Mar 28, 2024  
Fitchburg State University 2015-16 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Fitchburg State University 2015-16 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Graphic Design Concentration, Communications Media, B.S.


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Communications Media


Chairperson
   
Randy Howe    
Professors
Associate Professors
Assistant Professors
George Bohrer Mary Baker Jonathan Amakawa
Robert Carr Stephen Godlstein Kevin McCarthy
John Chetro-Szivos M. Zachary Lee Kyle Moody
Robert Harris Viera Lorencova Les Nelken
Randy Howe Donald Tarallo, Jr. Samuel Tobin
Jon Krasner    
Peter Laytin    
Richard McElvain    
Kelly Morgan    
Ann Mrvica    
Wayne Munson    
Helen Obermeyer-Simmons    
Charles Roberts    
Charles Sides    
Jeffrey Warmouth    

Objectives for the Program in Communications Media

The Communications Media Program prepares individuals to assume communication positions as freelancers, designers, independent producers, or employees of corporations, institutions, and media organizations.

The program provides a blend of the principles and practices necessary for the effective design, production, and evaluation of media for information presentation by graphic, photographic, film, video, electronic, and print technologies. In combination with the Liberal Arts and Sciences Program, Communications Media fosters the development of skills critical to adapting to an ever changing technological and knowledge-based society.  

Requirements for the Major in Communications Media


The Bachelor of Science degree in Communications Media requires 54 semester hours in its major requirements. Course requirements are organized into five phases.


* Fulfills Jr/Sr Writing requirement
** Computer Literacy requirement is met through a Production Concentration (e.g. COMM 3305 , COMM 3470 , COMM 3645 , COMM 3890 , COMM 3895 , COMM 3960 .)
***Fulfills speaking/listening requirements

Phase I Freshman Introductory Requirements


Phase I exposes students to the foundations, concepts, and practices used in the preparation, delivery, evaluation, and research of verbal and visual messages.

Phase II Applied Concentration


Phase II enables students to become involved with an indepth investigation of an area in communications which is most closely aligned with individual talents and interests. Students must select and complete one concentration with the consent of their advisor. A minimum of five required courses must be taken within a concentration.

Note: Only students who have completed the requirements of a second concentration can formally declare this concentration to have it recognized on their transcript.  Students interested in Communication Studies as a second concentration may formally declare it at any time.

Note: For some concentration courses, students are expected to pay for supplies that may range in cost from $100 to $300 per course.

Graphic Design Concentration


Media History Requirement


Communications Media students are required to complete a media history course, prior to their capstone internship, selected from the following list.  The course may be used to fulfill an LA&S requirement or elective, OR a Communications Media requirement or elective, according to its current designation.  Dual concentration students need only take one media history course from either of their concentrations to fulfill the requirement.

Phase III Advanced Electives


Following or concurrent with Phase II, students, in consultation with their advisor, select four courses from COMM, GAME or THEA:

  • Four additional courses in the same concentration
  • Four courses in other concentrations
  • Four courses from a combination of concentrations, including additional theory, conceptual, or methodological courses

Any course which a student is using to fulfill either an LAS Requirement or a Minor may NOT be counted toward Phase III Requirements for the major.

Phase V Integrated Studies


This required senior level phase provides an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge and skills in a professional environment.

Required Course


VISIONS


VISIONS is an annual juried exhibition of the best work by Communications Media students during that year. VISIONS is held in late April of each year.

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