Professor: N. Bedner (PhD)
Associate Professor: M. Alston-Miller (PhD), C. Clark (PhD), D. Lampkin Stephens (PhD), J. McIntyre (PhD), S. Payne (PhD), P. Walter (EdD)
Assistant Professor: R. Brown (PhD), A. Hawkins (PhD), A. Hitt (PhD), K. Mattson (PhD), J. Talbot (PhD)
Instructor: J. Overton (MS)
Senior Lecturer: S. Dix (MA), L Grate (PhD), L. Mongno (MA), E. Stengel (PhD)
Lecturer II: C. Allen (MA), L. Bowles (MEd), T. Colaianni (MA), A. Gardner (MA), T. Gifford (MA), D. Keith (MA), S. Lance (PhD)
Lecturer I: K Bray (MA), L Dilday (PhD), S. Fritzges (MA), T. Phillips (MA), E. Smith (MA)
[1] Purposes
COMMUNICATION: Courses in the program teach students how to effectively gather, analyze, synthesize, and present information to audiences in meaningful and engaging ways. The program focuses on theories, concepts, and best practices in verbal and nonverbal communication, as well as using different forms of media to inform, educate, and persuade audiences across various contexts and cultures.
PUBLIC RELATIONS: As with the Communication major, students are taught how to gather, analyze, synthesize and present information to various audiences. The program emphasizes strategic research, planning, execution, and evaluation of communication programs for companies, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and public figures.
We offer Principles of Communication (COMM 1300), which supports the UCA Core program’s emphasis on critical inquiry and effective communication, and majors and minors in Communication and Public Relations. Communication and Public Relations focus on theories, concepts, and best practices in verbal and nonverbal communication, as well as using different forms of media to inform, educate, and persuade audiences across various contexts and cultures.
JOURNALISM: We offer professional training in the areas of journalism. We also seek to educate interested non-professionals who seek to become participating members of a knowledgeable audience. Additionally, through broadcast, print, and online productions, students and faculty of the department share their work with mass media audiences. MCOM 1300 Media and Society supports the UCA Core program’s emphasis on responsible living, and we offer a major (with broadcast, online, and print options) and minor in journalism.
WRITING: In addition to offering general education writing courses supporting the university’s emphasis on writing and thinking skills across the curriculum, we offer a variety of courses in rhetoric and composition, professional and technical writing, and the teaching of writing. We offer majors and minors in general and professional writing. WRTG 1310 Introduction to College Writing and WRTG 1320 Academic Writing and Research support the UCA Core program’s emphasis on effective communication.
[2] Facilities and Resources
State-of-the-art facilities support our programs. Journalism is housed in a facility that includes a television production studio, news room, audio studios, Adobe Creative Suite, two computer labs, and production areas.
[3] Honors in the Majors
[Jump to Recognition of Academic Achievement for general information about Honors in the Majors.]
Students majoring in journalism may be invited by the faculty of the program to enter the Honors in the Majors program in the first semester of the senior year. To earn honors, students must major in this area and enroll in MCOM 3322. Students will submit a final honors project paper no later than February 1 for May graduation, October 1 for December graduation, or June 1 for August graduation.
[4] Baccalaureate Degrees
UD = Upper Division
D = Diversity
I = Critical Inquiry
Z = Capstone Experience
[4.1] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Communication
The degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science with a major in communication requires the successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements (see the UCA Core requirements) and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) 40 upper-division hours; (3) special BA or BS degree requirements specified by the university; (4) a major as described below; and (5) a minor as arranged through the student’s minor advisor.
