Dr. Ian Peters, Chair

Purpose  The purpose of the communication program, consistent with the university’s stated mission, is to provide students with an environment to learn and refine media writing skills, to develop a philosophy and ethical framework for the media professions and to broaden their knowledge of media and society.

Disciplines and Degrees Offered  Programs and courses offered by the Department of Communication are listed at the end of this section. Not all majors are offered at all Brenau locations.

Mass Communication (B.A.) Information:

Major Requirements in Mass Communication The mass communication major consists of required courses in the major core curriculum and the completion of one of three areas of concentration: Digital Technology, Entertainment, Public Relations/Journalism, and completion of one departmental elective course. All students entering mass communication should have basic computer skills. All mass communication majors will be required to meet satisfactory standards of English usage as determined by departmental criteria. All majors must earn a grade of “C” or better in required major classes or major concentration classes.

Career Opportunities Newspaper reporter, copy editor, radio announcer, television producer, public relations specialist, advertising account executive, press secretary, television anchor, marketing manager, columnist, technical writer, promotion manager, magazine editor, book publisher, videographer, corporate video producer, special events coordinator, advertising copywriter, creative director, foreign correspondent, songwriter, music publisher, event planner, web site coordinator, entertainment manager, newsletter editor, social media coordinator, media sales, video editor.

Expected Learning Outcomes:

1. Students will adapt to different communication audiences and adjust messages appropriately using a variety of communication channels.
2. Students will identify the relationships between history, culture, and society in the context of communication
3. Students will be prepared to communicate with legal and ethical intention and to evaluate the legal and ethical elements of any communication situation.
4. Students will create media content in diverse platforms.

Core Competencies:

1. Written Communication - Students will be able to express themselves clearly and concisely in writing with supporting details, effective organization, and appropriate grammar.
2. Oral Communication - Students will be able to orally present on a topic with supporting details, demonstrating effective organization and delivery.
3. Reasoning/ Critical Thinking - Students will identify and evaluate the structure of an argument, the evidence supplied for the conclusion, and the reasoning and inference patterns connecting the evidence and conclusion.
4. Global Perspective - Students will be able to analyze the impact of culture and social differences on the media.
5. Creative/Artistic Imagination - Students will create media content in diverse platforms.

Communication and Media Studies (B.A.) Information:

Mission Statement

The mission of the Communication and Media Studies Program, consistent with the University’s stated mission, is to provide students with an environment to learn and refine communication and media-related skills, to develop a philosophical and ethical framework for communication professions, and to broaden their knowledge of media and society in order to create contributing scholars, practitioners, and citizens who work in multiple forms of communication.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Students will adapt to different communication audiences and adjust messages appropriately using a variety of communication channels.
2. Students will identify the relationships between history, culture, and society in the context of communication.
3. Students will be prepared to communicate with legal and ethical intention and to evaluate the legal and ethical elements of any communication situation.
4. Students will explain and apply communication theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts.
5. Students will be able to articulate the connection between communication and culture, and how their own cultural standpoint affects communication and worldview.

Core Competencies

1. Critical Thinking

1. Students will identify and evaluate the structure of an argument, the evidence supplied for the conclusion, and the reasoning and inference patterns connecting the evidence and conclusion.

2. Creativity

1. Students will create a tangible project (e.g., a work of art, a written song, a literature piece, a scrapbook, a creative writing journal, etc.) articulating how their own cultural standpoint affects communication and world view.

3. Writing

1. Students will be able to express themselves clearly and concisely in writing with supporting details, effective organization, and appropriate grammar.

4. Oral

1. Students will be able to orally present on a topic with supporting details, demonstrating effective organization and delivery.

