Communications
Professor Narain Batra; Assistant Professor Shane Graber; Lecturer Stephen Pite
The Communications Program provides a high-level, broad-based bachelor’s degree in Communications as well as a minor in Communications. The career-oriented curriculum provides introductory and advanced writing, editing, and production experience in print, digital, and electronic media. The program is committed to freedom of expression, personal and professional fulfillment, intellectual development, and the fostering of ethical understanding and creative growth.
Goals:
To expand students' knowledge of the structure, history, and practices of the field of mass media, and provide them with the skill set necessary to enter the current employment market.
Outcomes:
Graduates will demonstrate:
- the knowledge and skills to write a balanced, thorough and incisive news or feature story for the Norwich University community by following established Associated Press style guidelines
- the knowledge and skills necessary for television production.
- understanding of various social media issues and agility with web-based presentations.
- knowledge of legal and ethical responsibilities of media professionals
Careers for this Major:
- Television Producer
- Journalist
- Videographer
- Editor
- Camera Operator
- Studio Technician
- Teaching
- Communications Law
- Public Affairs
- Corporate Communications
Communications (B.S.) – Curriculum Map 2021-2022 Catalog
| Freshman | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| CM 109 Introduction to Mass Media c | 3 | CM 261 Interpersonal Communications c | 3 | ||
| EN 110 Writing and Inquiry in Public Contexts | 3 | CM 271 Television Production c | 4 | ||
| EN 112 Public Speaking c | 3 | General Education Math | 3 | ||
| General Education Math | 3 | EN 111 Writing and Inquiry in Academic Contexts | 3 | ||
| Psychology (PY) Elective | 3 | ||||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 12 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 16 | ||
| Sophomore | |||||
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| CM 207 Journalism I: News Gathering c | 3 | MG 101 Introduction to Business | 3-4 | ||
| CM 211 Broadcasting Techniques c | 3 | CM 208 Journalism II: Advanced News Gathering and Design c | 3 | ||
| EN 222 Introduction to World Literatures (General Education Goal 3: Literature) 2 | 3 | CM 351 Radio Production or 391 Advanced Television Production | 3 | ||
| CS Elective (excluding CS 120) | 3 | EN 222 Introduction to World Literatures 2 | 3 | ||
| General Education History | 3 | General Education Social Science | 3 | ||
| General Education Leadership | 1 | ||||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 16 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 15-16 | ||
| Junior | |||||
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| CM 209 Broadcast Writing | 3 | CM 303 Advertising c | 3 | ||
| General Education Arts & Humanities | 3 | EN 240 Technical Aspects of Theatrical Design c,1 | 3 | ||
| General Education Lab Science | 4 | Psychology (PY) Elective | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | General Education Lab Science | 4 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 16 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 16 | ||
| Senior | |||||
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| CM 436 Communications Law and Ethics (General Education Ethics) | 3 | CM 407 Senior Communications Seminar (Capstone) c | 3 | ||
| CM 391 Advanced Television Production c | 3 | CM 408 Communications Internship c | 3 | ||
| Literature Elective 3 | 3 | Literature Elective 3 | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 15 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 15 | ||
| TOTAL CREDITS FOR THIS MAJOR: 121-122 | |||||
| c | Grade of C or higher required |
| 1 | Alternative course options: |
| 2 | Two EN 222 courses required, under a different course title. |
| 3 | Two Literature classes from: EN 199, EN 220, EN 225, EN 226, EN 227, EN 228, EN 239, EN 244, EN 245, EN 250, EN 251, EN 253, EN 270, EN 272, EN 282, EN 292, EN 299, EN 322, EN 370, EN 373, EN 390, EN 399, EN 420, EN 425, FR 350EN, GR 322, GR 324, GR 326, SP 318, SP 321, SP 322, SP 327, SP 328, SP 354EN, ENGL 250, ENGL 270 |
Communications Minor 2021-2022 Catalog
A Communications major is ineligible to declare this minor. All requirements require a grade of C or higher.
| CM 109 | Introduction to Mass Media | 3 |
| CM 207 | Journalism I: News Gathering | 3 |
| CM Elective above 208 | 3 | |
| CM Elective above 208 | 3 | |
| CM elective above 208 | 3 | |
| CM Elective above 208 | 3 | |
| Total Cr. | 18 | |
Courses
CM 109 Introduction to Mass Media 3 Cr.
The mass media are so pervasive in contemporary society that students in many disciplines will find this course valuable. It provides a comprehensive overview of the development of such media as newspapers, magazines, books, radio, television, film, recordings and the Internet. In addition, it introduces students to issues of regulatory control, audience analysis, media ethics and international mass communications.
CM 188 No Norwich Equivalent 6 Cr.
CM 199 Pilot Course in Communications at the lower level 1-3 Cr.
A course is permitted to run as a pilot without seeking faculty approval for one
academic year. The section will include the title of the course. A student will not
earn credit for a pilot course and the course when approved as its own course.
CM 207 Journalism I: News Gathering 3 Cr.
This course covers the fundamentals of news gathering, reporting and writing on assignment. Students learn to evaluate how the media relate events. The course also treats such issues as the right to privacy, the risks of libel, and the ethical contexts of gathering information. Students write editor-assigned stories for publication the Norwich Guidon, Norwich University's official hardcopy and online student newspaper.