[4.1.1] Major in Communication (34 hours)
Required Courses (9 hours):
COMM 2313 Introduction to Communication Research
COMM 3312 Persuasion OR
COMM 3308 Argumentation & Advocacy
Electives (21 hours, chosen from the following):
COMM 3303 Gender Communication
COMM 3307 Interpersonal Communication [UD UCA Core: D]
COMM 3310 Advanced Public Speaking
COMM 3311 Evolution of Rhetorical Theory [UD UCA Core: I]
COMM 3V21 Communication Internship (variable credit)
COMM 3330 Event Planning
COMM 3370 Intercultural Communication
COMM 4305 African-American Rhetoric
COMM 4310 Presidential Rhetoric
COMM 4315 Communication and Leadership
COMM 4316 Special Topics in Communication
COMM 4318 Crisis Communication
COMM 4320 Nonverbal Communication
COMM 4325 Health Communication
COMM 4330 Family Communication
COMM 4334 Political Communication
COMM 4V80 Directed Study in Communication (variable credit: 1–3 credit hours)
Required Capstone Courses (4 hours):
COMM 4130 Communication Practicum [UD UCA Core: Z]
[4.1.2] Minor in Communication (21 hours)
Required Courses (9 hours):
COMM 2313 Introduction to Communication Research
COMM 3312 Persuasion OR
COMM 3308 Argumentation & Advocacy
Electives (12 hours, chosen from the following, with at least 9 hours at the 3000-/4000-level):
COMM 3303 Gender Communication
COMM 3307 Interpersonal Communication [UD UCA Core: D]
COMM 3310 Advanced Public Speaking
COMM 3311 Evolution of Rhetorical Theory [UD UCA Core: I]
COMM 3V21 Communication Internship (variable credit)
COMM 3330 Event Planning
COMM 3341 Small Group Communication
COMM 3370 Intercultural Communication
COMM 4305 African-American Rhetoric
COMM 4310 Presidential Rhetoric
COMM 4315 Communication and Leadership
COMM 4316 Special Topics in Communication
COMM 4318 Crisis Communication
COMM 4320 Nonverbal Communication
COMM 4325 Health Communication
COMM 4330 Family Communication
COMM 4334 Political Communication
[4.2] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Journalism
The degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science with a major in mass communication requires the successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses; (2) specific degree requirements; (3) the core journalism courses; (4) required, elective, and application courses for one of the journalism emphasis areas as described below; (5) JOUR 3321 (internship); and (6) a minor as arranged through the student’s minor advisor.
[4.2.1] Major in Journalism (43 hours)
Undergraduate Core courses are used to satisfy the lower-division UCA Core requirement in Diversity, Critical Inquiry, Responsible Living, and Effective Communication and Journalism and Mass Communication courses are used to satisfy the upper-division UCA Core requirements in Diversity, Critical Inquiry, Responsible Living, and Effective Communication. Students will take JOUR 3321, Internship, as the required UCA Core capstone.
Journalism core (24 hours):
JOUR 2300 Beginning Reporting
JOUR 2305 Basic Press Photography
JOUR 2325 Principles of Online Journalism
JOUR 2340 Broadcast Journalism Production
JOUR 3308 News Editing [UD UCA Core: I, C]
MCOM 3301 Media Law and Ethics [UD UCA Core: R, D]
MCOM 3307 Theories of Mass Communication
Electives (6 hours, chosen from the following):
JOUR 3122 Directed Study in Communication
JOUR 3222 Directed Study in Communication
JOUR 3300 Advanced Reporting and Editing
JOUR 3305 Publication Design & Makeup
JOUR 3311 Digital Imaging
JOUR 3334 Non-Fiction Writing
JOUR 3345 Online Publishing I
JOUR 3346 Online Publishing II
JOUR 3363 Audio Production
JOUR 3365 Broadcast Management
JOUR 3373 Documentary Production
JOUR 3374 Broadcast Journalism Production II
JOUR 4313 Writing for Electronic Media
JOUR 4315 Broadcast Journalism Production III
JOUR 4331 In-Depth and Computer-Aided Reporting
JOUR 4333 Writing Editorials & Reviews
MCOM 3302 Media History
MCOM 3322 Directed Study in Communication
MCOM 3320 Introduction to Mass Communication Research Methods
MCOM 3391/4391 Topics in Mass Communication
MCOM 4302 Media Effects
MCOM 4323 Seminar in Mass Communication
SPCH 3310 Writing for Public Relations
WRTG 3310 Technical Writing
Application courses (4 hours):
All students must complete 1 credit hour at each level for a total of 4 hours. (Each level many be repeated for a maximum 2 hours of credit). Broadcast Journalism students must take Electronic Media Applications. Online Journalism students must complete at least one hour of Print and one hour of Electronic Applications among the four hours. Print Journalism students must take Print Media Applications.
