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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
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 co-curricular 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.
Introductory Courses: All majors take a minimum of four 200-level courses, including the required introductory course for their area of specialization:
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:
Students must take one senior capstone course in their area of specialization:
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
Non-Departmental 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
Non-Departmental Elective
Elective
Spring Term
CM400-Level Capstone Course
Non-Departmental Elective
Elective
Elective
Elective
Communication majors must choose an area of specialization: advertising/public relations, digital media, or journalism. Students interested in publishing should choose journalism.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
CM421, a three-credit communication internship, may be repeated for credit; however, only one three-credit internship will be counted toward the graduation requirement.
CM423, a one-credit communication internship, may be repeated for credit; however, it does not count toward the graduation requirement.
Professional Summer Semester in Media (CM424) may be taken for a maximum of six credits (two courses) count toward departmental requirements for the major.
Students must complete the diversity requirement through a designated diversity core, major, or elective course (see Diversity Requirement under Curriculum and Policies).
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