Full-Time Faculty: Barbara J. Irwin, Chair; Barry Berlin, John S. Dahlberg, Benjamin J. Dunkle, Catherine Foster, Rosanne Hartman, Robert L. Kaiser, Przemyslaw J. Moskal, Jamie O’Neil, Melissa B. Wanzer, Charles J. Wigley III.
The Communication Studies major is grounded firmly in the liberal arts tradition. The Communication Studies curriculum reflects an equal interest in what is communicated within and between cultures and in how communication takes place in intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational and mass contexts. The department’s curriculum addresses three major facets of the academic study of communication: theory, criticism and professional skills.
In the Communication Studies program, students examine the dynamic nature of modern communication processes and technologies by emphasizing the theory, structure, function, value systems and effects of society’s communication institutions. The program offers students a variety of opportunities to acquire professional knowledge and production competencies relevant to diverse careers in many communication-related fields.
Recognizing the need to prepare students for productive lives in a changing world, the department aims at educating its graduates to welcome change. Instead of focusing on preparation for specialized jobs that exist today but may not be viable in the future, the Communication Studies faculty provides the foundation on which to build meaningful roles in the contemporary world.
Student Learning Goals
Goal 1: Communication Studies majors will be critical thinkers who will apply communication theories and concepts in life situations.Qualifications for the major
Goal 2: Communication Studies majors will design and deliver messages that are effective and appropriate.
Communication Studies majors must have a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.00, a minimum grade of C- in all communication courses, and a minimum overall average of 2.00 in all communication coursework. The performance of all majors is subject to review relative to their continuation in the program, using such criteria as academic record, demonstration of appropriate communication skills, co-curricular activity, interdisciplinary engagement and community involvement. Communication Studies majors select an academic sequence within the Communication major. They need at least 36 hours of communication courses (or 33 hours for dual majors) but are limited to a maximum of 54 hours in communication.
Concentration and Sequence Courses in the major
Communication Studies majors must select an area of concentration and complete at least two courses in that concentration in order to graduate. There are three sequences, which include a total of five concentrations:
- Journalism & Media Studies
- Journalism
- Broadcasting & Media Studies
- Film/Video
- Advertising & Public Relations
- Interpersonal & Organizational Communication
Digital Media Arts Degree Program
The Communication Studies Department offers a second undergraduate degree in Digital Media Arts. For further details, please refer to the Digital Media Arts listing in the catalog.
Communication Studies Curriculum:
1. Core Curriculum Requirements:
See pages 38-40 of this catalog or go to /academics/core.asp for the Core Curriculum requirements. All students complete these requirements as part of their overall Canisius education.
| 2. Major course requirements: (12 courses) | 36 credits | ||
| A. Major Required Courses (6 courses) | |||
| COM 201 Oral Communication | 3 credits | ||
| COM 202 Communication Theory | 3 credits | ||
| COM 203 Writing for the Public Media | 3 credits | ||
| COM 204 Interpersonal Communication | 3 credits | ||
| COM 205 Mass Communication and Society | 3 credits | ||
| COM 206 Introduction to Research Methods | 3 credits | ||
| B. Sequence Courses (2 courses) | 6 credits | ||
| C. Major Electives (4 courses) | 12 credits | ||
3. Free electives:
Free electives are courses in addition to the Core Curriculum and major requirements sufficient to reach a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation. Students may graduate with more but not less than 120 credit hours.
Internships and Independent Study
Internships awarding up to a maximum of 12 credit hours may be earned by qualified Communication Studies majors at approved locations in Buffalo or other cities. The internships are individually arranged, require department approval and are available only to junior or senior candidates with a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.50 and a Communication average of at least 2.70. Internships are taken on a Pass/Fail basis and are counted towards free elective credit. Students are encouraged to plan early to do an internship during their Junior or Senior year.
