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Q. I want to major in Communication. What courses should I take?
A. Communication is a vibrant field with wide-ranging possibilities. Because our courses are popular, it may be difficult to enroll in a Communication course during your first semester, though we set aside a limited number of spots for incoming first-year students in the following introductory level courses: COM 1102 Interpersonal Communication and COM 1103 Mass Communication. These courses introduce students to two primary ways Communication is studied. The Interpersonal Communication course introduces students to such issues as Relationships, Argument, Nonverbal Communication, Social Support, Communication Competence, Romance, Conversational Analysis, Persuasion, and Communication Contexts. The Mass Communication course introduces students to such issues as Media Literacy, Political Influences, Economic Influences, Media History, Media Theories, and Media’s Watchdog Role.
If you are interested in film and video production, we also recommend COM 2250 Television Production and COM 2210 Basic Video Editing. The class size of these popular courses is limited to 10-12 students. Television Production, conducted in the campus’s digital studio, produces a weekly campus-wide news program, and emphasizes writing, shooting, editing, and presentation of oneself on camera. The Video Editing course introduces students to the art of editing via Final Cut Pro editing software. Students write, film, and edit creative film shorts.
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Q. What course can I take to help me decide if I want to major in Communication?
A. COM 1102 Interpersonal Communication and COM 1103 Mass Communication provide an introduction into two primary ways Communication is studied (see descriptions of both courses in question number one above).
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Q. Which courses can I take in the department if I have another major?
A. We recommend our entry-level courses, COM 1102 Interpersonal Communication and COM 1103 Mass Communication (see descriptions of both courses in question number one above). We also highly recommend COM 1110 Public Speaking and any of the upper level courses (3000 level courses) that interest you. As you might guess, the Public Speaking course focuses on enhancing your Communication skills as well as your ability to critique information. The upper level courses include such topics as Intercultural Communication, Organizational Communication, Critical Theory and Popular Culture, Rhetorical Criticism, Television Criticism, Computer Mediated Communication, Scriptwriting, Film Analysis, Fiction into Film, Health Communication, Gender and Communication, Language and Discourse, and Information Theory. We suggest consulting the McDaniel College Catalog for descriptions.
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Q. What kinds of jobs do graduates who majored in Communication have?
A. s hold. Use this as an ideas list and remember that it represents some, but certainly not all of the careers you might consider. Also, some careers may take additional schooling.
Advertising Account Executive, Acquisitions Editor, Admissions Counselor,
Advertising Manager, Advertising Sales Coordinator, Advertising Specialist, Announcer, Audiovisual Computer Display Specialist, Audiovisual Specialist ,
Benefits Administrator, Broadcasting Station Manager, Business Manager, Media Buyer, Campaign Director, Casting Director, Circuit Television Producer/Director,
Community Affairs Liaison, Community Relations Director, Copy Writer,
Corporate Public Affairs Specialist, Corporate Representative, Creative Director, Customer Service Representative, Development Officer, Director of Broadcasting, Director of College News, Disc Jockey, Editor, Executive Manager, Film/Tape Librarian, Film and Video Editor, Floor Manager, Health Communication Analyst,
Health Personnel Educator, Hospital Director of Communication,
Human Resources Manager, Human Rights Office, Industrial and Labor Relations, Language Specialist, Legal Educator, Legal Reporter, Legal Researcher, Legal Secretary, Legislative Assistant, Lobbyist, Market Researcher, Marketing Director,
Marketing Specialist, Media Analyst, Media Buyer, Media Interviewer, Media Planner, Media Sales Representative, Mediation & Negotiation Specialist, Mediator,
Medical Center Publications Editor, Medical Grants Writer, Negotiator,
News Service Researcher, News Writer, Newscaster, Newsletter Editor,
On-Air Broadcaster, Park Service Public Relations Director, Public Relations Specialist, Personnel Recruiter, Producer, Program Coordinator, Public Administrator,
Public Information Office Writer, Public Information Officer, Public Opinion Researcher, Publicity Manager, Recreation Supervisor, Reporter, Research Analyst,
Research Specialist, Sales Manager, Sales Representative, Script Writer,
Talk Show Host, Technical Director, Technical Writer,
Trainer for Communication Technology, Writer.
