Communication Arts: Curriculum Guide
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The Communication Arts degree is 48 credits. It consists of a common core of courses and courses from the program you select. The programs are: Digital Media and Broadcast Production; Advertising and Public Relations; Journalism; Ad Hoc. You can also explore department minors: Broadcast Communication; Corporate Communication; Advertising; Public Relations; Journalism and Multimedia. You must also complete the university's core of courses, as outlined in the Catalog, for a total of 126 credits.
As a Communication Arts student, you can also apply for the department's 5-Year Bachelor/Masters Program. Once accepted, you will be able to complete your undergraduate and graduate degrees in 5 years. This may require summer work. Please contact the department chair for details.
Requirements for All Communication Arts Students
All Majors; 12 credits.
The following courses are required for all Communication Arts students.
| COMM 112 | Communication Theory | 3 |
| COMM 130B | Practicum | 1 |
| COMM 451 | Coordinating Seminar in Communication Arts | 3 |
| COMM 230A and B | Communication Arts Practicum | 1 |
| COMM 330A and B | Communication Arts Practicum | 1,1 |
| COMM 430A or B | Communication Arts Practicum | 1,1 |
Requirements - All Digital Media and Broadcast Production and Advertising and Public Relations Students
9 credits
| COMM 115 | News Writing | 3 |
| COMM 233 | Video Production I | 3 |
| COMM 336 | Broadcast Newswriting | 3 |
Note: Seniors must take 430A or 430B during the semester in which they are not registered for COMM 451.
Specific Program Requirements
1. Digital Media and Broadcast Production
Broadcast Communication
Major specialization in Broadcast Communication requires 48 total credits:
| COMM 231 | Audio Production | 3 |
| COMM 234 | Video Production II | 3 |
| COMM 237 | New Communication Technologies | 3 |
| COMM 238 | Media Scriptwriting | 3 |
| COMM 334 | Media Management | 3 |
| COMM 337 | Media Programming | 3 |
| COMM 339 | Media Performance | 3 |
| COMM 389 | Telecommunications Sales and Promotions | 3 |
| COMM (elective) | Internship or any other Communication Arts course | 3 |
Minor specialization in Broadcast Communication requires 18 credits:
| COMM 233 | Video Production I | 3 |
| COMM 234 | Video Production II | 3 |
| COMM 237 | New Communications Technologies | 3 |
| COMM 238 | Media Scriptwriting | 3 |
| COMM 330B | Practicum in Broadcast Communication | 1 |
| COMM 337 | Media Programming | 3 |
| COMM 430A, B | Practicum in Broadcast Communication | 1,1 |
The practica could be replaced by COMM 450 Internship, with permission of the program director and department chair.
Corporate Communication
Major specialization in Corporate Communication requires 48 total credits:
| COMM 204 | Public Relations: Principles and Practices | 3 |
| COMM 206 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| COMM 234 | Video Production II | 3 |
| COMM 237 | New Communication Technologies | 3 |
| COMM 306 | Communication Graphics | 3 |
| COMM 334 | Media Management | 3 |
| COMM 340 | Writing for Corporate Communication | 3 |
| COMM 400 | Instructional Design and Media | 3 |
| COMM (elective) | Internship or any other Communication Arts course with permission of the program director | 3 |
Minor specialization in Corporate Communication requires 18 credits:
| COMM 206 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| COMM 233 | Video Production I | 3 |
| COMM 237 | New Communication Technologies | 3 |
| COMM 330B | Practicum in Broadcast Communication | 1 |
| COMM 340 | Writing for Corporate Communication | 3 |
| COMM 400 | Instructional Design and Media | 3 |
| COMM 430A, B | Practicum in Broadcast Communication* | 1,1 |
*The practica could be replaced by COMM 450 Internship, with permission of the program director and department chair.
2. Advertising and Public Relations
Major specialization in Advertising and Public Relations requires 48 total credits:
| COMM 201 | Marketing Principles for Communication | 3 |
| COMM 202 | Advertising: Principles and Practices | 3 |
| COMM 204 | Public Relations: Principles and Practices | 3 |
| COMM 301 | Advertising Copywriting | 3 |
| COMM 303 | Public Relations Writing for the Media | 3 |
| COMM 305 | Media Planning and Buying | 3 |
| COMM 306 | Communication Graphics | 3 |
| COMM 307 | Case Problems in Public Relations | 3 |
| COMM 309 | Computer Graphics (Desktop Publishing; Multimedia Production) | 3 |
Minor specialization in advertising requires 18 credits:
| COMM 115 | News Writing | 3 |
| COMM 201 | Marketing Principles for Communication | 3 |
| COMM 202 | Advertising: Principles and Practices | 3 |
| COMM 230A or B | Communication Arts Practicum | 1,1 |
| COMM 301 | Advertising Copywriting | 3 |
| COMM 305 | Media Planning and Buying | 3 |
| COMM 330B | Communication Arts Practicum | 1 |
| COMM 430B | Communication Arts Practicum | 1 |
The practica could be replaced by COMM 450 Internship, with permission of the program director and department chair.