Opportunity for independent study (three credits) is sometimes available for qualified upperclass students by arrangement with the Communication Studies chair and faculty supervisor.
Dual Majors
Dual majors with Communication Studies are available with the permission and guidance of both chairs. Students complete a minimum of 33 credit hours of communication courses. Communication Studies dual major sequences allow several different choices; among those most frequently involved are digital media arts, political science, psychology, English, history, management/marketing and modern languages. The department participates in programs with Women’s Studies and Fine Arts, and also offers courses towards a minor in Child, Family and Community Studies. Photography courses listed in Fine Arts are limited to six credits in the Communication Studies major. Each Communication Studies and dual major is assigned a department faculty advisor for the purpose of planning an individual program that will satisfy the department’s requirements and the student’s personal goals. Course selections develop from communication major requirements, prerequisites, recommended sequences and communication electives.
Communication Studies students who are dual majors and successfully complete 3 or more credit hours in Independent Study or Internships (COM 488, COM 498 or COM 499) are required to complete 30 hours of in-class credit in order to complete the Communication Studies major (i.e., not 33 or 36 in-class hours).
Facilities
Four computer labs, digital video editing stations, an audio/music production studio and a television studio/control room are available for student use in Lyons Hall. HD equipment will be available for student use beginning in Fall, 2009.
The Lyons Hall third-floor Mac Lab, in Lyons 312 features 26 Macintosh iMac Flat Panel computers with DVD-RW drives. Software available includes Adobe CS4 (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Flash, Dreamweaver, After Effects), Cinema 4D and Ableton Live. A scanner and a laser printer flank the room. A touch screen in an instructor’s bunker controls a VCR, DVD player and an Elmo documentation presentation system. Ports for plug-and-go setups, such as laptops, are built into the bunker.
A Web and imaging lab in Lyons 325 provides eight Apple iMac Flat Panel computers with DVD-RW drives, two scanners, three drawing tablets, a large format color inkjet printer and a color laser printer. Software is identical to the software in LY 312.
The digital imaging lab, which is maintained by the Media Center in Lyons 413, houses: four Final Cut Pro non-linear editing stations (MAC); four iMovie non-linear editing workstations (MAC); two iMac computers for still imaging and audio editing; one scanner workstation (MAC); one audio editing workstation featuring Digital Performer, GarageBand, Ableton Live & ProTools and an audio production studio. This lab also houses the CCTV computer dedicated to their use.
An additional lab, Lyons 122, features 15 20” high-end iMacs, a laser printer and a scanner. Software includes Second Life, Maya, Modul8 and Final Cut Pro as well as all software in LY312 except Ableton. This computer lab is primarily used for advanced Digital Media Arts electives.
A design production lab in Lyons 328 features a 17” wide large format printer and mounting resources for presentations of printed digital work.
In the Media Center on the fourth floor of Lyons Hall, a 26’ x 30’ television studio features a hard cyclorama, lighting grid with dimmer control and three digital studio video cameras. The control room has custom-built consoles to house the digital video switcher with special effects, a 16-channel audio mixing board, teleprompter, DAT audio recorder, character generator and an IFB system. The digital video-mastering format is DVCAM with BetaCam SP, and S-VHS video transports. Four equipment racks and 83 consoles house the audio/video distribution, including patch panels and routers. The studio also has the capability to send video to the campus cable RF video system. The college’s Media Center provides the TV studio’s operational support.
Across from the TV studio, a screening room provides comfortable tiered seating, a video and DVD projector, as well as a professional sound system.
Students can also sign out equipment (various digital cameras, camcorders, etc.) from the Media Center on the 4th floor of Lyons Hall. Check out /mediacenter/equipment.asp for a complete list of available resources.
The department has co-curricular arrangements with the weekly student newspaper (The Griffin), the campus television club (CCTV), the student-operated radio station (WIRE) and campus Little Theatre. Student chapters of the American Advertising Federation, the Public Relations Student Society of America and the Association for Women in Communications, Inc. provide networking opportunities with local and national professionals.
