Communication Arts Major

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COMMUNICATION ARTS MAJOR

FOUNDATIONS (14 credits)
The four required courses in this section provide a philosophical and historical foundation for the major, raising those critical questions which must be addressed by a Christian engagement with the communication arts and media.
CO200 Christian Perspectives on Communication Arts
One of the following courses:
CO210 History of Rhetorical Theory
CO242 Interpersonal Communication
CO248 Intercultural Communication
CO310 Contemporary Communication Theories
CO420 Media, Ethics and Culture

PRACTICE (12 credits)
The three required courses in this section develop the written, oral and visual skills of communication; ethical and value considerations are raised in the context of specific skills development.
CO110 Principles of Design: Communication
CO212 Writing for Media
CO240 Public Speaking

APPLICATION (16 credits)
Students choose one of three tracks appropriate to their own vocational interests.

Writing
CO222 Introduction to Journalism or
EN212 Introduction to Creative Writing
Two 200- or 300-level courses from a list of approved professional or creative writing courses
One of the following:
CO425 Internship
CO/EN440 The Literary Journal

Media Studies
CO252 Introduction to Mass Communication
CO254 Introduction to Media Production
CO356 Media Criticism
One of the following courses:
CO358 Film and TV Genres
CO344 Art of Persuasion
CO371 Selected Topics in Media

Film Studies
Students may complete a track in film studies by attending the Los Angeles Film Studies Center. This 16-credit semester-long experience, sponsored by the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, includes an internship
and four courses: Hollywood Symposium; Faith, Film and Culture; and students' choice of two from Acting in Hollywood, Introduction to Filmwriting, Screenwriting, and Seminar in Producing Independent Film. Acceptance into the program is by application, and enrollment cannot be guaranteed.

SUPPORT
Students are encouraged to supplement their program by taking courses in the Social Sciences such as PS213/CO213 Political Communication: Votes, Groups and Media, PS246 International Diplomacy, EB377 Principles of Marketing, EB345 Organizational Behavior and Management, PY243 Social Psychology, PY360 Industrial/Organizational Psychology; or by taking an internship or cooperative education assignment in an applied field of interest. Off-campus programs endorsed by Gordon College, such as the American Studies Programor the San Francisco-based Urban Studies Program, may be tailored to be especially applicable to the field of communications.