Minor specialization in public relations requires 18 credits:
| COMM 115 | News Writing | 3 |
| COMM 201 | Marketing Principles for Communication | 3 |
| COMM 204 | Public Relations: Principles and Practices | 3 |
| COMM 230A or B | Communication Arts Practicum | 1,1 |
| COMM 303 | Public Relations Writing for the Media | 3 |
| COMM 307 | Case Problems in Public Relations | 3 |
| COMM 330B | Communication Arts Practicum | 1 |
| COMM 430B | Communication Arts Practicum | 1 |
The practica could be replaced by COMM 450 Internship, with permission of the program director and department chair.
Note: The classes marked 'XXX' have been approved, but not given official numbers. These classes are available for Fall 2010.
Major specialization in Broadcast Journalism requires 54 total credits:
| COMM 231 | Audio Production | 3 |
| COMM 234 | Video Production II | 3 |
| COMM 237 | New Communication Technologies | 3 |
| COMM 238 | Media Scriptwriting | 3 |
| ENGL 484 | Political Writing and Rhetoric | 3 |
| COMM xxx | Introduction to Electronic Journalism and Social Media | 3 |
| COMM xxx | Electronic Newsgathering Seminar | 3 |
| COMM xxx | Communications Ethics and Law | 3 |
| COMM xxx | Advanced Reporting-Local, Regional and International Perspectives | 3 |
| COMM xxx | Print and Electronic Design and Publishing | 3 |
| COMM xxx | Electronic Storytelling and Documentary Production | 3 |
4. Ad Hoc Program in Communication Arts
Students develop a specialized course of study in consultation with an academic advisor. All students must take the Communication Arts 12 credit core. Other courses are selected on an individual basis in consultation with an academic advisor.
5. Five Year Bachelor/Master Program in Communication Arts
A combined undergraduate/graduate program will allow students to receive BA and MA degrees in only five years. Students must meet specific qualifications and follow a prescribed program in order to successfully complete both degrees in this time frame.
Students seeking completion of the combined degree program (BA/MA) must:
1. Apply for the combined program in their sophomore year.
2. Meet all undergraduate requirements for degree completion and for taking graduate courses in the senior year.
3. Meet all admission requirements for acceptance into the graduate program.
Graduate courses taken in senior year will be selected in consultation with the department chairperson. Contact the Communication Arts Department for further information on the master's degree in communication arts.
Journalism and Multimedia Minors
The Department supports journalism (with English Department) and multimedia (with Art Department) minors.
Minor specialization in journalism requires 18 credits:
English Department
| ENGL 160 | Writing Skills | 3 |
| ENGL 400 | Structure of Linguistics | 3 |
| ENGL 321 | The Essay as Literature | 3 |
| OR | ||
| ENGL 480 | Advanced Writing | 3 |
Communication Arts Department
| COMM 115 | News Writing | 3 |
| COMM 233 | Video Production I | 3 |
| COMM 336 | Broadcast Newswriting | 3 |
Minor specialization in multimedia requires 18 credits:
Art Department
| ART 118 | Two-Dimensional Design and Color | 3 |
| ART 221A | Visual Concepts | 3 |
| ART 241 | Computer Graphics | 3 |
Communication Arts Department
| COMM 233 | Video Production I | 3 |
| COMM 237 | New Communication Technologies | 3 |
| COMM 309 | Computer Graphics | 3 |
Additional Requirements for Communication Arts Majors
- Transfer credits in Communication Arts will be accepted from other colleges and universities, up to a maximum of one-half the total number required in an area of specialization.
- The program directors and Chairperson determine appropriate course equivalences (if applicable). The department may also require personal demonstration of specific competencies in Communication Arts consistent with program objectives.
- All major programs of study in Communication Arts additionally require that the student submit an approved thesis or equivalent project. The thesis or project is completed as part of the requirements for Senior Seminar in Communication Arts.
- Students may take one (1) additional practicum as an elective (7 credits total).
- All students, including transfer students, must take six (6) practica.
- Students can take up to 63 Communication Arts credits toward their degrees.
Communication Arts Department | 100 Performing Arts Center | 570-348-6209
Contact Dr. Douglas Lawrence at lawrence@marywood.edu