Major in Communications
The comprehensive UIU Communications major is interdisciplinary in nature, reflecting the belief that all communication media are engaged in essentially the same process (gathering information and creating and disseminating messages) and that the present-day communication professional must be schooled in the basic skills— writing, speaking, and visual communication—and must be able to develop the ability to plan, organize, evaluate, and think strategically.
The broad aim of the program is to develop each student’s potential for critical thinking and creative ability. A student with a major in Communications from Upper Iowa University can pursue a career in newspapers and other digital media: broadcasting, cable or satellite ancillary operations; public relations firms; integrated marketing agencies; as practitioners of the visual arts; as communication specialists in private corporations and governmental agencies; or in other public and private communication enterprises.
The university offers a major in Communications with a chosen emphasis area in one of the following: journalism, sports communication or media production.
JOURNALISM. Students seeking careers in print and broadcast journalism should enroll in the journalism program; this emphasis offers learning and experience in reporting and editing in the print and electronic media. Coursework includes: theory and philosophy of journalism; press freedom, ethics and responsibility; news functions and effects; the press system and its relation to socio-political systems; practice of press and professional standards. The intention of this degree is to provide students with a firm grounding in understanding what media are while giving them the opportunity to specialize in a variety of practical and analytical conceptual areas. Such units cover many aspects of academic, technical and professional writing, critical thinking, research skills, and oral presentation skills. Courses equip students with the essential writing, editing, and design skills for effective communication.
Students graduating with a degree in Journalism are prepared for jobs such as reporter, editor, newscaster, author, copy writer, script writer, publisher, news service researcher, technical writer, acquisitions editor, media interviewer, public relations researcher and writer, research analyst, print production coordinator, photojournalist, production assistant, proofreader, publisher, news writer, and electronic publication specialist.
SPORTS COMMUNICATION. Students seeking entry level positions in radio, television, athletic or sports information, sports journalism, public relations, or promotions should enroll in the sports communication emphasis. The communications curriculum provides students with valuable experience in the production of both print and broadcast messages as they are disseminated in the professional market. The HPER curriculum provides the student with an understanding of the science of human movement and the interrelationship among the historical, sociological, and psychological elements of sports.
The Sports communication major prepares students for jobs such as sports information director, athletic team publicist, athletic director, radio and television sportscaster, broadcast sports videographer, sports journalist, public information officer for sports-related companies, television and radio sports writer, publication sports writer, professional athlete who would want to pursue a sports communication career, and public relations sports writer.
MEDIA PRODUCTION. Whereas the Journalism emphasis teaches students to develop, write, edit and pitch articles for media, those interested in careers in managing information for corporate or nonprofits should enroll in the Media Production emphasis. The Media Production emphasis provides training in communication management including public information, writing, speaking, critical thinking and media research. Whereas the Journalism emphasis focuses on communication through writing, the Media Production emphasis focuses on the management and dissemination of information from encoder to decoder in all formats including print, broadcast, and most importantly, corporate and nonprofit.
Courses equip students with the essential writing, editing, and design skills for effective communication and management of communication including research and analysis of the relationship between the encoder and decoder. Research and management courses give students the ability to plan and execute successful communications campaigns.
Students graduating with the emphasis in Media Production will be prepared for careers such as media planner, creative director, public information officer, negotiator, director of corporate communication, audiovisual specialist, campaign manager, school/ university information specialist, director of college news, promotions manager, director of a collegiate information center, newsletter editor, communication trainer, information officer, speech writer, research specialist, press secretary, communications manager for federal health agencies, interviewer and special events coordinator.
