Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
"The art of communication is the language of leadership." - James Humes
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
As an academic field, communication focuses on the process of message use and generation within as well as across various contexts, cultures, channels, and media. The study of communication focuses on its effective and ethical practice. While people are born with the physical ability to talk, communication skills have to be developed to ensure personal, academic, and professional success.
According to various projections on fastest growing careers, communication skills will be part of basic competencies in many occupations well into the next century. In addition, executives in leading companies indicate that college students need better communication skills as well as the ability to work in teams and with people from different backgrounds.
The Communication program at UOG offers a major designed to prepare professionals in journalism, mass media and other communication-related areas. The program also serves the university community with General Education and elective courses for all majors and offers a minor which is an ideal complement for any major which requires substantial skill in interpersonal, public, or mass communication.
Upon successful completion of the communication program, the student should be able to demonstrate the ability to successfully:
- Articulate the theories of perception, interaction, and the creation of shared meaning in individual, group, intercultural, mass and digital communication settings;
- Analyze the effects of media messages and form on the individual and society;
- Apply basic logic, reasoning, ethics, and interpretation in producing and consuming messages;
- Construct and express a cohesive idea, across multiple platforms, drawn from multiple
sources
of information that arrives at a rational conclusion expressing a defensible point of view; and - Utilize contemporary and understand developing communication technologies.
Communication Major - Student Advisement Form
The Communication major consists of a 15-hour core, an 18-hour track, and 12 hours of Communication electives. The core includes foundation courses in mass media, argumentation, intercommunication, a professional internship, and a senior-level capstone course.
All Communication majors must meet the requirements of one of these tracks and should seek faculty advisement within their respective track:
The Communication Studies and Public Relations track requires dynamic personal involvement. Students create and test their ideas, develop individual abilities and gain competence in a variety of communication settings. Students acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical training in developing messages for various groups, analyzing audiences and designing campaigns.
The Mass Media & Journalism track focuses on providing knowledge of the theories, processes and practices of the mass media and on the development of professional telecommunications skills in a variety of mass communication fields such as broadcasting, video production, and advertising, Students learn reporting, writing, editing, and graphic design skills. Emphasis is placed on studying news events in the context of larger social issues and interpreting these insights for a mass audience.
The minor in Communication requires 21 credit hours. It is particularly suited for students majoring in Public Administration, Business, Education, Agriculture, Nursing, and English who need a strong background in communication skills for their professional work. Faculty advisors will help you tailor the minor to fit your career goals.
Communication Major Requirements
(Total: 45 credit hours)
Required Core Courses (15 credit hours)
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
| CO106 | Introduction to Mass Communications | 3 credits |
| CO250 | Argumentation | 3 credits |
| CO310 | Intercultural Communication | 3 credits |
| CO491 | Current Issues in Communication and Society | 3 credits |
| CO498 | Senior Internship | 3 credits |
Required Courses for each Track (18 credit hours)
Communication Studies and Public Relations (choose 6 of the following)
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
| CO200 | Voice and Articulations | 3 credits |
| CO220 | Listening Behavior | 3 credits |
| CO320 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 credits |
| CO330 | Small Group Communication | 3 credits |
| CO340 | Persuasion | 3 credits |
| CO350 | Public Speaking | 3 credits |
| CO360 | Public Relations | 3 credits |
| CO370 | Organizational Communication | 3 credits |
| CO450 | Communication Theory and Research | 3 credits |
Mass Media Studies & Journalism
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
| CO226 | Reporting & Writing the News | 3 credits |
| CO327 | Advertising in Mass Media | 3 credits |
| CO236 | Broadcast Production | 3 credits |
| CO357 | Media Computer Graphics | 3 credits |
| CO336 | Broadcast Journalism | 3 credits |
| CO426 | Documentary Process | 3 credits |
Electives: 12 additional hours of Communication courses. 6 of which must be upper-division courses.
*SEE - STUDENT ADVISEMENT SHEET GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS and include under Tier II - Direction Building (DB) – 9-11 credits – 1) CF, DF or UU as Pre-req (Can be within a declared Major) – CO250; 2) DF or Major
Exploration – CO310 or CO360; 3) DF Exploration outside major requirement (May apply
to a Minor or 2nd Major) – BA260
Tier III – Capstone Experience – Major Capstone Experience: 1) Major Capstone Experience – CO491
Communication Minor Requirements
(Total: 21 credit hours)
Required Courses (9 credit hours): CO106, CO250, and CO310.
Electives: 12 additional hours of the student’s choice with consent of advisor. Six of these must be upper division hours. Students should consult with a Communication advisor for recommendations regarding which courses best complement their major.
*SEE - STUDENT ADVISEMENT SHEET GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS and include under Tier II - Direction Building (DB) – 9-11 credits – 1) CF, DF, or UU as Pre-req (can be within declared major) – CO250; 2) DF or Major
Exploration – CO310 or CO360; 3) DF Exploration outside major requirements (May apply
to a Minor or 2nd Major) – BA260
Tier III – Capstone Experience – Major Capstone Experience: CO491-Current Issues in Communication and Society.
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