Dec 02, 2024  
2017 Undergraduate Catalog 1.1 (WINTER - SPRING) 
    
2017 Undergraduate Catalog 1.1 (WINTER - SPRING) [ARCHIVED CATALOG - Consult with Your Academic Advisor for Your Catalog Year]

Communication and Media (B.S.)


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(Bachelor of Arts Degree)

The major in Communication and Media is an exciting and effective way to learn about important aspects of the information that we share (communication) and the ways that we share it (media). Students will develop the skills necessary to discover, understand, and report this information, and the knowledge necessary to analyze the power of the various ways that we share it. A common core of courses will be required for all students to provide essential skills in written, oral, and digital communication. These common courses will also help students develop their understanding of historical, legal, cultural, and critical aspects of communication. All students will be required to put their knowledge into practice through senior experiences before they graduate. In addition to this core of required courses, each student will work closely with an adviser to select and complete a concentration in one of these areas:

  • Journalism
  • Public Relations
  • Sports Journalism
  • Sports Communication & Public Relations

These concentrations are diverse, as evidenced by traditional liberal arts areas like Communication Arts and career paths like Journalism. The program also brings new areas of study to the major such as Creativity Studies and Communication & Social Justice. Students will also be encouraged to explore areas in the field outside their concentration through major electives.

 

Total credit hours required for degree: 120

Learning Objectives 

Successful graduates from this program will be able to:

  • Recognize and specify the role that various methods of communication play in all aspects of human interaction;
  • Write logically, clearly, and precisely on a professional level;
  • Speak logically, clearly, and precisely on a professional level;
  • Contextualize, analyze, and criticize aspects of contemporary culture through the application of communication theories, both historical and contemporary;
  • Demonstrate competence in the operation and use of relevant computer and multimedia technology;
  • Understand and utilize appropriate methods of research;
  • Recognize and specify historical milestones in the field of communication.

Academic Requirements


See Core  section of this catalog.

Core: 34 - 55 Credit Hours


28 Credit Hours


Major Electives


Students must take a total of 6 credit hours of electives at the 200-level or above from the following areas: Communication Arts (COM), Film Studies (FLM), Journalism (JLM), Public Relations (PRL) or Theatre (THE). Fieldwork or internships may not be used to fulfill this requirement.

Concentration


Students must declare and complete at least one of the following areas of concentration (*please note that some of the courses in these concentrations have prerequisites that must be fulfilled. In some instances, the prerequisites are satisfied by courses found in the CMM Major Course Requirements or by courses in the Utica College Core):

Journalism


The journalism concentration provides the core courses necessary for today’s digital, broadcast and print journalist. Students will learn the storytelling, reporting and media production skills essential for careers in journalism and study the issues shaping the field. The concentration emphasizes hands-on experience through interactive classes, working with student media organizations and internships with professional media organizations.

30 Credit Hours


Public Relations


The public relations concentration prepares students to manage relationships between an organization and its key publics by becoming skilled in communicating across multiple media platforms, research, problem solving, strategic decision making, conflict resolution, speaking and campaign/event planning. Public relations practitioners are highly sought after in a wide range of industries, including business, government, education, sports, health care, and human services. 

Electives


Students must select six hours of electives from Public Relations and/or Journalism; or MKT 211 * (Principles of Marketing) and three hours of electives in Public Relations or Journalism.

30 Credit Hours


Sports Communication & Public Relations


The sports communication and public relations concentration is designed for the person who wants to promote sports and emphasizes applying public relations skills in a sports setting. Students study the complex relationship between sports and the media, how the business of sports works, and how sports reporters craft their stories. Students also gain experience through internships at professional sports organizations and sports media outlets.

30 Credit Hours


Sports Journalism


The sports journalism concentration focuses on how to cover sports for television, websites and other digital media, magazines, and newspapers. Students learn to write and produce sports stories, study the complex relationship between sports and the media, and learn how the business of sports works. Students also gain hands-on experience through professional media internships and student media outlets.

30 Credit Hours


Electives


Students must complete sufficient elective courses to earn at least the minimum number of credit hours required for this degree.

Note:


At least 18 credits of major coursework must be at the 300-level or higher.

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