Mass Communication

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The Department of Communication and Journalism offers three different BA degrees. These degrees are in: Communication, Mass Communication and Journalism. The department also offers minors in Communication and in Public Relations.

The B.A. in Mass Communication prepares students for careers in the electronic media in Maine and nationwide. Firmly grounded in the liberal arts, it provides students with a background in history, legal, regulatory, ethical and management issues necessary for a career in mass communication or for graduate study. The major also prepares students for graduate study in related communication fields, law, the humanities and social sciences. Faculty are established scholars who draw on extensive professional experience and ongoing contracts with media organizations and associations around the state and beyond.

Majors in Mass Communication must complete a minimum of thirty six (36) credits of specific 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 and at least 18 credits of coursework concentrated in an area outside of the CMJ Department.

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 417, and ENG 418. CMJ 236 and CMJ 237 can also be used to meet part of this requirement when not used to meet a CMJ major or sequence requirement. The Language area includes: French, German, Spanish, American Sign Language or other non-English languages.

At least 18 credits of coursework concentrated in an area outside of the CMJ Department must be completed. This requirement can be fulfilled by completing: (a) a Minor in another department, (b) an Interdisciplinary Curricula, or (c) a concentration of 6 courses (18 credits) taken in another department, with at least 12 of the 18 credit hours taken in coursework above the 100 level. No CMJ or Honors courses can be used to meet any part of this requirement.

Requirements for Mass Communication Majors:

For students transferring equivalent courses from other colleges, a minimum of 24 credits of CMJ courses must be taken at the University of Maine for the degree, regardless of the number of equivalent courses accepted in transfer. 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 - 5 courses (15 credits)

CMJ 100 - Introduction to Mass Communication Credits: 3
CMJ 211 - History of Mass Communication Credits: 3
CMJ 236 - Writing for the Mass Media Credits: 3
CMJ 375 - Mass Media Law and Regulation Credits: 3
CMJ 489 - Seminar in Media Ethics and Issues Credits: 3

Major Course Requirements - 7 courses (21 credits)

Choose from the list 21 credits: at least 18 credits of 300-400 level courses.

No more than one:

CMJ 237 - Newswriting and Reporting Credits: 3
CMJ 250 - Introduction to Advertising Credits: 3

At least 6 courses (18 credits) at 300 or 400 level, or above

CMJ 314 - International Mass Communication Credits: 3
CMJ 376 - Modes of Media Criticism Credits: 3
CMJ 380 - Advertising, Media and Society 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 444 - Political Rhetoric 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: 1-3

Additional credits:

Students MAY also take additional credits in department courses beyond the 36 required for the major, but must take at least 72 credit hours outside of CMJ courses. Additional CMJ course work may include:

CMJ 245 - Film Criticism and Theory Credits: 3
CMJ 261 - Photographic Reporting and Storytelling Credits: 3
CMJ 361 - Documentary Photography and Audio Credits: 3
CMJ 398 - Topics in Mass Communication Credits: 1-3
CMJ 455 - Jews and Jewish Life in the Media Credits: 3
CMJ 460 - Public Communication and Advocacy Credits: 3
CMJ 492 - Directed Independent Study Credits: 1-3
CMJ 495 - Internship Credits: 1-3
Note that CMJ 492 and CMJ 495 require an application and approval prior to enrolling in the course. Applications are available in the Communication and Journalism Department Office.

Suggested curriculum for BA in Mass Communication

First Year - First Semester

CMJ 100 - Introduction to Mass Communication Credits: 3
ENG 101 - College Composition Credits: 3
General Education Human Values/Social Context

First Year - Second Semester

CMJ 211 - History of Mass Communication Credits: 3
CMJ 236 - Writing for the Mass Media Credits: 3
General Education Science or Mathematics/Statistics Credits:3
General Education Human Values/Social Context Credits:6

Second Year - First Semester

BA Upper Level Requirement Credits: 3

General Education Science or Mathematics/Statistics Credits:3

CMJ External Requirements Credits:9

Second Year - Second Semester

CMJ 237 - Newswriting and Reporting Credits: 3
or
CMJ 250 - Introduction to Advertising Credits: 3
CMJ - 3xx or 4xx Requirements Credits:6
CMJ External Requirements Credits:6

Third Year - First Semester

CMJ 375 - Mass Media Law and Regulation Credits: 3
General Education Science or Mathematics/Statistics Credits: 3

CMJ External Requirement Credits:3
CMJ 3xx or 4xx Requirement Credits:3
BA Upper Level Requirement Credits:3

Third Year - Second Semester

CMJ 3xx or 4xx 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 489 - Seminar in Media Ethics and Issues Credits: 3
CMJ 3xx or 4xx Requirement Credits:3
CMJ External Requirements Credits:6
Elective Credits:3

Fourth Year - Second Semester

Electives ** Credits: 15

** May be used to meet remaining General Education, college B.A., or department requirements.