2018-2019 Academic Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2018-2019 Academic Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Communication, B.A.


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The Communication Program offers students a challenging curriculum that builds the writing, research, and creative foundation they’ll use in today’s wired and information-driven world. Traditional careers in publishing, journalism, public relations, and advertising, are now joined by new careers in digital writing, digital and web-based production, visual communication, and social media use.  The opportunity to work in some form of communication – personal to mass – is unlimited in today’s real, virtual, and converged environments. 

All Communication majors complete the core curriculum that includes courses about the communication environment and industry, basic writing, basic digital production, law and ethics, and research. Students then select one of three areas for further study:

  • Strategic Communication, composed of public relations, advertising, and marketing communication studies; 
  • Emerging Media Strategy and Social Media, composed of digital writing, social media campaigns,web design, and crisis management;
  • Contemporary Journalism, composed of information gathering, reporting, editing, and publishing in today’s online wired and/or traditional mass media worlds. 

Students can also choose a minor area to complement their major communication area of practice.

Students have many opportunities to put their coursework to use, including being a member of the Maryville Pawprint online reporting and editing staff. The program also has an active internship program, with undergraduate interns working at many of the top corporations, agencies, radio stations, and not-for-profit groups in the metropolitan area.

Students also have the opportunity to study Communication abroad during short semester break trips or on extended summer programs in the United Kingdom and Australia/New Zealand.  Credits earned in study aboard apply directly to the student’s major and/or minor elective courses.

 

General Education Requirements (at least 51 credits):


One of the following 3 Math courses:

  •   *
  •   *
  •   *
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  • One course in Art, Art History, Music, Performance, or Aesthetics (  in art recommended)
  • One course in English or a Foreign Language
  • One course in Philosophy (   recommended)
  • Any two course electives to be chosen from Humanities, English, Philosophy, Religion, Foreign Language, Arts, or Aesthetics (one course in literature recommended)
  • One course in American Government or History (   recommended)
  • Two courses in the Social Sciences (one course in history recommended)
  • One course in Natural Science (SUST 201  recommended)
  • One additional course in Natural Science or Math
  • Two course electives selected from within the College of Arts and Science curriculum (History, science and literature courses are recommended)

*Please note: A higher-level Math course may be substituted.

 

Required Courses:


Emerging Media Strategy and Social Media (24 credits)


        Elective courses for Emerging Media Strategy and Social Media Concentration (9 elective credits)

 

Contemporary Journalism Concentration (24 credits)


 

Plus 12 credits of electives in Communication.

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