2012-2013 Brenau University Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2012-2013 Brenau University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Mass Communication (B.A.)


Major Requirements in Mass Communication The mass communication major consists of required courses in the major core curriculum and the completion of one of five areas of concentration: broadcasting, digital media, journalism, management or public relations. 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. All undergraduate majors must enroll in MM 170, Media Practicum, every semester and accumulate eight MM 170 credits prior to graduation.

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.

Upon Completion of the Mass Communication program, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of mass communication in society from an historical, political, legal and ethical point of view.
  2. Describe and evaluate changes in the mass media organizations including broadcasting, cable, newspapers and electronic sources.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of media regulations pertaining to the First Amendment.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to organize and write a research project.
  5. Become proficient with various pieces of video and audio production equipment.
  6. Become familiar with and perfect the use of various writing formats required by the media.
  7. Increase the proficiency of their public presentation skills.
  8. Exhibit professional standards of excellence.
  9. Identify and demonstrate creativity in the media marketplace.
     

Liberal Education Requirements


Brenau University and its faculty are dedicated to the goal of providing students with a thorough background in the liberal arts, as well as academic and professional skills which will help them become enlightened and productive members of society. To that end, the faculty developed a liberal education curriculum based on expectations and learning outcomes.

This liberal education curriculum is divided into four learning portals: World Understanding, Scientific and Analytic Curiosity, Artistic and Creative Imagination and Communication and Language Fluency.

  • World Understanding Learning
  • Scientific and Analytic Curiosity
  • Artistic and Creative Imagination
  • Communication and Language Fluency

Courses applied in one portal may not be applied in another portal. However, courses applied in the Liberal Education may be applied toward a student’s major or minor.

Students with an A.A., A.S. or a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution are exempt from Liberal Education requirements for Brenau’s bachelor degree programs (does not include Brenau’s A.A. degree). This exemption does not does not extend to any other associate’s degree (ex. A.A.S., A.A.T). This exemption does not affect transfer credit. All college-level credit that conforms to Brenau’s transfer credit policy will be recorded on the student’s Brenau transcript. This exemption does not affect any major courses required or any major foundation courses required.

World Understanding Learning Portal


Historical Perspective - 3 hours


Demonstrate knowledge of major events and movements in history and use this knowledge to generate a more sophisticated understanding of current events.

Scientific & Analytic Curiosity Portal


Mathematics - 3 hours


Demonstrate quantitative reasoning through numeric, symbolic or geometric means.

Course taken will depend upon math placement of the student.

Artistic & Creative Imagination Portal


Communication & Language Fluency Portal


Writing - 6 hours


Compose effective and logical written communication.

Modern Language - 0-3 hours


  • Students must have modern language competency through the high beginner (102 or 115) level. It is possible for a student to place out of part or all of modern language via placement or CLEP. Please see the placement information section for specific guidelines. If the student takes 101, that course may be applied as the students communication elective, if needed.
  • International Students will exempt the Modern Language requirement with a TOEFL score of 500 or above.

Communication Elective - 3 hours


Choose from any course in the Communication and Language Fluency portal not already applied in the Liberal Education or choose from the courses below. If a student takes 101 and 102 of the same language to satisfy the modern language requirement, the 101 course may satisfy the communication elective.

Major Core


Note: Undergraduate students in the Department of Mass Communication must earn a grade of “C” or better in all major classes. See the program plan for courses that can be cross/dual used between the liberal education and the major.

Concentration Requirements


Choose One Concentration

Total Required Hours


A minimum of 120 hours is required to graduate with this major. It is possible that the student may graduate with more than 120 hours based on placement and transfer credit.

Note: Courses marked with an * are Liberal Education courses.