Communication and Media - Major

Our Communication and Media Program is a skill-based, interdisciplinary, versatile, and culturally aware program that prepares emerging professionals to succeed in the fields of Communication, Public Relations, Social Media Management, Marketing, and Advertising. By bridging liberal arts and professional practice, our program provides students with a holistic foundation in critical thinking, theory, and craft. Our graduates are well-positioned for a variety of careers and will receive pre-professional training in the form of internships and client-based seminar projects. It should be noted that students in this major are required to have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 before moving into their internship which typically occurs during the junior year.

The Communication and Media program focuses on the following learning outcomes:

Interaction - Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in varied personal, cultural, professional, and civic contexts.
Research - Collect, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and properly use research sources.
Vocabulary - Demonstrate thorough understanding and effective command of theoretical, disciplinary, and industry terminology.
Persuasion - Construct and express oral, written, and visual messages that are coherent, persuasive, and ethical.
Application - Apply theories, perspectives, and principles across communication and media contexts that demonstrate an understanding of the discipline.

*Note: Only five courses (or 15 credits) will be accepted as transfer credit toward the Communication and Media major.

Core Curriculum Requirements

All Nazareth students complete Core Curriculum coursework as part of their degree requirements. The Core provides a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences while guiding students to pose and explore their own intellectual questions. See Academic Policies and Procedures for specific core curriculum requirements.

Communication and Media Major Requirements

All Communication and Media majors are required to take the following (21 credits):

COMM.Q 101 - Introduction to Media Industries Credits: 3
COMM 205 - Writing for Digital Media Credits: 3
COMM 207 - Oral Communication Credits: 3
COMM 300 - Communication Theory Credits: 3
COMM 301 - Communication Research Methods Credits: 3
COMM 341 - Representation in Media Credits: 3
COMM 483 - Communication and Media Internship I Credits: 3

Communication and Media Program Tracks

Choose one track from the following:

Digital Media Track

Students must complete both of the following courses:

COMM 345 - Social Media Credits: 3
COMM 358 - Digital Storytelling Credits: 3
Students must complete one of the following courses:
ART 255 - Digital Photography Credits: 3
AVCD 154 - Digital Imaging Foundation for Design Credits: 3 /AVCD 154L Credits: 1
AVCD 258 - Digital Animation Fundamentals Credits: 3
MKT 216 - Principles of Marketing Credits: 3
DMS 300 - Digital Marketing Essentials Credits: 3
TAS 211 - Revolutionary Computing: Programming and Problem Solving for a Better World Credits: 3
TAS 223 - Information and Disinformation: the Role Of Technology in a Post-Truth World Credits: 3
TAS 233 - Technology & Society Credits: 3

Public Relations Track

Students must complete all courses listed:

COMM 250 - Principles of Public Relations Credits: 3
COMM 350 - Public Relations Writing Credits: 3
COMM 435 - Advanced Public Relations Campaigns Credits: 3

Writing and Editing Track

Students must complete all courses listed:

COMM 256 - Introduction to Journalism Credits: 3
COMM 351 - Editing for Publication Credits: 3
COMM 373 - Feature Writing Credits: 3

Communication and Media Major Electives

Students must complete 9 credit hours of electives; course options included below. Students are also allowed to take courses from their non-selected program track as electives.

AVCD 201 - Introduction to Digital Video/Media Credits: 3
COMM 210 - Interpersonal Communication Credits: 3
COMM 234 - Philosophy and Film Credits: 3
COMM 302 - Media Ethics and Law Credits: 3
COMM 340 - Cinema Studies Credits: 3
COMM 342 - Popular Music and Emotion Credits: 3
COMM 352 - Linguistics and Communication Credits: 3
COMM 353 - Persuasion Credits: 3
COMM 359 - Self-Publishing Credits: 3
COMM 370 - The End Is Near: Crisis Narratives in Life and Literature Credits: 3
COMM 382 - Crisis Communication Credits: 3
COMM 388 - Editing and Copywriting Credits: 3
COMM 389 - International Graphic Narrative Credits: 3
COMM 434 - Special Topics in Communication and Media Credits: 3
ENGW 250 - Written and Visual Rhetoric Credits: 3
ENGW 351 - Professional Writing Credits: 3
ENGW 376 - Creative Writing: Prose Credits: 3
ENGW 377 - Playwriting Credits: 3
ENGW 378 - Creative Writing: Poetry Credits: 3
ENGW 379 - Creative Writing: Pop Fiction Credits: 3
ENGW 387 - Screenwriting Credits: 3

Communication and Media Major Senior Experience

The Communication and Media Senior Experience allows students to design and present a project/portfolio of work that bridges the academic and professional worlds. Students are expected to design a project that will apply what they have learned over the course of their study. The Senior Seminar class will provide a community in which to work on this project. Projects will be presented at the end of the semester in a public forum.

COMM 450 - Communication and Media Senior Seminar Credits: 3
COMM 499 - Communication and Media Senior Experience Credits: 0

Sample Program for Communication and Media Major

FRESHMAN YEAR
Fall Semester		Spring Semester
ENGW 101 Exposition	3	ENGW 102 Argument and Research	3
ACS 101 Academic and College Success	1	COMM 205 Writing for Digital Media	3
First Year Seminar (FYS) PEQ (1)	3	PEQ (4)	3
COMM.Q 101 Introduction to Media Industries PEQ (2)	3	PEQ (5)	3
PEQ (3)	3	Foreign Language with Lab (same language)	4
Foreign Language with Lab (same language)	4	Health & Wellness	0
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS	17	TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS	16

SOPHOMORE YEAR
Fall Semester		Spring Semester
COMM 207 Oral Communication	3	Communication Elective or Professional Track Course	3
PEQ (6)	3	Communication Elective or Professional Track Course	3
PEQ (7) Science with Lab	4	DEIB designated course/Liberal Arts Elective	3
PEQ (8)	3	Integrative Studies (IS) - 1	3
Liberal Arts Elective	3	Integrative Studies (IS) - 2	3
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS	16	TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS	15

JUNIOR YEAR
Fall Semester		Spring Semester
COMM 300 Communication Theory	3	COMM 301 Communication Research Methods	3
Communication Elective or Professional Track Course	3	COMM 483 Communication and Media Internship I	3
Communication Elective or Professional Track Course	3	CME 050 Core Milestone Experience	0
Experiential Learning Pathway (EL)	0	Elective or Professional Program Track Course	3
Integrative Studies (IS) - 3	3	Liberal Arts Elective	3
Liberal Arts Elective	3	Communication Elective or Professional Track Course	3
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS	15	TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS	15

SENIOR YEAR
Fall Semester		Spring Semester
Communication Elective or Professional Program Track Course	3	Communication Elective or Professional Program Track Course	3
Liberal Arts Elective	3	COMM 450 Communication and Media Senior Seminar	3
Liberal Arts Elective	3	COMM 499 Communication and Media Senior Experience	0
General Elective (or Liberal Arts elective if needed)	3	Liberal Arts Elective	3
General Elective (or Liberal Arts elective if needed)	3	General Elective	3
	15	TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS	12
Notes Students in Bachelor of Arts degree programs must complete 90 credits of liberal arts coursework.