Q. What are the volunteer or service learning opportunities in this department?
A. Although the Communication Department has no formal guidelines regarding service learning, we fully expect students to be involved with service learning opportunities on campus, in the Westminster community, and in their home communities. We have found that most Communication majors are involved in service learning.
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Q. Does this department sponsor any special programs or internships?
A. The Communication Department highly recommends obtaining an internship. We have a growing network of internship opportunities and most of our majors obtain an internship.
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Q. Can I major in Communication and still study abroad?
A. The Communication Department highly recommends that you study abroad. McDaniel College’s Budapest, Hungary program is an excellent option. A large number of Communication courses are offered in Budapest, which enables students to satisfy requirements for the Communication major. Additionally, many other study abroad programs offer Communication courses. We are flexible when it comes to accepting Communication courses from study abroad programs.
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Q. How could I decide if I might like Communication?
A. First, you should consider your interests and skills. If you have an interest in media, in writing, in expressing yourself, or in working with people, then Communication might be a good option. Second, you should explore the possibilities by enrolling in COM 1102 Interpersonal Communication and COM 1103 Mass Communication (see descriptions of both courses in question number one above).
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Q. Do I need any special computer equipment for courses in Communication?
A. The courses that use computer equipment and software are COM 2250 TV Production, COM 2265 Video Editing, Computer-Mediated Communication and upper level production and research methods courses. In all instances we provide the equipment and software. The TV studio is equipped with digital cameras, edit systems, microphones, lights, and a teleprompter. The Video Editing course uses the editing lab, which contains Apple Mac G5s and the latest version of Final Cut Pro software.
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Q. What are the major requirements in Communication?
A. Please consult the McDaniel College Catalog for a full description of the Communication major and courses. For your convenience, a brief description of the major requirements is provided below (all courses are four credits unless otherwise noted).
COMMUNICATION MAJOR (44 credit hours)
- COM 1102 Interpersonal Communication
- COM 1103 Mass Communication
- COM 2203 Quantitative Research Methods
- COM 2204 Qualitative Research Methods
- COM 4594 Senior Seminar
- Four additional four-credit courses in Communication at the 3000 level or above. Internships do not apply.
Two courses chosen from:
- BUA 2209 Principles of Marketing
- BUA 2210 Ethics and Business
- COM 1110 Public Speaking
- COM 2210 Basic Video Editing
- COM 2250 Television Production
- COM 2266 Internet Communication Skills
- ENG 2205 Media Ethics
- ENG 2207 Creative Writing - Fiction
- ENG 2212 Professional Communication
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Q. How can I major in Communication and complete a minor in education
A. We recommend consulting the Education Department and the McDaniel College Catalog.
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Q. What are the minor requirements in Communication?
A. Please consult the McDaniel College Catalog for a full description of the Communication minors and courses. For your convenience, brief descriptions of the requirements for the Communication minor and the Film and Video Studies minor are provided below (all courses are four credits unless otherwise noted).
Minor in Communication (24 credit hours)
- COM 1102 Interpersonal Communication
- COM 1103 Mass Communication
- COM 1110 Public Speaking
- COM 2203 Quantitative Research Methods
- COM 2204 Qualitative Research Methods
- One additional four-credit course in Communication at the 3000 level or above. Internships do not apply.
Minor in Film & Video Studies (24 credit hours)
- COM 2210 Basic Video Editing
- COM 2250 Television Production
- COM 3330 Film Analysis
- COM 3337 Scriptwriting
- Plus one course from:
- COM 3332 Television Analysis and Criticism
- COM 3333 Fiction into Film
- COM 3334 Semiotics of Photography and Film
- COM 3338 European Film Art (Budapest campus)
- Plus one course from:
- MUL 2224 Film Music
- THE 1111 Stagecraft
- THE 1113 Acting
- THE 3328 Playwriting
- ENG 1103 Introduction to Journalism
- ENG 2205 Media Ethics
- COM 4498 Independent Study with Campus TV Station
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Q. What is the Filmmaking Apprenticeship?
A. Undergraduates who complete the Film & Video Studies Minor can then apply in their junior year to our Filmmaking Apprenticeship. These select few, under highly individualized faculty mentoring, spend a semester writing and directing 30+ minute digital video featurettes (fiction or documentary) for their senior capstone experience. These projects are then screened for the public during our annual video festival.
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