Pursuing a B.A. in Communication

 

NOTE: This information is provided as a reference only and is subject to change. Always verify all curriculum information with your faculty advisor or the dean's office. For complete curricular information, see the ULM Course Catalog.

This curriculum provides students with flexibility, knowledge, and skills to pursue careers in communication advocacy, digital media production, journalism or public relations.

Majors in Communication are required to complete core courses plus one of the following four concentrations:

1. Communication, Communication Advocacy Concentration, B.A. 
2. Communication, Digital Media Production Concentration, B.A. 
3. Communication, Journalism Concentration, B.A. 
4. Communication, Public Relations Concentration, B.A. 

Students are advised to include additional COMM courses among their general electives. Majors may, but are not required to complete a minor.

Communication Core Courses

• COMM 1018:  Interpersonal Communication*
• COMM 2010:  Writing for Professional Communicators*  
• COMM 2020:  Visual Literacy
• COMM 4050:  Communication Theory
• COMM 4000:  Communication Ethics
• COMM 4090:  Internship (2 cr. hours)
• COMM 2009 or 2090:  Evidentiary Speaking OR Practicum (1 cr. hour)

                 Total of 18 credit hours

 

*These are gateway courses and must be completed first.

 

Degree concentrations:

Communication Advocacy

Description:

• Non-profit or for-profit organizations
• Writing, speaking, leadership, and critical thinking skills to improve society
• Capacity to adopt, develop and implement diverse sets of communication strategies to articulate what and how changes can be made in numerous contexts.

Examples: Legal, Political, Hospital/Hospice, and Campaigns

Coursework:

• COMM 2044 : Organizational Communication OR COMM 2060:  Small Group Comm.
• COMM 3010:  Communication and Conflict
• COMM 3030:  Persuasion
• COMM 3042:  Communication & Gender
• COMM 4004:  Intercultural Communication

                 Total of 15 credit hours

Digital Media

Description:

• Applied theory
• Creation of web media content, websites, mobile applications, motion graphics, 3D animation, communication design, and digital cinematic stories (video)

Examples: Web Design & Development; Media Development/Mobile Platforms; Video Production/Digital Cinema; TV station editors, camera persons, and other video production related positions; 3D Animation/Motion Graphics (mobile game development, boutique studios, animated graphics for TV/Film)

Coursework:

• COMM 2040:  Web Media Design
• COMM 2052:  Video Production
• COMM 3050:  Motion Graphics
• COMM 4055:  Mobile Media Design
• COMM 4080:  Digital Cinema

                 Total of 15 credit hours

 

Journalism

Description:

• Collecting, reporting, writing, editing, photographing, broadcasting and visually presenting news for organizations
• Newspapers, television, radio, magazines and electronic media

Examples:  Newspaper/print writing & Sports writing, Radio and Television reporting, Magazines and literary publications, On-line journalism, Government and non-profit jobs

Coursework:

• COMM 2030:  News Reporting & Writing
• COMM 4009:  Feature & Editorial Writing
• COMM 4012:  Scriptwriting OR  
• COMM 3062:  Sports Journalism
• COMM 4033:  Electronic News Gathering

             Total of 15 credit hours

 

Public Relations

Description:

• Management function focused on cultivating two-way relationships and communication between an organization and its various publics.
• Theories and concepts that underlie PR practice, the ethics of PR practice, and skills in writing, research methods, problem-solving, and communicating visually and verbally through a wide variety of media for diverse PR purposes.

Examples: PR Specialist, Communications Officer, Marketing and Communication, Media Relations
Coursework:

• COMM 2061:  PR Principles and Case Studies
• COMM 3061:  PR Writing and Planning
• COMM 3070:  Methods of Investigation
• COMM 3042:  Communication & Gender OR COMM 4004:  Intercultural Communication
• COMM 4060:  PR Campaigns

 

Additional Activities

Communication majors are expected to participate in co-curricular activities within the program, such as student media productions and speech and debate forum.