Gail Dines, Chair and Professor
Akeia Benard, Assistant Professor
Dana Bialer, Instructor
Susan Owusu, Instructor and Coordinator of the Communications Major
Joyce Hope Scott, Associate Professor
Eric Silverman, Associate Professor

Available Programs of Study:

• B.A., Communication and Media Literacy

Communications Major / B.A. Degree / 36-48 credits

The Communications major combines a foundation in the Arts and Sciences with a theoretical and practical framework for understanding communications, media development, and production. Students learn theories of how media shapes society and a set of skills for creating and implementing media literacy programs for children, youth and adults. This major offers students a unique perspective on how to communicate in both traditional and digital contexts. Students learn to critically analyze, craft, and deliver information using a variety of media—print, TV, radio, and the web. Students will then build on this foundation through one of two focus areas.

Students choose from one of two focus areas:

• The Media Literacy focus is for students interested in careers working with children and families, where it will useful to educate youth to be media-literate.
• The Production focus is for students who aspire to a communications career requiring strong hands-on skills in content development and production for print, video, and digital media. Offers internships for practical experience and access to the job market.

Communications Major with a Professional Major / 36 Credits

Course Requirements: (20 Credits)

Introductory (12 credits)

COM 150	Communication, Persuasion and Propaganda	4 credits
COM 101	Introduction to Media Production	4 credits

 

Choose One

4 credits

HDS 105	Sociology of Media
AST 140	Media and Race in American Society
HDP 282	Children and the Media

Media Literacy ( Choose One)* 4 credits

COM 255	Media Literacy for Children and Youth
COM [new]	Global Perspectives in Media Literacy

 

Advanced (Choose One)*

4 credits

AST 365	Studies in American Popular Culture
AST 403	American Studies Senior Seminar

*Courses used to meet this requirement may not be counted towards other major requirements.

Focus Areas/16 credits

The Media Literacy focus (16 credits) is designed to be combined with one of the professional majors. This focus is for students interested in careers in professions such as schools, libraries, and non-profits. Students choosing this focus will:

• Be theoretically grounded and digitally literate.
• Have courses that provide both the theoretical basis and the practical expertise for developing media education/literacy programs for children and youth.
• Be provided with an intellectually critical view of the world that complements professional preparation for the fields of teaching, social work, juvenile justice and youth advocacy, and child life.

The focus is also recommended for students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in related areas.

Introductory Courses (Choose one) (4 credits)

COM 255	Media Literacy for Children and Youth
HDS 105	Sociology of the Media
LIT 180	Film and Fiction
AST 140	Media and Race in American Society
THE 123	Public Speaking

Intermediate Courses (Choose one) (4 credits)

MUS 279	Music for Children
THE 277	Movement and Drama for Children
VIS 278	Art for Children
HDP 222	Languages and Culture
HDP [new]	Global Perspectives in Media Literacy
HDP 282	Children and the Media
COM 210	Video Production I
COM 222	Designing the Digital Image

Advanced Courses (Choose two) (8 credits)

HDP 362	The Meaning and Development of Play	4 credits
EDU 331	Multicultural Picture Books	2 credits
EDU 332	Multicultural Chapter Books	2 credits
THE 374	Children’s Theater/	4 credits
AST 265	Advanced Studies in Pop Culture	4 credits
COM 410	Video Production II	4 credits
COM 245	Animation and Motion Graphics	4 credits
COM 440	Media as a Tool for Social Change	4 credits
COM [new]	Internship in Communications	4 credits

Communications Major without a Professional Major / 48 Credits

Students must complete the 20 credits of core requirements listed above for the 36 credit major and the 28 credit Media Production Focus.

Media Production Focus (28 credits)

The Media Production focus designed for students without one of the professional majors, opting to pursue careers requiring strong hands-on skills in content development and production for print, video, and digital media. This focus offers internships for practical experience and access to the job market and delivers a strong foundation in industry-standard software .Students choosing this focus will:

• Gain hands-on experience in a range of traditional and alternative media including production, graphic design, video production, animation, and motion graphic.
• Gain the skills necessary to create various forms of communications, including print, video, and digital and electronic applications.
• Complete an internship, gaining professional experience and mentoring.

Choose 7 (4 credits each) (28 credits)

COM 222	Designing the Digital Image
COM 210	Video Production I
COM 230	New Media I
COM 245	Animation and Motion Graphics
COM 410	Video Production II
COM 425	Digital Storytelling
COM 430	New Media II
COM [new]	Internship

Suggested Course Sequence- 36 credit with professional major

First Year	COM 150	Communication, Persuasion and Propaganda
Second Year	COM 101	Introduction to Media Production
	AST 140	Media and Race in American Society
Junior Year	HDP 282	Children and the Media
	COM 255	Media Literacy for Children and Youth
	COM 224	Designing the Digital Image
	AST 403	Senior Seminar in American Studies
Senior Year	COM 440	Media as a Tool for Social Change
	COM [new]	Internship in Communications

Suggested Course Sequence- 48 credit without professional major

First Year	COM 150	Communication, Persuasion and Propaganda
Second Year	COM 101	Introduction to Media Production
	AST 140	Media and Race in American Society
	COM 210	Video Production I
	COM 230	New Media I
Junior Year	COM 224	Designing the Digital Image
	COM 410	Video Production II
	COM 245	Animation and Motion Graphics
Senior Year	COM 425	Digital Storytelling
	COM 440	Media as a Tool for Social Change
	COM [new]	Internship in Communications