Advisement
Communication Studies majors are assigned an advisor at the beginning of their freshman year. If you are a transfer into the Communication Studies major or you do not have an advisor, please contact the Communication Studies departmental office at 888-2115, so that an advisor can be assigned to you. Each student should have an academic advisor. Students should meet with their advisors regularly. Canisius College requires all students to meet with their advisor and obtain their alternate PIN in order to register each semester.
COURSES: 2009-2011
Note: Note: Additional Communication Studies courses may be offered each semester in both the day and evening. Students should consult the department.
COM 101 Communication in Contemporary Society 3 credits
Survey of current issues of human communication with emphasis on concerns of young adults. Topics include communication problems such as communication in difficult situations (e.g., apologizing, embarrassment, assertiveness), divorce communication and death and dying. Spring
COM 201 Oral Communication 3 credits
Study and practice of concepts, processes and techniques of effective verbal communication in face-to-face, small group and public-address contexts. Speeches required. Fall/Spring
COM 202 Communication Theory 3 credits
Fundamental forms of communication theory and perspectives are explored and related to particular lines of research in interpersonal, group, organizational, public and mass mediated communication contexts. Fall/Spring
COM 203 Writing for the Public Media 3 credits
Intensive writing assignments employing message-design principles provide opportunities to prepare news, features, press releases, advertising copy and opinion pieces. Fall/Spring
COM 204 Interpersonal Communication 3 credits
Examines the theoretical and pragmatic aspects of interpersonal communication in various contexts to enhance self-awareness and effective self-expression in relationships. Fall/Spring
COM 205 Mass Communication and Society 3 credits
Survey of mass communication processes and the mass media in terms of development, structures, functions, effects and interactive relationships with American society. Fall/Spring
COM 206 Introduction to Research Methods 3 credits
The fundamentals of the scientific method, especially, the basics of research methods, designs and hypothesis testing. Fall/Spring
COM 302 Small Group Communication 3 credits
Communication variables in small groups involving task, maintenance, leadership, conformity, shift-to-risk and development. Some emphasis on skill development. Fall
COM 304 Family Communication 3 credits
Examines contemporary family communication theories, concepts, models and research. Special emphasis on improving family communication across the lifespan.
COM 310 Print Journalism (Newswriting) 3 credits
What news is, how it is gathered, interviewing. Writing with accuracy, clarity, objectivity, precision and proper grammar. Fall
COM 311 Principles of Advertising 3 credits
The fundamentals of advertising, including history and development, advertising media, marketing, audiences, campaign objectives, budget, creativity and agency functions. DMA elective. Fall
COM 312 Public Relations: Principles and Practices 3 credits
Historical antecedents and contemporary practice of public relations, the nature of day-to-day tasks and communication responsibilities of practitioners in a variety of professional settings, issues in the practice and PR concepts and theories. Fall
COM 313 The News Media 3 credits
Explores the theoretical basis for a free press, then how it works in practice, by analyzing the operation of the news media (including free flow of information, accuracy, objectivity, ownership, ethics, new technology, etc.).
COM 315 Advertising and the Creative Process 3 credits
Study of techniques, tools and theories for generating innovative concepts and ideas. Emphasize application to advertising context. DMA elective. Fall
COM 318 Organizational Communication 3 credits
Communication principles and practices, including communicator style variables, communication flow and competent superior-subordinate communication. Fall
COM 319 Training and Development 3 credits
Methods for assessing training needs within organizations, and designing, implementing and assessing outcomes of training. Emphasis on principles of effective training and development of training competencies. Students develop training skills. Prerequisite: COM 201. Spring
COM 320 Advertising Writing 3 credits
Covers a variety of ways of developing advertising copy (copy-writing) and creative concepts for persuasive advertising pieces. Includes workshop writing for print, television and radio commercials. Spring
COM 322 Feature/Magazine Writing 3 credits
Profiles and other human-interest features developed for newspapers and magazines. Free-lance writing introduced. Fall
COM 325 Media Literacy 3 credits
Focuses on theoretical approaches and practical skills enabling students to analyze, think critically and produce effective mediated messages in a variety of formats and specialized content areas. Service Learning Option DMA elective. Fall
COM 327 Gender Differences in Human Communication 3 credits
Examines gender as a variable of interest in social interaction with special emphasis on contemporary gender theories, concepts, and research. Understand the reasons why communication misunderstandings related to gender differences occur.