JOUR 2121 Print Media Applications
JOUR 3121 Print Media Applications
JOUR 4121 Print Media Applications
JOUR 2123 Electronic Media Applications
JOUR 3123 Electronic Media Applications
JOUR 4123 Electronic Media Applications
Internship (3 hours):
[4.2.2] Emphasis Areas
Required (6 hours): Must complete both courses in at least one of the four options:
Broadcast Journalism Emphasis:
JOUR 4315 Broadcast Journalism Production III
Online Journalism Emphasis:
JOUR 3346 Online Publishing II
Print Journalism Emphasis:
JOUR 3305 Publication Design & Makeup
Mass Communication Research
MCOM 4302 Media Effects
[4.2.3] Minor in Journalism (26 hours)
Journalism Minor Core (8 hours):
JOUR 2300 Beginning Reporting (Prerequisite WRTG 1320)
JOUR 1121 Print Media Applications or JOUR 2123 Electronic Media Applications
JOUR 2121 Print Media Applications or JOUR 3123 Electronic Media Applications
Electives (18 hours, chosen from the following courses):
JOUR 2305 Basic Press Photography
JOUR 2325 Principles of Online Journalism
JOUR 2340 Broadcast Journalism Production I
JOUR 3122 Directed Study in Communication
JOUR 3222 Directed Study in Communication
JOUR 3300 Advanced Reporting
JOUR 3305 Publication Design & Makeup
JOUR 3308 News Editing
JOUR 3311 Digital Imaging
JOUR 3334 Non-Fiction Writing
JOUR 3345 Online Publishing I (Prerequisite JOUR 2325)
JOUR 3346 Online Publishing II (Prerequisite JOUR 3345)
JOUR 3363 Audio Journalism
JOUR 3365 Broadcast Management
JOUR 3373 News Documentary Production
JOUR 3374 Broadcast Journalism Production II (Prerequisite JOUR 2340)
JOUR 4313 Writing for Electronic Media
JOUR 4315 Broadcast Journalism Production III (Prerequisite JOUR 3374)
JOUR 4331 In-Depth and Computer-Aided Reporting (Prerequisite JOUR 3308)
JOUR 4333 Writing Editorials and Reviews
MCOM 3320 Introduction to Mass Communication Research Methods
MCOM 3301 Media Law and Ethics
MCOM 3302 Media History
MCOM 3307 Theories of Mass Communication
MCOM 3322 Directed Study
MCOM 3391/4391 Topics in Mass Communication
MCOM 4302 Media Effects
MCOM 4323 Seminar in Mass Communication
COMM [formerly SPCH] 3310 Writing for Public Relations
WRTG 3310 Technical Writing
Prerequisite courses for all other courses – except Media Applications, MCOM 1300, and JOUR 2300 – may be taken concurrently.
[4.3] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Public Relations
The degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science with a major in public relations requires the successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) 40 upper-division hours; (3) special BA or BS degree requirements specified by the university; (4) a major as described below; and (5) a minor as arranged through the student’s minor advisor.
[4.3.1] Major in Public Relations (39 hours)
Core Courses (18 hours):
PRLS 2305 Introduction to Public Relations
COMM 2308 Perspectives in Communication
COMM 2313 Introduction to Communication Research
COMM 3301 Organizational Communication [UD UCA Core: C, R]
COMM 3308 Argumentation and Advocacy OR
COMM 3312 Persuasion
Application Courses (18 hours):
JOUR 3305 Publication Design and Makeup
PRLS 3305 Public Relations Techniques
PRLS 3310 Writing for Public Relations [UD UCA Core: D]
PRLS 4305 Public Relations Cases and Campaigns [UD UCA Core: Z]
PRLS 4308 Public Relations Management [UD UCA Core: I]
Electives (3 hours, chosen from the following):
PRLS 4310 Nonprofit Public Relations
PRLS 4312 International Public Relations
PRLS 4316 Special Topics in Public Relations
PRLS 4V80 Directed Study in Public Relations (variable credit, 1-3 credit hours)
COMM 3310 Advanced Public Speaking
COMM 3330 Event Planning
COMM 3341 Small Group Communication
COMM 3370 Intercultural Communication
COMM 4315 Communication and Leadership
COMM 4318 Crisis Communication
COMM 4325 Health Communication
COMM 4334 Political Communication
[4.3.2] Minor in Public Relations (21 hours)
Required Courses at 2000 level (6 hours):
COMM 2308 Perspectives in Communication
Required Courses at 3000/4000 level (9 hours):
PRLS 4308 Public Relations Management [UD UCA Core: I]
COMM 3301 Organizational Communication [UD UCA Core: C, R]
Plus two courses to be selected from the following (6 hours):
PRLS 4316 Special Topics in Public Relations
COMM 3310 Advanced Public Speaking
COMM 3370 Intercultural Communication
COMM 4315 Communication and Leadership
COMM 4318 Crisis Communication
COMM 4325 Health Communication
COMM 4334 Political Communication
[4.4] Bachelor of Arts in Writing
The degree of Bachelor of Arts with a major in Writing requires successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: completion of 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and completion of upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) completion of a sophomore-level foreign language course; (3) completion of major requirements as described below; (4) 40 upper-division hours; and (5) completion of a minor.
