2008-2009 Academic Catalog [Archived Catalog]
Communication, B.A.
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The Communication major at Maryville University combines intense instruction in the traditional areas of Journalism, Public Relations, and Advertising with fundamental training in modern, up-to-date digital technology to prepare graduates for important jobs in the ever-expanding Age of Information. The key role that mass media, such as TV, Film, and the Internet play in shaping our culture and values is also recognized and emphasized.
Students acquire a basic knowledge of skills and disciplines that will equip them to work in the high-tech field of communication in the 21st Century. Prospective majors can choose one of two areas in which to specialize, depending on their career goals: Journalism or Public Relations/Advertising. The Journalism concentration can lead to profitable and rewarding careers in writing, editing, reporting, broadcasting, and related occupations for newspapers, magazines, book publishers, radio, television, film and the World Wide Web.
The Public Relations/Advertising concentration prepares graduates to work in public relations firms or advertising agencies, or for companies that have their own internal PR or Advertising departments. Possible career opportunities include Public Relations Representative, Media Relations Manager, Advertising Copywriter, and Creative Director. An emerging area, Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC), trains students in coordinating the functions of advertising, marketing, and public relations.
Both concentrations emphasize the development of writing, editing, listening, speaking, visualization, and creative skills as essential to a successful career in communication. Recognizing the increasingly significant part that emerging technologies like the Internet, iPods, CDs, DVDs and cell phones play in today’s communication process, digital media technology courses teach the student how to create media messages in Maryville’s state-of-the-art Macintosh computer laboratory.
The format of the Communication major in the University’s Weekend and Evening College (WEC) Program may vary slightly from the traditional weekday undergraduate curriculum given below. For example, General Education requirements in the WEC Program retain the same focus and content, but have different course restrictions. Other variations may apply. The prospective WEC Communication major should check with any WEC office.
The Communication major requires that, of the 128 total credit hours needed for a student to graduate from Maryville, 51 must come from the General Education curriculum and 39 from a combination of core courses required for all majors, prescribed emphasis classes, and electives.
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General Education Requirements:
- One course in Art, Music, Performance, or Aesthetics 3
- One course in English or a Foreign Language 3
- One course in Philosophy 3
- Any two course electives to be chosen from Humanities, English, Philosophy, Religion, Foreign Language, Arts, or Aesthetics 6
- One course in American Government or History 3
- Two courses in the Social Sciences 6
- One course in Natural Science 3
- One additional course in Natural Science or Math 3
- Two course electives selected from within the College of Arts and Science curriculum 6
Please Note:
*A higher-level Math course may be substituted.
**Communication majors cannot test out of SPCH 110. Required Courses-Core:
(mandatory for all Communication majors) Additional Requirements:
In addition to the required courses listed above, students may choose a communication emphasis below.
Students enrolled in the WEC Program should note that Digital Media Technology courses listed below are offered on the main campus only because of equipment, staffing, and enrollment considerations. These courses are taught as studio courses, requiring six hours of instruction per week for three hours of credit. Required Courses-Journalism emphasis:
(mandatory for Communication majors specializing in Journalism)
- One additional course chosen from the courses required for PR/Advertising or from the electives listed under “Elective Courses” 3
Please Note:
Students enrolled in the WEC Program can substitute six alternative communication credit hours for COMM 181. Required Courses-Public Relations/Advertising emphasis:
(mandatory for Communication majors specializing in PR/Advertising)
- One additional course chosen from the courses required for Journalism or from the electives listed. 3
Elective Courses:
- COMM 200, 300 or 400 Level Courses
- ADGD Graphic Design Courses
- MKT Marketing Courses
- ASDA Studio Art Courses
Please Note:
Courses from the Graphic Design, Studio Art and Marketing areas should be chosen in consultation with the Communication major’s adviser. A brief descriptive listing of these electives can be found in the “Courses of Instruction” section.
Students are reminded that, after fulfilling general education and communication major requirements, any remaining general electives may also be selected from the above areas. Internships:
Communication internships may be taken during a student’s junior or senior year and count from two to six credits toward the degree, depending upon the number of hours worked. Internships are monitored by Communication faculty, and provide opportunities for students to receive on-the-job experience and advanced learning. Many local and national corporations, public relations firms, ad agencies, radio stations, television stations, newspapers, and other media support internship programs. Although internships are not required for the major, the student is urged to seek out and take advantage of any such opportunities. |
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