Communication Arts Major, B.A.

The program in Communication Arts is offered by the Department of English and Communication Arts. The major is designed to prepare students for careers in all facets of converging media, including the ability to write, shoot, edit, and post stories using such skills as news reporting and editing, magazine writing, broadcasting, digital media, public relations and online journalism. Communication Arts offers a 50-credit major. Students interested in particular specialties, such as journalism, public relations, film studies and digital media, are guided to choose history, theory and skills courses that address those fields.

Internships are required and integral to the program. Students have worked at public relations firms, non-profit agencies, web-based publications, newspapers, magazines, television and radio stations, museums and other locations.

Requirements for the Major

A minimum of 50 credits in communication arts at or above the 200 level (excluding independent study) is required.

Required Courses

CMA 200Mass Media and Society

3.0

CMA 201Media Writing I

3.0

CMA 207Principles of Speech Communication

3.0

CMA 208Principles of Editing

3.0

CMA 226Visual Media Production

3.0

CMA 246Graphic Design I

3.0

CMA 260Media Writing II

3.0

CMA 304Multimedia Storytelling

3.0

CMA 305Communications Law

3.0

CMA 310Public Relations

3.0

CMA 370Student Media Practicum

2.0

CMA 399Internship in Communications

3.0 - 9.0

CMA 470/IMC 470Seminar in Communication Ethics

3.0

History/Theory Courses (choose two)

CMA 204Media History

3.0

CMA 209Mass Media and Revolution

3.0

CMA 222The Art of Skepticism

3.0

CMA 270AAlfred Hitchcock: Master of Suspense

3.0

CMA 270BReel Journalism

3.0

CMA 270CAmerica's Great Film Comedies

3.0

CMA 280Screen Craft

3.0

CMA 282History of American Film

3.0

CMA 312Introduction to Communication Research

3.0

CMA 350Television in America

3.0

Skills Courses (choose two)

ARCA 322Photojournalism

3.0

CMA 227Podcasting

3.0

CMA 281Introduction to Screenwriting

3.0

CMA 302Visual Media Production II

3.0

CMA 303Reporting for the Media

3.0

CMA 313Writing for Public Relations

3.0

CMA 320Broadcast Writing and Reporting

3.0

CMA 336Graphic Design II

3.0

CMA 337Graphic Design III

3.0

CMA 402Visual Media Production III

3.0

CMA 410Crisis Communication

3.0

CMA 411Public Relations Campaigns

3.0

Electives

Depending on the topic, CMA 299 may count toward the History/Theory or Skills requirement for the major. Please see the department chair for more information. 
CMA 227Podcasting

3.0

CMA 299Special Topics in Communication Arts

1.0 - 3.0

CMA 375Independent Study

1.0 - 3.0