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COMMUNICATION
COMMUNICATION Chairperson
Anne Zaphiris, Ph.D.
FACULTY Assistant Professor: Dennis Lebec, M.A.; Anne Zaphiris, Ph.D. Lecturers: Brian R. Sheridan, M.A. Adjunct Faculty: Meghan Corbin, M.A.; Mark Dombrowski, M.A.; Michael Leal, M.A.
Communication is interdisciplinary in nature as professionals are engaged in similar functions (gathering information, creating, disseminating and evaluating messages) and must be prepared with basic skills including writing, speaking, and visual communication along with the ability to develop a plan, organize, evaluate, and think strategically. The Communication program is designed to prepare students for entry to the communication industry in three distinct, but complementary areas – Strategic Communication, New Media and Visual Communication. Students are required to complete a core sequence, covering professional classes and contextual courses focused on history, ethics, criticism, theoretical foundations, research methods and basic skills (performance, visual, writing, technology). The core sequence cultivates an improved understanding of the role, practice and analysis of communication in media, social, and economic systems. The curriculum also employs a “learn by doing” approach to expose students to the necessary knowledge and skills to enter a chosen career path and advance within their profession. The Communication program blends discipline strengths in an interdisciplinary environment. Communication majors are required to complete all Communication core courses as well as choose a track of concentrated study, Strategic Communication, New Media or Visual Communication. All Communication students culminate their undergraduate academic career with a professional portfolio.
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION
The Strategic Communication sequence prepares students for careers in corporate, nonprofit, and governmental communication fields with a strong emphasis on the tactical and strategic approach to planning, production, dissemination and assessment. Students acquire skills to succeed in public relations, advertising, marketing, event planning, reputation management and other specialized areas in today’s increasingly integrated professional world.
The curriculum is designed to provide students with an understanding of how to listen to constituencies, define problems, and develop, execute and evaluate complex integrated communication plans using research, analysis, critical thinking, creativity, new media and practical skills to refine strategies. Students gain a broad understanding of strategic communication through exposure to theories, practices, and issues within their fields of interest. Consistent with the mission of Mercyhurst College, students engage in hands-on projects for nonprofit, service agencies in the Erie region. The program allows students to take advantage of the communication opportunities within the region to merge academic and professional interests.
New Media
The New Media sequence prepares students to work in today’s converged media environment. The sequence provides students with an understanding of changing, modern media outlets. With convergence of print and electronic, as well as new developments such as podcasts, blogs and streaming video, students learn the creative and technical skills for new media, including design, writing, editing and operations. The program is designed to develop technical aptitude with creative and critical thinking skills. The sequence emphasizes research, problem solving, editorial judgment, and writing and production of integrated news or feature presentations for various media. Students learn to select, edit, write, and format content for web-based and traditional media. The sequence focuses on understanding the theory and practice in reporting, writing and editing in-depth news stories, including the use of computer-assisted reporting techniques, professional development and theories of community and public journalism. On-campus media outlets (The Merciad, Laker TV, and WMCE-FM) allow students to learn ‘hands-on’ reporting, analysis and interpretation, production, design, and techniques of new media using a journalistic approach.
Visual Communication
The Visual Communication sequence prepares students with a foundation in communication theory and process along with the necessary creative and technical skills to succeed in the design field within professional communication. The capability to send a clear, consistent and creative message has increased in importance through the Internet and new technology. Concurrently, the need for people with communication skills increases as organizations adapt to the converged media environment. Courses include concept and hands-on techniques in print and multimedia design. Topics on the theory of design are offered along with project-based work that gives the student the opportunity to create campaigns relevant to advertising, public relations, marketing, software industry and the media. Students acquire skills in areas such as graphic design principles, publication and web design, as well as emerging technologies.
COMMUNICATION
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
Communication majors and minors are required to maintain a 2.5 GPA in major course work, successfully fulfill sequence requirements (33 credits), and courses from one concentration (18 credits), complete Sophomore Review, practice skills at on-campus media outlets, complete an internship, and submit a professional portfolio of their work during their senior year.
SOPHOMORE REVIEW
The following courses must be completed for Sophomore Review: COMM 180 Business and Professional Communication COMM 185 Communication in Society COMM 259 Writing Fundamentals COMM 269 Communication Theory and Research COMM elective or course from concentration
SERVICE HOURS
Students are required to work for on-campus media outlets 10 hours per term after they complete Sophomore Review.
REQUIRED COMMUNICATION MAJOR COURSES Core Required Courses COMM 180 COMM 185 COMM 190 ART 220
Business and Professional Communication Communication in Society New Media Introduction to Graphic Design or ART 128 Graphic Design for non-majors
COMM 259 COMM 269 COMM 370 COMM 475 COMM 489
Writing Fundamentals Communication Theory and Research Law and Ethics Internship Professional Development
Writing Elective not taken for track (3 credits) Choose from: COMM 184 Newswriting COMM 377 Feature Writing COMM 315 Communication Techniques COMM 240 Copyediting and Graphics COMM 275 Broadcast Newswriting COMM 430 Magazine Editing and Design COMM 485 Special Topics in Communication One Elective not taken for track or nonCommunication course with approval of advisor (3 credits) Core Credits
2010-2011 Mercyhurst College Course Catalog • www.mercyhurst.edu
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