Communication Studies Major
The BA in Communication Studies is a major in the College of Arts and Sciences for students interested in specializing in digital media studies as an area of expertise. The major helps students develop advanced skills in communications with an emphasis on digital media studies, including multimedia writing, video editing and production, web content strategy and design, and writing for social media platforms.
Communication Studies students acquire a solid grounding in the study of digital communications while exploring current ideas and tools that are shaping the knowledge society. A hallmark of the Communication Studies curriculum is the emphasis on both theory and practice. Not only do students study what is happening at the forefront of emerging communication technologies, they also participate. Students have access to cutting-edge resources as they make and reflect upon media and in the process acquire important skills in teamwork, innovation, design, and entrepreneurship. The major prepares students for careers in digital media including web content strategy and design, social media/community management, and multimedia journalism.
The Department of Communication Studies is committed to excellence in teaching and learning. Faculty are dedicated to the art of thinking across media, platforms, and theories in order to create an innovative and socially responsible curriculum that goes beyond the classroom. Communication Studies students gain hands-on experience by working closely with faculty on a variety of activities.
Goal 1: Students will develop a critical awareness of the impact of media on society.
Outcome 1.1: Students will be able to communicate a critical analysis of the impact of media on society.
Goal 2: Students will understand and apply design theories and approaches to communicative situations.
Outcome 2.1: Students will be able to create media stories and/or artifacts using contemporary design approaches.
Outcome 2.2: Students will be able to conceive, plan, and produce a portfolio of media-related projects individually and through collaboration with others.
Goal 3: Students will develop an understanding communication-related social issues, ethics, and inclusivity.
Outcome 3.1: Students will be able to analyze the relation between media and social responsibility within assignments.
Outcome 3.2: Students will be able to apply elements of social responsibility, ethics, and inclusivity in projects.
Cornerstone Core Curriculum Requirements
Consist of 14 core and 2 overlay requirements. See below for additional detailed information on each of these requirements.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Course Requirements | ||
| ENG 101 | Craft of Language | 3 |
| World History Course Area | 3 | |
| Philosophy Requirements | ||
Either Level One or Level Two (but not both) -- must be Ethics designated. If approved, philosophy courses may count for a student's Writing Intensive overlay. Students may not double-count the same course as Philosophy Level Two and as a Mission Overlay course. | ||
| Philosophy Level One | 3 | |
| Philosophy Level Two | 3 | |
| Theology & Religious Studies Requirements | ||
If approved, Theology & Religious Studies courses may count for a student's Writing Intensive overlay. Students may not double-count the same course as CCC Theology and as a Mission Overlay course. | ||
| Theology | 3 | |
| Religious Studies | 3 | |
| Diversity & INT 151 Requirements | ||
A student's Diversity course may not count for any other CCC course area requirement or as their Mission Overlay course. If approved, Diversity courses may count for a student's Writing Intensive Overlay requirement. INT 151 may not count for any other CCC requirements. This course must be taken in the first two years | ||
| Diversity | 3 | |
| INT 151 | Inequality in American Society | 1 |
| Math & Natural Science Requirements | ||
If approved, Math & Natural Science Requirements may count toward overlay requirements. | ||
| Mathematics | 3-4 | |
| Natural Science | 4 | |
| Social Science Requirement | 3 | |
If approved, such Social Science Requirement may count toward a student's overlay requirements. | ||
| Non-Native Language Requirement | 3-4 | |
A single Non-Native Language course may not count as an overlay course but a second language course fulfills a student's Mission Overlay requirement. | ||
| Literature Requirement | 3 | |
If approved, Literature courses may count toward a student's overlay requirements. | ||
| Fine and Performing Arts, Creativity, and Design Requirement | 3 | |
If approved, Fine and Performing Arts, Creativity, and Design courses may count toward a student's overlay requirements. | ||
| Overlay Requirements | ||
| Writing-Intensive | 3 | |
If approved, Writing-Intensive courses may double count as major courses, minor courses, electives, or as any CCC course area requirement except for the first-year courses (World History and Rhetoric and Composition). | ||
| Mission-Overlay | 3 | |
Mission Overlay courses may double count as major courses, minor courses, elective courses, or any of the following CCC course areas: Fine and Performing Arts, Creativity, and Design, Literature, Mathematics, Natural Science, or Social Science. | ||
| Total Hours | 47-49 | |
Major Requirements
All Communication majors will be assigned a departmental advisor with whom they will consult during the course of their studies and who will help them select a series of course appropriate for both their interests and future careers.
