Communication is a degree targeted to new opportunities in a media-savvy world. Students in the major take a common set of core courses that prepares them for careers in an industry where convergence in print, broadcast, and online media is growing. Students then choose one of four concentrations: Human Communication, Journalism, Public Relations and Graphic Design.

Students must earn a C- or better in all major courses. Failure to earn this minimum grade will result in the need to repeat the course thereby possibly extending the student’s course of study beyond four years.

Learning Outcomes

College-Wide Goals & Objectives

This section explains how the B.A. in Communication meets the overarching objectives at Chatham University.

1. Information Literacy

1. Students must effectively locate and gather information for research and media-related analysis through a variety of information media.
2. Students must be able to properly evaluate the quality of the information and its sources.
3. Students must utilize their knowledge gathered from various media sources to render well-communicated, designed and conceptualized projects and/or research papers in response to their contextual analysis.

2. Critical Reading

1. Students must evaluate their creative projects to critical communication studies through a combination of written and online texts, hand-outs, journal articles, and in-class lectures, conversations and demonstrations.
2. Students must assess the quality of gathered and presented information as well as its sources.

3. Analytical Thinking

1. Students must critically investigate and respond to case studies as well as the work of their peers during critique sessions.
2. Students must look for multidisciplinary relationships between communication and other fields of research, examining the role of the communication professional within a broader social context.
3. Students must exhibit a critical understanding of related technical concerns, representational issues, aesthetic practices, ideas and concepts through original projects and/or papers.

4. Problem Solving

1. Students must transform critical and analytical research into well-conceptualized projects and informed responses.
2. Students must be able to move from concept to project actualization.
3. Students must have a strong understanding of the technical in order to properly troubleshoot and solve technical issues related to a project.

5. Public Written Communication

1. Students must communicate clearly by writing research or response papers of various lengths, which support coursework requirements.
2. Students must communicate their conceptual and creative concepts clearly in written project statements.
3. Students must formulate a point of view and be able to defend it within the written format.

6. Public Oral Communication

1. Students must communicate ideas clearly in oral presentations.
2. Students must actively participate in classroom discussions and group critique sessions.
3. Students must formulate a point of view and be able to defend it orally.

Program-Specific Goals & Objectives

This section explains the discipline-specific goals and objectives of the Bachelor of Arts in the Communication program.

1. Analysis and Context

1. Students must demonstrate competence in researching facts for a communication context.
2. Students must look for interdisciplinary relationships between communication and other fields of research.

2. Professional Writing and Speech Processes

1. Students must develop and transform original concepts into well-conceptualized projects - demonstrating a competency in writing for Digital media, Public Relations, or Narrative.
2. Students must demonstrate competence in research methods for the academic study of communication.
3. Students must demonstrate competence in persuasive expression focused on speech and writing.

3. Technical Fundamentals

1. Students must have knowledge of the technology they are utilizing for their projects (saving/storing files, various software packages and techniques, hardware, scanning, digital video/photo equipment, etc.).
2. Students must create original projects that draw on their knowledge of the technological form in order to thoroughly investigate representation in news media and commercial media.

4. Professional Practice

1. Students must develop editorial projects with an understanding of a diversified audience.
2. Students must develop field-appropriate professional portfolios and be able to communicate their projects clearly.
3. Students must develop attitudes of professional responsibility and accountability.
4. Students must develop professional discipline (time-management, organizational skills).

Curriculum

+Required Courses for all Concentrations

COM101	Foundations Of Human Communication A survey of the discipline of communication studies with emphasis on multiple theoretical, and methodological issues relevant to the systematic inquiry and pursuit of knowledge about human communication. This course explores the basic history, assumption, principles, processes, variables, methods, and specialization of human communication as an academic field of study.	3
COM106	Media and Society The effects of mass communication on individuals and society, particularly as they relate to values and ethics, are examined. The course emphasizes the history and structure of the mass media.	3
COM209	Intercultural Communication: Values and Ethics Course will provide the student with an appreciation of the complexities involved in the development of beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that reflect cultural values. This course will provide an understanding of the specific forces, which shape perceptions, feelings and behaviors of various cultural groups. These forces include socially constructed categories such as race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, socio-economic status, and religion. These will be explored in a variety of contexts, language, family structures and the handling of conflict of laws and ethics (cultural relativism) will be examined.	3
COM234W	Persuasion This course explores rhetorical and experimental studies of persuasion. It introduces the student to research in the field and critically examines some of the techniques developed in "selling" products, politics, and culture. It also examines the ethical considerations relevant to these techniques.	3
COM313	Special Topics Special Topics	3
INTCOM303	Internship - Communication Internship - Communication	3
COM490	Integrative Capstone The integrative capstone , undertaken by the student during the senior year, is an extended project that helps the student complete their transition from an undergraduate student to a world-ready professional. The study usually centers on the student’s major and may be conducted, at least in part, in the context of a group experience. Such programs are crafted to meet the unique needs of each major, and could include, for example, fieldwork, theater production, creative work in the arts, independent research, or independent readings. The integrative capstone in an interdisciplinary major must have the approval of both academic programs. Pre-requisites Complete the following course: FDT300W Critical Theory	3

