Mass Communication

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OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 120

Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0.

Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: A grade of C- or better is required for all CMJ courses to fulfill a major requirement.

Other GPA requirements to graduate: A minimum accumulative GPA of 2.0 (“C”) in the major.

Required Course(s) for fulfilling Capstone Experience: CMJ 483

Contact Information: Nathan Stormer, Chair, 430 Dunn Hall, 581-1938

The Department of Communication and Journalism offers three different B.A. degrees. These degrees are in: Communication, Journalism, and Mass Communication.

Firmly grounded in the liberal arts, the B.A. degree in Mass Communication provides students with a broad understanding of the roles of media in society. The degree prepares students for careers in the media and provides background in mass communication theories and research issues necessary for graduate study in related communication fields, the humanities and social sciences.

Majors in Mass Communication must complete a minimum of thirty (30) credits of required CMJ courses and additional coursework external to the major.

The external coursework must include at least 9 credits in the areas of Writing and Language.

The 9 credits of coursework in the areas of Writing and Language must include at least 3 credits in each of the two areas (6 credits from one area; 3 credits from the other). The Writing area includes the following courses: ENG 205, ENG 206, ENG 212, ENG 301, ENG 317, ENG 415, ENG 416, and ENG 418. CMJ 236 and CMJ 237 can also be used to meet part of this requirement for Mass Communication majors. The Language area includes: French, German, Spanish, American Sign Language or other non-English languages.

The requirements listed on this page are specific to this particular major. Students are also responsible for meeting any graduation requirements set out by their college. Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) should make sure to review those requirements as stated on the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences page of the catalog.

Requirements for Mass Communication Majors:

For students transferring equivalent courses from other colleges the faculty will determine equivalency (if any) of transfer courses in the discipline. Some CMJ courses require the completion of one or more prerequisite courses.

A grade of “C-” or better is required in all CMJ courses submitted to satisfy departmental requirements for the major.

Core Course Requirements - 3 courses (9 credits)

CMJ 203 - Mass Communication Studies Credits: 3
CMJ 376 - Modes of Media Criticism Credits: 3
CMJ 483 - Capstone Seminar in Mass Communication Credits: 3

Major Course Requirements - 7 courses from the following list (21 credits) Only 3 credits from CMJ 100 or 107 may count toward the major.

CMJ 100 - Introduction to Mass Communication Credits: 3
CMJ 107 - Communication and the Environment Credits: 3
CMJ 211 - Journalism Studies I: Introduction and History Credits: 3
CMJ 245 - Film Criticism and Theory Credits: 3
CMJ 314 - International Mass Communication Credits: 3
CMJ 367 - Public Relations Credits: 3
CMJ 370 - Visual Communication Credits: 3
CMJ 375 - Journalism Studies II: Law and Ethics Credits: 3
CMJ 380 - Advertising, Media and Society Credits: 3
CMJ 398 - Topics in Mass Communication Credits: 3
CMJ 402 - Communication Research Credits: 3
CMJ 403 - Persuasion and Social Influence Credits: 3
CMJ 410 - Social Influence of Mass Communication Credits: 3
CMJ 412 - Electronic Media Management and Programming Credits: 3
CMJ 425 - Health Campaigns: Service Learning Credits: 3
CMJ 430 - Intercultural Communication Credits: 3
CMJ 450 - Communication and Technology Credits: 3
CMJ 475 - Sexualities in Mass Communication Credits: 3
CMJ 480 - Media Theories and Research Methods Credits: 3
CMJ 498 - Advanced Topics in Mass Communication Credits: 3
CMJ 500 level courses with departmental permission

Additional credits:

Students also may take additional credits in department courses beyond the 30 required for the major, but must take at least 72 credit hours outside of CMJ courses.

Required Courses in Suggested Sequence for BA in Mass Communication

First Year - First Semester

CMJ 100 - Introduction to Mass Communication Credits: 3
OR
CMJ 107 - Communication and the Environment Credits: 3 OR
Other CMJ Major Course Requirement Credits: 3
ENG 101 - College Composition Credits: 3
General Education Human Values/Social Context Credits: 9

First Year - Second Semester

CMJ 211 - Journalism Studies I: Introduction and History Credits: 3
General Education Science or Mathematics/Statistics Credits:3
General Education Human Values/Social Context Credits:6
or
Other CMJ Major Course Requirement Credits: 3

Second Year - First Semester

CMJ 203 - Mass Communication Studies Credits: 3
BA Upper Level Requirement Credits: 3
General Education Science or Mathematics/Statistics Credits:3
CMJ External Requirements Credits:6

Second Year - Second Semester

CMJ Major Requirements Credits: 6
CMJ External Requirements Credits: 6
** Elective Credits: 3

Third Year - First Semester

CMJ 376 - Modes of Media Criticism Credits: 3
General Education Science or Mathematics/Statistics Credits: 3
CMJ External Requirement Credits:3
CMJ Major Course Requirement Credits:3
BA Upper Level Requirement Credits:3

Third Year - Second Semester

CMJ Major Course Requirement Credits: 6
CMJ External Requirement Credits:3
BA Upper Level Requirement Credits:3
General Education Science or Mathematics/Statistics Credits: 3

Fourth Year - First Semester

CMJ 3xx or 4xx Major Course Requirement Credits: 3
CMJ External Requirements Credits: 6
** Elective Credits: 3

Fourth Year - Second Semester

CMJ 483 - Capstone Seminar in Mass Communication Credits: 3
** Elective Credits: 12

**Elective Credits

Elective Credits may be used to meet remaining General Education, college, B.A., or department requirements.