Communication Studies
Concentration Program Options
Electronic Media,
Electronic Media
The electronic media concentration has two objectives:
- to provide a broad base on which the student's future professional growth can be built; and
- to provide students with entry-level skills necessary to find jobs in broadcasting, cablecasting and instructional or industrial media.
Most of the individual skill areas are represented in the curriculum by two course levels. In the 200 level introductory courses, the emphasis is on terminology, basic operational practices, and the understanding of a process. In the 300 level advanced courses, more weight is given to the creation of products which often demonstrate mastery of the process to potential employers. Courses at the 400 level encourage integration of both process and product. Internships or co-op placements in oranizations that use or produce electronic media are normally part of the student's experience.
Recommended courses for the electronic media concentration:
- CST 202 Broadcast Performance
- CST 210 Video Production
- CST 211 Audio Production
- CST 223 Writing for the Broadcast Media
- CST 308 Program Planning and Development
- CST 309 Staging and Lighting
- CST 310 Audio Production-Direction
- CST 311 Single Camera Video Production
- CST 312 Multi-Camera Video Production-Direction
- CST 480 Communication Internship
Journalism
The print journalism concentration stresses skills necessary for entry level positions on newspapers. Not only are news and feature writing emphasized in a laboratory classroom setting, but the student is expected to report both off-and on-campus events. Interviewing and research techniques are learned. The student with developed writing skills will find opportunities in abundance and will be able to accept the writing and desgin challenges offered by working for campus publications, local weekly and daily suburban newspapers, and Detroit's two major newspapers. The Communication Studies Department also houses the University's student newspaper, The Varsity News.
Recommended courses for the journalism concentration:
- CST 203 Journalistic Skills
- CST 220 Photography
- CST 221 Advanced News Writing/News Editing
- CST 231 Design and Layout
- CST 320 Photojournalism
- CST 321 Public Affairs Reporting
- CST 324 Feature Writing
- CST 345 Journalism Practicum
- CST 480 Communication Internship
In addition, students are urged to select courses in English, History, Political Science and Sociology.
Public Relations/Advertising
Courses in public relations and advertising emphasize skills development within a theoretical framework. Students are exposed to the basics of public relations and advertising and related career opportunities. In the advanced courses, students focus on campaign planning, copywriting, and problem solving in the public relations and advertising professions.
Recommended courses for the public relations/advertising concentration:
- CST 203 Journalistic Skills
- CST 223 Writing for the Broadcast Media
- CST 240 Principles of Public Relations
- CST 241 Advertising
- CST 307 Organizational Communication
- CST 340 Public Relations Writing
- CST 341 Advertising Campaigns
- CST 440 Public Relations Programs
- CST 480 Communication Internship
In addition, students are urged to select courses in English, Psychology, and Sociology. The Liberal Arts Certificate of Business Administration is also recommended.
General Speech
The general speech concentration emphasizes skills necessary for a variety of communication situations, including public address, small groups and discussion.
Recommended courses for the general speech concentration:
- CST 204 Interpersonal Communication
- CST 209 Persuasion
- CST 303 Speech Composition
- CST 304 Small Group Communication
- CST 305 Theories of Listening Behavior
- CST 306 Political Campaign Communication
- CST 315 Parliamentary Procedure
- CST 317 Argumentation
Students are also urged to select classes in other CST concentrations, as well as in Psychology and Sociology.