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Curriculum Major, Minor, or Interdisciplinary

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 consists of 13 courses that combine 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.

Minor

A minor in communication complements most Loyola academic majors by building the student's personal communication skills while developing understanding of communication processes.

The Communication minor consists of seven courses. Minors must choose a specific specialization (Ad/PR, Journalism, or Digital Media) to focus on. Along with CM203 and CM307 or CM308 (depending on the student’s area of specialization), minors choose five 200/300/400 level courses (two MUST be at the 300 level and under the specific specialization) to complete the minor. A capstone course is not required but may be taken as one of the five upper level courses if all prerequisites for it are met.

Interdisciplinary Major

Communication experts are always in big demand in corporations, government, medicine and the health professions, fine arts, the law, and nonprofit organizations. The communication interdisciplinary major provides students with a critical understanding of communication processes and industries as applied to another field of study. It prepares students for entry level positions as communication specialists in their choice of professional field or for graduate study.

The Interdisciplinary major consists of eight courses, as well as the requirements of a second major field. An interdisciplinary major in communication must choose one of the following three specializations (Ad/PR, Journalism, or Digital Media) to focus on. All interdisciplinary majors are required to take CM203 and CM307 or CM308 (depending on the student’s area of specialization) as well as one additional CM 200 level course. Four CM 300/400 level courses (three of which must be under the declared specialization) must be completed as well as one CM 400-level senior capstone course for which all prerequisites have been met.