The program of study in Communications affords students the opportunity to prepare for careers in what may be the most rapidly expanding field in modern education and society- at-large. Blending traditional liberal arts with specific career-oriented coursework, students gain the foundations, skills, and ethical perspectives necessary to be successful in their mass media careers, and to be productive members of society.

The combination of scholarly search for knowledge and development of essential skills, and the application of these in society guide the major, in keeping with the Mission of the College.

Courses span broadcasting, film and video production, performance media, advertising, public relations, sports media, film studies, organizational communications, writing and photojournalism. All courses are offered as part of either a specific content sequence or as a general topics course. A unique feature of Albertus' Communications Program is the potential for students to "individualize" programs of study in order to best prepare each student to exercise his or her best mix of talents and passions.

The Department is committed to insuring that Communications majors are well prepared to enter their selected career paths. An integral component of each student's course of study is a required internship which complements and builds upon coursework and provides important hands-on experience. Internships are on-the-job placements where students earn college credit while acquiring applied professional skills. The breadth of the Internships completed through the Department of Communications is clearly a significant benefit of the program.

In order to demonstrate a student's acquisition of the required experience, skills, and integrative abilities in the major, each Communications student must submit a final portfolio of print and/or non-print materials; or research and write a final thesis. Thus, graduates of Albertus' Communications Program are in the position to present potential employers and graduate programs with an actual portfolio or thesis paper that demonstrates their experiential base of knowledge and skills.

The emphasis in Albertus' Program in Communications is upon preparing students for positions in mass media and their related fields that are "above the line." "Above the line" positions are executive-oriented positions. These decision-makers and gatekeepers are professionals, who actually create and influence media, who have both technical and broad integrative skills in the field, and who can work with and manage many different types of people.

Communications is a rapidly evolving field in society. Thus, the Department of Communications is constantly adapting to the changes that this exciting field presents. Students who complete the Communications Major enjoy many graduate school options that include broadcasting, media, journalism, business, and law.

E. Topics Course

CO/DR 326 The Creative Mind (Level C)

CO/DR 129 Art/Space Management

CO 171 Introduction to Political Communications (Level A)

CO 230 Internet Marketing and Advertising

CO 232 Films of Alfred Hitchcock

CO 233 Films of Steven Spielberg

CO 234 Gangster Films

CO 235 Magazine Editing and Production

CO 236 Film Noir

CO 237 Photojournalism

CO 238 Mass Media and the Law

CO 242 Electronic Field Production

CO 243 Advanced Editing Techniques

CO 244 Television Studio Production

CO/DR 263 Performance/Rehearsal

CO/DR 267 Playwriting

CO/DR 358 Directing I

CO/DR 359 Technical Theatre/Design

CO 371 Political Communications in the 21st Century

CO/DR 385 Drama workshop/Seminar

F. Practical Applications: Each major is required to complete an internship:

CO 380 Internship (3 to 12 credits) (Letter Grade)

G. Communications Seminar: Each major is required to complete Communications Seminar

CO 391 Communications Seminar (3 credits)

H. Portfolio or Thesis: Each major is required to complete either a senior portfolio or a senior thesis.

CO 392 Senior Portfolio (3 credits)

CO 393 Senior Thesis (3 credits)

I. Required Correlatives: Each major must complete 9 credits in a related discipline in consultation with the Department Chair.

Communications Minor (18 Credits)

All students wishing to complete a minor program of study in Communications must complete a total of 18 credits in consultation with the Department Chair. Each minor must complete:

One course from the Communications Core

One Course from any Sequence

One of the following:

A Topics Course

CO 391

Three courses to be determined in consultation with the Department Chair.