Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Communications

College of Arts and Humanities
Communications Department

Program Description and Features

Students dedicated to building professional careers in print and digital media, film, television, and the closely related fields of public relations and advertising, as well as those interested in preparing for post-baccalaureate programs, will find degree programs designed by the Communications Department to meet their needs and to develop their skills and interests. The Department offers the Advertising and Public Relations B.A. program, the Film, Television, and Media B.A. program, the Journalism B.A. program, the Advertising Minor, and the Communications Minor. The curriculum provides a broad understanding of communications media within a liberal arts framework.

Advertising and Public Relations B.A. 

The Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations degree program is designed to help students develop an in-depth understanding of the role and impact of advertising and public relations in both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. The program focuses on preparing students to become logical and innovative advertising and public relations professionals who also examine the ethical and cultural values in their practice. The curriculum is designed to emphasize professional skills, analytic abilities, and critical approaches in dealing with advertising and public relations issues. Students will polish creative ideas and gain a variety of professional skills, including creating advertising and public relations messages; planning advertising and public relations media; organizing integrated communication plans, and developing sponsorships and promotional strategies.

Film, Television, and Media B.A.

The Bachelor of Arts in Film, Television and Media degree program integrates critical thinking and critical making. By approaching both traditional and emerging media as creative storytelling and grounding students in the knowledge of the history, politics, forms and industry structures of media stories, students learn to adapt to a constantly changing media landscape and how they can make a positive impact on society using their creative voices. Students take courses on storytelling in and across media forms. In writing about media stories, students develop skills in analyzing and interpreting media stories. Building on those skills, students will also learn how to tell new stories as well as identify potential audiences and venues for those stories.

Journalism B.A.

The Bachelor of Arts in Journalism degree program is dedicated to high standards in journalistic practices, skills, and specializations with a strong focus on analytical reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Through innovative teaching practices, the program provides a broad-based curriculum designed to promote news and information literacy; proficiency in the various journalistic forms and styles; an understanding of the new media landscape; and information dissemination practices through contemporary and emerging media tools. The program is committed to freedom of the press, freedom of expression, freedom of inquiry, and the questioning of dominant institutional practices and ideologies. It encourages dedication to ethical practices including truth, accuracy, fairness, diversity, inclusivity, and independence.

Advertising Minor

The department offers an Interdisciplinary Minor in Advertising, in conjunction with the College of Business Administration and Public Policy and the Art and Design Department, combining courses in advertising, marketing and graphic design. The Advertising Minor provides an overview of both the business and creative sides of the advertising field.

Communications Minor

For the Minor in Communications, students take two lower-division courses and then choose two upper-division courses from the Advertising and Public Relations, Film, Television, and Media and Journalism programs based on their interests.

Preparation

High school students are encouraged to take college preparatory English courses. Students planning to transfer from community college should consult with their counselor or advisor to identify appropriate transferable lower-division courses.

Student Organizations

The Communications Department has sponsored a chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) since 1979. The chapter’s mission is:

  1. to serve its student members by enhancing their knowledge of public relations and providing access to professional development opportunities; and
  2. to serve the public relations profession by helping to develop highly qualified, well-prepared professionals.

PRSSA cultivates a favorable and mutually advantageous relationship between student members and professional public relations practitioners. The CSUDH Chapter is highly active, holding monthly meetings and sponsoring various on- and off-campus social and professional activities.

The Department also sponsors the Society of Independent Student Journalists (SISJ) student organization. Its mission is:

  1. to offer educational and professional support for student journalists;
  2. to reinforce and strengthen the guiding principles of independent journalists;
  3. to give student journalists the opportunity to network with industry professionals and instructors; and
  4. to ensure all interested students are proficient in the principles and practices of journalism professionals.