Communication

• FACULTY
• MAJOR IN COMMUNICATION
• MINOR IN COMMUNICATION
• COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

FACULTY

Chair: Russell J. Cook, Professor
Assistant Chair: Elliot King, Professor

Professors: Neil Alperstein; Andrew Ciofalo; Russell J. Cook; Elliot King
Assistant Professor: Jonathan J. Lillie
Instructors: Veronica Gunnerson; Karsonya Wise Whitehead
Affiliate Faculty: Kevin Atticks; Mark Bowden; Patricia Bozic; John McIntyre; Elizabeth Oakes; John Alan Spoler; John Stack; Timothy Tooten, Sr.; Gregg A. Wilhelm
Radio Station Manager: John Devecka
TV Studio Manager: Herbert J. Dunmore

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Contemporary society is characterized by the exponential growth of media. The Communication Department provides students with a critical understanding of communication processes and industries, and their impact on society. It prepares students for entry level positions in the media field of their choice or for graduate study.

The department combines a strong, professionally-oriented program and commitment to experience-based learning with an emphasis on critical thinking, observation, analysis, and writing. Students may shape their course selection to concentrate in journalism, television, radio, advertising, public relations, and interactive media, while also taking courses in areas such as publishing, popular culture, media and society, and free speech. Students may concentrate in more than one area. Through small classes, majors benefit from close interactions with both the full-time faculty, who represent a broad range of disciplines associated with this complex field of study, and affiliate faculty with strong professional credentials.

The study of communication is enhanced by participation in internships and cocurricular activities that include: the student newspaper; radio and television stations; a student-run book publishing company; and clubs, honor societies, and competitions associated with affiliated academic and professional organizations.

MAJOR IN COMMUNICATION

Introductory Courses: All majors take a minimum of four 200-level courses, including the required introductory course for their area of specialization:

• CM203 Introduction to Communication
• CM204 Sight Sound Motion (Digital Media)
• CM222 Graphics I (Digital Media)
• CM223 Journalism I (Journalism)
• CM224 Video Production (Digital Media)
• CM226 Introduction to Advertising (Advertising)
• CM227 Introduction to Public Relations (Public Relations)
• CM290 Public Speaking

Intermediate Courses: Students must take a combination of eight 300- and 400-level courses, which include at least three courses in their area of specialization:

Advertising/Public Relations

• CM314 Communication Research
• CM350 Advertising Copy Writing
• CM352 Graphics II
• CM354 Writing for Public Relations
• CM355 Advertising Management
• CM356 Case Studies in Public Relations
• CM384 Book Marketing and Promotion

Digital Media

• CM311 Story Development and Scripting
• CM312 Internet I
• CM351 Introduction to Radio
• CM352 Graphics II
• CM353 Narrative Video Production
• CM365 Advanced Radio Production
• CM371 Internet II
• CM372 Studio Television Production
• CM375 Video Animation
• CM388 Book Design and Production

Journalism

• CM340 Advanced Reporting
• CM360 Literary Journalism
• CM361 Copy Editing
• CM362 Editorial and Opinion Writing
• CM363 The Magazine Article
• CM364 Newspaper Feature Writing
• CM366 Reporting on Urban Affairs
• CM367 Sports Writing
• CM382 Book Publishing
• CM383 Broadcast Journalism
• CM386 Special Topics in Journalism

General

• CM302 Free Speech, Free Expression
• CM305 Media and the Political Process
• CM306 Popular Culture in America
• CM316 Travel Reporting
• CM342 Media, Culture and Society
• CM347 The Documentary Tradition
• CM380 Advanced Study in Communication
• CM385 Special Topics in Communication
• CM421 Communication Internship
• CM424 Professional Summer Semester in Media

Senior Capstone Course

Students must take one senior capstone course in their area of specialization:

• CM400 Senior Capstone in Magazine Publishing (Journalism)
• CM401 Senior Capstone in Digital Media
• CM403 Senior Capstone in Advertising
• CM404 Senior Capstone in Public Relations

Bachelor of Arts

Requirements for the major and an example of a typical program are listed below:

Freshman Year

Fall Term

    EN101 Understanding Literature
    PL201 Foundations of Philosophy
    WR100 Effective Writing
    Language Core
    Math/Science Core

Spring Term

    CM203 Introduction to Communication
    CM200-Level Specialization Course
    HS101 History of Modern Western Civilization
    PL200-Level Philosophical Perspectives Course
    Language Core or
    Elective

Sophomore Year

Fall Term

    CM200-Level Introductory Course
    CM200-Level Introductory Course
    History Core
    Math/Science Core
    Social Science Core

Spring Term

    CM300-Level Intermediate Course
    CM300-Level Specialization Course
    English Core
    Fine Arts Core
    Natural Science Core

Junior Year

Fall Term

    CM300-Level Intermediate Course
    CM300-Level Specialization Course
    TH201 Introduction to Theology
    Nondepartmental Elective
    Elective

Spring Term

    CM300-Level Intermediate Course
    CM300-Level Specialization Course
    Social Science Core
    Theology Core
    Elective

Senior Year

Fall Term

    CM300-Level Intermediate Course
    CM400-Level Internship Course
    Ethics Core
    Nondepartmental Elective
    Elective

Spring Term

    CM400-Level Capstone Course
    Nondepartmental Elective
    Elective
    Elective
    Elective

1. Communication majors must choose an area of specialization: advertising/public relations, digital media, or journalism. Students interested in publishing should choose journalism.
2. Majors who choose the advertising/public relations specialization are urged to consider minoring in marketing or business. Students who choose the digital media specialization are urged to consider minoring in fine arts. All majors are urged to consider minoring in writing.
3. Students who choose the journalism specialization are urged to consider American Society (SC103) as their social science core. All communication students may want to consider Media Ethics (PL316) when fulfilling their ethics core requirement.
4. Photojournalism students should be either a communication major and a visual arts minor with a photography concentration or a visual arts major with a photography concentration and a communication minor.
5. The Minor in Communication consists of seven courses: at least two, 200-level courses; four 300- and 400-level courses; and one 400-level capstone seminar.
6. An Interdisciplinary Major in Communication consists of nine courses: at least four 200-level courses; four 300- and 400-level courses; and one 400-level senior capstone course.
7. When planning to register, communication majors and minors should consult departmental planning forms that list the prerequisites and requirements for each specialization. These sheets should be completed before the advising meeting. Students are responsible for fulfilling the degree requirements and for tracking their progress through Degree Audit, which is the document used by the Academic Advising and Support Center to determine eligibility for graduation.
8. CM421, a three-credit communication internship, may be repeated for credit; however, only one three-credit internship will be counted toward the graduation requirement.
9. CM423, a one-credit communication internship, may be repeated for credit; however, it does not count toward the graduation requirement.
10. Professional Summer Semester in Media (CM424) may be taken for a maximum of six credits (two courses) count toward departmental requirements for the major.
11. Students must complete the diversity requirement through a designated diversity core, major, or elective course (see Diversity Requirement under Curriculum and Policies).