Program Requirements
Media and Communication Bachelor of Arts Requirements
The Media and Communication 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. Elective courses allow students to focus 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 Television History | ||
| 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 236 Photo I: Art Photography | ||
| COMM 269 Web Design | ||
| COMM 309 Design & Publishing | ||
| COMM 332 Television Production | ||
| COMM 336 Photo II: Media & Documentary | ||
| 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 Media and Communication, 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.
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, Media and Communication majors may take no more than two electives toward the major during their study-abroad semester.
Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes
Goal #1 Students will demonstrate the ability to think critically and analytically about the field and issues within it from contemporary and historical perspectives.
- Relate historical events in communication to current trends to better understand and predict future changes in the industry
- Demonstrate an understanding of communication as a form of culture that influences cultural norms, political attitudes, and ethical choices.
- Develop an understanding of the role of technological advances in changing the meaning, reception, and interpretation of media messages
- Demonstrate the ability to analyze media in terms of appropriate theoretical models
Goal #2 Students will participate in internships, field work and campus experiential activities to prepare for transition to the workplace or graduate study.
- Conduct fieldwork and campus experiential activities to prepare for transition to the workplace or graduate study.
Goal #3 Students will demonstrate writing speech and technological presentation skills suited to a convergent media environment.
- Meet the writing standards required of professional communicators with regard to English grammar and writing mechanics
- Demonstrate the ability to prepare and deliver an effective oral presentation
Goal #4 Students will demonstrate an understanding of current media technologies and their current capabilities, limitations, and implications
- Demonstrate effective multimedia story judgment and the ability to determine which medium is the most effective format for a particular story or element of a story
- Demonstrate proficiency in the techniques required to share these narratives on the web and through social media
Goal #5 Students will demonstrate an understanding of professional principles and work standards
- Demonstrate work habits, ethics and writing standards required of professional communicators.