Acting Chairperson: Griffiths

Assistant Professor: Wild

Visiting Instructor: Knapp

Part-time Instructors: Ogurcak, Van Auken

A major in communication with a liberal arts base is the perfect choice for students interested in corporate communication, advertising, public relations, management, event planning, sales, marketing, broadcasting, and a full range of digital media professions.

The department offers major concentrations in Corporate Communication and Digital Media Communication and minor concentrations in Film Studies and Media Writing. Students balance theory and practice as they study the way media interacts with society and are introduced to a variety of media in their courses, extracurricular activities, independent projects, and internships.

MAJORS

CORPORATE COMMUNICATION (CCOM)

The major in Corporate Communication provides a foundation in organizational communication, marketing and management. This major is an interdisciplinary program, with emphasis placed on both oral and written communication in a corporate context. The major in Corporate Communication also provides students the opportunity to learn about marketing and management functions in both commercial and non-commercial organizations. This major provides students a basis for entry into a variety of occupations, including corporate communication, public relations, marketing, management, or corporate communication research and analysis.

All students majoring in Corporate Communication must complete the six Corporate Communication courses, the five additional required Business, Economics, and Accounting courses, and three elective courses. Additionally, sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have declared a major in Corporate Communication are required to enroll in and successfully complete the non-credit Corporate Communication Colloquium during each semester they are on campus or until they have successfully completed at least four semesters of this non-credit course. All students in this major are encouraged to complete an internship before graduation.

REQUIRED COURSES:

ACCT 110       Elementary Accounting Theory

BUS 128          Marketing Principles

BUS 210          Human Resource Management (2 credits)

BUS 211          Management Information Systems (2 credits)

BUS 244          Management and Organizational Behavior

CCOM 100       Organizational Communication

CCOM 211       Informative and Persuasive Presentational Speaking

CCOM 212       Group Communication and Conflict Resolution

CCOM 324       Public Relations and the Media

CCOM 440       Communication Research Methodology

CCOM 246, 346 twice, 446 Corporate Communication Colloquium

ECON 111        Principles of Microeconomics 

OPTIONS—CHOOSE THREE: 

Choose three from the following list (or from DCOM and FILM courses).  Two of these three must be 300 or higher.

BUS 319          International Marketing

BUS 330          International Management

BUS 332          Integrated Marketing Communication

BUS 342          Marketing Research

BUS 346          Entrepreneurship

BUS 420          Organizational Development

BUS 429          Marketing Strategies

CCOM 330       Topics in Corporate Communication

CCOM 470       Internship

MWTG 219       Newsgathering and Reporting

MWTG 323       Feature Writing for Special Audiences

PSY 225          Industrial and Organizational Psychology

PSY 324          Social Psychology

100
ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION
Communication principles and practices, including communicator style variables, communication flow, and superior-subordinate communication are examined in detail. Emphasis is also placed on effectively utilizing writing and speaking skills to solve problems that frequently occur in the world of work.

211
INFORMATIVE AND PERSUASIVE PRESENTATIONAL SPEAKING
This course trains students in the basic methods of informative and persuasive speaking, with emphasis placed on researching and solving problems having to deal with informative and persuasive speaking. Prerequisite: ENGL 106 or 107.

212
GROUP COMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Readings, case studies, simulations, and practice in the methods of working in groups and in resolving conflicts within and between groups in various contexts, including education, industry, and professional situations. Contemporary theory and methods for motivating and maintaining the productivity of groups will be examined in some detail. Prerequisite: ENGL 106 or 107, and CCOM 100. 

324
PUBLIC RELATIONS AND THE MEDIA
Training in methods of public relations research, program planning and evaluation, working with the media, writing for public relations, and conducting a public relations campaign to solve a problem or crisis. Emphasis on writing, speaking, and electronic communication. Prerequisites: ENGL 106 or 107,  and one other 200-level CCOM  course, or consent of instructor.

330
TOPICS IN CORPORATE COMMUNICATION
Study of communication theory as applied to a special area of corporate communication through readings, discussion, and applications. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above. May be repeated for credit with change of topic.

440
COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Training in quantitative and qualitative communication research methods. Students do intensive reading in an area related to corporate communication and produce a research project with both a written and oral component. Prerequisite: Senior standing. 