[4.4.1] Major in Writing (36 hours)
Writing Core courses are used to satisfy the lower-division UCA Core requirement in Responsible Living (R) and the upper-division UCA Core requirement in Diversity (D), Critical Inquiry (I), Responsible Living (R), and Effective Communication (C). Students will take WRTG 4308 Writing for Change as the required UCA Core capstone.
Writing Core Courses (12 hours):
WRTG 3305 Writing as Information Design
WRTG 3310 Technical Writing [UD UCA Core: C]
WRTG 3390 Discourse Analysis [UD UCA Core: I, R]
[4.4.1.1] General Writing Track (24 hours)
Required Courses (15 hours):
WRTG 2310 Introduction to Creative Writing
One Creative Writing forms course; prerequisite WRTG 2310
One upper-division linguistics course
One upper-division rhetoric or professional writing course
Choose Three (9 hours):
LING 3325 Sociolinguistics [UD UCA Core: D]
LING 4320 Grammatical Structures
LING 4330 Educational Linguistics [UD UCA Core: C]
LING 4345 Analytical Methods of Morphology and Syntax [UD UCA Core: Z]
LING 4350 Phonology
LING 4355 Special Topics in Linguistics
LING 4360 Historical Linguistics and Language Change
LING 4370 Field Methods in Linguistics [UD UCA Core: R, I]
COMM [formerly SPCH] 3311 Evolution of Rhetorical Theory
COMM [formerly SPCH] 3312 Persuasion
Any creative writing forms course
Any creative writing workshop
WRTG 3306 Information Design II: Usability and Accessibility
WRTG 3307 Introduction to Editing
WRTG 3315 Writing Center Practicum
WRTG 4305 Contemporary Composition
WRTG 4306 Information Design III: Clients and Project Management
WRTG 4308 Writing for Change [UD UCA Core: Z]
WRTG 4309 Introduction to Publishing
WRTG 4320 Intercultural Rhetoric and Writing [UD UCA Core: D]
WRTG 4324 Topics in Creative Writing [UD UCA Core: Z]
WRTG 4340 Teaching Creative Writing
WRTG 4381 Special Topics in Writing
WRTG 4385 Internship in Writing
WRTG 4V80 Directed Study in Writing (variable credit: 1–3 credit hours)
[4.4.1.2] Professional Writing Track (24 hours)
Required Courses (9 hours):
WRTG 4307 Practical Rhetoric
WRTG 4308 Writing for Change [UD UCA Core: Z]
Choose Three (9 hours):
WRTG 4305 Contemporary Composition
WRTG 4306 Information Design III: Clients and Project Management
WRTG 4309 Introduction to Publishing
WRTG 4320 Intercultural Rhetoric and Writing [UD UCA Core: D]
WRTG 4385 Internship in Writing
Choose Two (6 hours):
LING 3315 Semantics
LING 3325 Sociolinguistics [UD UCA Core: D]
LING 4320 Grammatical Structures
LING 4360 Historical Linguistics and Language Change
LING 4370 Field Methods in Linguistics [UD UCA Core: R, I]
COMM [formerly SPCH] 3311 Evolution of Rhetorical Theory
COMM [formerly SPCH] 3312 Persuasion
WRTG 2310 Introduction to Creative Writing
Any creative writing forms course
Any creative writing workshop
WRTG 3307 Introduction to Editing
WRTG 3315 Writing Center Practicum
WRTG 4305 Contemporary Composition
WRTG 4306 Information Design III: Clients and Project Management
WRTG 4309 Introduction to Publishing
WRTG 4320 Intercultural Rhetoric and Writing [UD UCA Core: D]
WRTG 4324 Topics in Creative Writing
WRTG 4340 Teaching Creative Writing
WRTG 4381 Special Topics in Writing
WRTG 4385 Internship in Writing
WRTG 4V80 Directed Study in Writing (variable credit: 1–3 credit hours)
[4.4.2] Minors Writing (24 hours)
[4.4.2.1] Minor in General Writing (24 hours)
Required courses (18 hours):
WRTG 2310 Introduction to Creative Writing (prerequisite: WRTG 1320) [ACTS: ENGL2013]
WRTG 2325 Introduction to Rhetoric
WRTG 3310 Technical Writing (prerequisite: WRTG 1320 and at least junior standing) [UD UCA Core: C]
One creative WRTG forms course (prerequisite: WRTG 2310)
One upper-division linguistics course
Electives (6 hours, chosen from the following):
LING 3325 Sociolinguistics [UD UCA Core: D]
