The following is only one source of information regarding a student’s program of study for a B.A. or B.S. in Communication. Note: Some courses required in the major will also fulfill requirements for the University core curriculum. Students should always meet with a faculty advisor for information on course scheduling, rotation, and selection and for planning an effective and efficient program of study.

University Core:

I. To Develop Knowledge for a Changing World (23-26 hours)

A. World Heritage (15 hours)
     History of Civilization (6 hours)
          HIS 101 History of Civilization I
          HIS 102 History of Civilization II

     Literature and Fine Arts (9 hours)
          At least one course from Literature and one course from Fine Arts.

     Literature Survey (3 or 6 hours)
          EN 201 Survey of English Literature
          EN 202 Survey of English Literature
          EN 203 Survey of American Literature
          EN 204 Survey of American Literature
          EN 231 Survey of World Literature
          EN 232 Survey of World Literature
          FLF 311 Survey of French Literature
          FLF 312 Survey of French Literature
          FLS 311 Survey of Spanish Literature
          FLS 312 Survey of Spanish Literature

     Fine Arts History/Appreciation (3 or 6 hours)
          ART 102 Art Appreciation
          ART 211 Art History Survey I
          ART 212 Art History Survey II
          DAN 110 Dance Appreciation
          MUS 100 Music Appreciation
          MUS 105 Introduction to Music Literature
          TH 175 Theatre Appreciation

B. Natural Sciences with Laboratory (8 hours)
          BSB 101 General Biology I with lab
          BSB 102 General Biology II with lab
          BSB 201 Humans: Origins and Ecology with BSB 102 lab
          BSM 131 General Microbiology with lab
          PSC 111 General Chemistry I with lab
          PSC 112 General Chemistry II with lab
          PSP 211 General Physics I with lab
          PSP 212 General Physics II with lab
          PSP 213 General Physics I (calculus based) with lab
          PSP 214 General Physics II (calculus based) with lab
          SM 101 Environmental Science I with lab
          SM 102 Environmental Science II with lab

C. Intercultural Studies (0-3 hours)
          This area may be satisfied by taking one of the following courses. 
          These courses also may meet requirements in another part of the core:
          EN 231 Survey of World Literature
          EN 232 Survey of World Literature
          GEO 101 Elements of World Geography
          Language Course (non-English course)
          REL 213 Religions of the World
          Approved study-abroad course

A. Critical Thinking Skills (3 hours)
          PHL 201 Introduction to Philosophy
          PHL 202 Aesthetics
          PHL 204 Ethics
          PHL 205 Logic
          PHL 206 Sport Ethics
          PHL 306 Business Ethics
          PHL 307 Medical Ethics

B. Written Communication (6 hours) (a minimum grade of C required)
          EN 101 English Composition
          EN 300 Advanced Composition

C. Oral Communication (3 hours)
          COM 101 Oral Communication

D. Quantifying and Technology Skills (6 hours)
     Mathematics (3)
          MA 113 or higher (excluding MA 123 Statistics)
     Other (3)
          Additional mathematics above MA 113, computer applications, or 
          computer programming course

A. Meeting the Challenge of College (*0 -1 hour.)
          UN 001 CAAP Test
          UN 101 Introduction to College Life
          *Students transferring to MUW with at least 12 hours earned are not
          required to take UN 101.

B. Developing Personal Well Being Through Physical Activities (2 hours)
          HKC (1)
          HK Activity course or additional HKC (1)

C. Social Institutions (3 hours)
          BU 201 Principles of Economics I
          BU 202 Principles of Economics II
          GEO 101 Elements of World Geography
          POL 101 Basic Concepts of Political Science
          POL 201 American Government

D. Human Behavior (3 hours)
          PSY 101 General Psychology
          PSY 206 Human Growth and Development
          SOC 201 Principles of Sociology