+Major Requirements: Human Communication

COM251	News Writing and Editing This is an introduction to journalistic writing and editing for print and the Web. Students will explore lede writing, interviewing and structuring stories in a variety of styles. They also will learn Associated Press style. At the core of the class is an emphasis on ethics and news judgment.	3
COM351	Advanced News Writing and Editing Students will build upon foundational skills and apply them to writing a variety of multi-source story styles, deadline writing, and briefs. The course also will cover advanced headline writing, copy editing, and media law basics, as well as the challenges and opportunities surrounding newsroom management/leadership in the digital age. Pre-requisites Complete the following course: COM251 News Writing and Editing	3
COM260W	Practical Public Relations Students learn the theories, practical writing skills, and strategies involved in planning and implementing public relations campaigns. The course is an exploration in how to influence public opinion/behavior and build connections with legacy and new media outlets through effective, ethical, and socially responsible communication.	3
COM360	Advanced Public Relations Students will sharpen PR writing skills and critical thinking by applying communication theories and methods to analyzing case studies, developing multiplatform campaigns, and crafting crisis management plans. An emphasis on strategy will prepare students to work with clients in a range of industries, including small businesses, corporations, agencies, and nonprofits. Pre-requisites Complete any 1 of the following courses: COM260W Practical Public Relations COM260 Practical Public Relations	3
COM355	Organizational Communication Organizational Communication will focus on five theoretical approaches to the study of communication in organizations. Those approaches are: classical, human relations/human resources, systems, cultural, and critical, with most time spent on the final theoretical perspective. Additionally, the course will examine how communication affects the gendered nature of the workplace.	3

+Major Requirements: Journalism Concentration

COM251	News Writing and Editing This is an introduction to journalistic writing and editing for print and the Web. Students will explore lede writing, interviewing and structuring stories in a variety of styles. They also will learn Associated Press style. At the core of the class is an emphasis on ethics and news judgment.	3
COM351	Advanced News Writing and Editing Students will build upon foundational skills and apply them to writing a variety of multi-source story styles, deadline writing, and briefs. The course also will cover advanced headline writing, copy editing, and media law basics, as well as the challenges and opportunities surrounding newsroom management/leadership in the digital age. Pre-requisites Complete the following course: COM251 News Writing and Editing	3

+Major Requirements: Public Relations Concentration

COM260W	Practical Public Relations Students learn the theories, practical writing skills, and strategies involved in planning and implementing public relations campaigns. The course is an exploration in how to influence public opinion/behavior and build connections with legacy and new media outlets through effective, ethical, and socially responsible communication.	3
COM360	Advanced Public Relations Students will sharpen PR writing skills and critical thinking by applying communication theories and methods to analyzing case studies, developing multiplatform campaigns, and crafting crisis management plans. An emphasis on strategy will prepare students to work with clients in a range of industries, including small businesses, corporations, agencies, and nonprofits. Pre-requisites Complete any 1 of the following courses: COM260W Practical Public Relations COM260 Practical Public Relations	3

+Major Requirements: Graphic Design Concentration

+Journalism Minor Requirements

ART141	Media Literacy This course introduces students to computer graphic systems and related media practices. Students explore digital foundations, media-related histories, theoretical frameworks, and critical examination of production elements as they discover how digital practices are continuously changing the way imagemakers create and present their work. Additional Fee(s): Applied laboratory fee.	3
COM106	Media and Society The effects of mass communication on individuals and society, particularly as they relate to values and ethics, are examined. The course emphasizes the history and structure of the mass media.	3
COM251	News Writing and Editing This is an introduction to journalistic writing and editing for print and the Web. Students will explore lede writing, interviewing and structuring stories in a variety of styles. They also will learn Associated Press style. At the core of the class is an emphasis on ethics and news judgment.	3
COM255	The Communique Newsroom I This PRO course is designed to give students hands-on training in the various roles that work together to make a multiplatform newsroom function by fulfilling a staff position with the Communiqué. Students will develop skills related to developing/pitching story ideas, beat reporting, story budgets, print newspaper design and digital journalism.	3
COM351	Advanced News Writing and Editing Students will build upon foundational skills and apply them to writing a variety of multi-source story styles, deadline writing, and briefs. The course also will cover advanced headline writing, copy editing, and media law basics, as well as the challenges and opportunities surrounding newsroom management/leadership in the digital age. Pre-requisites Complete the following course: COM251 News Writing and Editing	3

+Public Relations Minor

ART141	Media Literacy This course introduces students to computer graphic systems and related media practices. Students explore digital foundations, media-related histories, theoretical frameworks, and critical examination of production elements as they discover how digital practices are continuously changing the way imagemakers create and present their work. Additional Fee(s): Applied laboratory fee.	3
COM106	Media and Society The effects of mass communication on individuals and society, particularly as they relate to values and ethics, are examined. The course emphasizes the history and structure of the mass media.	3
COM234W	Persuasion This course explores rhetorical and experimental studies of persuasion. It introduces the student to research in the field and critically examines some of the techniques developed in "selling" products, politics, and culture. It also examines the ethical considerations relevant to these techniques.	3
COM260W	Practical Public Relations Students learn the theories, practical writing skills, and strategies involved in planning and implementing public relations campaigns. The course is an exploration in how to influence public opinion/behavior and build connections with legacy and new media outlets through effective, ethical, and socially responsible communication.	3
COM360	Advanced Public Relations Students will sharpen PR writing skills and critical thinking by applying communication theories and methods to analyzing case studies, developing multiplatform campaigns, and crafting crisis management plans. An emphasis on strategy will prepare students to work with clients in a range of industries, including small businesses, corporations, agencies, and nonprofits. Pre-requisites Complete any 1 of the following courses: COM260W Practical Public Relations COM260 Practical Public Relations	3

+Graphic Design Minor

ART141

Media Literacy This course introduces students to computer graphic systems and related media practices. Students explore digital foundations, media-related histories, theoretical frameworks, and critical examination of production elements as they discover how digital practices are continuously changing the way imagemakers create and present their work. Additional Fee(s): Applied laboratory fee.

3

+BA to MA Communications degree (3+1)