Journalism and Promotional Communication, B.A.

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Description

The study of Journalism and Promotional Communication provides students with not only a historical and theoretical understanding of journalism, public relations, and advertising, but their functions in our socially-mediated and globally-networked society. Students become adept at writing for the printed page, as well as video and audio reporting, blogging and web writing, along with web coding and design. Students learn skills of critical thinking and visual literacy that allow them to create successful promotional campaigns that engage with audiences across social media platforms.

What careers can this major prepare you for?

Students go on to Masters and PhD programs in Communication, as well as careers in journalism, public relations, and advertising, etc. Through study in Journalism and Promotional Communication you may also go on to become an: Advertising Professional, Copywriter, Creative Director, Media Buyer, Publications Editor, Corporate Communication Specialist, Journalist, Reporter, Editor, Freelance Writer, Columnist, Blogger, Vlogger, Social Media Coordinator, Crisis Manager, Media Relations Officer, Graphic Designer, Event Planner, Publicist, Public Relations Professional, Social Media Specialist, Community Relations Director, Speechwriter, Professor, Communications Coordinator.

What skills are developed within this major?

Skills developed within this major include: writing and reporting for print and web; video and audio reporting; blogging, vlogging, and podcasting; web coding and design; understanding and using web analytics and metrics; curiosity and critical thinking; oral communication skills; a passion for Journalism and Promotional Communication.

Admission to Major

Students must complete COM 225 - Media Writing with a minimum grade of B-.

Hours Required for Degree

Minimum hours required for degree: 120

Minimum hours required for major: 46

College Requirements

See college page for college requirements.

Major Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 46 credits and maintain a 2.25 GPA in Communication courses to graduate with a major in Journalism and Promotional Communication. All School of Communication Majors are required to successfully complete

COM 101 - Principles Of Communication

, COM 102 - Adobe CC: Digital Content Creation in Communication, and COM 303 - Communication Inquiry with a minimum grade of C. Students should be aware that professionally oriented courses require considerable commitment of time and effort in addition to traditional class meeting times. Transfer students must obtain at least 20 credit hours from Communication courses at Cleveland State University.

Students can complete one of two tracks in the Journalism and Promotional Communication Major:

Journalism Track
Integrated Promotional Communication Track

Journalism Track

School of Communication Core Courses (9 Credits)

All majors are required to take the following three core courses and earn a C or better.

Journalism and Promotional Communication Core Courses (15 Credits)

Journalism Sequence (22 credits)

Journalism majors take six required courses and two electives.

Required Journalism Sequence Courses (6 courses, 16 credits)

COM 326 - Advanced Reporting and Editing
COM 347 - Political Communication
COM 358 - Media Law, Economics & Ethics
COM 363 - Journalism and Media Laboratory
COM 427 - News Media Laboratory
*COM 427 is taken twice spread over two semesters to fulfill the capstone requirement. In the second semester, students also enroll in COM 363 (1-credit Lab).

Journalism Elective Courses (choose 2 of the following, 6 credits)

Integrated Promotional Communication Track

School of Communication Core Courses (9 Credits)

All majors are required to take the following three core courses and earn a C or better.

Journalism and Promotional Communication Core Courses (15 Credits)

Integrated Promotional Communication Sequence (22 credits)

Integrated Promotional Communication majors take seven required courses and one elective.

Required Integrated Promotional Communication Courses (7 courses, 19 credits)

COM 257 - Principles of Public Relations
COM 260 - Principles of Advertising
COM 350 - Persuasive Communication & Attitude Change
COM 363 - Journalism and Media Laboratory
COM 447 - Promotional Production
COM 455 - Communication Campaigns
COM 464 - Media Metrics and Analytics
*COM 447 (Capstone Course) and COM 363 (1-credit Lab) are taken together in the student’s final semester.

Integrated Promotional Communication Elective Courses (choose 1 of the following, 3 credits)

Internships in Journalism & Promotional Communication

Students in the Journalism sequence may qualify for a 3-credit internship (COM 490) that counts as an elective by achieving an overall GPA of 3.0 in the major, completion of the required courses, and junior or senior standing. Students who qualify must arrange an internship with the departmental coordinator (call 216-687-4630). Internships may be for up to 6 credit hours. However, only 3 of these hours may be applied toward the requirements for this sequence in the major.

Honors Program/Scholars Requirements

The Honors/Scholars Program in the School of Communication provides in-depth, analytical coursework geared to Honors/Scholars students’ areas of interest. Students work closely with faculty, gaining specialized knowledge of communication research, training in the communication professions and applications of scientific principles to everyday life.

Honors courses are selected from each of the two undergraduate majors in the School:

Communication Studies
Journalism and Promotional Communication

Communication Honors Program Requirements:

Attain and maintain CSU Honors/Scholars Program status.
Attain and maintain a 3.5 GPA in all Communication courses.
Take the required Communication Inquiry class (COM 303 - Communication Inquiry ) with an added honors component* agreed to between the faculty member and student, which will provide an opportunity to gain in-depth understanding of communication methods.
Select one of the two majors as a focus and take two 300/400-level, three credit hour classes in relevant areas or sequences with an honors component.
Select a 400-level capstone in one of the two majors, taking this with an honors component. The honors component in this course may involve completion of a longer paper, research project, video, as appropriate, followed by presentation of the paper or mediated material to the class instructor and a major faculty-selected committee.

*Honors components can be added to any upper level course designated by the student’s chosen division faculty. The component follows the model applied in communication when a graduate section is added to an undergraduate class and will have the 499 designation.