Communication Studies
Communication Studies focuses upon the ways in which culture communicates information through book, newspaper, memo, telephone, radio, television and cinema, computer, Internet and fiber optics, conversation, and conference in order to help students determine their relationship to the world and understand the information society in which they live.
About the Program
Communication Studies is both theoretical and practical. Students are expected to understand a set of interlocking concerns: how institutions shape the message and how people interpret the message; the possibilities and the limits of particular media; the influence of culture upon communication technologies; and the effects of technological change upon society as a whole. Additionally, students are expected to manage the tools of their discipline: computers, video, radio, print, and spoken discourse.
The program in Communication Studies is open to any student with an interest in the discipline. A distinctive feature of Communication Studies is its preceptor/preceptee collaboration. Students’ cognate choices are the result of a careful negotiation between students and preceptors. Students wishing to major in the program are encouraged to declare their intentions no later than the beginning of their junior year. Intended majors must consult with a Communication Studies faculty member, who will explain the nature of the program and its specific requirements.
Alumni Success
- Communication Skills
Communication Studies is a growing and rewarding field of study. Communication Studies at Stockton is a dynamic multidisciplinary program exploring a wide range of interests in contemporary global and popular culture, including radio and television, advertising and public relations, digital communication, film and cinema, visual communication, international communication and more. The thread that runs through all of our tracks, and hence the tie that binds the program, is the dual premise that a Stockton Communication Studies graduate should be able to: 1) Critically interrogate media messages from a variety of angles, and 2) Produce effective media messages in a variety of contexts. These two premises underscore the core classes that all of our majors are required to take. The specific applications of these premises are honed in the track-specific curricula. - Adapting to Change
Our program prepares students for careers in diverse fields. In recent years, our alumni have gone on to work at The Press of Atlantic City, ESPN, MTV, Clear Channel Radio, Equity Communication, Suasion Communications Group, NBC40 WMGM-TV, and a host of other companies. - Program Competence
A collection of scholars, artists, and media professionals, Communication Studies Program faculty are engaged in developing a rigorous program of study in the liberal arts tradition. The program strives for graduates who are able to think critically about media messages, and to apply varied and interrelated media studies concepts (including media literacy, critical media analysis, cultural studies, media writing, and media production) toward the effective production media messages. - Teamwork & Collaboration
Our students get hands-on experience right on campus, with opportunities to participate in Stockton Student Television (SSTV), the Stockton radio station (WLFR, 91.7 FM), the Community TV Partnership, and Stockton’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). They also gain real-world production experience interning for companies such as CNN, MTV, and NBC; they gain PR experience working for various local politicians and also with various PR firms. - Creativity & Innovation
Our students work with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, such as our HDTV Studio.
Curriculum
Program Organization
The Communication Studies Program is divided into three tracks—Public Relations & Advertising, Media Production, and Journalism & Community Storytelling. In Public Relations & Advertising, students learn multifaceted aspects of the field and how to strategically manage, design, and disseminate effective messages to target audiences. The Media Production concentration focuses upon behind-the-scenes skills and offers students a more hands-on approach to learning the media production field. The Journalism & Community Storytelling concentration offers both skills-based journalism courses and a broader theoretical understanding of the field to allow students both to critically analyze and effectively produce media texts. The program also requires core courses in communication theory and media writing, as well as a senior seminar. Students are also required to participate in a professional internship.
