Major in Communication
The Department of Communication offers a bachelor of science degree to prepare you for the rapidly changing media and communication worlds. As a student you will receive a solid foundation in the liberals arts and sciences, as well as training in the skills and knowledge required for success in a wide variety of professions. You are also given a foundation for success in an ethnically and culturally diverse world.
Graduates of our program work in a variety of professions including journalism, public relations, advertising, video and film production, publication and web design, and audio production. The communication degree at UTC also provides a solid foundation for further study in graduate or professional schools.
B.S. in Communication
To complete the B.S. in Communication you must complete at least 40 hours of communication courses.
Core requirements include:
- COMM 1010 - Introduction to Mass Communication (3 credit hours)
- COMM 1100 - Communication Technology (1 credit hour)
- COMM 2300 - Media Writing (3 credit hours)
- COMM 2310 - Multimedia Journalism OR COMM 2330 Public Relations Writing (3 credit hours)
- COMM 3200 - Mass Communication Perspectives (3 credit hours)
- COMM 4200 - Senior Seminar (3 credit hours)
- COMM 4210 - Media and Society (3 credit hours)
- COMM 4510 - Mass Communication Law & Ethics (3 credit hours)
- COMM 4850 - Individual Internship OR COMM 4800 - Directed Project (3 credit hours)
Elective requirements include:
- A visual communication skills / professional elective at the 3000-4000 level (3 credit hours)
- A communication professional elective at the 3000 - 4000 level (3 credit hours)
- A mastery level (4000 level) communication professional elective (3 credit hours)
- Other communication courses as electives for a total of 40 hours
A Flexible Curriculum
While all COMM majors take the same 9 required core classes, you have a lot of flexibility to pursue your own areas of interest through 5 elective courses (15 hours). You can choose to take the majority, if not all, of your electives in one area of study or you can mix and match.
Below of some suggestions of the electives you might take if you interested in exploring one or more of the following areas in more depth:
Journalism
- COMM 3420: Podcasting
- COMM 3450: Video Production
- COMM 3500: TV News Production
- COMM 3610: Advanced Reporting
- COMM 3620: Sports Writing
- COMM 3630: Feature Writing
- COMM 3700: Photojournalism
- COMM 4420: Podcasting II
- COMM 4750: Photojournalism II
- COMM 4820: Rising Rock
Public Relations / Strategic Communication
- COMM 3300: Principles of Public Relations & Advertising
- COMM 3310: Crisis Communication
- COMM 3350: Publication Design I
- COMM 3370: Web Design
- COMM 3450: Video Production
- COMM 4700: The Public Relations Campaign
Film / Video Production
- COMM 3400: Audio Production and Presentation
- COMM 3450: Video Production
- COMM 3550: Documentary Film Studies
- COMM 3600: Screen Writing I
- COMM 4400: Film Production
- COMM 4450: Video Post-Production
- COMM 4550: Documentary Filmmaking
- COMM 4600: Screenwriting II
- COMM 4820: Rising Rock
Graphics & Design
- COMM 3350: Publication Design I
- COMM 3370: Web Design
- COMM 3700: Photojournalism
- COMM 4350: Publication Design II
- COMM 4750: Photojournalism II
Storytelling
- COMM 3400: Audio Production and Presentation
- COMM 3420: Podcasting
- COMM 3450: Video Production
- COMM 3500: TV News Production
- COMM 3600: Screen Writing I
- COMM 3610: Advanced Reporting
- COMM 3620: Sports Writing
- COMM 3630: Feature Writing
- COMM 3700: Photojournalism
- COMM 4400: Film Production
- COMM 4420: Podcasting II
- COMM 4450: Video Post-Production
- COMM 4550: Documentary Filmmaking
- COMM 4600: Screenwriting II
- COMM 4750: Photojournalism II
- COMM 4820: Rising Rock
Student Learning Outcomes
The Department of Communication adheres to the 10 values and competencies set forth by our accreditor, ACEJMC. We have grouped these values and competencies into five curricular aims that drive our curriculum, linking related values and competencies to each aim.
Tell different types of stories.
- Present images and information effectively and creatively, using appropriate tools and technologies.
- Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve.
- Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness.
- Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.
Use research to solve problems.
- Apply critical thinking skills in conducting research and evaluating information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work.
- Effectively and correctly apply basic numerical and statistical concepts.
Explore culture through media.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the multicultural history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications.
- Demonstrate culturally proficient communication that empowers those traditionally disenfranchised in society, especially as grounded in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and ability, domestically and globally, across communication and media contexts.
Make legal and ethical decisions.
- Apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, in a global context, and for the country in which the institution that invites ACEJMC is located.
- Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity.
Gain professional experience.
- Present images and information effectively and creatively, using appropriate tools and technologies.
- Apply critical thinking skills in conducting research and evaluating information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work,
- Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve.
- Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.
For More Information
For a departmental tour, or to get more information about the UTC communication program, please contact Dr. Erin Ryan, Department Head, at [email protected]. Phone: 423-425-4400.