for students who:

• Have taken the Foundations of Video Storytelling course OR have a very strong understanding of how to create video content

• Are open to a simulated real world experience which includes working in groups

• Are prepared for a time consuming and rigorous learning experience

Students who have taken or are currently enrolled in COMMLD 531 may register for this class in Register.UW using the SLN. Students who have taken COMMLD 530: Foundations of Documentary Storytelling and those who have taken neither class must submit an application. See below for application details.

Students must prove their proficiency in video production to register for this course by meeting the minimum qualifications:

1. Proficient experience in editing video on the following platforms: Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, and/or DaVinci Resolve.

2. Experience in shooting video with either DSLRs or Video Cinema Cameras.

Please fill the form below to the best of your ability. You may be reached out with further clarifications. If your form is approved, you will receive an add code to register for the course. (Note: applications will be time stamped, and qualified applicants will be added to remaining class spots on an equitable basis determined by time of application and remaining time in the program.

The application will go live on a later date.

Here are the questions on the form to help you prepare before it goes live:

Full Name
UW Email

Have you taken (or are currently taking) COMMLD 531: Foundations of Video Storytelling?

If you have not taken the Foundations of Video Storytelling course, do you have other comparable experience? We do not cover basics of how to use gear or software in this class, we focus largely on client relations and storytelling principles so you need to have a solid foundation of video creation methods in order to succeed. Please provide examples of your work if applicable.

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COMMLD 540C/D: Public Speaking and Presenting with Impact

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

Open Elective | Meets Ethics & Leadership Requirement | 2 or 3 Credits
Wednesdays 1/6 – 3/10, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Room on Time Schedule
2-credit 540C Registration SLN: 12660
3-credit 540D Registration SLN: 12661

Course Description

Skilled presenters have the power to move people and inspire change. Becoming a more effective and dynamic public speaker means making the complex accessible, connecting the dots for your audience, and developing confidence over canned answers.  By using storytelling and other communications strategies to become a better presenter, you’ll resonate with your audience in new and more meaningful ways.

In this course, you’ll learn how to grab attention immediately, the importance of simplifying your visuals, and why it’s critical to know your message well enough to speak directly to your audience — not to your notes and not to your screen.  We’ll address the mistakes most people make, and how to avoid them to ensure that you’re communicating with poise, confidence and conviction in a way that captivates your audience.

Whether it’s over Zoom or winning over the room, by mastering your public speaking skills you will learn to overcome doubt, increase your confidence and find your voice.

Note: 540C is the 2 credit version; 540D is the 3 credit version. The 3-credit version will include additional presentation assignments and deliverables.

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COMMLD 541B: Crisis Communication

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

Open Elective | Meets Law and Ethics OR Law & Policy Requirement | 5 Credits
Tuesdays 1/5 – 3/9, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Online
Registration SLN: 12663

Course Description

Crisis communications is about much more than “spin.”  Crises will happen – in government, in the corporate sector, in nonprofits and political campaigns.  What will differentiate you as a communicator is your ability to plan for it, navigate it in real time, and learn something from it.  There is opportunity in crisis.  A crisis forces us to look inside ourselves, at our policies, at our practices, and at how we do our business.

Of course, crisis communications has always been tough; social media and the advent of generative AI have just made it tougher.  We will navigate the latest cultural challenges, from “cancel culture” to messaging in our polarized society.  In this course, we will look at before the crisis (including planning), how we respond during the crisis (this includes the critical crisis communications plan) and after (this is where we cover actions one must take afterwards, including how to repair the damage done).  The class is designed to look at crises in various sectors and will include participation from professionals in the field.

Meets Law and Ethics Requirement.

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COMMLD 546A/B: Professional Long-Form Writing

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

Open Elective | Meets Professional Writing Requirement (3 or 5 credit) or Research Methods Requirement (5 Credit) | 3 or 5 Credits
Sundays 1/10, 1/24, 2/7, 2/21, 3/7, 9:00am – 5:00pm | Room on Time Schedule
3-credit 546A Registration SLN: 21976
5-credit 546B Registration SLN: 21977

Please note: 546A is 3 credits, and 546B is 5 credits. These courses will run concurrently. Students registered for 546A (3 credits) will attend the first three dates, and students registered for 546B (5 credits) will attend all five dates.

Course Description:

Have you ever read an in-depth piece online that so moved you or shifted your thinking that you immediately sent it on to a friend or colleague? The “long-form” medium offers the writer ample space for synthesis, critique, and personal stories to capture the imagination, change the conversation, and inspire action. With a broad selection of writers, leaders, and cultural commentators as curricular guides, this course invites each student to hone their long-form professional writing skills (>1000 words) and deepen their understanding of the current professional communication long-form landscape.

With scaffolded steps to refine their writing voice and scope, this course serves both students with writing experience, as well as those keen to develop this foundational skill. All students are invited to submit their final piece for inclusion in the Summer 2026 volume of the online journal Mind Shift.