Program Courses: 40 credits
Core Required Courses for all majors:
24 credits (five courses)
- COMM 3100 - Professional Development (4 credit)
- COMM 1201 - Introduction to Mass Communication (4 credits)
- COMM 2103 - Writing for the Media (4 credits)
- COMM 3200 - Theories of Mass Communication (4 credits)
- COMM 4601 - Communication Senior Seminar (4 credits)
- Communication Internship (4 credits)
Choose from one of the following internship options:
- COMM 3928 - Documenting South Jersey
- COMM 3918 - Editing Internship
- COMM 3927 - Alliance Heritage Internship
- COMM 4901- Communication Internship
- COMM 4902 - WLFR Internship
- COMM 4906 - Community TV Partnership
- COMM 4909 - Stories of Atlantic City Internship
- COMM 4907 - Social Media Internship
Journalism & Community Storytelling Concentration:
20 credits total
Choose 4 credits from:
- COMM 2211 - Media Criticism (4 credits)
- COMM 2304 - Principles of Journalism (4 credits)
- COMM 2101 - Communication Studies Lab (1 credit)
Choose two (8 credits):
- COMM 3203 - Communication Research Methods (4 credits)
- COMM 3306 - Race, Gender and Media (4 credits)
- COMM 3309 - Media, Civil Rights & Social Change (4 credits)
- COMM 3312 - Media in Times of War (4 credits)
- COMM 3314 - Journalism News Writing (4 credits)
- COMM 3400 - Film Theory and Criticism (4 credits)
- COMM 3604 - Restorative Journalism (4 credits)
- COMM 4402 - Reporting & Interviewing (4 credits)
Choose two (8 credits):
- COMM 2211 - Media Criticism (4 credits)
- COMM 2204 - Media, Culture and Society (4 credits)
- COMM 2207 - Special Topics in Media Studies (4 credits)
- COMM 2210 - Digital Storytelling (4 credits)
- COMM 2305 - Media Law and Ethics (4 credits)
- COMM 2400 - Computer-Mediated Communication (4 credits)
- COMM 2408 - News Media & Politics (4 credits)
- COMM 2409 - Television & Popular Culture (4 credits)
- COMM 2412 - Media Aesthetics (4 credits)
- COMM 2413 - Metaphysics of Film (4 credits)
- COMM 2414 - African Americans on Television (4 credits)
- COMM 3301 - Communication Technologies (4 credits)
- COMM 3303 - International Communication (4 credits)
- COMM 3306 - Women, Minorities and the Media (4 credits)
- COMM 3309 - Media, Civil Rights & Social Change (4 credits)
- COMM 3400 - Film Theory and Criticism (4 credits)
- COMM 3312 - Media in Times of War (4 credits)
- COMM 3314 - Journalistic Writing (4 credits)
- COMM 3604 - Restorative Journalism (4 credits)
*Students with an interest in Journalism should take COMM 2304 and COMM 3314; and
should consider COMM 3604 and COMM 2210.
**In consultation with their preceptor, students in the Journalism & Community Storytellingtrack may opt to take one of their track elective courses from the Media Production
or Public Relations tracks.
Students are required to have four cognate courses (16 credits). At least one cognate course must be taken at the 3000 or 4000 level. Cognates can come from the following areas:
ARTV, THTR, COMM, LANG, LITT, POLS, AFRI, (or other related areas as approved by your
preceptor).
Students may also use the following classes toward their Journalism & Community Storytelling cognate:
ANTH 2152, ANTH 2602, ANTH 2645, ANTH 3315, GEN 2105, GEN 2110, GEN 2153, GEN 2155, GEN 2248, GEN 2343, GEN 3146, GEN 3163, GEN 3524, GAH 1124, GAH 1227, GAH 1294, GAH 1724, GAH 2105, GAH 2160, GAH 2180; GAH 2233, GAH 2237, GAH 2257, GAH 2279, GAH 2289, GAH 2335, GAH 2339, GAH 2357, GAH 2370, GAH 2372, GAH 2412, GAH 2298, 3109, GAH 3130, GAH 3203, GAH 3207, GAH 3213, GAH 3230, GAH 3248, GAH 3306, GAH 3307, GAH 4303, GAH 4306, GIS 3668, GIS 4625, GIS 4630, GIS 4634, GNM 2139, GNM 2316, GNM 2486, GSS 2150, GSS 2152, GSS 2173, GSS 2274, GSS 2428, GSS 3102, GSS 3105, GSS 3144, GSS 3154, GSS 3282, GSS 3295, GSS 3618, GSS 3795, POLS 2190, POLS 2245, POLS 3235, POLS 3250, POLS 3625, POLS 3658, SOCY 2355, SOCY 2370, SOCY 2642, SOCY 2652, SOCY 3104, SOCY 3211, SOCY 3615, SOCY 3628, SOCY 3678
NOTE: A minimum grade of C or better is required for all program and cognate courses counted toward the 64 program and cognate credits required for graduation.
