Communication, B.A.

Communication students examine how and why people create messages, and what effects those messages have. Then they put that knowledge to use as message creators.

Students focus their learning interests in one of two concentrations: Digital Media or Integrated Marketing Communication. Each area provides theory and praxis that will enable students to succeed in our ever-changing communication environment.

The Russert Department participates in the College of Arts and Sciences Professional Development Program. Students complete these requirements through the combination of COM 2051 Professional Communication and either COM 4998 Internship/Capstone or COM 4907 Capstone/Alternative.

Program Learning Goals in Communication

Graduates of the Russert Department will have the knowledge and ability to:

1. Create, present, and advocate ethical messages in a variety of communication forms for diverse audiences

2. Evaluate message effectiveness

3. Analyze how audiences receive, interpret, and react to messages

4. Apply communication theories and perspectives to specific contexts

5. Engage a research methodology appropriate to their area of study

6. Evaluate a communication situation using a standard ethical framework

Communication majors develop critical thinking and excellence in writing, and speaking.  Students complete foundational courses and then pursue an area of interest with the assistance of a department advisor.

Major Requirements

42 credit hours (24 must be earned at John Carroll University)

I. COM Core classes completed by all communication students. 21-22 hours:

Subtotal: 21-22

Students majoring in Communication are encouraged to complete ED 1710 Making Sense of Data, ER 1115 Quantitative Analysis in Science, Business, and Humanities, or PO 1500 Political Analysis to fulfill the Quantitative Analysis requirement for the Integrative Core. 

II. Breadth of Interest Courses

Students complete two courses selected from the list below. These courses provide breadth of knowledge in the Communication major.

III. COM Concentrations: 15 hours

Digital Media Concentration

Today’s communication professionals create content in a variety of media, from print to photography to audio and video. This concentration focuses on storytelling in digital forms. Courses in the concentration develop knowledge and skill in writing, researching and producing digital stories in multiple formats, and analyzing the impacts, effects and roles of digital media in our society.

Students completing the Digital Media concentration will have the knowledge and ability to:

•    Apply ethics, critical thinking, social justice, and communication theories to storytelling in digital media, including journalism, video, and audio.

Students complete all of the following courses:

Students choose one 3000-level elective:

Students choose one 4000-level elective:

Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) Concentration

IMC pushes students beyond the traditional boundaries of public relations, advertising, social media, and sales promotion, to think strategically, ethically, and creatively across channels and disciplines. Students examine and execute ways to understand audiences, craft messages, and coordinate communications to create strategic campaigns with clarity, consistency, and maximum communication impact.

Students completing the Integrated Marketing Communication concentration will have the knowledge and ability to:

• Integrate multiple theories and channels ethically to create campaigns

• Use consumer research to apply IMC strategies to develop strong campaigns

• Identify and analyze problems and provide solutions

Students must complete all of the following courses:

Students choose one 3000-level elective

Students choose one 4000-level elective

Total Credit Hours: 42