246, 346 and 446
CORPORATE COMMUNICATION COLLOQUIUM
A seminar in which students are expected to work in the field of corporate communication on a regular basis. The areas of work can relate to campus public relations, admissions, non-profit organizations, campus media, and other corporate communication-based organizations approved by the supervising faculty member. Students enrolled in colloquium are required to keep a log and to work for a minimum of three hours each week in their approved work situation.  Open only to Corporate Communication majors and Media Writing minors. Non-credit and Pass/Fail. Only one colloquium may be taken per semester. 

470
INTERNSHIP
Interns usually work off-campus in a field related to their area of study. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing. 

DIGITAL MEDIA COMMUNICATION (DCOM)

Digital Media Communication is an innovative, interdisciplinary major with a strong relationship to other disciplines at the college including theater, creative writing, electronic music, sociology, political science, and history. The boundaries between video, film, multi-media production, web design, digital sound, photography, graphic design and performance are collapsing as quickly as digital technology is expanding. The Digital Media curriculum at Lycoming College is grounded in the tradition of liberal arts and teaches the theory, skills and grammar of the visual language necessary to work within this rapidly changing technology. Upper level studio and theory courses and the opportunity to do a professional internship provide the conceptual, technical and theoretical knowledge necessary to create compelling digital media and compete in the field.

FOUNDATION COURSES—CHOOSE FIVE:

ART 227          Photography I

ART 343          Introduction to Computer Art

DCOM 312       Digital Design and Color

FILM 112          Multicultural Studies in Film, Television and Video

FILM 246          Media Criticism

PRODUCTION COURSES—FOUR:

Either ART 344 Computer Graphics for Digital Media or ART 430

                        Interactive Multi-Media and Web Design    

DCOM 218     Digital Audio and Video Production

DCOM 433     Research and Scriptwriting

DCOM 434     Advanced Digital Media Production      

THEORY AND HISTORY COURSES—CHOOSE TWO:

ART 320          Visual Media in the Digital Age

ART 347          History of Photography

ART 349          Narrative in Art

FILM 300        The Documentary and Social Issues Film

FILM 315        Contemporary, Experimental and Independent Film

FILM 320        Topics in Film and Culture  

OPTIONS—CHOOSE TWO:

ART 431          Advanced Digital Imaging

Either ART 449 Art/Media Practicum   or DCOM 470 Internship

FILM 340        Acting and Directing for the Camera

MUS 224         Electronic Music

PSCI 316         Public Opinion and Polling

SOC 330         Research Methods I

SOC 334         Racial and Cultural Minorities

THEA 226       Directing I

THEA 229       Lighting Design                         

ART/MEDIA COLLOQUIUM

ART 148, 248, 348, 448  Required every semester after major declared (non-credit).  With permission of the department chair, Digital Media Communication majors can substitute working for the campus radio station or campus newspaper. 

PARTICIPATION IN SENIOR VIDEO/MULTI-MEDIA FESTIVAL

218
DIGITAL AUDIO AND VIDEO PRODUCTION
This course studies the principles, techniques, and fundamentals of pre-production, production, and post-production of digital audio and video technologies.  Prerequisite: ART 227.

312
DIGITAL DESIGN AND COLOR
Concentrated study of the principles of design and color theory as applied to digital media. Prerequisite: ART 343 or consent of instructor. 

433
RESEARCH AND SCRIPTWRITING
This course will cover all aspects of preproduction for digital media—research,
interviewing, developing a thesis and concept, scriptwriting, and storyboarding.  The research, script and storyboard produced in this course will be preproduction for senior projects in Advanced Digital Media Production.  Prerequisites: DCOM 218 and senior status, or consent of instructor.

434
ADVANCED DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCTION
Advanced production of documentary, narrative or experimental video, multi-media or interactive media incorporating advanced directing, shooting, lighting, sound, and editing. This course is the capstone course for the Digital Media major.  Prerequisites: DCOM 433 and senior status, or consent of instructor. 

MINORS

FILM STUDIES (FILM)

The Film Studies program develops skills in media writing and the critical analysis of film, television, and video as an art form.  All minors develop skills in researching film history and thinking creatively about contemporary attitudes, values, and beliefs associated with film.  Minors in Film Studies have the ability to pursue graduate studies and/or employment in a variety of fields including digital media production and administration, creative advertising, arts administration, journalism, cultural analysis, film preservation, and writing for the media.  Six courses are required. Required Foundation Courses: FILM 112 and 246. Film History and Culture: two from FILM 214, 220, and 320. Film Theory and Practice: two from FILM 300, 315, 321, and 340. 

