The major in communications, which prepares students for careers in the exciting and challenging news media and public relations industries, offers a broad liberal arts education with a focus on both communication theory and practical communication skills training. Majors should have good writing and verbal skills and should display a critical curiosity about the world. They must have a desire to work in highly competitive industries where rewards result from a mastery of communication skills.
Communications majors complete a four-course communications core, including one internship. In addition, they select one of three concentrations. The journalism concentration (eight courses prepares students for writing and editing careers in the news media industry. The public relations concentration (eight courses) prepares students for careers in corporate, not-for-profit and agency public relations. The global communications concentration (eight courses) provides students with an understanding of how culture influences interpersonal and mass communication and the skills to develop effective and appropriate ways to communicate information across cultures. The internship is integral to the communications major. Junior and senior majors serve an apprenticeship at more than 30 nearby organizations, including newspapers, radio, network and cable television, public relations agencies, and not-for-profit organizations.
Degree Requirements
Majors pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in communications must satisfy University Core Curriculum requirements and the College speech requirement, COMM 210. In addition, communications majors must complete successfully 11 major courses, an internship and a sufficient number of electives to total 120 credits. Majors are encouraged to apply electives toward a minor or second major.
Foundation Courses
COMM 101 Introduction to Mass Media
COMM 240 Electronic Communications
COMM 310 Law and Ethics of Public Communication
Journalism Concentration
COMM 111 Writing for the Mass Media
COMM 280 Writing Features and Editorials
COMM 290 Copyediting and Layout
COMM 305 Mass Communication Theory and Criticism
COMM 370 Newswriting, Reporting and Lab
COMM 430 Special Topics in Journalism
and two of the following:
COMM 320 Broadcast News
VARTS 261 Light/Lens/ Digital Media Concepts
POLSC 110 The United States in World Affairs
POLSC 303 Politics and the Media
Public Relations Concentration
COMM 111 Writing for the Mass Media
COMM 300 Principles and Practices of Public Relations
COMM 305 Mass Communication Theory and Criticism
COMM 340 Mass Communication Research
COMM 350 Public Relations Techniques
COMM 420 Public Relations Case Studies
MRKT 200 Marketing Principles
and one elective chosen from the following:
MKRT 301 Advertising Principles
MRKT 335 Consumer Behavior
MRKT 305 Marketing Research
MRKT 402 International Marketing
MRKT 430 Special Topics in Marketing
Global Communications Concentration
COMM 250 Intercultural Communications
COMM 260 Effective Design and Communication of
Visual Media
COMM 330 International Communications
COMM 380 Cultural Differences in Visual Media
MRKT 200 Marketing Principles
MRKT 402 International Marketing
WTNG 300 Rhetoric and Cultural Differences
And one elective chosen from the following:
ANTH 380 Culture Change
HIST 374 History of Inter-American Relations
HIST 382 Critical Periods in African History
HIST 383 Critical Periods and Topics in Latin American History
POLSC 221 Comparative Politics in the Third World
SOC 316 Sociology of Gender
Communications Internship
COMM 460 Internship – is required of all communications majors
COMM 101 Introduction to Mass Media
COMM 111 Writing for the Mass Media
COMM 305 Mass Communication Theory and Criticism
and three Communications courses at the 300 level or above.