Communication (BA), Multimedia Journalism Emphasis

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Communication Major

Program Prerequisite: Not required.
Minor: Students may complete a minor approved by their academic advisor OR one of the tracks associated with any of the six interdisciplinary emphasis areas: Civic Advocacy, Digital Media, Interpersonal & Family Communication, Multimedia Journalism, Organizational Communication, and Public Relations & Advertising. A student may not receive both a major and a minor from the Department of Communication.
Grade Requirements: A grade of “C” or better in courses is required for this major (a grade of “C-” is not acceptable), in addition to an overall GPA of 2.00 or higher for all courses.
Credit-Hour Requirements: A total of 120 credit hours is required for graduation. A total of 40 upper-division credit hours is required (courses numbered 3000 and above). Between 27-35 credits of upper-division are required within the major, depending on the selected emphasis.
Program Code: Communication (3017) with emphasis code Civic Advocacy (3051), Communication Studies/Communication Teaching (3016), Digital Media(3068), Interpersonal & Family (3053), Multimedia Journalism (3069), Multimedia Journalism/Communication Teaching (3070), Organizational Communication (3054), Public Relations & Advertising (3055).
CIPC: Communication (090101) with emphasis code Civic Advocacy (090904), Communication Studies/Communication Teaching (131399), Digital Media(090199), Interpersonal & Family (090101), Multimedia Journalism (099999), Multimedia Journalism/Communication Teaching (131399), Organizational Communication (090901), Public Relations & Advertising (090999).

To enroll in upper-division Communication courses, a student must hold upper-division standing in the university. Students must complete at least 50 percent of their Communication coursework at Weber State University in order to receive a major or a minor in Communication.

Advisement

Students are encouraged to meet with the appropriate department advisor depending on their selected emphasis. Refer to the Communication Department website for a current list of department advisors: weber.edu/communication.

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Admission Requirements

Declare your program of study at the Communication Department office, Elizabeth Hall 330. No special admission or application requirements are needed for this program.

General Education

Refer to Degree Requirements for either Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science requirements. See specific requirements for the BA and BS under the major course requirements. The following courses, required for the Communication major, will also satisfy General Education requirements: COMM 1020 HU , COMM 2010 HU , and COMM 2110 HU CEL .

Program Learning Outcomes

Writing: Write at a level expected of a professional communicator in a selected emphasis area.
Diversity: Be sensitive to difference and discrimination in society and value diversity.
Career Readiness: Be prepared to enter a professional career or graduate school.
Critical thinking: Use critical thinking to analyze information from a variety of perspectives for understanding, persuasive argument or problem solving.
Law/Ethics: Understand communication law and ethics to enable legal and ethical communication.
Theory: Understand how various communication theories have been developed, applied, and evaluated.
Research: Find peer-reviewed or professional research studies, be familiar with a variety of research methods, and interpret and analyze research data.
History: Know the history of the communication discipline and its societal and professional implications.
Media: Use and produce media to communicate messages.
Interpersonal/Small Group: Facilitate successful communication in interpersonal situations and small group settings.
Listening: Listen actively to acquire and analyze information.
Speaking: Speak clearly and persuasively in a one-on-one interpersonal interaction, and in front of small and large groups in a variety of contexts.

Emphasis Areas

Select one of the following emphasis areas in Communication:

Civic Advocacy
Digital Media
Interpersonal & Family Communication
Multimedia Journalism
Organizational Communication
Public Relations & Advertising
Social Media & Data Analytics

Major Course Requirements for BS or BA Degree

Students, regardless of their emphasis, must successfully complete required and elective Communication courses specified for each emphasis. Students must complete a minor approved by the department or the classes required in an interdisciplinary track.

Required Courses for Major (24 credit hours)

COMM 1020 HU - Principles of Public Speaking Credits: (3)
COMM 1130 - Media Writing Credits: (3)
COMM 2110 HU CEL - Interpersonal and Small Group Communication Credits: (3)
COMM 3000 - Communication Theory Credits: (3)
COMM 3150 - Communication Research Methods Credits: (3)
COMM 3650 - Communication Law Credits: (3)
COMM 4890 INT - Communication Internship Credits: (1-3)
COMM 4990 - Senior Seminar Credits: (3)

Courses Required to Fulfill the BA (12 credit hours)

Complete either Option 1 or Option 2.