25 % of all the courses a student takes at Stockton must be General Studies courses.
For all first-year students and transfer students with fewer than 64 credits (B.A.
degree), the following courses are required.
General Arts and Humanities (GAH) — 8 credits
General Interdisciplinary (GEN) — 4 credits
General Integration and Synthesis (GIS)* — 4 credits
General Natural Science and Mathematics (GNM) — 8 credits
General Social Science (GSS) — 8 credits
*Must be taken in junior or senior year
NOTE: No more than 16 credits in any General Studies course may be applied toward the B.A. degree.
Arts (A)
Historical Conciousness (H)
International/Multicultural (I)
1 W1 course (any level)
1 W1 or W2 course (any level)
1 W1 or W2 course 3000-level
NOTE: W2 courses must be taken at Stockton University.
1 Q1 course (any level)
1 Q1 or Q2 course (any level)
NOTE: Q2 courses must be taken at Stockton University.
1 R1 course (any level)
Reminder: “The student is responsible for ensuring that all graduation requirements are met”
(Bulletin). It is important that you consult with your preceptor and/or the Center
for Academic Advising on a regular basis.
All Bachelor’s Degree programs require a minimum of 128 credits and a 2.00 cumulative
G.P.A.
For more information on the Communication Studies program, please consult the Academic Bulletin.
Course descriptions and prerequisite information may be found in the Catalog of Courses.
Program Courses: 40 credits
Core Required Courses for all majors:
24 credits (five courses)
- COMM 3100 - Professional Development (4 credits)
- COMM 1201 - Introduction to Mass Communication (4 credits)
- COMM 2103 - Writing for the Media (4 credits)
- COMM 3200 - Theories of Mass Communication (4 credits)
- COMM 4601 - Communication Senior Seminar (4 credits) or
Practicum (4 credits) - Communication Internship (4 credits)
Choose from one of the following internship options:
- COMM 3928 - Documenting South Jersey
- COMM 3918 - Editing Internship
- COMM 3927 - Alliance Heritage Internship
- COMM 4901- Communication Internship
- COMM 4902 - WLFR Internship
- COMM 4906 - Community TV Partnership
- COMM 4909 - Stories of Atlantic City Internship
- COMM 4907 - Social Media Internship
Media Production Concentration:
20 credits total
- COMM 2412 - Media Aesthetics (4 credits) required
Choose 4 courses (16 credits) from the following:
- COMM 2209 - Special Topics in Media Production (4 credits)
- COMM 2210 - Digital Storytelling (4 credits)
- COMM 2400 - Computer-Mediated Communication (4 credits)
- COMM 2401 - Audio I (4 credits)
- COMM 2402 - Video Production (4 credits)
- COMM 2403 - Television Production (4 credits)
- COMM 2407 - Introduction to Editing (4 credits)
- COMM 3350 - Documentary Production (4 credits)
- COMM 3351 - Experimental Video Production (4 credits)
- COMM 3401 - Audio II
- COMM 3501 - Sports Broadcasting (4 credits)
- COMM 4200 - Steadicam: Art of the Moving Camera (4 credits)
- COMM 4300 - Practicum (4 credits)
- COMM 4401 - Podcasting (4 credits)
*Students with an interest in Journalism should take COMM 2304 and COMM 3314; and
should consider COMM 3604 and COMM 2210.
**In consultation with their preceptor, students in the Journalism & Community Storytellingtrack may opt to take one of their track elective courses from the Media Production
or Public Relations tracks.
Students are required to have five cognate courses (20 credits). At least one cognate course must be taken at the 3000 or 4000 level.
