PROGRAM TYPE
On Campus

DEGREES
BA

Contact

Travis Maruska

Associate Professor

School of Liberal Arts & Sciences

(508) 849-3338

tmaruska@annamaria.edu

Academic Agreements

Accelerated Degree Program

Communications | BA

Program Overview

The discipline of communications is an examination of the various processes of human communications and their application to human behavior. The major in Communications Studies requires all students to take a comprehensive introductory course that is designed to give students a general survey of the discipline of communications by integrating social and cultural diversity.

In addition, three other courses are mandatory, along with a senior seminar and an internship. A minimum of 39 credits is required for the major, 15 of which must be at the 300 level or above. The courses provide students with an overview of the theoretical and practical applications of the various fields of Communications Studies, which encompass four types of communication: written, verbal, nonverbal, and visual.

In this age of global citizenship, the major is designed to cultivate students’ communication skills in the arenas of their personal, professional, and civic life, preparing them for careers such as Media, Law, Journalism, Business, Marketing, Advertising, Social and Human Services, Education, and Government and Politics.

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Public Relations Track

- Perfect for communicators, writers, and public speakers.
- Help guide companies through culturally sensitive decisions.
- Turn your social media and communication skills into a career.
- A great alternative to a traditional marketing degree.

Large and small businesses, government agencies, community nonprofits, academic institutions, and just about any successful organization must create and maintain a positive image with the general public. A public relations representative is at the heart of this. Whether speaking with reporters, overseeing a brand or logo design, or drawing followers on social media, a public relations representative is a great communicator on paper and in person.

The Public Relations Track in the Communications Major requires all students to take the following four elective courses in addition to their core courses: Strategic Public Communications, Public Communications Tactics, Crisis Communications, and Public Speaking.

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Job growth - PR & Fundraising Managers

Job growth - PR, Advertising & Marketing

$118,000+
Public Relations
Managers

CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS

Course of Study

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Curriculum Highlights

COM 100 – Introduction to Communications

Required

Introduction to Communication is designed to give students a general survey of the discipline of communication by integrating social and cultural diversity and by emphasizing public speaking, mass and social media as well as health communication.

3 credits

MCO 203 – Intro to Media Studies

Required

In addition to an historical review of print media (newspapers, magazines, and books), this course examines how film, television, and radio has evolved throughout the 20th Century and recently lost ground to the rise of the Internet, podcasts, streaming, social media, and other new developments.

3 credits

MCO 206 – Intro to Digital Media

Required

After a brief discussion of past forms of media, this course will focus on the development of the Internet and its impact on American society as well as the world. Electronic mail, social media, the spread of false news, viral videos, streaming services, and the Internet’s impact on print media and television are just some of the topics that will be covered.

3 credits

COM 325 – Intercultural Communications

Required

Students learn about the challenges of communication between members of two or more different cultures. Such awareness may lead to an appreciation of cultural differences and to strategies that can enhance personal and organizational functioning and communicating in a multicultural environment.

3 credits

COM 499 – Internship

Required

An opportunity for the specially qualified communications major to practice communication and public relations skills in the world of work. Prerequisite: Permission of Associate Dean of Humanities required. Practicum fee.

3 credits

COM 490 – Senior Capstone Seminar

Required

Integrates communications studies with the General Education. Students design and complete a seminar project that integrates their years of study of communications and/or public relations. Prerequisite: instructor permission.

3 credits

BUS 215 – Public Speaking

Required

Know your audience! Students will learn and practice the essential skills for delivering dynamic presentations. This course utilizes videotaping as one strategy for students to track their improvements.

3 credits

SCP I – Strategic Public Relations

Required

Modern companies are increasingly focused on their public image and brand. This has created a significant demand for employees with an understanding of how to message complex issues to a wide audience.

3 credits

SCP II Public Relations Tactics

Required

This course provides students with a range of Strategic Communications and Public Relations tactics that they can deploy to create effective, targeted messaging. The primary focus will be on translating principles and theory to applicable actions.

3 credits

SCP III – Crisis Communications

Required

Crisis communications is an increasingly vital process in the corporate world. As companies are ever more frequently taken to task for their errors on social media, the ability of a corporation to successfully respond to a crisis can mean the difference between weathering a storm relatively intact or facing near-certain collapse.

3 credits

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Course Of Study

Career Opportunity

Digital Marketing Analyst
Public Relations Analyst
Market Research Analyst
Media Analyst
Corporate Communications Analyst

Program Learning Outcomes

Identify and describe the major communication theories and practices across the field of human communication and apply them to a variety of settings including small businesses, major corporations, and non-profits.
Demonstrate a knowledge of the history of human communication and how it has evolved through various media.
Apply ethical standards and judgment to the field of human communication, including the ability to manage conflict, listen attentively and objectively, and facilitate large and small groups.
Apply research methods and locate and utilize primary academic sources relative to human communication.
Demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively, both orally and written.