Major Courses: (grade of C or better required)
          COM 101 Oral Communication (3)
          COM 102 Introduction to Mass Communication (3)
          COM 103 Introduction to Media Technology (3)
          COM 200 Writing for the Media (3)
          COM 307 Advanced Writing for the Media (3)
          COM 310 Digital Culture (3)
          COM 320 Mass Communication & Society (3)
          COM 325 Visual Design (3)
          COM 400 Practicum (1) (must be repeated for 2-hours credit)
          COM 460 Internship* (3)
          COM 465 Communication Senior Seminar (3)

Select 12 hours of coursework to apply toward Communication Electives (12)
          COM 201 Interpersonal Communication (3)
          COM 204 Announcing for the Media (3)
          COM 210 Media Advertising, Management and Sales (3)
          COM 299 Special Topics in Communication (1-3)
          COM 303 Images of Women in Film (3)
          COM 331 Audio Production (3)
          COM 410 Media Law & Ethics (3)
          COM 413 Public Relations (3)
          COM 425 Advanced Visual Design (3)
          COM 431 Video Production (3)
          COM 454 Problems in Mass Communication (3)
          COM 499 Special Topics in Communication (1-3)
          FLM 101 Introduction to Film (3)

Other coursework may be accepted as hours toward Communication Electives with approval of the Department Chair.

Communication majors are required to take a minor to focus some of their electives and to help maximize their career goals and interests. Minors range from 18-24 semester hours. Students are to make appropriate adjustments in free elective hours to ensure the minimum of 124 required semester hours required in the chosen curriculum. Communication majors may not minor in Communication.

B.A. Degree Requirements:
          Foreign Language (one area – minimum of 6 hours at the 200 level or
          above)

B.S. Degree Requirements:
          Natural Science with lab (8)
          Science or mathematics (6)

*Field Experience: Student field experiences can be realized through the internship program. To be eligible, students must be classified as juniors or seniors and must possess a 2.5 or higher overall grade point average. Communication majors are required to complete a field experience as part of the degree requirements. This is accomplished through formal internship placement (COM 460) with an appropriate professional agency. Students may or may not be compensated for their internship experience. The scope of such experiences must exceed that of required communication practicum courses and should acquaint students with actual professional practices in their disciplines. A minimum of 120 hours of on-site experience is required for 3 hours of credit per semester.

Minor Courses:
          COM 102 Introduction to Mass Communication (3)
          COM 103 Introduction to Media Technology (3)
          COM 200 Writing for the Media (3)
          COM 307 Advanced Writing for the Media (3)
          COM 310 Digital Culture (3)
          COM 325 Visual Design (3)

To earn a film studies minor, students must complete and pass at least eighteen hours of Film courses, six of these hours must include:
          FLM 101 Introduction to Film (3)
          FLM 201 Survey of Film History (3)

For the remaining twelve hours, students may choose a combination of any four film courses at the three and four hundred level. At least three hours must be completed at the four-hundred level. Courses with heavy film content from other disciplines may be counted toward the minor with Department Chair approval.

Course Descriptions

COM 101 Oral Communication. (3)

Introduction to the principles and practices of basic oral communication. Modification of existing behavior and/or the addition of new skills necessary in everyday interpersonal and public communication situations. Open to all students.

A survey of the mass media, including principles, practices, development, history, and place in society. Open to all students.

Laboratory and demonstration. Audio and video equipment operation and production techniques including an introduction to digital photography. Primary emphasis on basic television production techniques and video streaming technology. Open to all students.

Prerequisites: EN 101 and BU 157 or demonstrated typing ability.

A foundation course in news gathering and writing for print and broadcast media including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, advertising, and public relations. Practical applications on radio station WMUW and campus newspaper, The Spectator.

Prerequisite: COM 101.

An analysis of the fundamentals of interpersonal communication and small group principles and practices.

Prerequisites: COM 101, COM 103.

Study, practice, and application of basic announcing techniques for radio and television.

Prerequisite: COM 200 or BU 333 for business majors.

Survey of contemporary advertising’s core components from initial concepts to final advertising executions, distinguishing the diversity in marketing, promotion and public relations specialization. Theoretical approaches will include persuasive campaigns, writing platforms for all media, and discussion of legal, regulatory, social and public policy environments of modern advertising. Practical applications will be enhanced specifically through selling advertising for campus newspaper, The Spectator (print and online versions), as well as through projects including integrated computer applications.