CM 208 Journalism II: Advanced News Gathering and Design 3 Cr.
This course continues CM 207 and concentrates on in-depth and investigative reporting, interviewing and feature writing, as well as basic newspaper layout and design. Students explore the patterns of thinking and feeling that enable the reporter to make sound observations and judgments. Students write editor-assigned stories for publication the Norwich Guidon, Norwich University's official hardcopy and online student newspaper. Prerequisite: CM 207 or Permission of Instructor.
CM 209 Broadcast Writing 3 Cr.
This course acquaints the student with the theory and practice of writing for broadcast media. Students are introduced to writing styles used in radio, television, and film. They also learn about news gathering, documentary techniques, and dramatic writing.
CM 211 Broadcasting Techniques 3 Cr.
This survey of broadcasting in America stresses the basic principles and professional techniques of radio and television. In addition to learning historical and contemporary applications of broadcast technology, students use campus radio broadcast facilities and the video production studio as working laboratories. Students develop perspective on changing industry standards.
CM 261 Interpersonal Communications 3 Cr.
This course provides an overview of the theories, practices, and processes of human communication, studying such subjects as language acquisition, signs and symbols, body language, proxemics, paralanguage, and feedback. The effects of communication on individuals, society, and intercultural issues are explored. Students identify communication problems and propose creative solutions to them. Credit for CM 261 cannot also be earned in COMM 305.
CM 271 Television Production 4 Cr.
An introduction to electronic field production (EFP), electronic news gathering (ENG), and multi-camera studio production with a special-effects switcher. 3 Lecture hours and 3 Lab hours. This course is a required course for communications majors.
CM 288 No Norwich Equivalent 6 Cr.
CM 299 Pilot Course in Communications 3 Cr.
A course is permitted to run as a pilot without seeking faculty approval for one academic year. The section will include the title of the course. A student will not earn credit for a pilot course and the course when approved as its own course.
CM 303 Advertising 3 Cr.
A survey of advertising practices and advertising campaigns. Students analyze the visual and verbal properties of successful advertising, discovering the key elements of creative strategy and design.
CM 304 Principles and Practices of Corporate Communications 3 Cr.
An analysis of the theory and practice of public relations, its functions in organizations, and its role in society. Students apply course material to public relations program planning and management by working individually and in groups on case-study projects.
CM 335 Television Criticism 3 Cr.
This course develops critical perspectives on television programming and introduces students to the complexities of dramatic and non-dramatic programming, including serials, series, sitcoms, docudramas, documentaries, and news stories.
CM 351 Radio Production 3 Cr.
This course, a continuation of CM 211, is designed for students interested in developing their broadcast production skills as well as their understanding of the entire range of issues associated with radio work. In addition to discussing the most recent cable, satellite, and computer broadcast applications, the course emphasizes work on voice and diction, interviewing, radio news gathering and editing, cultural and public affairs programming, and commercial production. Prerequisite: CM 211.
CM 388 No Norwich Equivalent 6 Cr.
CM 390 Topics in Communications 3 Cr.
A course designed to introduce students to a special area or current topic in communications.
CM 391 Advanced Television Production 3 Cr.
This course draws on skills learned in CM 271: Television Production. Students gain confidence in their visual storytelling abilities, explore advanced techniques, and learn how to become working members of a professional production team. Advanced areas of instruction include an introduction to digital video recording and the development of skills necessary to edit with NLE tools (logging, digitizing, and rendering effects).
CM 392 Documentary Television Production 3 Cr.
In this course, students learn the basic fundamentals of traditional long-form documentary production. Early units emphasize visual storytelling and research skills, including archival research. Later units cover on-camera interviewing and logging and organizing footage. Students learn advanced editing skills for major projects. Prerequisite: CM 271.
CM 399 Pilot Course in Communications in the upper level 3 Cr.
A course is permitted to run as a pilot without seeking faculty approval for one academic year. The section will include the title of the course. A student will not earn credit for a pilot course and the course when approved as its own course.
CM 407 Senior Communications Seminar 3 Cr.
A required course for Communications majors, designed to provide students up-to-date information about the fields of radio, television, journalism, advertising, public relations, public information, wire services and the Internet. Special applications of these fields in business, the military, politics, law, and other professions will be considered. As part of this capstone course, seniors will be required to present and analyze before an audience of department faculty and/or other faculty, a portfolio of prior work. Prerequisite: Junior or higher or Permission of Instructor.
CM 408 Communications Internship 3 Cr.
A course designed to combine practical work experience with college-level study in such communications areas as radio, television, advertising, film, journalism, and public relations. Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor.
CM 436 Communications Law and Ethics 3 Cr.
A survey of laws pertaining to journalism, broadcasting, and advertising, emphasizing ethical problems facing journalists and media specialists. Students study the history of press freedom and control and explore First Amendment issues such as the right to privacy; obscenity; and libel. Special emphasis will be placed on media ethics. Prerequisite: CM 109 or Permission of Instructor.
CM 488 No Norwich Equivalent 6 Cr.