The Department of Communication Studies seeks to provide students pursuing a degree in mass communication with the theoretical foundations and practical knowledge of effective mass communication principles. By balancing courses in journalism and mass communication with history, English, math and other courses outside the department, students gain the broad education necessary for mass media careers.
Find the Communication Studies Course Rotations here.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Demonstrate a knowledge of mass communication theory and practice.
- Demonstrate an expertise in a broad range of skills and concepts involving the gathering, editing and presentation of information.
- Demonstrate a knowledge of the mass media and their roles in society.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze scholarly works in the field and convey the information to others.
- Students will demonstrate their knowledge of skills and concepts involving the gathering, editing, and presentation of information in the mass media.
- Students will identify the various types of mass media and compare the historical role played by each type.
- Students will elaborate on the roles of different forms of mass media in the 21st century.
- Students will discover key elements of major mass communication theories.
The mass communication major course curriculum reflects an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to the study of the ever-changing world of mass communication. The mission of the mass communication major is to provide a broad area of intellectual studies that will prepare students to become ethical and responsible media professionals.
Courses
General Education Requirements - 50
English 1301, 1302, and three hours sophomore literature - 9 hours
Fine Arts (three hours from music, theatre, fine arts, art, or equivalent) - 3 hours
Modern Language (at least one semester second year, all hours in same language) - 11 hours
Religion 1320 and 1330 - 6 hours
History - 3 hours
Political Science 2305 - 3 hours
Social Science (CJUS, ECON, GEOG, POSC, PSYC, SOCI) - 3 hours
Physical Activity - KINE 1238 - 2 hours
Science (must be lab science) - 4 hours
Mathematics - 3 hours
Speech 1311, 1315, or 1318 - 3 hours
Major area of study (see below) - 31 hours
Minor (minimum of 18 hours) - 18 hours
Electives (to total 120 hours)
Total: Minimum one hundred twenty (120) semester hours
Mass Communication Major Requirements
Completion of thirty-three (33) semester hours:
Required Courses: Fifteen (15) hours
COMM 1301 Introduction to Mass Media
COMM 2339 Mass Media Writing
COMM 3310 Mass Media Law and Ethics
COMM 4308 Communication Theory
Choose one from the following:
COMM 3300 Research Methods in Communication
COMM 4351 Internship in Mass Media
Eighteen (18) mass communication (COMM) hours (9 of which must be upper-level), or choose one of the available specializations:
Digital Media Production/Worship Media Specialization
Eighteen (18) hours from the following (9 of which must be upper-level)
Required Courses:
COMM 2310 Audio Production
COMM 2311 Video Production
COMM 3353 Advanced Video Production
COMM 3354 Advanced Audio Production
Optional Courses:
COMM 2305 Introduction to Music Technology
COMM 2309 Graphic Design
COMM 2318 Digital Photography
COMM 3306 Writing for Digital Media
COMM 3315 Worship Media and Technology
COMM 3318 Advanced Digital Photography
COMM 3355 Advanced Graphic Design