Communications
Area of Performing, Visual & Communicative Arts
Info Sheet | Course Sequence | Catalog
Graduates with a major in communications are expected to 1) demonstrate an understanding of how various media shape modern life, emphasizing the relationship between Christian faith and life; 2) demonstrate the ability to think, speak, and write clearly and effectively in their area of expertise (digital media studies, film studies, interpersonal and public communication, multimedia journalism, and public relations) 3) demonstrate a practical knowledge of their area of expertise; 4) demonstrate knowledge of current research in their field of expertise; 5) demonstrate skill in computer applications relating to their area of expertise.
The major in communications may be a B.A. program that requires completion of a foreign language through the intermediate level. The student may elect the B.S. degree which requires CIS 275 and, in the multimedia journalism and public relations emphases, MATH 213.
In addition to the 15 hours of core courses, a student must complete 23 hours in one of the following emphases: digital media studies, film studies, interpersonal and public communication, multimedia journalism, or public relations and advertising.
Off-Campus Learning Opportunities
Washington Journalism Center (WJC)
A cooperative program with the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, the Washington Journalism Center is an advanced, experiential semester in Washington , D.C. Students engage in both classroom instruction and hands-on reporting. The program is designed to cultivate professional news skills and encourage students to think through the implications of being a Christian working in the news media. Students are enrolled as full-time students for the semester and receive academic credit for the program from the college.
Los Angeles Film Studies Program (LAFSP)
A semester-long, sixteen-credit hour program sponsored by the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. This program allows students to study filmmaking in Los Angeles while doing internships at businesses in the entertainment industry. It is recommended that the LAFSP is taken during the first semester of one's Senior year.
Contemporary Music Center (CMC)
The Contemporary Music Center, located on Martha's Vineyard. Is a semester-long, sixteen-credit hour interdisciplinary off-campus study program that provides a community for young musicians and aspiring music executives to plumb the depths of their creative souls and test the waters of a career in popular music. Designed as an artists' community, the program seeks to develop artists and music executives with a Christ-centered vision for music content, production and delivery. The mission of the CMC is to prepare students academically and creatively for potential careers in the music industry. Both interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary in nature, the CMC offers three tracks: the Artist Track, the Executive Track, and the Technical Track.
Communications major - B.A. or B.S. (39 hrs) with emphases
Required core courses (15 hrs)
COMM 101 Introduction to Mass Media: Culture and Religion (3 hrs)
COMM 201 Principles of Interpersonal Communication (3 hrs)
COMM 205 Reporting for Public Media (3 hrs)
COMM 270 Film and Television Aesthetics (3 hrs)
COMM 432 Communications Law and Ethics (3hrs)
Emphases
Digital Media Studies (23 hrs)
COMM 323 DV Production and Non-Linear Editing (3 hrs)
COMM 451 Multimedia Production I: History, Theory, and Management (3 hrs)
COMM 452 Multimedia Production II: Design and Production (3 hrs)
COMM 453 Digital Imaging (3 hrs)
COMM 456 Graphic Design (3 hrs)
COMM 491 Internship (3 hrs)
CIS 318 Web Theory and Design (3 hrs)
COMM electives (2 hrs)
In addition, students pursuing the Digital Media emphasis should take COMM 280 Media Effects on Children and Adolescents to fulfill one of the social learning requirements in the GER and COMM 371 History of Fiction Film to fulfill the ethnic studies requirement in the GER.
Film Studies (23 hrs)
COMM 275 Screenwriting Workshop (3 hrs)
COMM 323 DV Production and Non-Linear Editing (3 hrs)
COMM 372 History of Documentary Film OR COMM 373 History of Animated Film (3 hrs)
COMM 470 Film and Television Criticism (3 hrs)
COMM 475 Senior Film Workshop (Directed Studies) (3 hrs)
COMM electives (8 hrs)
In addition, Film Studies students should take COMM 371 History of Fiction Film for their Ethnic Studies credit.
Interpersonal and Public Communication (23 hrs)
COMM 102 Speech Communication (3hrs)
COMM 341 Organizational Communication (3 hrs)
COMM 345 Dynamics of Small Group Communication (3 hrs)
COMM 350 Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasion (3 hrs)
COMM 495 Storytelling (3 hrs)
Additional 8 hours with approval of advisor:
Multimedia Journalism (23 hrs)
COMM 287 Basic Photography (3 hrs)
COMM 316 The Press in Society (3 hrs)
COMM 431 Narrative Journalism(3 hrs)
COMM 491 Internship (3 hrs)
Practicum: 2 hours from the either of the following. Students may repeat these courses over multiple semesters:
COMM 424 Multimedia Journalism Practicum (Wired)
COMM 425 Multimedia Journalism Practicum (Stampede)
Reporting/Writing Electives (Choose one)
COMM 331 Advanced Reporting (3 hrs)
COMM 335 Editing and Style (3 hrs)
COMM 492 Journalism Honors (3 hrs)
Multimedia Electives (Choose One)
CIS 318 Web Theory and Design (3 hrs)
COMM 313 Desktop Publishing: Layout and Design (3 hrs)
COMM 337 Photojournalism (3 hrs)
COMM 433 The American Magazine (3 hrs)
COMM 453 Digital Imaging (3 hrs)
COMM 456 Graphic Design (3 hrs)
Note: A student may pursue alternative paths through journalism in conjunction with his/her adviser. The convergent nature of journalism may direct a student to different applications such as print journalism, broadcast journalism, or digital journalism.