Anita teaches invaluable research and writing skills that pushed me to become a more curious thinker. She encourages her students to dive into multifaceted research on your choice of subject and produce a polished long-form piece. As a brand marketing professional, I’ve applied what I learned in Anita’s class by practicing clear written communication and empathetic collaboration. —Amanda Chou, MCCN cohort ‘22 alumni 

3-credit class Meets Professional Writing Requirement.

5-credit class meets either Research Methods or Professional Writing requirement. Class cannot be used to meet both requirements.

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COMMLD 570B: Stakeholder Mindset & Communication

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

Open Elective | Meets Law & Policy Requirement | 3 Credits
Thursdays 1/7 – 3/11, 6:00pm – 8:20pm | Room on Time Schedule
Registration SLN: 12672

Course Description:

In August 2019, the Business Roundtable, a group of 181 CEOs from the largest corporations in the world, created, signed, and distributed  a formal document, “Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation.” This communication stated that this group was committed to leading their companies for the benefit of all stakeholders — shareholders, communities, employees, suppliers, and customers. 

In this course, we’ll examine this diverse set of stakeholders and take a closer look at how they interact with corporate leaders and each other internally and externally. What role will marketing communication professionals have in making companies’ messaging more stakeholder focused and inclusive going forward? 

From Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover to the mercurial work policies at Amazon, we’ll examine why companies which do not support stakeholder theory risk losing value. And why the ones that do gain it.

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COMMLD 580A Communicating the Future with Scenario Planning

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

MCDM Elective | 5 Credits
Thursdays 1/7 – 3/11, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Room on Time Schedule
Registration SLN: 12674

Course Description

This course exposes learners to the strategic storytelling techniques that businesses, governments and non not-for-profits use to explore possible futures. 

Scenarios provide organizations the tools they need to anticipate and navigate the future by developing multiple paths along which the future might unfold. Rather than looking at the world through the lens of what we know, scenario planning starts with uncertainties: Social, technological, economic, environmental and political forces that will evolve over the next several years in unknowable ways. This helps organizations prepare for many eventualities (some which they may not like) because they will be able to see opportunities, mitigate risks, and work toward enabling futures that align with their missions and values.

The course will teach learners how to develop scenarios, how to use them within organizations for strategy and storytelling. Each student will choose an area of interest as an overlay atop a generalized set of futures so they personally understand the power of starting a story with “I don’t know” and using that as a lever to co-create plausible futures that could be. Students will leave the course as scenario planning practitioners, a valuable skill for any leader in an uncertain world.

For more information: Scenario Planning and Communications: How Does Scenario Planning Apply to Communications Jobs?

I went into Scenario Planning as a marketer and left as a strategic storyteller. Dan taught us to look into the future and fashion a whole story out of it, in scenarios and contexts I otherwise wouldn’t have imagined. It also trains you to think of the future beyond just a linear eventuality to help prepare for it in the best way possible. Personally, the application of what I learned was beyond a business context, and I can say this – it helped all of us look at everything in a more multi-dimensional manner.—Matthew Joseph, MCDM cohort ‘22 alumni

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COMMLD 590A: Quantitative Methods for Communications Research

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

Open Elective | Meets Research Methods Requirement | 5 Credits
Tuesdays 1/5 – 3/9, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Room on Time Schedule
Registration SLN: 21943

Course Description

This course introduces the foundational principles of quantitative social scientific research that underpin research in fields such as public relations, marketing, user experience, community engagement, and public opinion. Students will learn how to conceptualize and measure variables, design surveys and experiments, analyze quantitative data, and critically evaluate empirical evidence, with particular attention to causal inference—how researchers assess whether and how one factor influences another. A central component of the course is a hands-on research project in which each student develops and conducts a minimalist, three-variable study using an online survey or survey experiment, guided by their own interests or career goals. Students will collect and analyze original data and present their findings in a structured research report. Through this process, they will develop practical research skills and the methodological literacy needed to conduct and critically evaluate empirical research that informs professional decision-making.

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COMMLD 594: Capstone Preparation: Research and Development

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

Open Elective | Meets Research Methods Requirement | 3 Credits
Mondays 1/4 – 3/15, 6:00pm – 8:20pm | Room on Time Schedule
Registration SLN: 21986

Course Description

This course builds a foundation in research design and practice to support the development of an impactful, and well-scoped research project. A range of research approaches will be introduced, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods.

Students will begin by exploring existing academic and professional conversations to identify gaps, opportunities, and areas of relevance. From this foundation, they will learn to frame meaningful research questions, select appropriate methodologies, and design ethical, context-aware studies. The course also includes strategies for identifying relevant participants, stakeholders, audiences and data sources aligned with research goals.

The primary outcome of the course is a complete research plan, which will serve as the foundation for students to continue the work through the academic year, culminating in the Spring Quarter Capstone class.

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© Copyright 2025 Department of Communication. University of Washington

© Copyright 2025 Department of Communication. University of Washington