Mar 28, 2024  
Fitchburg State University 2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Fitchburg State University 2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Graphic Design Concentration, Communications Media, B.S.


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Communications Media


Chairperson
   
Mary Baker    
Professors
Associate Professors
Assistant Professors

Robert Carr

Jonathan Amakawa Kyle Moody
Robert Harris Mary Baker

Les Nelken

Randy Howe Cap Corduan

Britton Snyder

Jon Krasner

Viera Lorencova

John (J.J.) Sylvia

Peter Laytin

Kevin McCarthy Mary Vreeland
M. Zachary Lee

Donald Tarallo, Jr.

 

Kelly Morgan

Samuel Tobin  

Ann Mrvica

   

Wayne Munson

   

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.


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 in-depth 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.

Additional LAS Requirement


Note: ART1400 Drawing is required for all graphic design concentrations.

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 Departmental Electives


In consultation with their advisor, students select four courses from GAME, COMM, TETA, 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 IV Upper-Level Theory/Conceptual/Methodological Requirements


Students in their junior/senior year will take the following:

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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