Communication Studies

[FALL 2009 curriculum]

The Communication Studies (JCOM) sequence focuses on the understanding and appreciation of communication and communication technologies, historically and in their contemporary forms, as key social processes involved in the production and maintenance of societies. It provides the critical background and necessary analytic skills for making sense of the proliferation of communication products and systems as the world moves into the Information Age. In general, the program's primary objective is to provide students with a conceptual map of the field. Communication Studies majors are expected to go into occupations requiring a liberal arts education with a broad understanding of communication processes and technology. In addition, the program is expected to serve as an intellectual commons for faculty in all sequences, exploring the conceptual similarities and differences of various professional specializations. Faculty: Tom Bivins, Carl Bybee, Gabriela Martinez, Deb Merskin, Bish Sen, Janet Wasko, Kyu Ho Youm.

Sequence requirements:
Effective Fall 2011, all journalism courses must be passed with a C or better. If any of these courses were taken before Fall 2011, a D- or better grade is acceptable.

1. J314 Introduction to Media Studies*
2. Choose one more course from the 300-level core context (“List A”) requirement
3. Choose one more course from the 400-level core context (“List B”) requirement
4. Choose one course in one of these professional areas:
        Video Production
        Reporting
        Magazine Writing
        Photojournalism
        Multimedia
5. J413 Communication Studies Capstone (Prereq: J314)

* J314 Introduction to Media Studies is a variable credit course. JCOM majors must take the course for four credits. Non-majors and communication studies minor students may take the course for three credits. This course was previously offered as J314 Introduction to Communication Studies. If you took the course under the previous title, you do not need to repeat the course.

Things you should know about this major:

1. This is not a Speech Communication program. The university does not have a Speech department although the English department offers several speech and rhetoric classes.
2. Many journalism students have used this sequence as a Pre-Law program.
3. You must take J314 Introduction to Media Studies (offered every fall) before J413 Communication Studies Capstone (offered every spring).
4. Not all sequence courses are offered every term. However, there are always options within the 300- or 400-level core context requirement.
5. The courses used to complete the core context requirement cannot be used to complete the sequence requirement. In essence, JCOM students take three List A core context courses and three B core context courses.