All students complete the seven Core courses and select the remaining five courses from the list of Option Courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| COM 200 | Multimedia Storytelling I (will count for CCC: Fine & Performing Arts, Design & Creativity) | 3 |
| COM 201 | Media and Society | 3 |
| COM 202 | Visual Design I | 3 |
| COM 203 | Audio/Video I | 3 |
| COM 371 | Media Advocacy | 3 |
| COM 372 | Intro to Web Design | 3 |
| COM 480 | Senior Capstone | 3 |
| A Second Non-Native Language Course (will count for CCC: Mission-Overlay) | 3 | |
| Select five of the following: | 15 | |
| Sports, Media and Culture | ||
| Communications Special Topics | ||
| Technology and Pop Culture | ||
| Black Popular Culture | ||
| Black Adaptation | ||
| Media Law and Ethics | ||
| Audio/Video II | ||
| Global Digital Media | ||
| Advanced Web Design | ||
| Sports Media Production | ||
| Media and Community Engagement | ||
| Non-Profit Communications | ||
| Justice By Design | ||
| Mindful Communication | ||
| Privacy/Surv in the Dig Era | ||
| Podcasting | ||
| Visual Design II | ||
| Music Protest & Social Justice | ||
| Black Women Content Creators | ||
| Health Communication Advocacy | ||
| Bear Witness:Images/Soc Change | ||
| Special Topics/ Com&Digi Media 1 | ||
| Crime, Justice, & Media | ||
| Communications Internship 2 | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Indep Research Project I | ||
| Indep Research Project II | ||
| Total Hours | 39 | |
- 1
COM 473 may be repeated provided the topics are different.
- 2
Com 491 may be taken a second time but credits will count as a general elective.
Free Electives
Graduation requires 120 credits. Any credits necessary to reach that number outside of the CCC and major requirements are considered free electives.
Internship
Students who have completed both 200 and 201 and have at least junior standing are eligible to take the Internship course as one of their option courses. In order to take the Communications Internship students must be a Communications major and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Independent Study
Communication Studies students with junior or senior standing and an overall GPA of 3.0 may apply for credit in an independent study program. These courses usually cover a topic not typically offered as part of the standard selection of courses, but which will enhance the student's educational objectives. At the end of the semester preceding the semester in which an independent study is sought the interested students should submit a written proposal describing, with particulars, the planned study project. The minimum requirement for such a proposal is that it include a substantial critical and/or creative project, and the name of the appropriate faculty member.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| World History | 3 | |
| Non-Native Language | 3 | |
| Philosophy Level One | 3 | |
| COM 200 | Multimedia Storytelling I | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| COM 201 | Media and Society | 3 |
| ENG 101 | Craft of Language | 3 |
| INT 151 | Inequality in American Society | 1 |
| 2nd Non-Native Language (Meets Mission-Specific overlay) | 3-4 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16-17 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| Philosophy Level Two | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| COM 202 or COM 203 |
Visual Design I or Audio/Video I |
3 |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Theology | 3 | |
| Social Science | 3 | |
| COM 203 or COM 202 |
Audio/Video I or Visual Design I |
3 |
| COM 290 | Professional Prep Seminar | 1 |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| Diversity | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive | 3 | |
| COM 371 | Media Advocacy | 3 |
| COM Options course | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Religious Studies | 3 | |
| COM 372 | Intro to Web Design | 3 |
| COM Options course | 3 | |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| Natural Science | 3-4 | |
| COM Options courses | 6 | |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| COM 480 | Senior Capstone | 3 |
| COM Options course | 3 | |
| Free Electives | 9 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 122-124 | |