Mass Communication

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OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 120

Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: None.

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: None.

Contact Information: Paul Grosswiler, Chair, 443 Dunn Hall, 581-1287

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 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 for Mass Communication majors. 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.

Honors students may count their Honors theses as their capstone experience instead of CMJ 483, as long as the topic and the faculty advisor are within the major. Students who count their Honors theses are required to take one additional course (3 credits) other than CMJ 100 from the Major Course Requirements list below.

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)

CMJ 100 - Introduction to Mass Communication 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 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 460 - Public Communication and Advocacy 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
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.

Suggested curriculum for BA in Mass Communication

First Year - First Semester

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

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 / Units: 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.