COM 328 Scriptwriting 3 credits
Students develop an original idea into a teleplay or screenplay. Exploration of character, story, dramatic structure, dialogue and the business of screenwriting. Spring
COM 330 Public Relations Writing 3 credits
Theoretical perspectives on various forms of public relations writing and the applications of each. Writing and editing skills. Students produce portfolio of PR writing tools and techniques.
COM 335 Communication and Personality 3 credits
The role of personality in human communication (esp., argu
mentative and aggressive traits). Emphasis on critical thinking and constructive arguing. Students develop arguing skills. Spring
COM 336 Sports Journalism 3 credits
First-hand exposure and instruction on writing for TV, print, and the Internet, broadcast anchoring and covering games. This course puts the student in front of the camera, computer, microphone and face-to-face with sports journalists and athletes. Spring
COM 337 Constructive Uses of Humor 3 credits
Survey of classic and contemporary humor theories, concepts and research. Special emphasis on research that highlights the benefits of humor in education, medicine, business and relational contexts.
COM 350 Health Communication 3 credits
Examines how communication plays a role in the health decisions people make from a variety of perspectives. Focuses on theoretical approaches to health communication, influence tactics, challenges associated with medical adherence/compliance gaining, caregiver-client communication, how personality affects health decisions, nonverbal and verbal factors in the health interaction, and social-cultural factors in health.
COM 351 Media Ethics 3 credits
Explores ethics across mass media disciplines, through the work of professional communicators—journalists, broadcasters, advertising and public relations practitioners, as well as the new cyber-communicators. Develop practices of making crucial media decisions based on principles and idealism. Fall
COM 353 Advertising Media Strategies 3 credits
Topics include client/business strategy, marketing communication planning, media plans, media mix (TV, print, Internet, etc.), media sales and the most efficient, effective way to plan and place an ad campaign. Spring
COM 354 Persuasion 3 credits
Examines classic and contemporary persuasion and social influence theories, models, concepts, and research. Students will become more effective in designing and delivering persuasive messages.
COM 361 Introduction to Television Production 3 credits
Studio techniques, lighting, sound recording, set design, electronic graphics and editing, production of live and edited programs in studio. DMA elective. Fall
COM 363 Editing for Print 3 credits
Edit news and features for content and style, write headlines, design and lay out pages for newspapers and magazines.
COM 364 Convergence Journalism 3 credits
An emerging approach in which students learn to create news content appropriate for multiple media platforms, including print, radio, TV, the Internet, mobile phones or other wireless devices.
COM 366 Broadcast Journalism (News) 3 credits
Learn what it is like to step inside the daily inner-workings of a TV newsroom. Act as the assignment editor, reporter, producer, director. Encounter ethical dilemmas. Learn the principles and skills to make resourceful broadcast decisions and prepare news reports. Fall
COM 367 Broadcasting in America 3 credits
Examines the history and development, regulation, operations, programming, technology and economics of broadcasting, cable and satellite pertaining to both the radio and television industries in the U.S.
COM 369 Television Features 3 credits
Design, write and produce special feature reports, multiple-part series, investigative stories and mini-documentaries. Emphasis on field work.
