Communication Studies

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[FALL 2011 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:

  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. In consultation with your JCOM faculty advisor, 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.

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 List B core context courses.

Special Note about the Fall 2012 J314 class:
J314 is a variable credit course. JCOM majors take the course for four credits. CMST minors take the course for three credits. To accomplish this, JCOM majors are required to take an additional lab. Minor students are not required to take the lab. BOTTOM LINE: Make sure you register for the right CRNs.

If you are a communication studies MAJOR (JCOM): You should register for CRNs 13806 (lecture) and 13807 (Friday) lab. You also have to change your credits from 3 to 4. The DuckWeb default is 3 credits. Before Nov.11, 2012, you must change your credits from 3 to 4. Use the "change variable credit/grading option" function in your DuckWeb registration menu to change the 3 to 4. (Don't forget to hit the "submit changes" button at the bottom of the page.) As a JCOM major, you'll attend a discussion section in addition to the TR 1400-1520 lecture. This discussion section (CRN 13807) will be held F 0900-0950.

If you are a communication studies MINOR (CMST): You should register for CRNs 13806 (lecture) and 13808 (TBA lab). You only need to take this course for 3 credits. Your "discussion section" is CRN 13808. On the schedule, this CRN has no time/day listed. This lab will not be scheduled. You do not have to attend an additional discussion section. You only need to attend the lecture.