Major in Communications
Communications Major with Journalism Emphasis
|
Credits
|
|
|
Required foundations courses (12 credits) COMM 100 Interpersonal Communication |
3 12 |
|
Writing Foundations (12 credits)
|
1-3
3
3
3
12
|
|
Visual Communication (choose 6 credits)
|
3
3 3 3 |
|
Conceptual (choose 6 credits)
|
3
3 3 3 |
|
Capstone
|
3
|
|
Total |
39
|
Communications Major with Sports Communication Emphasis
|
Credits
|
||
| HPER 100 | Activity Courses (three courses) | 3 |
| HPER 101 | Introduction to HPER |
2
|
| HPER 111 | Officiating Sports |
2
|
| COMM 115 | Effective Listening |
3
|
| HPER 125 | Recreational Sport Programming and Leadership |
3
|
| HPER 130 | Teaching Team and Individual Sports |
2
|
| COMM 220 | Principles of Interviewing | 3 |
| HPER 230 | Psychology of Coaching and Sports | 3 |
| COMM 276 | Introduction to TV Production | 3 |
| COMM 320 | News Editing | 3 |
| COMM 332 | Writing for Media | 3 |
| HPER 348 | Sports Programming | 3 |
| COMM 403 | Internship* | 3 |
| COMM 415 | Communication and Media Ethics | 3 |
|
Total |
39
|
|
|
Electives: (optional but strongly recommended)
|
3 1-1-1 3 4 3 |
|
*The Internship MUST be in a sports communication setting, e.g., sports reporter, sports videographer, sports writer or editor, etc.
**Students in this major who participate in the journalism workshop are required to write primarily sports features and news.
Communication Major with Media Production Emphasis
|
Hours
|
|
|
Required foundations courses (12 credits) COMM 105 Public Speaking |
3 12 |
|
Writing Foundations (6 credits)
|
3
3
|
|
Broadcast and Print Media (choose 12 credits)
|
3
3
3
3
3
3
|
|
Conceptual (choose 6 credits)
|
3
3
3
|
|
Capstone
|
3
|
|
Suggested electives: |
3 3 3 3 |
| 39 |
*Requires prerequisite(s)
COURSE OFFERINGS, COMMUNICATIONS
COMM 100 Interpersonal Communications 3 credits
Designed to enhance communication skills in one-on-one and small group interactions. Students research and develop material and then effectively communicate their views within a problem-solving situation.
COMM 105 Public Speaking 3 credits
Increases the ability of students to make clear, effective speeches and includes research, speech organization, presentations and extemporaneous talks.
COMM 115 Effective Listening 3 credits
Improves communication skills, specifically how to fine-tune the ability to listen effectively, interact better with others, gain information, use critical thinking skills and perform better in all situations. This course meets the speech requirement for non-education majors in the general education requirements.
COMM 141-144, 241-244, 341-344, 441-444 Journalism Workshop 1 credit
Practical guided workshop in the preparation, design and production of printed media. Students produce the campus newspaper or they may be assigned to other campus publications. Note: A maximum of eight credits may be earned for this workshop.
COMM 206 Communication in the Workplace 3 credits
Provides student with the necessary communication skills such as active listening, communicating nonverbally, giving and receiving feedback, and understanding diverse communication styles. Challenges students to engage in problem solving for the workplace, as well as conflict management and people skills. Teaches students how to write memos, resumes and other workplace-related documents. Includes experience in mediation, memo writing, and working in role playing situations with difficult employees or supervisors. Includes sections on working with difficult people, communicating with international companies and people, conflict resolution and using technology to communicate. This course meets the speech requirement for non-education majors in the general education requirements.
COMM 215 Photography 3 credits
This course presents the art of photographing with a 35mm camera and the craft of developing and printing black-and-white negatives and photographs, teaching students to become more visually aware. Note: Students must provide their own 35mm SLR cameras with F/stop and shutter speed control. Note: There is a lab fee for this course. Same as ART 215.
COMM 220 Principles of Interviewing 3 credits
Study of interviewing principles for people-management skills. Students have the opportunity to practice techniques appropriate for the following types of interviews: employment, orientation, goal-setting, problem-solving, appraisal and persuasion or selling. Prerequisite: COMM 115.
COMM 221 Intercultural Communication 3 credits
Analysis of how culture interacts with communication and an examination of problems encountered when communicating across cultures. Distinctions among verbal and nonverbal code systems are examined. Students get the chance to experience presentations from members of other cultures. This course meets the cultures requirement in the general education requirements.
