Communications, BA

The Bachelor of Arts in Communications provides students with broad-based knowledge and pragmatic skills. Classes are taught by experienced communications professionals and include a wide range of offerings in both the corporate and mass communication fields. All majors must have at least 45 credit hours of course work in the major plus a three-credit Capstone course.

All majors are required to take Foundation Studies in Communications (ICM 40000, ICM 40500, ICM 40600). This cluster introduces students to the areas of study within the communication discipline, ranging from interpersonal, organizational, public relations, intercultural to mass media. The Foundations cluster is recommended as the first cluster in the major.

In their final term of study, communications majors are required to take the Capstone course (ICM 48900). ICM 48900 Communication Capstone is offered as a traditional classroom course. The capstone project is developed, presented, and assessed within the course.

A communications major may apply for a degree in communications with an emphasis in mass communication or corporate communications if he or she has at least 27 semester hours of coursework in the declared emphasis. Pursuing an emphasis is an option, not a requirement.

Corporate Communications Emphasis

Required

Foundation Studies in Communication Cluster

ICM 40000Historical Development and Trends in Communication

3

ICM 40500Media and Society (Ethics and the Media)

3

ICM 40600Theories of Communication

3

Promotional Mix Cluster

ICM 35000Principles of Advertising

3

ICM 38900Public Relations and Promotions

3

ICM 39000Promotion Management

3

Public Relations Cluster

ICM 44100Group Communications

3

ICM 44200PR Ethics

3

ICM 44300PR Research and Planning

3

Elective Category A

(Select one of the following clusters)

Desktop Publishing Cluster

ICM 30900Desktop Publishing in the Workplace

3

ICM 44500Information Systems Projects

3

ICM 46300Computer Based Graphics

3

Organizational Communication Cluster

ICM 46000Organizational Communication Theory

3

ICM 46100Communications Process Analysis

3

ICM 46200Practical Applications of Communication Processes

3

Elective Category B

(Select one of the following clusters)

Managerial Issues Cluster

IHR 33400Gender Issues in Management

3

IHR 33600Implementing and Managing Diversity

3

IHR 36000Adult Learning Processes

3

Staff Development/Information Systems Cluster

IHR 36081Career/Staff Development

3

IHR 36300Human Resource Information Systems

3

IHR 36530Employee Training and Development

3

Marketing Cluster

IBA 35010Principles of Marketing

3

IBA 45080Marketing Management

3

IBA 48010International Marketing

3

Required Capstone

All communications majors must complete:

ICM 48900Communications Capstone

3

Note: In special circumstances and with the permission of the Program Director, ICM 49500-49599 (1-3) may substitute in one of the above clusters.

Mass Communications Emphasis

Required

Foundation Studies in Communication Cluster

ICM 40000Historical Development and Trends in Communication

3

ICM 40500Media and Society (Ethics and the Media)

3

ICM 40600Theories of Communication

3

Desktop Publishing Cluster

ICM 30900Desktop Publishing in the Workplace

3

ICM 44500Information Systems Projects

3

ICM 46300Computer Based Graphics

3

Television Production Cluster

ICM 25600Production for Television

3

ICM 35800Writing for Television

3

ICM 35900Production Management

3

Elective Category A

(Select one of the following clusters)

Documentary Expression Cluster

ICM 37200Documentary Film and Video

3

ICM 37300Photojournalism

3

ICM 37500Documentary Journalism

3

Visual Communications Cluster

ICM 43100Design-Visual Communication

3

ICM 43200Color Theory and Applications

3

ICM 4330020th Century Art Applications

3

Elective Category B

(Select one of the following clusters)

Advanced Television Production Cluster

ICM 47400Advanced Television Production

3

ICM 47600Advanced Television Directing

3

ICM 47700Advanced Television Editing

3

Creative Non-Fiction Cluster

ICM 45500Literary Feature Writing

3

ICM 45600Memoir and the Personal Essay

3

ICM 45700Studies in Creative Non-Fiction

3

Or another cluster from Elective Category A or B

Required Capstone

All communication majors must complete:

ICM 48900Communications Capstone

3