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Communications (BA)

The Department of Communications at Simmons is an interactive, student-centered learning environment that employs a creative approach to communication education led by a faculty of professionals and scholars. Students develop a balance of in-depth understandings of concepts and theory and the practical skills needed to produce media content in a variety of professional settings including business, education, human services, journalism, entertainment, politics, public relations, social media, advertising, and design. This balance prepares our students for the jobs of today, as well as for the jobs of tomorrow, because they have also learned to adapt to the demands of rapid changes in media and technology. Our approach is highly interdisciplinary: collaborating with and among the disciplines of political science and international relations, public health, computer science, art, sociology, and cinema and media studies. This program of study is highly experiential, culminating in advanced coursework and capstone experiences like internships and Studio Five, the department’s student-run, professional communications agency.



Degree Requirements

The communications department offers a program in Communications with concentrations in Design, Journalism, and Integrated Media, a joint program between Communications and the Business in Public Relations and Marketing Communications, a joint program between Communications and Computer Science in Web Design and Development, an Interdisciplinary major in Arts Administration, and three Complete Degree programs, which are entirely on-line and geared toward adult learners. The course requirements for these programs follow.

BA in Communications

Communications majors complete 42 credits in Communications, including 3 required core courses, 2 1-credit technology courses, 4 courses in their concentration, 2 courses outside their concentration, and an independent learning Capstone experience.

Step One: Core Requirements

All Communications students take a three-course introductory core:

COMM 121Visual Communication

4
COMM 122Media Writing and Editing

4
COMM 124Media, Messages and Society

4
 

Step Two: Technology Courses

All students complete at least two-credits of technology skill-based courses:

COMM 110Introduction to 2D Design Technology 1

1
COMM 112Introduction to Animation & Motion Graphics Technology 1

1
COMM 114Introduction to Audio and Video Editing

1

Step Three: Concentration Courses

Courses are broadly organized around the concentrations of Design, Integrated Media, and Journalism.

Students take 4 courses in one of the concentrations below, and 2 courses distributed among the other two concentrations. At least two of these six courses should be at the 300 level.

Design Integrated Media Journalism
COMM 210 Introduction to Graphic Design COMM 120 Communications Media COMM 181 Public Speaking and Presentation
COMM 241 Design Thinking COMM 163 Radio Operations and Podcasting
COMM 215 Blogging and Op/Ed Writing
COMM 240 Typography COMM 186 Introduction to Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communications COMM 260 Journalism
COMM 244 Web Design COMM 224 Storytelling COMM 263 Social Media Journalism
COMM 246 Digital Imaging for Design
 COMM 220 Video Production
 COMM 310 In-Depth Storytelling
COMM 248 Type and Image COMM 222 Animation COMM 312 Health Communications
COMM 286 Advertising Practice and Branding COMM 262 Media Convergence COMM 320 Media and the First Amendment
COMM 333 Responsive Design
 COMM 269 Globalization and Intercultural Communications (periodic travel course)  COMM 322 Video Journalism
COMM 340 Advanced Design COMM 281 Content Creation and Strategies
 COMM 327 Culture of the News
  COMM 323 Digital Cultures
  
  COMM 324 Social Media: Social Listening and Analytics  

Step Four: Capstone

Students take at least 4 credits of an independent learning Capstone in the senior year:

COMM 370Internship

Variable
COMM 380Capstone Internship

Variable
COMM 390Studio 5: A Communication Workplace

4

Concentrations in the Communications Major

Integrated Media Concentration

Students in Integrated Media complete the Communications Core, 2 Technology courses, 4 courses in the Integrated Media concentration, 2 courses in Design and/or Journalism, and a Capstone.

Integrated Media Courses:

COMM 120Communications Media

4
COMM 163Radio Operations and Podcasting

4
COMM 186Introduction to Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communications

4
COMM 220Video Production

4
COMM 222Animation

4
COMM 224Storytelling

4
COMM 262Media Convergence

4
COMM 269Globalization and Intercultural Communication

4
COMM 281Content Creation and Strategy

4
COMM 323Digital Cultures

4
COMM 324Social Media: Social Listening and Analytics

4

Journalism Concentration

Students in the Journalism Concentration complete the Communications Core, 2 Technology courses, 4 courses in the Journalism concentration, 2 courses in Design and/or Integrated Media, and a Capstone.

Journalism Courses:

COMM 181Public Speaking and Presentation

4
COMM 215Blogging & Opinion and Editorial Writing

4
COMM 260Journalism

4
COMM 263Social Media Journalism

4
COMM 310In-Depth Storytelling

4
COMM 312Health Communications

4
COMM 320Media and the First Amendment

4
COMM 322Video Journalism

4
COMM 327Culture of the News

4

Design Concentration

Students in the Design Concentration complete the Communications Core, 2 Technology courses, 4 courses in the Design concentration, 2 courses in Journalism and/or Integrated Media, and a Capstone.

Design Concentration Courses:

COMM 210Introduction to Graphic Design

4
COMM 240Typography

4
COMM 241Design Thinking

4
COMM 244Web Design

4
COMM 246Digital Imaging for Design

4
COMM 248Type and Image

4
COMM 286Intro to Advertising Practice and Branding

4
COMM 333Responsive Design

4
COMM 340Advanced Design

4