5. Global

1. Students will be able to analyze the impact of cultural and social differences on media.

Communication and Media Studies (M.A.) Information:

In today’s media-dominated cultural landscape, media and communications have become some of the most relevant and powerful subjects to study. This is especially critical in the Metro-Atlanta area, one of the ten largest media markets in the nation responsible for more than $6 billion of the state’s annual economy. A Master’s degree in Communication and Media Studies will prepare graduates for a wide variety of jobs including: Public Relations Manager, Communications Specialist, Marketing Specialist, Non-Profit Program Coordinator, Instructional Designer, Pharmaceutical Sales, Project Manager, Mediation Specialist, Quality Assurance Specialist, Data Analyst, Legislative Chief of Staff, Blogger/ Social Media Specialist, Recruiter, Consultant/ Trainer, Event Director, Talent Manager, Higher Education Instructor/ Professor, etc.

This program is intended to improve students’ communication skills and increase their understanding of the media industry. The combination of courses will prepare students to utilize a variety of communication tools to strategically address specific issues facing the media industry and apply meaningful solutions in diverse situations.

Program Learning Outcomes The following are program learning outcomes for the Master of Arts in Communication and Media Studies:

• Students will be able to differentiate between various approaches to the study of communication.
• Students will be able to critically analyze messages to identify embedded meanings.
• Students will be able to frame local, national, or global issues from a communication perspective.
• Students will be able to create meaningful communication strategies to accomplish personal and organizational goals.

Programs

• Communication and Media Studies (B.A.)
• Communication and Media Studies (M.A.)
• Film Studies Minor
• Mass Communication (B.A.)
• Mass Communication Minor
• Sports Broadcasting Minor

Courses

• BA 713 - Business Analytics Strategy
• MM 100 - Film Appreciation *
• MM 100W - Film Appreciation *
• MM 101 - Introduction to Mass Communication *
• MM 105 - Effective Interpersonal Communication *
• MM 175 - Newspaper Practicum
• MM 176 - Radio Practicum
• MM 177 - Television Practicum
• MM 178 - Public Relations/Promotions Practicum
• MM 185 - Professional Practice
• MM 186 - Portfolio Development and Review
• MM 200 - Diversity in Media *
• MM 205 - Careers in the Media
• MM 209 - Video Production 1
• MM 215 - Persuasion *
• MM 220 - Communication Theory *
• MM 225 - Media Writing
• MM 230 - New Media Development
• MM 240 - Newswriting and Reporting
• MM 244 - Newswriting and Copy Editing
• MM 250 - Introduction to Radio/Television
• MM 251 - Radio Production
• MM 260 - Media History and Culture *
• MM 302 - Television Production and Editing
• MM 303 - Anime and Japanese Visual Culture
• MM 304 - Audio Production
• MM 305 - Film History I
• MM 306 - Film History II
• MM 309 - Video Production 2
• MM 315 - Sports Writing and Reporting
• MM 322 - Survey of American Broadcasting
• MM 324 - Scriptwriting for Media
• MM 329 - Editorial/Feature Writing
• MM 332 - Media Philosophy and Ethics
• MM 333 - International Media Systems
• MM 340 - Nonverbal Communication
• MM 345 - Advertising Principles
• MM 350 - Performance
• MM 370 - Public Relations Campaigns & Writing
• MM 375 - Media and Entertainment Management
• MM 380 - Small Group Communication
• MM 402 - Convergent Media News
• MM 410 - Sports Information and Analytics
• MM 420 - Intercultural Communication
• MM 425 - Event Planning
• MM 427 - Public Relations Writing
• MM 430 - Crisis Communication
• MM 450 - Communication Law
• MM 470 - Integrated Marketing Communications
• MM 489 - Media Producing
• MM 490 - Internship
• MM 495 - Special Topics
• MM 499 - Senior Thesis
• MM 600 - Communication Theory
• MM 610 - Applied Communication Research
• MM 620 - Communication in Society
• MM 630 - Media Globalization
• MM 640 - Film Theory
• MM 650 - Media Industries and Business Practices
• MM 660 - Emerging Media Landscapes and Technology
• MM 670 - Communication Consulting and Training
• MM 680 - Communication Seminar
• OL 640 - Strategic Thinking and Innovation
• SP 108 - Fundamentals of Speech *
• SP 108W - Fundamentals of Speech *