Cognates can come from the following areas:
ARTV, DANC, MUSC, THTR, LANG, LITT, PHIL, AFRI 2118, AFRI 2123, AFRI 3135, AFRI 3148, ANTH 2645, GAH 1124, GAH 1226, GAH 1227, GAH 1228, GAH 1294, GAH 1724, GAH 2105, GAH 2159, GAH 2160, GAH 2233, GAH 2234, GAH 2237, GAH 2257, GAH 2279, GAH 2289, GAH 2292, GAH 2294, GAH 2298, GAH 2370, GAH 2372, GAH 2412, GAH 3130, GAH 3203, GAH 3207, GAH 3213, GAH 3230, GAH 3306, GAH 3307, GAH 3308, GAH 3310, GAH 4303, GAH 4306, GEN 2124, GEN 2153, GEN 2260, GEN 2343, GIS 4618, GIS 4625, GIS 4664, GIS 3668, GNM 2139, GNM 2157, GNM 2316, GSS 2152, GSS 2173, GSS 3102, GSS 3105, GSS 3154, GSS 3282, GSS 3295, GSS 3795, POLS 3658, SOCY 2642, SOCY 3104, SOCY 3211, SOCY 3615, SOCY 3628, SOCY 3678, WASH 3300
NOTE: A minimum grade of C or better is required for all program and cognate courses counted toward the 64 program and cognate credits required for graduation.
25 % of all the courses a student takes at Stockton must be General Studies courses.
For all first-year students and transfer students with fewer than 64 credits (B.A.
degree), the following courses are required.
General Arts and Humanities (GAH) — 8 credits
General Interdisciplinary (GEN) — 4 credits
General Integration and Synthesis (GIS)* — 4 credits
General Natural Science and Mathematics (GNM) — 8 credits
General Social Science (GSS) — 8 credits
*Must be taken in junior or senior year
NOTE: No more than 16 credits in any General Studies course may be applied toward the B.A. degree.
Arts (A)
Historical Conciousness (H)
International/Multicultural (I)
1 W1 course (any level)
1 W1 or W2 course (any level)
1 W1 or W2 course 3000-level
NOTE: W2 courses must be taken at Stockton University.
1 Q1 course (any level)
1 Q1 or Q2 course (any level)
NOTE: Q2 courses must be taken at Stockton University.
1 R1 course (any level)
Reminder: “The student is responsible for ensuring that all graduation requirements are met”
(Bulletin). It is important that you consult with your preceptor and/or the Center
for Academic Advising on a regular basis.
All Bachelor’s Degree programs require a minimum of 128 credits and a 2.00 cumulative
G.P.A.
For more information on the Communication Studies program, please consult the Academic Bulletin.
Course descriptions and prerequisite information may be found in the Catalog of Courses.
Program Courses: 40 credits
Core Required Courses for all majors:
24 credits (five courses)
- COMM 3100 - Professional Development (4 credits)
- COMM 1201 - Introduction to Mass Communication (4 credits)
- COMM 2103 - Writing for the Media (4 credits)
- COMM 3200 - Theories of Mass Communication (4 credits)
- COMM 4601 - Communication Senior Seminar (4 credits) or
Practicum (4 credits) - Communication Internship (4 credits)
Choose from one of the following internship options:
- COMM 3928 - Documenting South Jersey
- COMM 3918 - Editing Internship
- COMM 3927 - Alliance Heritage Internship
- COMM 4901- Communication Internship
- COMM 4902 - WLFR Internship
- COMM 4906 - Community TV Partnership
- COMM 4909 - Stories of Atlantic City Internship
- COMM 4907 - Social Media Internship
Public Relations and Advertising Concentration:
20 credits total
Courses must be taken sequentially:
- COMM 2301 - Introduction to Public Relations (4 credits) required course
- Choose one preparatory course (4 credits):
COMM 2307 - Quantitative Methods in PR
COMM 2405 - Introduction to Advertising
COMM 3305 - Public Relations Ethics - Choose two advanced courses (8 credits):
COMM 3302 - Advanced Public Relations
COMM 3304 - PR and Advertising Design
COMM 3303 - International Communication
COMM 3310 - Global Public Relations
COMM 3311 - PR and Advertising Copywriting
COMM 3315 - PR Crisis Communication
COMM 3316 - Advertising and PR Law - Choose one additional course (4 credits):
COMM 2208 - Special Topics in PR & Advertising
COMM 2307 - Quantitative Methods in PR Research
COMM 2405 - Introduction to Advertising
COMM 2406 - Business and Professional Presentation
COMM 3302 - Advanced Public Relations
COMM 3303 - International Communication
COMM 3304 - PR and Advertising Design
COMM 3305 - Public Relations Ethics
COMM 3310 - Global Public Relations
COMM 3311 - PR and Advertising Copywriting
COMM 3315 - PR Crisis Communication
COMM 3316 - Advertising and PR Law
*Students with an interest in Journalism should take COMM 2304 and COMM 3314; and
should consider COMM 3604 and COMM 2210.