112
MULTICULTURAL STUDIES IN FILM, TELEVISION, AND VIDEO
Close reading of media texts that illustrate the process of intercultural communication and ways of using cultural analysis to distinguish among different attitudes, values, and beliefs.   

214
FILM LANDMARKS: INTRODUCTION TO READING AND WRITING ABOUT FILM
Close reading of selected film texts from around the world using basic film theory to guide the reading.  Major emphasis on cinematography, editing, and mise-en-scene.  Prerequisite: ENGL 106 or 107, or permission of the instructor. 

220
TOPICS IN FILM ART
Comparative study of film genres, directors, performers, and/or artisans from an historical perspective.  Possible topics include the following: The Art of Animation; Great Directors of the Sixties; Screwball and Romantic Comedy; Star Acting; Cinematography and Psychology in Southern Melodrama.  May be repeated with change in content. Prerequisite: ENGL 106 or 107. 

246
MEDIA CRITICISM
Training in basic methods of analyzing print, auditory, visual, and digital texts from a cultural studies point of view.  Major emphasis on semiotic and structuralist analysis and frame theory.  Prerequisite: ENGL 106 or 107, and sophomore standing.

300
THE DOCUMENTARY AND SOCIAL ISSUES FILM
Close examination of documentary films and social problem films seeking to present reality to the viewer.  Review of classic theory regarding the representation of reality on screen.  Practice in writing critically about the ways in which film interprets historical events and cultures across time. Prerequisites: ENGL 106 or 107, and sophomore standing.  

315
CONTEMPORARY EXPERIMENTAL AND INDEPENDENT FILM
In-depth reading in contemporary media theory for the purpose of developing a critical perspective that can be applied to recent film, television, and digital media.  Close reading of a variety of media texts.  Prerequisite:  FILM 112, 214, 220, 246, or 320; or consent of instructor.  

320
TOPICS IN FILM AND CULTURE
Exploration of film and related media texts in a particular historical context.  Included will a study of the art, music, literature, political and social framework of the period and culture under consideration.  May be repeated with change in content. Prerequisites: ENGL 106 or 107. 

321
WRITING THE NARRATIVE SCREENPLAY
Training in methods of creating the original screenplay for film, television, and/or radio.   Major emphasis on scene and plot construction, character development, and using the language of film to tell a story.  Prerequisites: ENGL 106 or 107, and at least one FILM course. 

340
ACTING AND DIRECTING FOR THE CAMERA
Workshop course in shooting scripted scenes for film, television, and video.  All students act as well as direct.  Practice in methods of scene breakdown, blocking, and the   fundamentals of working with talent during the production process.  Prerequisite:  THEA 145, THEA 226, ART 218, or FILM 321; or  permission of the instructor.

MEDIA WRITING (MWTG)

The minor in Media Writing provides students in any academic discipline with significant practice in writing to diverse audiences in the contemporary world.  Students completing this minor learn how to connect messages with audience needs, values, and interests and how to make choices among the possible ways of conveying information in a mediated world.   

Each student minoring in Media Writing completes five of the courses listed below as well as a minimum of two non-credit colloquium courses involved with campus media (one of which must include a full semester’s work on the campus newspaper).  Writing, Rhetoric, and Audiences: one from ENGL 218 and FILM 246. Applied Media Writing: three from ENGL 217, 240, FILM 300, MWTG 219, 323. Special Areas of Media Writing: one from ART 430, ENGL 322, and FILM 321. Colloquium: two from CCOM 246, 346, and 446.  

219
NEWSGATHERING AND REPORTING
Practical experience in newsgathering for print, electronic, and digital media.  Emphasis on researching, beat reporting, and structuring stories for different kinds of media.  Significant practice in interviewing, copyediting, and ethical decision-making.  Prerequisite: ENGL 106 or 107.   

323
FEATURE WRITING FOR SPECIAL AUDIENCES
Practice in writing a variety of feature stories for different audiences.  Study of the ways in which writing for magazines compares and contrasts with writing for newspapers, radio, and the electronic media.  Readings, peer review, and practice in developing ideas using primary and secondary research.  Prerequisite: ENG 106 or 107.