COM 374 Film History 3 credits
Development of film-making and cinema art from 1895 through World War II. Students study, view, and discuss classic silent and sound pictures from Hollywood and abroad. DMA elective. Also accepted for Art History major/minor credit. Fall
COM 375 Film Classics 3 credits
The development of cinema worldwide from World War II through the 1970s. Study, view and discuss films representative of major directors, genres and national cinema movements. DMA elective. Also accepted for Art History major/minor credit. Fall
COM 385 Television and Children 3 credits
Learn about the role of television in children’s lives. Course explores children’s television use, the development and content of children’s television programs (both commercial and educational), television and the family, and children’s advertising. Spring
COM 411 Advertising Campaigns 3 credits
Designed as a capstone course for advertising students, this course examines current and classic advertising campaigns for technique and effectiveness. Students also have the chance to develop their own advertising campaigns. Prerequisite: COM 311 or permission of instructor. Spring
COM 412 Public Relations Case Studies 3 credits
Students will become familiar with a process for public relations problem-solving through analysis of a variety of PR case studies in major areas of the field, including employee relations, consumer relations, media relations and crisis communications.
COM 413 Issues in Public Relations 3 credits
In this seminar, students explore a range of contemporary issues surrounding the field of public relations. Course content will vary; past semesters have centered on issues related to crisis communication and the growth of social media tactics.
COM 414 Issues in Advertising 3 credits
In this seminar, students explore a range of contemporary issues surrounding the advertising industry including consumerism, effects, ethics, racism and sexism and trends. Prerequisite: COM 311 or permission of instructor. Fall
COM 422 Public Relations Campaigns 3 credits
Designed as a capstone course for public relations students, this course examines PR campaigns as the concerted efforts of an organization to build socially responsible relationships by achieving research-based goals through the application of communication strategies and the measurement of outcomes. Students produce an actual campaign. Prerequisite: COM 312 or permission of instructor.
COM 479 World Cinema 3 credits
Award-winning and critically acclaimed films from different countries and cultures are studied through weekly screenings and written logs. By examining cinema practices beyond Hollywood, students experience alternative ways of using the universal language of cinema to tell stories and express the human condition from other national and artistic perspectives. Also accepted for Art History major/minor credit. Spring
COM 488 Internship I Seminar 3-12 credits
Student experientially learns communication functions in compatibly matched professional setting, locally or out-of-town. Faculty and on-site supervision. Seminar required. Pass/fail. May be repeated as COM 498; 12-credit limit for COM 488/498 combined. Prerequisite: Open to junior and senior majors with G.P.A. of at least 2.50 and Communication Studies average of 2.70 and approved by department faculty. Information about the internship application process is available on the Communication Studies Department website. Fall/Spring
COM 498 Internship II Seminar 3-9 credits
Sequel to COM 488 for students taking a second internship. Each student is limited to a combined total of 12 credit hours for COM 488 and 498. Prerequisite: Same as for COM 488. Fall/Spring
COM 499 Independent Study 3 credits
Student conducts original project or self-designed course of study under the tutelage of Communication Studies faculty member. Prerequisite: Open to junior and senior majors in good standing with consent of instructor,chair and associate dean. Fall/Spring
NOTE: Students may also earn Communication Studies credit for the following courses offered through other programs. Please see course descriptions in the respective major/program pages in this catalog.
DMA 201 Introduction to Digital Media 3 credits
DMA 202 Digital Media Culture 3 credits
DMA 204 Digital Media Law/Ethics 3 credits
DMA 205 Digital Graphics 3 credits
DMA 206 Interactive Multimedia 3 credits
DMA 310 Digital Audio/Music Production 3 credits
DMA 342 Introduction to Web Design 3 credits
DMA 387 Digital Video Production 3 credits
DMA 394 Advanced Web Design 3 credits
DMA 487 Advanced Digital Video Production 3 credits
FAS 114 Introduction to Still Photography 3 credits
FAS 141 Digital Photography 3 credits
FAS 216 Intermediate Photography 3 credits