**In consultation with their preceptor, students in the Journalism & Community Storytelling track may opt to take one of their track elective courses from the Media Production
or Public Relations tracks.
Students are required to have five cognate courses (20 credits). At least one cognate course must be taken at the 3000 or 4000 level.
Cognates can come from the following areas:
ACCT, ARTV, COMM, BSNS, ECON, FINA, HOSP/HTMS, INTL, LANG, LITT, MGMT, MKTG, ANTH 3315, COMM 2400, GAH 2105, GAH 2160, GAH 2164, GAH 2180, GAH 2339; GAH 2372, GAH 3203, GAH 3213, GAH 3248; GAH 3306; GAH 4303, GEN 2105, GEN 2110, GEN 2153, GEN 2155, GEN 2343, GEN 3146, GEN 3163, GIS 3346, GIS 3348, GIS 3668, GIS 3692, GIS 3748, GIS 4625, GIS 4630, GSS 2152, GSS 2150, GSS 2153, GSS 2173, GSS 2274, GSS 2370, GSS 3111, GSS 3144, GSS 3166, GSS 3168, GSS 3646, GSS 3768, POLS 3235, POLS 3250, POLS 3625, PUBH 2315, PUBH 2450 , WASH 3300
NOTE: A minimum grade of C or better is required for all program and cognate courses counted toward the 64 program and cognate credits required for graduation.
25 % of all the courses a student takes at Stockton must be General Studies courses.
For all first-year students and transfer students with fewer than 64 credits (B.A.
degree), the following courses are required.
General Arts and Humanities (GAH) — 8 credits
General Interdisciplinary (GEN) — 4 credits
General Integration and Synthesis (GIS)* — 4 credits
General Natural Science and Mathematics (GNM) — 8 credits
General Social Science (GSS) — 8 credits
*Must be taken in junior or senior year
NOTE: No more than 16 credits in any General Studies course may be applied toward the B.A. degree.
Arts (A)
Historical Conciousness (H)
International/Multicultural (I)
1 W1 course (any level)
1 W1 or W2 course (any level)
1 W1 or W2 course 3000-level
NOTE: W2 courses must be taken at Stockton University.
1 Q1 course (any level)
1 Q1 or Q2 course (any level)
NOTE: Q2 courses must be taken at Stockton University.
1 R1 course (any level)
Reminder: “The student is responsible for ensuring that all graduation requirements are met”
(Bulletin). It is important that you consult with your preceptor and/or the Center
for Academic Advising on a regular basis.
All Bachelor’s Degree programs require a minimum of 128 credits and a 2.00 cumulative
G.P.A.
For more information on the Communication Studies program, please consult the Academic Bulletin.
Course descriptions and prerequisite information may be found in the Catalog of Courses.
Journalism@Stockton
There are more student-centered storytelling opportunities on and off campus.
We offer new platforms and methods to engage and produce impactful content, from reporting and writing to getting published.
Why Now? Our democracy depends on journalism. We need truth-tellers who are ethical and honest. Consumers need to know what good journalism is. It will make you a better analyst, evaluator, and practitioner.
To learn more, contact Dr. Christina Morus or Professor Toby Rosenthal.
Faculty
Jeremy Newman
Donnetrice C. Allison
Joe’l Ludovich
Christina M. Morus
Chad Roberts
Toby Rosenthal
Xu Song
Communication Studies Staff
Jordan Knapp
Michael Zubrzycki
Adjunct Faculty
Netesha Peterson
Internships & Careers
Students pursuing degrees in Communication Studies may prepare themselves for careers in teaching, law, journalism, technical writing, speechwriting, radio and television production, public relations, advertising, marketing, consulting, government, civil service, administration, and the ministry.
