Communications (BA): Communications Studies Emphasis

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Communications Bachelors BA

Variable Credit Min

Variable Credit Max

Major Academic Plan

Learning Outcomes

Title

Domestic diversity

Learning Outcome

Students will demonstrate an understanding of gender race ethnicity sexual orientation and as appropriate other forms of diversity in domestic society in relation to mass communication.

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International diversity

Learning Outcome

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of peoples and cultures and of the significance and impact of mass communications in a global society.

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Writing

Learning Outcome

Students will write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions audiences and purposes they serve.

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Editing

Learning Outcome

Students will critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness clarity appropriate style and grammatical correctness.

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Numerical skills

Learning Outcome

Students will apply basic numerical and statistical concepts.

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Technology

Learning Outcome

Students will apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.

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Research

Learning Outcome

Students will conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work.

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Freedom of speech

Learning Outcome

Students will understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and the press for the right to dissent to monitor and criticize power and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances.

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Ethics

Learning Outcome

Students will demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth accuracy fairness and diversity.

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Theory

Learning Outcome

Students will understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information.

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History

Learning Outcome

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications.

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Critical thinking

Learning Outcome

Students will think critically creatively and independently.

Program Requirements

All students must take a campus writing course before applying for admission to the major. The following writing course fills this requirement and satisfies the GE First-Year Writing requirement: Wrtg 150. AP credit does not fulfill this requirement. Note: Students must receive a B grade or better to be eligible to apply for admission to the program.

Requirement 1 — Complete 1 Requirement

Core courses:

Requirement 1.1 — Complete 3 Courses

course - Mass Comm & Soc 3.0

course - Intr to Communications Studies 3.0

course - Writing & Rhetoric 3.0

Note: Students must receive a B grade or better in each course to be eligible to apply for admission. AP credit does not fulfill this requirement.

Apply to the major.

Requirement 2 — Complete 2 Courses

These courses may be taken during the semester in which students apply for admission to the major.

course - Media Law & Responsibility 3.0

course - Media Ethics 3.0

Requirement 3 — Complete 1 Course

course - Fund. of Communications Action 3.0

Requirement 4 — Complete 3 Courses

course - Research in Communication 3.0

course - Media Effects 3.0

course - Adv Communications Studies 3.0

Requirement 5 — Complete 1 of 4 Options

Option 5.1 — Complete 1 hour

Internship: After consulting with an advisor, complete an internship in conjunction with 1 hour of the following:

course - Academic Internship - You may take up to 1.0 credit hours 4.0v

Option 5.2 — Complete 1 hour

Faculty Mentored Research Practicum: Conducting research in a mentored environment with a faculty-sponsored research project. After consulting with a faculty advisor, complete a mentored research practicum in conjunction with 1 hour of the following:

course - Mentored Research Practicum. - You may take up to 1.0 credit hours 1.0

Note: It is the student's responsibility to find a School of Communications faculty member who is willing to mentor the student on one of the faculty member's research projects. Enrollment in Comms 497R is based on faculty research project availability. After the student has secured a faculty mentor, the student must request a comms 497R contract from the School of Communications main office. The student and their faculty mentor must agree on the terms of the contract and sign it. The student should return the form to the main office to receive an add code.

Option 5.3 — Complete 1 hour

Faculty Mentored Projects in Communication: After consulting with a faculty advisor, complete a mentored communication project in conjunction with 1 hour of the following:

course - Projects in Communications - You may take up to 1.0 credit hours 0.5v

Note: It is the student's responsibility to find a School of Communications faculty member who is willing to mentor the student on one of the faculty member's comms projects. Enrollment in Comms 498R is based on the availability of faculty-mentored comms projects. After the student has secured a faculty mentor, the student must request a comms 498R contract from the School of Communications main office. The student and their faculty mentor must agree on the terms of the contract and sign it. The student should return the form to the main office to receive an add code.

Option 5.4 — Complete 1 hour

School of Communications Labs: After consulting with your sequence's professional faculty and lab manager, complete a mentored lab experience in conjunction with 1 hour of the following:

course - Student Media Labs - You may take up to 1.0 credit hours 1.0v

Note: It is the student's responsibility to talk to their sequence's lab mentors to discuss the possibility of enrolling in Comms 491R. Enrollment is based on project availability and lab needs. Students who have been cleared to enroll must request a comms 491R contract from the School of Communications main office. The student and their lab mentors must agree on the terms of the contract and sign it. Students should return the form to the main office to receive an add code. Comms 491R cannot be combined with a paid position in the same lab.

Requirement 6 — Complete 15 hours

Complete 15 hours (five courses) from the following departmental electives:

course - Media History & Philosophy 3.0

course - Popular Culture & Media 3.0

course - Media & Their Audiences 3.0

course - Comm Mgt Principles & Theory 3.0

course - International Media Systems 3.0

course - Issues in Global Communication 3.0

course - Media & the First Amendment 3.0

course - Media Advocacy & Social Change 3.0

course - Persuasion in the Media Age 3.0

course - Media Ethics & Moral Reasoning 3.0

course - Gender, Race, & Class in Media 3.0

course - Media and World Religions 3.0