Communication

Communication

Professor: Phyllis Scrocco Zrzavy
Associate Professors: Paul Bush, Richard Roth 
Lecturers: Martin Roberts, Deborah Scranton

A Bachelor of Arts degree is offered in Communication to traditional students.

A minor is offered in Communication.

In conjunction with other departments, it also provides coursework leading to interdisciplinary Public Relations , Sports Media, and Advertising minors and the Women in Leadership Certificate.

The goals of the Communication Department are:
1. Create messages and acquire skills in media production appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context.
2. Create messages and acquire skills in journalistic writing appropriate to the audience, purpose and context.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of theories and methods to critically analyze media messages.
4. Demonstrate knowledge and skills related to career preparation in the field of Communication.

The mission of the Communication Department is to develop students’ professional competence in various aspects of modern professional communication, including journalism and digital media production. The curriculum also serves those who, upon graduation, want to pursue graduate-level study in the fields of communication, media studies, and related areas of academic inquiry.

The department core emphasizes coursework in writing (journalism), and digital video (media production), while also providing an understanding of how communication and media affect identity and culture (media studies). It also provides instruction in legal and ethical issues affecting information and the media, and culminates in a Capstone in Communication that provides preparation for transition to a career or graduate study, and focuses on a culminating project.

Two areas of concentration afford students the opportunity to receive specialized training:

• The Journalism and Media Production concentration uses best professional practices to provide authentic learning experiences that prepare students for success in the working world. Working collaboratively on a variety of projects, from numerous genres, students create media messages for print, online, and broadcast media outlets.
• The Media Studies concentration is designed to increase understanding of the relationship between media and culture. It focuses on the close reading of media texts, on culturally informed critiques of media content, processes and contexts, and on raising societal awareness of the growing impact of media on individuals, diverse communities and the world.

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Program Courses

In addition to all graduation requirements, the following courses must be completed successfully to fulfill the major requirements:

Major Core (33 credits)
COMM110 Journalism I
COMM120 Introduction to Media Production
COMM130 Introduction to Media Studies 
COMM200 Rhetoric & Society
COMM210 Journalism II
COMM230 Interpersonal Communication 
COMM310 Convergent Journalism 
COMM330 Media Criticism
COMM400 Capstone in Communication
COMM___ Elective
COMM___ Elective

Choose a Concentration (9 credits):

1. Journalism & Media Production
Choose at least three courses (at least two courses at 300-level and above):
COMM211 Broadcast Journalism I 
COMM214 Science Reporting 
COMM215 Sports Reporting 
COMM221 Multi-Camera Production
COMM311 Broadcast Journalism II 
COMM315 Television News Producing 
COMM316 Feature Writing
COMM321 Single-Camera Production 
COMM324 Audio Production
COMM410 Advanced Journalism 
COMM420 Advanced Media Production
COMM202/302/402 Internship in Communication

2. Media Studies
Choose at least three courses (at least two courses at 300-level and above):
COMM231 Diversity and Media 
COMM232 Understanding Film
COMM234 Film Genres
COMM235 Intercultural Communication
COMM333 Media and Culture 
COMM334 Media Theory
COMM336 Gender and Media Representation
COMM337 Children and the Media
COMM345 American Political Culture and Media
COMM430 Advanced Media Studies Seminar
COMM202/302/402 Internship in Communication

Minor Requirements
I. Communication Minor Core (9 credits)
COMM110 Journalism I
COMM120 Introduction to Media Production 
COMM130 Introduction to Media Studies

II. Electives (9 credits)
Students minoring in Communication must also complete at least two additional Communication courses at the 200-level or above, and at least one additional course at the 300-level or above.

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