COM 299 Special Topics in Communication. (1-3)

Prerequisite: Permission of the Department Chair of Communication.

This course allows flexibility in offering selected topics in Communications. May be repeated for a maximum of six hours.

An examination of how women have been depicted on celluloid in both American and international films, from the early silents to today’s liberated cinema. Emphasis is placed on the student’s ability to evaluate the presentation of women in these films, based within the context of the society and the era that produced individual films as well as the place of women within a traditionally male-dominated commercial business industry, and how that presentation has evolved since the early days of the cinema.

Prerequisite: COM 200.

Survey of principles and concepts regarding in-depth reporting, how to gather information from sources, how to observe and adequately parlay those observations in writing, how to verify material and how to assemble stories for several mediums, including print, broadcast, public relations, web media. Theoretical discussions regarding journalism morality, copyright issues and other media law aspects. Practical applications will focus on writing articles for The Spectator and other news sources.

COM 310 Digital Culture. (3)

Prerequisite: COM 200

This course examines the development, uses, and effects of digital technology on culture.

Prerequisite: COM 200.

Basic principles and theories of mass communication and public opinion. Open to all students.

Prerequisite: COM 200.

Course addresses visual literacy in both theory and practical application. Theoretical approaches to visual perception, ethical issues related to images and copyright issues are 206 Mississippi University for Women 2006-2007 Bulletin enhanced by traditional practical applications to include media print products (fliers, folders, booklets, magazines and newspapers) as well as multimedia production and editing of publications. Students will use 35mm photography, digital photography, and software applications necessary to address the visual elements of integrated design.

Prerequisites: COM 103, COM 200, and COM 204.

An audio production course with emphasis on production of announcements and programs. Particular attention given to program content, aesthetics, as well as programming practices in commercial and non-commercial radio in light of competing and emerging media. Practical application on campus radio station WMUW.

Practical experience in broadcasting will be gained through assigned work with WMUW, the university radio station and The Spectator, the campus newspaper and print journalism. Journalism students will be responsible for news-related assignments, including gathering, writing, editing, and announcing. Broadcast students will be responsible for assignments in other areas of station operations.

COM 410 Media Law & Ethics. (3)

Prerequisite: COM 200 and 12 hours in Communication.

This course provides students with an overview of the legal and ethical environment in which mass media operate. Aspects of freedom of speech, limitations on speech, intellectual property rights, and related topics will be covered.

Prerequisite: COM 200.

An overview of the principles and proven techniques in gaining public acceptance for a product, an occasion, a cause, or an institution along with governmental public affairs. Crises Management by the Public Relations Professional will be a recurring and important component. Attention is given to writing the publicity article, preparing brochures, planning promotion campaigns for selected subjects through various mass media and crises communication. Also included will be the Legal Environment and Ethics involved in Public Relations. Case studies of practiced techniques and application of principles and ethics of public relations.

COM 425 Advanced Visual Design. (3)

Prerequisite: COM 325

This course addresses visual literacy, project planning, and design execution in both theory and practical application with online multimedia designs. Students are introduced to advanced topics and developing issues.

Prerequisite: COM 331.

A production course with emphasis on producing and directing video programs as well as the

business and programming practices in competing and emerging media.

Prerequisite: Advanced standing and permission of instructor.

Independent study. Projects will be assigned to fit student needs and/or interests.

Prerequisite: Advanced standing, 2.5 QPA overall and in major.

A practical, structured program of work experience with a participating employer. Interns must be employed a minimum of 120 hours, must be supervised by the employer and a faculty member, and must have a tangible academic component (journal, research paper, portfolio, etc.), which should be submitted at the end of the internship period. Internship may be taken twice for a total of 6 hours.

Prerequisite: Senior standing.

Capstone course in communication that includes survey of current literature, critical analysis of international communication, and examination of issues and problems of the mass media especially relevant to students’ career interests.

COM 499 Special Topics in Communication. (1-3)

Prerequisite: COM 200, advanced standing, and permission of the Department Chair of Communication.