Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree in Communication
Major Requirements: Students in the department may obtain a bachelor's degree in one of the following majors:
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Audio/Radio Production – Bachelor of Science - B.S.
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Communication Studies – Bachelor of Science - B.S.
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Journalism – Bachelor of Arts - B.A.
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Media Management – Bachelor of Science - B.S.
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Public Relations – Bachelor of Science - B.S.
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Video Production – Bachelor of Science - B.S.
A major program in the Department of Communication requires 40 to 45 credit hours of study including 7 credit hours of core courses required by every student in the department and 33 to 38 credit hours of courses in the individual major. Students must complete at least 66 credit hours of course work from disciplines other than communication. This may include non-communication courses taken from other universities.
Department of Communication Minimum Standards Policy
Students in any of the communication majors must earn at least a C grade in all courses in the major. This includes all courses taken as part of the major including those in the department core (101, 105, 199).
A student who receives a grade below C in a course may repeat that course only once. If a student does not achieve a C or better the second time, he/she will be required to change to a major outside of the Department of Communication.
If a course in the major is a prerequisite for another course in the major, the student will not be allowed to enroll in the second course if the grade in the prerequisite was less than a C. In addition, students must have, in order to graduate, a least a 2.5 average in the departmental core and in the rest of the courses in their chosen major. This does not include courses taken in the Department of Communication that do not apply to the student’s major.
Any student whose cumulative average in the major falls below 2.3 for three consecutive semesters in the department will be required to change to a major outside of the Department of Communication.
Double Major: Any student wishing to take a double major with both majors inside the communication department must take at least 15 additional credit hours in the second major (i.e., credit hours not used in the first major). Students should be aware that they may have to take more than 120 credit hours in order to accumulate the required 66 credit hours outside the department to graduate. Students who have dual majors with both majors inside the Department of Communication are still required to have a minor outside the department or to meet the criteria for the study abroad option.
Minor: The department requires all students to declare and complete a minor outside the communication department or a 15 credit hour semester study abroad. The minor must be officially recognized by the offering department (including Interdisciplinary Studies minors) and be chosen in consultation with a Department of Communication advisor. A second major outside the communication department will also satisfy the minor requirement. Students electing the study abroad option are required to complete a complementary 3 credit hour course at Fredonia and should consult the department's policies on appropriate overseas course work. International students, by virtue of studying at SUNY Fredonia, have already completed the study abroad/minor requirement.
Cross-using Courses for Minors: Certain minors include some communication courses that may fulfill course requirements for that minor. Students may use (double-dip) only one COMM course (maximum 4 credit hours) required for the Communication major to fulfill course requirements for the minor.
Substitutions in requirements for majors may be made only by approval of faculty members designated for the specific majors. Special topics classes used to fulfill the requirements for majors must be approved by faculty members designated for the specific majors.
Course offerings and requirements for the majors may be changed. Students are urged to see the department for the latest requirements.
Communication Core: 7 credit hours (included in all programs)
A. Communication: Audio Production Bachelor of Science degree: 41 credit hours (including core requirements)
Development of conceptual, aesthetic, and technical skills in audio production for radio and other media. Focus is on listening and the creative use of sound to engage an audience through the selection and use of voice, music, and ambiance. Applications to commercial and public service announcements, news, documentary, drama, music programming, audio art, and audio for television, theater and film.
Audio Production Major courses: (34 credit hours - at least 12 credit hours at Fredonia)
Group A - Major Core - 25 credit hours
One of the following:
One of the following 4 credit courses as Capstone course:
Group B - Major Electives - 9 credit hours –choose from the following: Note: Only three credit hours may be from the one-credit mini-courses (COMM 111-116).
B. Communication: Communication Studies Bachelor of Science degree: 40 credit hours (including core requirements)
Emphasizes the study of human interaction in both mediated and non-mediated communication. Courses will cover theories and skills regarding relational development, group decision-making, public speaking, communication ethics, research and evaluation, and organizational communication. The goal of the major is to develop the student’s ability to understand and apply theories and skills in communication performance, message construction, and communication analysis and evaluation across social and professional settings.