COMM 235 Graphic Design I 3 credits
Acquaints the beginning designer with the basic principles, terminology and methods used to solve graphic design problems and explores the integration of typography and visual elements to communicate ideas. Students learn to understand and evaluate information and learn the value of research in creating design solutions. Assignments are devised to emphasize and encourage conceptual thinking. Same as ART 235. Prerequisite: ART 111.
COMM 250 Special Topics 3 credits
COMM 275 Survey of Television 3 credits
Study of television programs programming from the “Golden Age” to the present. Analysis of television’s relation to post-modern American literature, culture and aesthetics. Same as ENG 275.
COMM 276 Introduction to Television Production 3 credits
Introduction of television production values including broadcast standards and aesthetics. Students learn basic videography and editing. Includes study and practice in writing for television and station management. A finished production is a requirement of the course. Prerequisites: ENG 101 and COMM 332.
COMM 280 Multimedia 3 credits
This course is an introduction to the elements and principles of multimedia design. Students will explore the role of visual elements and design practices using various computer software applications. Team approaches to problem solving and client-based projects are emphasized. Same as ART 280.
COMM 290 The Movies 3 credits
An introduction to narrative fiction films, using concepts of art, theatre and literature and includes a study of film aesthetics from a historical perspective. Same as ENG 290.
COMM 299 Special Project 1-3 credits
COMM 310 Feature Writing 3 credits
This course provides advanced instruction in news writing and the various techniques for in-depth reporting and reviewing. Included is an introduction to new journalism. Prerequisite: COMM 332
COMM 320 News Editing 3 credits
Provides instruction and practical experience in all aspects of editorial work for print media, including copy editing and layout design. Students assume some supervisory responsibility for campus publications. Prerequisite: COMM 332
COMM 332 Writing for Media 3 credits
Teaches and develops skills for fundamental news reporting and writing for all media including newspapers, magazines, broadcasting and radio. Interviewing techniques are included. Prerequisite: ENG 101 and basic typing skills. This course does not fulfill the general education requirement in English.
COMM 335 Graphic Design II 3 credits
Students learn to use appropriate materials, tools and techniques needed to show effective idea development and presentation methods required at the various stages of design problem solving. Students work from initial thumbnails to full size rough layouts to completed comprehensive presentations of several print and multimedia projects. Same as ART 335. Prerequisite: COMM 235.
COMM 355 Typography 3 credits
Essential experience in the craft of typography and type specification. Students develop a full understanding of the terminology used by typographers and learn to work with type intelligently and creatively. Research into the history of type design and exploration of the symbolism inherent in different typefaces and their relationship to other graphic elements. Same as ART 355.
COMM 403 Internship 1-3 credits
Designed for advance students, this course gives intensive work experience in commercial art, public relations and/or journalism. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.
COMM 415 Communication and Media Ethics 3 credits
Freedoms and responsibilities of mass media practitioners and institutions, explored within the framework of ethical theory. Consideration of values, codes of ethics, moral development, professionalism, institutional constraints, etc. as applied to media. Prerequisites: COMM 115 and COMM 220.
COMM 435 Graphic Design III 3 credits
Students create unique design solutions derived from research and thorough understanding of historical design styles. Students are urged to experiment and be innovative while still being professionally aware of historical design styles and philosophies. Projects include traditional print and digital multimedia formats. Same as ART 435. Prerequisite: COMM 335.
COMM 436 Graphic Design IV 3 credits
This capstone course emphasizes digital illustration techniques used to enhance visual representation and communication in the form of information graphics, maps and logos. The goal of this course is to develop a highly professional and competitive portfolio for interviewing purposes. There is strong emphasis on conceptual thinking and refinement of design. Same as ART 436. Prerequisite: COMM 335.
COMM 450 Special Topics 3 credits
COMM 499 Special Project 1-3 credits
605 Washington St.
P.O. Box 1857
Fayette, Iowa 52142
800-553-4150 (toll free)
(563) 425-5200
info@uiu.edu
