Catalog

Communication

Dr. Judy Buller
Program Director
(650) 508-3734
jbuller@ndnu.edu

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication program provides students with hands-on experiences in journalism and communication as well as an understanding of the social and cultural impact of media. NDNU students are well prepared for positions in a vast range of fields such as journalism, public relations, corporate communication, and marketing. A strong internship program provides opportunities for practical application and access to job opportunities. The Argonaut is our award-winning newspaper and website that gives students an opportunity to dive into the process of news production from writing and editing to layout and advertising sales. Students can earn a degree in General Communication or choose a concentration in Public Relations or Media Studies. Students in other majors are also able to obtain a minor in Communication.

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Learning Outcomes:

  • Students will develop the ability to understand and demonstrate adherence to ethical principles and recognize the role diversity plays in all communication.
  • Students will develop the ability to critically evaluate the role of mass media’s effect on culture and its role in a democracy.
  • Students will develop their abilities in speech to inform or persuade using research and critical thinking skills.
  • Students will master the use of emerging technologies in all communication.
  • Students will develop the ability to write effectively in a clear, concise, and informative manner.

Bachelor of Arts in Communication

The undergraduate degree program requires 124 semester units of course credit (core major, electives, general education.) The communication program consists of 48 units of Core Major courses comprised of lower-division and upper-division.

Major Requirements  Units
COM1000    Introduction to Communication   3
COM1008        Oral Communication    3
COM1458L/2458L Media Production Lab 3
COM2440     Writing for the Media       3
COM2445   Social Media   3
COM2981          Communication Seminar   3
COM2990     Internship (CE)* 6

*At least 3 units must be completed in the nonprofit sector.

  
One three-unit elective from the following or from other approved topics: 3

COM2416 

 Holocaust (CDiv)  

COM2986

 Special Topics approved by the advisor  
COM Concentration 21 units of upper-division course work in the major 48
Total Major Requirements    
Other Degree Requirements* and Electives    76
*Other degree requirements include Core Curriculum Requirements and General Degree Requirements (e.g. U.S. History).

Total Unit Requirement   

   124

Areas of Concentration

Students may select one specialized area of courses as their concentration.
Concentration(s) available for selection are:

Media Studies          Units
One course from the following:     3

ART2401    

 Media Graphics: Graphic Design  

ART2625  

 Photography  
COM2408  Media, Politics, and Society 3
COM2428  Desktop Publishing   3
COM2449   Digital Communication I  3
COM2450    Digital Communication II 3
SOC2417  Interpersonal/Intercultural Communication (CDiv) 3
One elective in English or Political Science from the following        3
   ENG2008 The Bohemian  
   ENG2010    Writing in the Disciplines  
   ENG2108     Advanced Writing  
   ENG2142 Creative Writing  
   PSC2110   International Relations  
   PSC2300       State and Local Government  
   PSC2310         Parties, Politics, and Campaigning      
   PSC2320       The Constitution  
   PSC2330      Gender and the Law  
     
Public Relations         Units
One course from the following:  3

BUS1000    

 American Business Foundations   

BUS2304      

 Market Analysis and Research    
BUS2300     Marketing Principles  3
BUS2364   Advertising    3
COM1001/2001   Public Relations Principles    3
COM2502    Public Relations Writing    3
COM2510    Public Relations Cases and Campaigns     3
   
One approved Business elective from the following:   3
   BUS2010   Professional Ethics and Social Responsibility  
   BUS2016      Change and Conflict Management  
   BUS2324    Channel Marketing  
   BUS2328   Service Marketing  
     
     
General    
Twenty-one units of advisor-approved Communication or related courses  21

Minor in Communication

Minors offer students in other Schools an opportunity to explore aspects of communication without the full commitment of completing the major. The minor in Communication comprises 15 units and is available to any undergraduate student in the University.

Minor Requirements       Units
COM1000  Introduction to Communication       3
COM1008     Oral Communication   3 
A minimum of 9 units chosen from the Communication 9
Department, of which 6 units must be upper-division.  
     
Total Minor Requirements      15