Public Relations (23 hrs)
COMM 237 Basic Photography (3 hrs) OR
COMM 287 Digital Photography (3 hrs)
COMM 311 Public Relations Strategies (3 hrs)
COMM 313 Desktop Publishing Layout and Design (3 hrs)
COMM 323 Digital Video Production and Non-Linear Editing (3 hrs)
COMM 411 Public Relations Practices (3 hrs)
COMM 491 Internship (3 hrs)
COMM Electives: Additional 5 hours selected with approval from advisor
Minors
Communications minor (18 hrs)
COMM 101 Pop Culture, Mass Media, and Religion (3 hrs)
COMM 201 Principles of Interpersonal Communication (3 hrs)
COMM 205 Multimedia Reporting and Writing (4 hrs, including Multimedia Lab)
COMM 270 Film and Television Aesthetics (3 hrs)
COMM electives at the 300 and 400 level (5 hrs)
Digital Media minor (18 hrs)
The Digital Media minor emphasizes skills and professional knowledge for students who are pursuing majors in other academic areas. This minor would be appropriate for students who have a strong interest in
Digital Media but wish to graduate with a major in another field. This minor would work well for those majoring in Fine Arts/Photography or Youth Ministry to name a few. Students who wish to minor in Digital Media are encouraged to meet with the professor over the Digital Media Major/Minor.
A minor in Digital Media may be obtained by following the program of study listed below:
COMM 270 Film and TV Aesthetics (3 hrs)
COMM 284 Digital Audio Production (3 hrs)
COMM 323 Digital Video Production and Non-linear Editing (3 hrs)
COMM 453 Digital Imaging (3 hrs)
Choice of two three-hour electives from the following:
CIS 318 Web Theory and Design (3 hrs)
COMM 237 Basic Photography (3 hrs)
COMM 287 Digital Photography (3 hrs)
COMM 313 Desktop Publishing: Layout and Design (3 hrs)
COMM 451 Multimedia Production I: History, Theory and Management (3 hrs)
COMM 452 Multimedia Production II: Design and Production (3 hrs)
Film Studies minor (18 hrs)
Communications majors with a broadcasting emphasis interested in pursuing vocations in the film industry minor in Film Studies by taking one of two programs of study:
1. Completion of on-campus courses including THEA 242 and 340; COMM 495 American Film History; nine additional hours of electives with courses and course content adapted for the minor with the approval of the adviser and the class instructor.
2. Admission to and completion of the Los Angeles Film Studies program, a semester-long, 15-credit hour program sponsored by the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU). This program allows students to study filmmaking in Los Angeles while doing internships at businesses in the entertainment industry. In addition the student also completes COMM 495 American Film History.
Multimedia Journalism minor (21 hrs)
The multimedia journalism minor emphasizes skills and professional knowledge for students who are pursuing majors in other academic areas. This minor would be appropriate for students who have a strong interest in journalism but wish to graduate with a major in another field and for students who may wish to apply their major area of study to publication in non-academic settings such as newspapers, Web sites, and magazines.
COMM 205 Multimedia Reporting and Writing (4 hrs)
COMM 316 The Press in Society (3 hrs)
COMM 323 Digital Video Production and Non-linear Editing (3 hrs)
COMM 431 Narrative Journalism (3 hrs)
COMM 432 Communications Law and Ethics (3 hrs)
COMM elective (3 hrs) from:
COMM 287 Digital Photography
COMM 313 Desktop Publishing: Layout and Design
COMM 331 Advanced Reporting
COMM 335 Editing and Style
COMM 337 Photojournalism
COMM 433 American Magazine
COMM 492 Journalism Honors
CIS 318 Web Theory and Design
Total of 2 hours from:
COMM 424 Multimedia Journalism Practicum: Wired
COMM 425 Multimedia Journalism Practicum: Stampede
COMM 491 Internship
Photography minor (18 hrs)
The photography minor fits well with numerous majors including but not limited to Bible, business administration, communications, and humanities. The study of photography may serve to foster students' avocational interests as well as prepare them for more concentrated photography studies in the future.
ART 237 Basic Photography (3 hrs)
ART 310 Intermediate Photography (3 hrs)
ART 312 Introduction to Color Photography (3 hrs)
ART 337 Photojournalism (3 hrs)
ART 466 History of Photography (3 hrs)
ART 490 Directed Studies or an equivalent (3 hrs)
Source: 2009-10 Catalog
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