Communication Arts (Major, Minor)
Britt Christensen, Ph.D., Chair
Pamela O'Brien, Ph.D.
Fran Mindel, Ph.D.
Degrees offered
Minor
Campuses
The Communication Arts Department of the College of Arts, Sciences and Business offers a Major and Minor in Communication Arts to students in the Women's College. The Program provides an intensive study of communication between and among persons via the mass media and in cyberspace. The Department mission is to enable students to be knowledgeable creators and astute consumers of messages within our increasingly complex, technological society. The core curriculum aims to develop the student's talents in communicating effectively in print, in visuals, in speech, and with diverse types of media. By offering additional choices through a series of electives, the Program also encourages students to design a specialty within the communication fields, such as advertising, video and digital media, public relations, journalism, or corporate communication. Through internships, practicums, and advanced courses, the student learns in more depth about the theory and practices of the specific communication area of the student's interest.
Summary
Department facilities include a digital, wireless green screen studio with computer-based nonlinear editing, ENG equipment for video field work, the campus streaming radio station, NDMU radio, and student-run newspaper, Columns. Classes meet frequently in the department's Macintosh laboratory for sessions on writing, digital publishing, digital design work, and multimedia presentations.
Early internships during the sophomore and junior years may be taken to explore various career areas in which students may be interested. All Communication Arts majors must complete an advanced practicum with an approved organization as part of their senior year experience.
Graduates in Communication Arts have been employed in settings as varied as C-SPAN, Animal Planet, SmartCEO magazine, Baltimore Magazine, the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, and The Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. They serve as advertising media planners, Webmasters, media relations experts, television producers, newspaper editors and sports information directors. An active Advisory Board of department graduates assists the faculty in preparing students for careers. The Department sponsored the first student chapter of the Association for Women in Communications in the State of Maryland.
The General Education requirement in Fine Arts may be fulfilled by any of the following courses: COM-325, COM-330 or COM-351.
The General Education proficiency in Oral Communication may be fulfilled by COM-106 or COM-206. COM-106 is designed specifically for non-Communication Arts majors; Communication Arts majors and Minors must complete COM-206.
The General Education Requirement in Gender Studies may be met by completing COM-330, COM-382 or the honors course COM-329. COM-329 also fulfills the requirement in history.
The General Education Requirement in Cross-cultural Studies may be met by completing COM-303. Communication arts Majors and Minors must complete all courses for the Major/Minor (including departmental electives) with a grade of C or higher.
Program of Study
Required Courses for a Major in Communication Arts (Credits)
COM-101 Introduction to Media Writing (3)
COM-131 Mass Media and Society (3)
COM-201 Interpersonal and Team Communication (3)
COM-206 Speaking in Professional Settings (fulfills general education requirement for majors) (3)
COM-210 Social Media (3)
COM-310 Media Literacy (3)
COM-313 Digital Media Skills (3)
COM-314 Reporting and Writing News (3)
COM-356 Communication Research Methods (3)
COM-441 Mass Communication Law (3)
COM-461 Communication Arts Practicum (4)
Students also take four additional courses of their choice to prepare for specific careers in communication. Students interested in digital production are strongly encouraged to enroll in DMA-201 Time-Based Media.
Minor in Communication Arts
COM-101 Introduction to Media Writing (3)
COM-131 Mass Media and Society (3)
COM-201 Interpersonal and Team Communication (3)
Plus three communication arts electives of the student's choice, two of which must be at the 300- or 400-level (9)
N.B. Majors and Minors must complete COM-206 Speaking in Professional Settings with a grade of C or higher to fulfill the communication proficiency requirement in General Education.
Four-Year Plan
Below is a sample Program of Study for the Communication Arts Major.
Students should select courses with the assistance of a faculty advisor. The plan is intended as a guide only. Many variations are possible.
| Fall | Spring | ||
|---|---|---|---|
First Year |
|||
|
COM-131 Mass Media and Society |
3 |
COM-101 Introduction to Media Writing |
3 |
|
Foreign Language |
3 |
COM Elective |
3 |
|
Natural Science |
4 |
Mathematics |
3 |
|
ENG-101 College Writing |
3 |
RST-201 Introduction to Biblical Studies |
3 |
|
NDMU-100 First Year Seminar |
3 |
History or Social Science |
3 |
|
[16 credits] |
Physical Education |
1 |
|
|
[16 credits] |
|||
Second Year |
|||
|
COM-201 Interpersonal and Team Communication |
3 |
COM-206 Speaking in Professional Settings |
3 |
|
COM-210 Social Media |
3 |
COM elective |
3 |
|
PHL-201 Introduction to Philosophy |
3 |
History or Social Science |
3 |
|
English Literature |
3 |
PHL or RST 300/400 level |
3 |
|
General Education/Course in minor |
3 |
General Education/Course in minor |
3 |
|
[15 credits] |
[15 credits] |
||
Third Year |
|||
|
COM-314 Reporting and Writing News |
3 |
COM-356 Communication Research Methods |
3 |
|
COM Elective |
3 |
COM-310 Media Literacy |
3 |
|
Course in Minor |
3 |
COM-313 Digital Media Skills |
3 |
|
Gender Studies/Cross-Cultural |
3 |
Gender Studies/Cross-Cultural |
3 |
|
PHL or RST 300/400 level |
3 |
Ethics/Values Requirement |
3 |
|
[15 credits] |
[15 credits] |
||
Fourth Year |
|||
|
COM-441 Mass Communication Law |
3 |
COM-461 Practicum |
4 |
|
COM Elective |
3 |
General Education/Minor/Electives |
9-11 |
|
General Education/Course in Minor |
6 |
[13-15 credits] |
|
|
Internship |
3 |
||
|
[15 credits] |
|||