Communication Studies Major courses: (33 credit hours - at least 12 at Fredonia)
Group A - Major Core – 18 credit hours:
Group B - Major Electives - 15 credit hours from the following:
C. Communication: Journalism Bachelor of Arts degree: 41 credit hours (including core requirements)
Emphasizes the theory and practice of all forms of journalism including print, electronic, and Internet. An interdisciplinary approach will prepare critical thinkers and reflective practitioners. Research, writing, production, and analysis are all stressed. The program balances the teaching and learning of the practical skills needed in the profession with intellectual, historical, theoretical, and analytic foundations necessary for good journalists.
Journalism Major courses: (34 credit hours - at least 17 at Fredonia)
Group A - Major Core - 19 credit hours
Group B - 6 credit hours – one of the following two-course sequences:
Group C - 9 credit hours – one course from each of the following three categories:
C1 Communication Experiential Training – minimum 3 credit hours
| Short-term study abroad | |
| COMM 470 | Fredonia Radio Systems/WNYF/Leader Practicum | 3 |
| COMM 480 | Communication Internship | 1-15 |
C2 Theory Courses
C3 Skills Courses
COMM 110-119: 3 mini courses
Note: Only three credit hours may be from the one-credit mini-courses (COMM 111-116)
Outside Courses
18 credit hours – at least 3 credit hours in each of the following categories. Up to 12 credit hours may be used to satisfy College Core Curriculum requirements.
Global Studies
Science and the Environment
Economics/Statistics
Culture
Government and Legislature
Arts, Education, and Philosophies
| ENGL 206 | Survey of American Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 207 | Drama and Film | 3 |
| ARTH 345 | Film Criticism | 3 |
| THEA 114 | Introduction to the Performing Arts | 3 |
| ARTH 102 | Art in Culture from 1400 to the Present | 3 |
| MUS 270 | The History of American Popular Music, 1900-1963 | 3 |
| EDU 215 | Education in American Society | 3 |
| PHIL 115 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
D. Communication: Media Management Bachelor of Science degree: 40 credit hours (including core requirements)
For students interested in non-production areas of electronic media. Includes sales, management, regulation, promotion, and research in broadcast and other electronic media such as cable television, telephone, and satellites.
Media Management Major courses: (33 credit hours - at least 12 at Fredonia)
Group A - Major Core - 21 credit hours - choose seven from among the following:
Any three of the 1 credit hour computer courses
Group B - Major Electives - 12 credit hours - choose four from among the following, at least two at 300-400 level:
E. Communication: Public Relations Bachelor of Science degree - 40 credit hours (including core requirements):
Focuses on the theoretical constructs and professional skills necessary to effectively mediate the goals and obligations of an organization and the needs and concerns of the public. The emphasis on ethics, campaign design and management and the production of messages for targeted audiences prepares students to serve as communication advocates in a variety of professional and civic settings.
Public Relations Major courses: (33 credit hours - at least 12 at Fredonia)
Group A - Major Core - 21 credit hours
Note: COMM 422 serves as Capstone experience
Group B - Major Electives - 12 credit hours – 6 credit hours at 300 or above level from the following:
COMM 110-118: Computer mini courses (1 credit hour each)
Note: Only three credit hours may be from the one-credit mini-courses (COMM 111-116).
F. Communication: Video Production Bachelor of Science degree - 45 credit hours (including core requirements)
Focuses on the theoretical, technical, and practical issues of television and digital film production. Hands-on project-based major with emphasis on pre-production, production, postproduction and distribution. Students gain experience in multi-camera studio production, electronic news gathering, field production, documentary, and narrative. Topics covered include: concept development, visualization, writing, aesthetics, ethics, shooting and editing techniques, and sound design.
Video Production Major courses: (38 credit hours - at least 18 credits and capstone classes must be taken at Fredonia):
Group A - Major Core - 21 credit hours
Group B
One of the following four course sequences must be taken at Fredonia. The documentary and drama classes must be taken in consecutive semesters.
Group C - Electives (3 credit hours)
Notes for the Broadcast Track:
ARTS 155 is not an elective for the Broadcast Track.
COMM 400 is only for the Broadcast Track.