Program Requirements
Communication/Journalism Bachelor of Arts Requirements
The Communication/Journalism major at Fisher is writing-based, yet also requires students to develop skills in oral communication, critical thinking/critical analysis, and proficiency with digital technology. A flexible curriculum allows students to tailor their programs closely to their interests.
Program requirements include a departmental “core” of three academic courses and a 1-credit career exploration seminar, along with area-selection courses that address oral presentation skills, visual production skills, and media operations/impacts. A range of elective courses allows students to focus in on an area of interest or gain exposure to a variety of topics.
| Communication/Journalism Core | (10) | |
| COMM 100 | Introduction to Mass Communication | |
| COMM 295 | Multimedia Writing | |
| COMM 322 | COMM Careers Seminar (1) | |
| COMM 420 | Communication Seminar | |
| Oral Presentation Course | (3) | |
| Choose one*: | COMM 250 Speech Communication | |
| COMM 353 Public Speaking | ||
| COMM 354 Interviewing | ||
| Media Perspectives Course | (3) | |
| Choose one*: | COMM 205 P3 Media Issues in Contemporary Culture | |
| COMM 264 P1 History of Television and Radio | ||
| COMM 270 Introduction to Public Relations | ||
| COMM 281 Introduction to Advertising | ||
| COMM 326 Media Literacy | ||
| COMM 346 Media Law | ||
| COMM 347 P3 International Communication & Media | ||
| COMM 367 Emergent Media & Web Culture | ||
| Visual Presentation Course | (3) | |
| Choose one*: | COMM 231 Introduction to Video Production | |
| COMM 263 Digital Media.Social Media | ||
| COMM 309 Design & Publishing | ||
| COMM 332 Television Production | ||
| COMM 334 Photography for the Media | ||
| COMM 369 Web Design | ||
| COMM 431 Advanced Video Production | ||
| COMM 468 Advanced Web Design | ||
| COMM Elective Courses | (18) | |
| Choose six: | Any six courses from a wide selection of conceptual and skills-based courses, including additional courses from the area requirement lists, may be chosen. Students with well-defined career interests in a traditional media area may elect to concentrate among courses in advertising, broadcasting/media production, journalism, or public relations. However, formal paths or concentrations are not required and students, in consultation with an academic advisor, should select a set of electives best tailored to their career goals. Students are strongly encouraged to complete at least one internship (COMM 490) for elective credit. | |
| Total | (37) | |
*After the particular area requirement is met from among listed courses, other courses in that area may be taken as electives.
For students majoring in Communication/Journalism, all department designated courses (COMM) that may be applied to the major are included in the determination of the grade point average in the major. At least one half of the courses applied to the major—a minimum of 19 credits—must be taken in residence at St. John Fisher College.
Even though all Communication/Journalism majors are encouraged to enroll in experiential coursework, transfer students who apply four to six transfer courses toward major requirements are strongly recommended to complete their remaining COMM courses at Fisher and may NOT apply COMM 314 Newspaper Practicum or any coursework numbered 490 or above to their major requirements.
Other Experiences
Students also should participate in campus organizations that relate to their career interests and, where appropriate, develop a professional portfolio. Students who plan to study abroad should consult with the department chair prior to completing their planned course selections. Generally, Communication/Journalism majors may take no more than two electives toward the major during their study-abroad semester.