Major in Communication at Loyola
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General Description of Communication Major Contemporary society is characterized by the exponential growth of media. The Communication major provides students with a critical understanding of communication processes and industries, and their impact on society. It prepares students for entry level positions in the media field of their choice or for graduate study. The Communication major combines experience-based learning of real-world practices with an emphasis on critical thinking, observation, analysis, and writing. Students may shape their course selection to concentrate in journalism, television, radio, advertising, public relations, graphic design, digital audio and video, and Web development, while also taking courses in areas such as publishing, popular culture, media and society, and free speech. Students may concentrate in more than one area. In small classes, majors benefit from close interactions with both the full-time faculty, who represent a broad range of disciplines associated with this complex field of study, and affiliate faculty with strong professional credentials. The study of communication at Loyola is enhanced by participation in internships and co-curricular activities that include: the student newspaper; student radio station and television station; a student-run book publishing company; advertising club; public relations club; honor societies, and competitions associated with affiliated academic and professional organizations; and study abroad programs. The undergraduate Communication major has a five-tier structure with student choice of courses in each tier: | tier | courses | description | 1 | 17 | Liberal Arts Core in the arts and sciences, business, and education | 2 | 4 | Choose from 200-level Introductory Communication Courses | 3 | 8 | Choose eight 300-level or 400-level courses; at least three must be in your Communication Specialization | 4 | 10 | Choose any ten courses, seven of which may be General Communication Courses | 5 | 1 | Senior Capstone course in your choice of Communication Specialization | | | 40 | Degree Total = eight academic terms @ five courses each |
Advertising / Public Relations Specialization - Description of Advertising / Public Relations Specialization
This specialization prepares students to promote clients in the business world within agency or corporate settings. Job roles include advertising account executive, advertising media manager, public relations director, media director for a political campaign, and marketing consultant. This curricular specialization includes learning experiences in writing, analysis of case studies, management, and campaigns.
- Degree Requirements for Advertising / Public Relations -- see Communication Online Advising
- Typical Programs of Study in the Advertising/Public Relations Specialization
Digital Media Specialization - Description of Digial Media Specialization
This specialization prepares students for careers in radio, television, broadcast news, audio/video production, graphic design, and interactive media/Web development. Job roles include broadcast station manager, technical director, videographer, radio announcer, video producer, graphic designer, animator, and Web developer. This curricular specialization includes learning experiences in media production, script writing, studio operations, special effects and animation, motion media history, and documentary.
- Degree Requirements for Digital Media Specialization -- see Communication Online Advising
- Typical Programs of Study in Digital Media
Journalism Specialization - Description of Journalism Specialization
This specialization prepares the student for the news professions in a variety of media channels, including newspapers, magazines, books, radio, television, and the Internet. Job roles include news writer, columnist, editorialist, reporter, copy editor, section editor, managing editor, editor-in-chief, broadcast reporter, television news anchor, news director, and webmaster and blogger.
- Degree Requirements for Journalism Specialization -- see Communication Online Advising
- Typical Programs of Study in Journalism
General Communication Courses - Description of General Communication Courses
The Department of Communication recommends numerous courses relevant to all Communication majors regardless of Specialization. These courses may be chosen to fulfill elective requirements in the major. The departmental advising sheets list the current offerings -- see Communication Online Advising.
- CM302 Free Speech, Free Expression (3 cr.)
- CM305 Media and the Political Process (3 cr.)
- CM306 Popular Culture in America (3 cr.)
- CM316 Travel Reporting (3 cr.)
- CM342 Media, Culture, and Society (3 cr.)
- CM347 The Documentary Tradition (3 cr.)
- CM385 Special Topics in Communication (3 cr.)
- CM390 Public Speaking II (3 cr.)
- CM394 Research Experience (3 cr.)
- CM421 Communication Internship (150 Hours) (3 cr.)
- CM423 Communication Internship (50 hours) (1 cr.)
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