Degree Information

The curriculum of this B.A. in Communications provides a general grounding in traditional media forms along with work in the area of media convergence. Students must do coursework at both the practical and theoretical level. On the theory side, coursework will be offered in the areas of media criticism and theory, visual communications, and media history at the introductory and advanced levels. On the applied side, coursework will be offered in video and audio production, news writing and photojournalism, radio and television studio production, and public relations and advertising at the introductory and advanced levels. In the Convergent Media News Service courses, which form the most distinctive component of the program, students will actually produce and deliver a college news service in print, broadcasting (TV and streaming radio), and a multimedia online format. This hands-on experience will provide students an opportunity to create materials suitable for inclusion in a portfolio. Although not required, students will be strongly encouraged to do an internship sometime during their junior or senior years. Finally, the capstone Convergent Media Seminar will bring seniors together to consider the larger, theoretical issues related to the fast-paced changes in communications today and into the future. With a degree in this program, students will be well-positioned to go right into industry, where they will be able to compete in a number of different job markets, or to graduate school for advanced training.

For the B.A. in Communications, a minimum of 123 credits is required.

Scheduling Recommendation by Semester Standing given like (Sem: 1-2)

GENERAL EDUCATION: 45 credits
(See description of General Education in front of Bulletin)

FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR:
(Included in ELECTIVES OR GENERAL EDUCATION course selection)

UNITED STATES CULTURES AND INTERNATIONAL CULTURES:
(Included in ELECTIVES, GENERAL EDUCATION course selection, or REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)

WRITING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM:
(Included in REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)

ELECTIVES: 12 credits

BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: 24 credits
(3 of these 24 credits are included in the REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR, GENERAL EDUCATION, or ELECTIVES and 0-12 credits are included in ELECTIVES if foreign language proficiency is demonstrated by examination.)
(See description of Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements in front of Bulletin.)

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR: 42 credits[1]

PRESCRIBED COURSES (12 credits)
COMM 100 GS(3), COMM 150 GA(3) (Sem: 1-3)
COMM 260W(3) (Sem: 2-3)
COMM 490(3) (Sem: 7-8)

ADDITIONAL COURSES (30 credits)
Select 12 credits from the following, including 6 credits at 400-level: COMM 242(3), COMM 269(3), COMM 270(3), COMM 345(3), COMM 347(3) (Sem: 3-6)
COMM 421W(3), COMM 454(3), COMM 461(3), COMM 467(3), COMM 468(3), COMM 471(3) (Sem: 5-8)
Select 12 credits from the following, including 6 credits at 400-level: COMM 180 GS(3), COMM 205 US(3), COMM 250 GA(3), COMM 261 GH(3), COMM 320(3), COMM 370(3) (Sem: 3-6)
COMM 401(3), COMM 403(3), COMM 408(3), COMM 409(3), COMM 411(3), COMM 413W(3) (Sem: 5-8)
Select 6 credits from COMM 470A(3), COMM 470B(3), COMM 470C(3) (Sem: 7-8)

[1] A student enrolled in this major must receive a grade of C or better, as specified in Senate Policy 82-44.

Contact: Dr. Kenneth A. Womack
Professor of English, Division Head
Office: Elm Building
Phone: 814-949-5750
E-mail:
WWW: http://www.personal.psu.edu/kaw16