Dec 11, 2024

2018-2019 Catalog and Student Handbook

2018-2019 Catalog and Student Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Mass Communication

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Mass Communication courses seek to enable students to think critically, communicate effectively, and competently operate mass communication technologies, thereby preparing them for careers in the fields of broadcasting, journalism, public relations, advertising, filmmaking, and other mass communication fields.

This program is designed for the student who does intend to transfer to a baccalaureate degree program.

Degree: Associate of Arts

Emphasis: Mass Communications

Recommended Full-Time Schedule

The following Recommended Full-Time Schedule is not a substitute for academic advising. You must meet with an academic advisor each semester to be cleared for registration. Consult with your advisor about scheduling and degree requirements. Also, see the current undergraduate catalog (catalog.ws.edu) for a complete list of requirements and electives. Requirements are continually under revision, and there is no guarantee they will not be changed or revoked. Contact the academic division or department for current information.

Factors that affect your progression include required Learning Support courses, completion of computer competency and your choices regarding campus location, course delivery method, and the days and times selected to take classes.

¹General Education electives in each category must be chosen from approved courses listed in the General Education Program .

²See senior institution for history requirements.

³This A.A. degree requires proficiency in a foreign language equivalent to 6 hours of intermediate college-level work, which can be applied toward B.A. degree requirements at a senior institution. Students must be proficient at the intermediate level to enroll in any foreign language 2010 class. Advanced preparation through the Elementary sequence (6 hours) of foreign language courses may be necessary.

⁴Other electives subject to approval by Mass Communication advisor and determined to be appropriate course selection transferable to specific institutions.

Notes:

• Walters State students are required to meet computer competency during the first 30 hours of coursework. Students must take INFS 1010, BUSN 1360 or AGRM 2630/2631 or successfully complete a Computer Competency Exam. The Computer Competency Exam does not provide course credit. Consult your advisor. See www.ws.edu/academics/technical-ed/computer-competency/ for additional information.

•Learning Support courses must be taken every semester until completed.

First Year

Fall Term (13 semester credit hours)

ENGL 1010 - English Composition I (3 hrs.)
COMM 1010 - Introduction to Mass Communication (3 hrs.)
COMM 2025 - Fundamentals of Communication (3 hrs.)
SOCI 1010 - Introduction to Sociology (3 hrs.)
1 other elective (1 hr.)⁴

Spring Term (15 semester credit hours)

ENGL 1020 - English Composition II (3 hrs.)
COMM 1020 - Media Writing (3 hrs.)
COMM 2600 - Survey of Broadcasting (3 hrs.)
MATH 1530 - Introductory Statistics (3 hrs.)
or
MATH 1630 - Finite Mathematics (3 hrs.)
1 Behavioral/Social Science Elective (3 hrs.) (Select from Walters State approved general education list)¹

Second Year

Fall Term (16 semester credit hours)

ENGL 2410 - Early European Literature (3 hrs.)
HIST 2310 - Early World History ² (3 hrs.)
or
HIST 2010 - Early United States History ² (3 hrs.)
1 Natural Science lecture w/lab (3/1 hrs.) (Select from Walters State approved general education list)¹

Foreign Language 2010 (3 hrs.)³

1 Humanities Elective (3 hrs.) (Select from Walters State approved general education list)¹

Spring Term (16 semester credit hours)

ENGL 2420 - Modern European Literature (3 hrs.)
HIST 2320 - Modern World History ² (3 hrs.) (must complete sequence)
or
HIST 2020 - Modern United States History ² (3 hrs.) (must complete sequence)
1 Natural Science lecture with lab (3/1 hrs.) (Select from Walters State approved general education list)¹

Foreign Language 2020 (3 hrs.)³

1 other elective (3 hrs.)⁴

Program Degree Requirements - A.A. Mass Communications

General Education Requirements (41 hours)

Communication (9 hours)

Humanities and/or Fine Arts (9 hours)

ENGL 2410 - Early European Literature
ENGL 2420 - Modern European Literature
Approved Humanities General Education elective¹3 credits

History (6 hours)

²See note below.

Behavioral/Social Sciences (6 hours)

SOCI 1010 - Introduction to Sociology
Approved Behavioral/ Social Science General Education elective¹3 credits

Mathematics (3 hours)

Natural Science (8 hours)

Approved Natural Science w/Lab General Education electives¹8 credits

Area of Emphasis Requirements (19 hours)

COMM 1010 - Introduction to Mass Communication
COMM 1020 - Media Writing
COMM 2600 - Survey of Broadcasting
Foreign Language (Intermediate sequence)³6 credits
Other elective⁴4 credits