The Department of Communication offers a rewarding curriculum that focuses on the process and effects of communication in both mediated and face-to-face contexts. The department develops effective communicators who not only are skilled in using communication technologies, but also understand that socially responsible communication is an interaction among people that requires both skill and sensitivity. Building on a foundation in the liberal arts that provides a broad-based general education, the study of communication teaches students how to express their ideas and values in spoken, written and visual messages. Students also learn how to evaluate the effectiveness of messages produced by others. Students majoring in communication can select from two tracks of study: mass communication (electronic media and journalism), and organizational communication.
Career Opportunities
Each track is designed to prepare the student for advanced degree work and/or employment in the communication field. Potential career areas include advertising, health communication, human resources, journalism, media production, media programming and management, media research, organizational communication, public relations, speech writing, training and consulting, and many other possibilities.
Faculty
J. Walker, Chair; R. Mark, E. McAvoy, J. McNellis, R. Robinson, J. Sternberg.
Requirements for Admission to the Major in Communication
- The application for admission to the major in communication must be on the appropriate admission form.
- To be admitted as a major in communication, students with less than 15 hours of undergraduate course work must have a minimum ACT composite score of 21 (or SAT composite score of 990).
- To be admitted as a major in communication, students with existing University credits must have a minimum GPA of 2.5, if the student has 15-29 hours of coursework, or a minimum GPA of 2.3, if the student has 30 or more hours of coursework.
Minimum Grade for Departmental Courses
Students must obtain a grade of C or better for any course to be counted toward completion of the major or minor in communication.
Requirements for the Majors in Communication
Courses from the Department of Communication are not to exceed 50 of the 120 hours required for graduation.
Core Requirements (13-15 Hours)
COMM 200, COMM 211, COMM 365, COMM 368, and COMM 369. Communication 365 (Internship/Practicum) may be taken for 1, 2 or 3 credits. Students completing the Undergraduate Honors Program are not required to complete COMM 365 or COMM 369.
Track Requirements
(Select Track I or Track II)
Track I - Mass Communication (21 hours)
Examines the mass media from critical, historical, programming, audience impact and production perspectives. Students will explore how the mass media both shape and are shaped by society, and learn to produce common forms of journalistic writing, radio and/or television programs. Requirements: ART 100, COMM 103, ART 112, COMM 215, COMM 301, and two production/writing courses (COMM 110, COMM 220, COMM 221, COMM 305).
Track II - Organizational Communication (21 hours)
Organizational communication focuses on the study of communication within organizations, both profit and non-profit. Students will acquire both the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare, deliver and evaluate messages within organizations. Requirements: COMM 209, COMM 235, COMM 306, COMM 324, COMM 335, and two of the following: COMM 203, COMM 244, COMM 313, COMM 336 or COMM 337.
Department Course Electives
Requirements: Six (6) additional hours from the Department of Communication's course listing, not including COMM 101 (Speech Fundamentals). This listing includes design, photography and film courses taught by the Department of Art and Design (ART 212, ART 213, ART 216, ART 217, ART 219, ART 224, ART 315, ART 322).
The department recommends that students emphasizing electronic media take COMM 220, 221, 304, 325, 373; emphasizing advertising take COMM 202, 307, 313 and 325; emphasizing journalism take COMM 110, COMM 201 & COMM 321; and emphasizing public relations take Art 112, COMM 213, 244 and 325.
Requirements for the Minor in Communication
Students must complete either COMM 200 (Perspectives on Human Communication) or COMM 211 (Introduction to Mass communications) and 15 additional hours from the Department of Communication's listing in the most recent undergraduate catalog. These 15 additional hours must be selected in consultation with a department adviser and must be taken from courses designated as COMM that originate in the Communication Department. Transfer courses and/or courses originating in other Saint Xavier departments are accepted only after review and evaluation by faculty who agree that courses in question enhance the student's experience in the study of communication.
Requirements for the Minor in Radio and Electronic Media
The minor in radio and electronic media is aimed at students who are majoring in other disciplines but are interested in radio and other electronic media, including television.
Required Courses: (12-14 hours)
COMM 103, COMM 215, COMM 220, COMM 262, COMM 365.
Elective Courses: (6 hours)
Two of the following seven courses: COMM 301, COMM 304, COMM 307, COMM 321, COMM 325, COMM 333*, COMM 373. *Topic must be approved as appropriate for this minor by the student's adviser.
( ) = credit hours / / = classroom hours
Saint Xavier University 2007-2008 Catalog
Please visit the SXU Web site for the most recent information.