Option 1 - Foreign Language

Select 4 courses (12 credit hours) in a foreign language.

Option 2 - Foreign Language with Language Arts

Select two courses (6 credit hours) from the following, plus two courses (6 credit hours) in a foreign language.

COMM 2270 - Argumentation and Debate Credits: (3)
COMM 3050 - Conflict Management and Negotiation Credits: (3)
COMM 3080 - Intercultural Communication Credits: (3)
COMM 3120 - Advanced Public Speaking Credits: (3)
COMM 3130 - News Reporting and Writing Credits: (3)
COMM 3220 - Editing Credits: (3)
COMM 3440 - Public Relations Writing Credits: (3)
COMM 3550 - Organizational Communication Credits: (3)
COMM 3650 - Communication Law Credits: (3)
COMM 3740 - Writing for Screen Credits: (3)
COMM 3780 - Broadcast News Writing and Production Credits: (3)
COMM 3820 - Persuasive Communication Credits: (3)
COMM 4130 - In-depth and Investigative Journalism Credits: (3)
COMM 4150 - Rhetorical Theory and Criticism Credits: (3)
COMM 4160 - Contemporary Rhetorical and Communication Theories Credits: (3)

Multimedia Journalism Emphasis (45 credit hours)

The Multimedia Journalism emphasis teaches students how to collect and write information or produce video and audio content regarding current events-including trends, issues, and people-for publication in a website, newspaper, or magazine. The curriculum emphasizes writing skills and video/audio production skills, but students also learn about research, interviewing, editing, layout and design, and legal and ethical issues in journalism.

Students must complete a minor approved by their advisor or select one of the following interdisciplinary tracks:

Technical Writing
Web Publishing
Literary Journalism
General Reporting
Sports Journalism

Required Courses (30 credit hours)

COMM 1500 - Introduction to Mass Communication Credits: (3)
COMM 2250 HU - Essentials of Digital Media Credits: (3)
COMM 3130 - News Reporting and Writing Credits: (3)
COMM 3200 - Live Event Production Credits: (1-3) (select 3 credit hours) OR
COMM 3840 - Data Visualization and Storytelling Credits: (3)
COMM 3780 - Broadcast News Writing and Production Credits: (3)
COMM 3890 INT - Advanced Cooperative Work Experience with Signpost Credits: (1-3) (select 3 credit hours)
COMM 4130 - In-depth and Investigative Journalism Credits: (3)

Three of the following courses (9 credit hours):

COMM 1560 - Audio Production and Performance Credits: (3)
COMM 2010 HU - Mass Media and Society Credits: (3)
COMM 2200 - Multi-Camera Production and Performance Credits: (3)
COMM 2400 - Social Media for Communicators Credits: (3)
COMM 2730 - Digital Radio Production and Broadcast Credits: (1-3)
COMM 2820 - Podcast Production Credits: (3)
COMM 2980 - Introduction to Storytelling in Cinematic Virtual Reality Credits: (3)
COMM 3060 - Listening and Interviewing Credits: (3)
COMM 3080 - Intercultural Communication Credits: (3)
COMM 3090 - Gender and Communication Credits: (3)
COMM 3220 - Editing Credits: (3)
COMM 3350 - Visual Communication Credits: (3)
COMM 3400 - Introduction to Public Relations Credits: (3)
COMM 3440 - Public Relations Writing Credits: (3)
COMM 3460 GLB - Public Relations and Social Media Credits: (3)
COMM 3550 - Organizational Communication Credits: (3)
COMM 3740 - Writing for Screen Credits: (3)
COMM 3820 - Persuasive Communication Credits: (3)
COMM 3850 - Advertising Credits: (3)
COMM 3890 INT - Advanced Cooperative Work Experience with Signpost Credits: (1-3)
COMM 3891 INT - Advanced Cooperative Work Experience with KWCR Credits: (1-3)
COMM 3893 INT - Advanced Cooperative Work Experience with Studio 76 Credits: (1-3)
COMM 4400 INT - Public Relations Media and Campaigns Credits: (3)
COMM 4440 - Developing and Evaluating Health Communication Campaigns Credits: (3)
COMM 4500 - Topics in Communication Credits: (3) only when taught as journalism-related topic and with permission of instructor

Elective Courses (15 credit hours)

See department advisor for an approved list of additional non-Communication Department courses for the tracks (15 credit hours).