CATALOG • 2009-2010
Communication – Major/Minor
For information, contact Dr. James Brancato.
A major in Communication enables a graduating student
to find entry-level positions in any field where the activity,
implementation, processing or study of communication is a primary focus.
Students majoring in Cedar Crest College’s communication program
pursue careers in many fields, including journalism, public relations,
development, marketing, personnel, advertising, video production and
broadcasting. Many students also go on to graduate study in a variety of
disciplines. The program opens up opportunities in research, teaching,
corporate communication, government, public information, international
relations, human services and media and book publishing.
Additionally, the communication program plays a
crucial role in student life and campus culture through the sponsorship of
the student newspaper, “The Crestiad,” the campus radio station
(WCCC) and the video studio. It plays a central role on campus in the study
of the liberal arts and social sciences and contributes to the arts and
performing arts through the development of aesthetic appreciation and
practical skills using media technologies.
Through the communication program, students have the
opportunity to focus on either a pre-graduate or
professional approach. Both orientations are grounded
in a scholarly, theoretical understanding of the role of media in society.
Students work personally with their communication advisor to shape their
course of study around their areas of interest. The communication program
also emphasizes the need to create a portfolio that represents a
student’s best work during their time at Cedar Crest, and can be used
to her advantage when applying for communication jobs upon graduation.
Both the design of the program and the design of the
individual courses reflect an interdisciplinary perspective, grounded in
the liberal arts curriculum. At the end of her course of study, the student
is expected to be able to talk and write about communication, its forms,
media, content and activities. She is also expected to develop the capacity
for critical thinking and insight needed both for professional excellence
and as an educated citizen in a world dominated by media information and
persuasion.
Grade Requirements
A grade of C- or better is needed for courses that
fulfill major and minor requirements. Courses transferred from
other colleges may count towards the major only with
the approval of the department.
Capstone Requirement
The program provides students with the opportunity to
choose between writing a senior research thesis and conducting a senior
professional project in order to fulfill their capstone requirement. This
latter option may be done in conjunction with an internship.
Students conducting a senior project are required to
submit for pre-approval a proposal outlining their project, the
project’s connection to a field of literature in communication, a
schedule for the submission of progress reports, their internship
responsibilities (if applicable), and a final analysis of their project.
Students may work with an outside co-advisor in a related field for their
senior capstone requirement. For instance, a student in public relations
may want to work with a co-advisor in marketing, etc.
Internships
Students are not required to complete an internship
for the major. However, it is highly recommended that students who do not
plan on immediately continuing on to graduate school complete at least one,
if not more, internships. Internships may fulfill up to 6 credits towards
completion of the major (the completion of two internships of three credits
each is specifically recommended).
“The Crestiad” and Cedar Crest Campus Radio Club
Students have opportunities through these campus
organizations to report, write, edit, announce and develop advertising and
promotion campaigns, oversee finances, etc.; these skills are crucial to
many careers in communication. Credit earned for participation in
“The Crestiad” can be applied to the major. The department
encourages students at all levels, including freshmen, to participate in
these organizations.
Requirements for the Communication Major (39 credits)
A major in Communication requires 39 credits of
coursework. All students are required to complete courses in four
categories: Core (12 credits), Exploration (12 credits), Applications (6
credits), Advanced Study (3 credits), Communication Electives (6 credits)
Core Curriculum (12 credits)
The goal of the core curriculum is to introduce all
students in Communication to the history of the major research and theory
in their field of study and to provide students with a general
understanding of how research in communication is conducted.
CST 110 Introduction to Communication 3 credits
CST 170 Intro to Mass Media 3 credits
CST 210 Research in Communication 3 credits
CST 352 Senior Capstone Seminar 3 credits
Exploration (4 courses required, 12 credits)
This category of courses provides students with the
opportunity to explore the range of Communication as an
academic discipline.
CST 130 Introduction to Film 3 credits
CST 180 Introduction to Journalism 3 credits
CST 201 History of Cinema 3 credits
CST 222 Race and Gender in the Media 3 credits
CST 230 Public Relations 3 credits
CST 234 Media Law and Ethics 3 credits
CST 238 Organizational Communication 3 credits
CST 240 Topics in Film 3 credits
CST 245 Topics in Popular Culture 3 credits
CST 260 ST: Advertising 3 credits
CST 280 Interpersonal Communication 3 credits
*From time to time, the Program offers 200 level
special topics in areas such as “Advertising and Society” and
“Public Relations and Society.” These courses typically
count toward the Exploration category in the major. Please consult
your advisor for more information.
Applications
(2 courses required; 6 credits. Only 3 credits may be
satisfied through an internship)
The courses in this category provide students with
practical experience in various applications connected with Communication.
CST 216 “The Crestiad”: Staff 1-3
credits
CST 224 Video Production I 3 credits
CST 225 Digital Photography 3 credits
CST 270 Debate and Argumentation 3 credits
CST 290 Internship
Advanced Study (1 course required, 3 credits)
The courses in this category provide students with the
opportunity for further instruction and/or advanced study
in the various areas associated with Communication as
a discipline.
CST 300 Readings in Communication and Culture 3
credits
CST 310 News Media in America 3 credits
CST 324 Video Production II 3 credits
CST 330 New Communication Technologies 3 credits
*From time to time, the Program offers advanced
coursework in areas such as “Advanced Photography” and
“Advanced Journalism”. These courses can be either 200 or
300 level courses, and typically count toward the Advanced Study category
in the major. Please consult your advisor for more information.
Students should consider courses in other disciplines
to supplement specific areas of interest.
For students interested in Journalism:
Students are strongly encouraged to take courses
and/or select an additional major or minor in related fields such as
history, political science, English, writing, or Hispanic and Latino
studies. Students should make these selections after consultation
with their major advisor. The following courses are particularly
recommended for journalism students:
HIS 121/122 Survey of
United States History 3 credits
PSC 210 American Public Policy 3 credits
PSC 251 American Political Thought 3 credits
SOC 218 Social Problems in American Communities 3
credits
For students interested in Public Relations:
Students are strongly recommended also to take courses
in related fields, including marketing, international business, and
economics. Students should make this selection after consultation with
their major advisor.
Requirements for the Communication Minor (18 credits)
The Communication minor consists of 6 courses (18
credits). The following courses are required:
CST 110 Introduction to Communication 3 credits
CST 170 Introduction to Mass Communication 3 credits
Students will select four additional CST courses.
An internship may not count towards the minor.
Students are required to meet with a Communication
faculty member in order to structure the course of study for the minor to the student’s interests and best
advantage.