LING 4320 Grammatical Structures (prerequisite LING 2320)
LING 4330 Educational Linguistics (prerequisite WRTG 1320) [UD UCA Core: C]
LING 4345 Analytical Methods of Morphology and Syntax (prerequisite LING 2320 or permission of instructor) [UD UCA Core: Z]
LING 4350 Phonology (prerequisite: LING 2320 or permission of instructor)
LING 4355 Special Topics in Linguistics (prerequisite: LING 2320 or permission of instructor)
LING 4360 Historical Linguistics and Language Change
LING 4370 Field Methods in Linguistics [UD UCA Core: R, I]
Any creative writing forms course (prerequisite: WRTG 2310)
Any creative writing workshop (prerequisite: WRTG 2310 and the appropriate forms course)
WRTG 3305 Writing as Information Design (prerequisite: WRTG 1320)
WRTG 3306 Information Design II: Usability and Accessibility (prerequisite: WRTG 3305)
WRTG 3307 Introduction to Editing (prerequisite: at least junior standing)
WRTG 3315 Writing Center Practicum
WRTG 3390 Discourse Analysis [UD UCA Core: I, R]
WRTG 4V80 Directed Study in Writing (variable credit 1-3 hours)
WRTG 4305 Contemporary Composition (prerequisite: WRTG 1320)
WRTG 4306 Information Design III: Clients and Project Management (prerequisite: WRTG 3306)
WRTG 4308 Writing for Change (prerequisite:at least junior standing or permission of the instructor) [UD UCA Core: Z]
WRTG 4309 Introduction to Publishing (prerequisite: WRTG 3305)
WRTG 4320 Intercultural Rhetoric and Writing (prerequisite: WRTG 1320) [UD UCA Core: D]
WRTG 4324 Topics in Creative Writing (prerequisite: WRTG 2310 and completion of six hours of upper-division creative writing courses) [UD UCA Core: Z]
WRTG 4340 Teaching Creative Writing (prerequisite: WRTG 2310)
WRTG 4381 Special Topics in Writing (prerequisite: senior status and writing major or minor)
WRTG 4385 Internship in Writing (prerequisite: WRTG 1310, 1320, one 3000 level writing course, and consent of department chair)
COMM [formerly SPCH] 3311 Evolution of Rhetorical Theory (prerequisite COMM [formerly SPCH] 1300)
COMM [formerly SPCH] 3312 Persuasion (prerequisite: COMM [formerly SPCH] 1300 or consent of instructor)
[4.4.2.1] Minor in Professional Writing (24 hours)
Required courses (15 hours):
WRTG 3305 Writing as Information Design
WRTG 3306 Information Design II: Usability and Accessibility
WRTG 3310 Technical Writing [UD UCA Core: C]
WRTG 3390 Discourse Analysis [UD UCA Core: I, R]
Electives (9 hours) from the following:
COMM [formerly SPCH] 3312 Persuasion
WRTG 3307 Introduction to Editing
WRTG 4306 Information Design III: Clients and Project Management
WRTG 4308 Writing for Change [UD UCA Core: Z]
WRTG 4309 Introduction to Publishing
WRTG 4320 Intercultural Rhetoric and Writing [UD UCA Core: D]
WRTG 4V80 Directed Study in Writing (variable credit: 1-3 credit hours)
WRTG 4381 Special Topics in Writing
WRTG 4385 Internship in Writing
[5] Resources
[5.1] The UCA Writing Center
The UCA Writing Center, located in Thompson Hall 109, http://www.uca.edu/writingcenter, offers individual assistance with all types of writing and oral presentations. Students may schedule time with a trained peer tutor and use the center’s computers, video cameras, and writing materials to develop essays or presentations for any course at the university. The center also provides handouts and free workshops on various oral and written communication topics. Call 450-5123 for appointments.
[6] Course Links
Follow this link to COMM course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link to JOUR course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link to LING course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link to MCOM course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link to PRLS course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link to WRTG course descriptions: course link.