A Communication Studies degree can lead to opportunities in private organizations, media outlets, non-profit institutions, and government agencies. Majors who wish to pursue graduate school in Communication Studies or related areas of study should inform their program preceptors of their plans as early as possible.
The semester before you want to enroll in the internship, begin the following process:
-
Create a Handshake account.
Handshake is where all of the Stockton-vetted current internship and job listings are posted.
- Feel free to pursue opportunities not listed, but it’s best to first talk to the Internship Coordinator.
Some internship application processes take longer than others.
-
Create a Resume.
- Go on the CED website
- ○ Search resume resources.
- Create your own resume.
- Make an appointment to take your resume to CED for revisions and packaging.
- Go on the CED website
-
Set up a meeting with the internship coordinator.
- The paperwork for an internship can take many weeks to go through Stockton’s clearances.
-
Once you’re hired, paperwork must be completed by all parties.
-
YOU MUST ENROLL IN COMM 4901 BEFORE DROP/ADD ENDS.
Engagement Opportunities
Qualified students may be assisted in obtaining pre-professional experiences in their fields of interest by means of internship opportunities with local and regional corporate, media, and nonprofit organizations. The proximity of Stockton University to Atlantic City and Philadelphia and major radio, TV and print media markets makes possible internship opportunities in the media and in other areas, such as public relations, advertising, and promotions for commercial, political and/or social programs and events.
Students can also opt for an on-campus internship with the university radio station, WLFR, the Community TV Partnership Internship, the Social Media Internship, or the Editing Internship, and can gain hands-on journalism experience through an engaged community journalism partnership with the Atlantic City Press in the newly launched Community Reporting Innovation Lab (CRIL) in Atlantic City. Students can also get involved with Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), our award-winning Public Relation Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter, host their own radio show with WLFR, gain hands-on TV production experience through the Community TV Partnership Internship in our HD TV studio, and contribute to Stockton University’s student-run newspaper, The Argo.
Community Reporting Innovation Lab (AC Campus)
Community Reporting Innovation Lab (CRIL) is designed as a place-based learning environment that will equally value community partners and student learning. Different from any lab currently established at Stockton University, it is a space that includes computers, reporting equipment and meeting areas. These are available for legacy media organizations, community partners and students. Accessible to the staff from The Press of Atlantic City, and additional community storytellers, it is a space capable of hosting a daily editorial meeting as well as a place to pitch stories, work on editing a video or record a podcast. Students will have the opportunity to work shoulder-to-shoulder with professional writers. As needed, the lab will transform into a nighttime newsroom where stories are filed on deadline and breaking news is digested and curated for the next edition. Acting as an additional access point for reporting and collaborating with Atlantic City residents, this lab is an exciting space dedicated to innovation and cutting-edge trends in journalism education and community reporting.
WLFR
WLFR 91.7 FM has been in operation for more than 30 years! We take pride in our diversity of music and shows and strive to bring you programming not found on commercial stations. Students can participate in the WLFR Internship to gain handson experience on the air as well as behind the scenes. Students will also learn about the day-to-day operations of a radio station. WLFR can be found on the web at www.wlfr.fm.
Society of Professional Journalists - Collegiate Institutional Member
Stockton's Communication Studies Program is a Collegiate Institutional Member of the Society of Professional Journalists. The Society of Professional Journalists is the nation’s broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior. The COMM Program hosts innovative student workshops each semester to support professional development.
PRSSA
Stockton’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) Chapter was established
in May 2013. Since that time, under the guidance of Dr. Ai Zhang, Stockton’s PRSSA
chapter has become a powerhouse, providing a range of professional enrichment and
community engagement opportunities. Each year, PRSSA students organize a series of
successful events including industry tours, guest speakers, workshops, career and
alumni panels, and large-scale networking events.These events have helped quickly
establish Stockton PRSSA as a strong organization on campus, in the community, and
of the national body. PRSSA students also have the
opportunity to participate in national conferences. PRSSA is open to all Communication
Studies students, and students across campus.
Facilities
Communication Resources at Galloway
Careers