Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Communications and Media is designed to provide undergraduates with the knowledge, skills, and adaptability necessary to succeed in professional environments which require application of communication skills and media. The curriculum emphasizes the intersections between communication, media and technology, ethical considerations in media and communication, and interpretation of data as a strategy to gather information and engage diverse audiences across separate and converging media platforms. Students will develop an understanding of storytelling skills that connect mass media production to stakeholder communities in the context of journalism, public relations and social media. This degree provides a strong foundation for students seeking careers related to social media, public relations, journalism, digital marketing, product and project management, media relations, and communication strategy, as well as for further studies in a variety of professional disciplines.
All courses taken in the major program must be passed with a letter grade of “C” or higher.
Courses may be used to fulfill both major and general education requirements.
Program Mission Statement
The mission of the communications and media program is to inspire students to develop solutions and adapt to real world challenges by communicating effectively, gathering and interpreting data, examining ethical considerations, and creating compelling stories to engage diverse audiences across media platforms in the ever changing cultural and technological landscape.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
- Communication: Apply effective communication skills to meet the needs of diverse audiences.
- Technoculture: Analyze the relationship between culture, media and technology.
- Ethics: Examine ethical considerations in media and communication environments.
- Storytelling: Create compelling stories to engage stakeholders across a variety of media platforms.
- Data Interpretation: Interpret data to make predictions and decisions.
- Real World Implementation: Create a solution to a real world challenge by integrating communication skills and media tools.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Core Requirements | ||
| COMU 300 | Communications and Media: Challenges and Opportunities | 3 |
| COMU 301 | Advanced Public Speaking | 3 |
| COMU 330 | History of Communication and Technological Revolutions | 3 |
| COMU 360 | Methods and Techniques of Persuasion | 3 |
| COMU 365 | Multimedia Journalism | 3 |
| COMU 370 | Principles of Public Relations | 3 |
| COMU 375 | Media Ethics | 3 |
| COMU 420 | Strategic Social Media | 3 |
| ENGU 348 | Writing and Producing for New Media in the 21st Century | 3 |
| MKTU 301 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| PSYU 355 | Media Psychology | 3 |
| SSCU 303 | Social Scientific Perspectives on Media and Culture | 3 |
| SSCU 380 | Interpreting Data: Predictions, Patterns, and Communication | 3 |
| COMU 485 | Communications and Media Capstone | 3 |
| Major Core Requirements Subtotal | 42 | |
| Communications and Media Electives | ||
| Select six credits from the following: 1 | 6 | |
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Organizational Communication | ||
| Independent Study | ||
or LBSU 492 | Experiential Learning | |
| Humanities in a Digital Culture | ||
| Art, Media Technology, and Culture | ||
| Legal Environment of Business | ||
| Team Building | ||
| Leadership in Diverse and Multicultural Organizations | ||
| Critical Thinking | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| Sociology of Organizations and Institutions | ||
| Communications and Media Electives Subtotal | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 48 | |
- 1
At least three credits must be upper division.