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. Students majoring in communications pursue individualized degrees, designed in consultation with a faculty advisor, consisting of a sequence of courses consistent with their particular interests and needs. All degree programs must include at least 45 credit hours of course work in the major plus a three-credit Capstone course or a one-credit hour Culminating Project.
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 either the Capstone course ( ICM 48900) or the Culminating Project (ICU 48900). ICM 48900 Communication Capstone is offered as a traditional classroom course. The capstone project is developed, presented, and assessed within the course. ICU 48900 Culminating Project is a written or media production project done as an independent study under the supervision of the Faculty Advisor. A proposal is required and needs approval from the Communications Program Director to be eligible for the Culminating Project option. Students need to request the Culminating Project Directive and Proposal Guide and submit the proposal in the quarter prior to enrolling for the option.
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.
Mass Communications Emphasis
Required
Foundation Studies in Communication Cluster (9) CO6
| ICM 40000 | Historical Development and Trends in Communication | 3 |
| ICM 40500 | Media and Society (Ethics and the Media) | 3 |
| ICM 40600 | Theories of Communication | 3 |
Desktop Publishing Cluster (9) CO4
Elective Category A
(Select one of the following clusters)
Documentary Expression Cluster (9) CO5
Visual Communications Cluster (9) CO12
Elective Category B
(Select one of the following clusters)
Television Production Cluster (9) CO10
Web Design Cluster (9) IT5
Elective Category C
(Select one of the following clusters)
Advanced Television Production Cluster (9) CO11
Advanced Web Design Cluster (9) IT6
Project Management Cluster (9) IT8
| IIT 33100 | Project Cost and Schedule Estimating | 3 |
| IIT 43200 | Project Management Process | 3 |
| IIT 43300 | Cost and Scheduling Applications | 3 |
| | Prerequisite Math cluster | |
Creative Non-Fiction Cluster (9) CO1
Or another cluster from Elective Category A or B
Required Capstone or Culminating Project
All communication majors must complete either:
Corporate Communications Emphasis
Required
Foundation Studies in Communication Cluster (9) CO6
| ICM 40000 | Historical Development and Trends in Communication | 3 |
| ICM 40500 | Media and Society (Ethics and the Media) | 3 |
| ICM 40600 | Theories of Communication | 3 |
Promotional Mix Cluster (9) CO8
Public Relations Cluster (9) CO9
Elective Category A
(Select one of the following clusters)
Desktop Publishing Cluster (9) CO4
Organizational Communication Cluster (9) CO7
| ICM 46000 | Organizational Communication Theory | 3 |
| ICM 46100 | Communications Process Analysis | 3 |
| ICM 46200 | Practical Applications of Communication Processes | 3 |
Elective Category B
(Select one of the following clusters.)
Managerial Issues Cluster (9) HR2
Group Dynamics Cluster (9) HR4
Staff Development/Information Systems Cluster (9) HR1
Marketing Cluster (9) BA4
Project Management Cluster (9) IT8
Required Capstone or Culminating Project
All communications majors must complete either:
Note: In special circumstances and with the permission of the Program Director, ICM 49500 (1-3) may substitute in one of the above clusters.