Please Note: The program requirements listed below are for students entering in the catalog year 2011-2012.  Students who entered in previous catalog years should refer to the program requirement sheets in the Advising area of MyWheelock. Students entering in future years should follow the requirements in that catalog year.

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 chose from one of two focus areas:

• The Media Literacy track is for students interested in careers working with children and families, where it will useful to educate youth to be media‐literate.
• The Production track 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. Delivers a strong foundation in industry‐standard software. Communications Major with a Professional Major-36 Credits
  Course Requirements: (20 Credits)

Introductory Courses (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
• HST 140 Media and Race in American Society
• HDP 282 Children and the Media

Media Literacy  Courses

Choose One* (4 credits)

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

Advanced Media Theory

Choose One* (4 credits)
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
COM [new] Global Perspectives in Media Literacy
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
RDG 558 Multicultural Children's Literature
THE 374 Children's Theater
COM [new] Media, Violence and Sexualization
AST 265 Advanced Studies in Pop Culture
COM 410 Video Production II
COM [new] Animation and Motion Graphics
COM 440 Media as a Tool for Social Change
COM [new] Internship

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)
COM 222 Designing the Digital Image
COM 210 Video Production 1
COM [new] Writing for Media
COM [new] New Media Production I
COM [new] Animation and Motion Graphics
COM 410 Video Production 11
COM [new] Storytelling for the Digital Age
COM [new] New Media Production 11
COM [new] Internship