Communication Curriculum
Classes in the communication department allow majors to become well-rounded in the mass media and equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary for a career in the rapidly changing field of communication.
Printable version of the Communication Core for 2009-2011.
Concentrations
Students majoring in communication can choose from one of four concentrations:- Journalism
Includes the study of reporting, editing, desktop publishing and photography for newspaper, magazines and other publications - Public Relations
Concentrates on effectively communicating publicity through writing, speech and visual media - Visual Communication
Integrates graphic design, photography, photojournalism, videography and web design.
- Additional Classes Offered
Minors are also available in these concentrations.
Degree requirements
To earn a degree in communication, 39 hours must be completed in the major. Communication majors are required to complete a core communication curriculum of 27 hours, at least nine hours of classes from a selected concentration and an additional three hours of communication electives. In addition to the requirements of the major, general education requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree as listed in the catalog must be met.
Required Core Courses (27 hours):
- Foundations of Mass Communication
- Visual Rhetoric
- Reporting and Writing
- Editing
- Multimedia Production
- Contemporary Persuasion
- Theories of Communication
- Media Law
- Senior Seminar in Ethics
Concentrations (choose at least 9 hours from concentration and 3 hours of electives):
Journalism
- Public Affairs Reporting
- Feature Writing
- Digital Storytelling
- Economics of News
- Photojournalism
- Seminar
Public Relations
- Principles of Public Relations
- Public Relations Writing
- Public Relations Cases and Campaigns
- Public Relations Administration
- Methods of Audience Analysis
- Seminar
Visual Communication
- Visual Media Criticism
- Commercial Photography and Production
- Programming and Distribution
- Scriptwriting and Copywriting
- Narrative Video Production
- Seminar
Other classes
- Academic Internship
- Gender and Media
- Oral Interpretation
- Participation
- Topics in Communication
- Voice and Diction
For a complete list of course descriptions and requirements visit the online catalog