The communication program is an interdisciplinary major based
in the liberal arts. It emphasizes the development of career-level skills in
written, oral, interpersonal, electronic and visual communication. Theoretical,
historical, societal and pragmatic perspectives of communication are explored.
The curriculum includes a core curriculum that focuses on the theory, law,
ethics, principles, procedures and practices of mass, public and interpersonal
communication. Students can choose areas of specialization in print journalism,
broadcast journalism, public relations, advertising, and speech communication.
Pre-professional experiences gained on student-run media, communication student
organizations, on-campus practica and off-campus internships provide an
essential component to the curriculum.
The curriculum includes the integration of classroom instruction with
pre-professional work experience on the Navigator, the weekly University
newspaper; the Riparian, the University yearbook; a campus news and feature
magazine; the Aquarian, the University literary and arts magazine; Dolphin News;
the University television channel, and Dolphin Radio, the student-run on-line
radio station. Students also have the opportunity to participate in several
extra-curricular activities including intercollegiate forensics, communication
professional organizations and Lambda Pi Eta, national communications honor
society.
Graduates may enter many fields including journalism, public relations,
advertising, radio, television news, television production, graphic design,
management, marketing, education, social services and the arts. The
communication program also provides a fine foundation for graduate study not
only in journalism and mass communication but also in business, law, social work
and library science.
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
The student majoring in communication must complete the 33-hour communication
core and nine (9) hours in a selected area of specialization. A total of 42
hours is required for the communications major although students may take
additional hours in communication as electives to a maximum of 45 hours.
The communication major is offered as a Bachelor of Arts degree: that is
communication majors must complete a foreign language through the 202 level.
Core Requirements
Students entering the University
with the AA degree must take a foreign language through the 202 level. Course
COMM 201SI can be used by any University student to fulfill the requirement for
a speech intensive course.
Students majoring in communication must earn a "C" grade or better in all
communication core courses. A grade of "C" or better must be earned in all
prerequisite communication courses before taking a course with the stated
prerequisite.
The following core courses must be taken:
| Code |
Course |
Credit |
| COMM 101 |
Introduction to Mass Communication |
3 |
| COMM 201SI |
Introduction to Speech Communication |
3 |
| COMM 205 |
Introduction to Advertising |
3 |
| COMM 207WI |
Basic News Reporting |
3 |
| COMM 209 |
History of American Media |
3 |
| COMM 215 |
Introduction to Public Relations |
3 |
| COMM 217 |
Introduction to Broadcast Journalism |
3 |
| COMM 365 |
Communication Theory |
3 |
| COMM 455 |
Media Law |
3 |
| COMM 475 |
Media Ethics |
3 |
| COMM 485 |
Senior Communication Seminar |
3 |
| |
Total: |
33 |
REQUIRED AREA OF SPECIALIZATION
Choose nine (9) hours from one of the following five specializations
below:
Print Journalism
| Code |
Course |
Credit |
| COMM 307WI |
Advanced Reporting |
3 |
| COMM 321 |
Copy Editing & Newspaper Design |
3 |
COMM 331
or 465 |
Graphic Publication and Design
Communication Research |
3 |
| |
Total: |
9 |
Broadcast Journalism
| Code |
Course |
Credit |
| COMM 317 |
Broadcast Journalism |
3 |
| COMM 417 |
Advanced Broadcast Journalism |
3 |
| COMM 333WI |
Broadcast Newswriting and Reporting |
3 |
| |
Total: |
9 |
Public Relations
| Code |
Course |
Credit |
| COMM 301 |
Effective Communication Strategies |
3 |
| COMM 315WI |
Public Relations Writing |
3 |
COMM 401
or 415 |
Communicating to Diverse Publics
Public Relations Case Studies |
3 |
| |
Total: |
9 |
Advertising
| Code |
Course |
Credit |
COMM 331
or 465 |
Graphic and Publication Design
Communication Research |
3 |
| COMM 335WI |
Advertising Copy Writing |
3 |
| COMM 445 |
Advertising Campaigns |
3 |
| |
Total: |
9 |
Speech Communication
| Code |
Course |
Credit |
| COMM 302SI |
Persuasive Speaking |
3 |
| COMM 322 |
Argumentation and Debate |
3 |
| COMM 450 |
Nonverbal Communication in Human Interaction |
3 |
| |
Total: |
9 |
Suggested Electives
| Code |
Course |
Credit |
| COMM 331 |
Graphic and Publication Design |
3 |
| COMM 395 |
Communication Practicum |
1 |
| COMM 452 |
Special Topics in Communications |
3 |
| COMM 490 |
Internship |
3-6 |
MINOR REQUIREMENTS
A minor in communication requires 18 hours selected with assistance from
a communication faculty member.
Students are encouraged to develop minors or second majors in other fields
including but not limited to English, foreign languages and literature,
humanities, philosophy, business, art, sociology, psychology, political science,
history or theatre. These secondary areas of study should be chosen in
consultation with an academic advisor.
--==Back to Top==--