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Academic Catalog 2022-2023

Communications

The Communications major is designed to prepare students for entry into the professional world. Two distinct tracks help students choose the field they are most interested in pursuing. Students obtain real world experience by publishing articles, blogs, vlogs and other professional work on the university’s online platform, Spire-Times, and JCOM's YouTube channel. Students can master social media skills by posting on the student-run social media accounts. Our faculty encourage creativity and development of professional skills, and guide students in mastering technology used today. Graduates will be prepared to immediately launch into a career or enter graduate studies.

Program Learning Outcomes

Communication students will:

  1. Understand the history, protocols, operations, and dissemination of broadcast media communications.
  2. Understand the process to responsibly produce written and oral messages.
  3. Develop strategies and plans that analyze, produce, and interpret successful media messages.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to communicate using digital technology effectively.
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of ethics and professionalism, as related to journalism and communications.

The major consists of a common core and electives tailored to the student’s professional interests for the track they have chosen: Broadcasting/Journalism or Sports Communications.

Broadcasting/Journalism

Students in this track take classes in journalism, media writing, social media, digital photography, applied journalism, media law and ethics. Journalism professionals work in various fields including broadcasting, writing, work in TV and radio stations as on-air talent, producers, directors, photographers, corporate audio/visual production departments, not-for-profits, training centers, and at creative agencies. The required courses for the Broadcasting/Journalism track are:

 

COM 330 Writing for the Media

COM 375 Professional Social Media Communications

COM 410 Applied Electronic Journalism

COM 460 Media Message Productions

PY 150 Introduction to Psychology

Sports Communications

Students in this track take classes in multimedia, photography, video work, media law and ethics, psychology, specialized sports literature and broadcasting. Students will be well equipped and qualified to write, produce and disseminate sports messages in a professional manner. The required courses for the Sports Communications track are:

 

AR 275 Digital Photography

COM 250 Introduction to Sports Reporting and Broadcasting

COM 370 Diversity in the Media

EN 370 Sports Literature

PY 150 Introduction to Psychology OR SCAPY 345 Psychology of Sports