Selected as one of West Virginia State College's "Peaks of Excellence" and awarded the distinction of being a "Program of Excellence" by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, the communications programs of study are designed to provide the undergraduate student with competencies in the theoretical and practical disciplines within a broadly defined concentration. Communications is, essentially, an interdisciplinary area of study, utilizing diverse perspectives from the fields of humanities, social sciences, and information technology. The Communications program develops multi-skilled graduates, capable of working creatively within the diverse industries and cultures associated with Communications.
There can be little doubt that the process of acquiring knowledge in 21st century is increasingly based on representations in language, images, and the mass media rather than on direct experience. These "mediated" ways of learning have had a significant impact on education, politics, entertainment, and even human identity formation. The Communications program at WVSU emphasizes such concepts as "narrative," "image," and "performance" and attempts to move students closer to an understanding of how these ideas relate to their own lives as well as how they perceive the world. Particular emphasis is placed upon student learning in the areas of mass communications, digital media, web design, new media technologies as well as traditional communications disciplines such as radio and television broadcasting, film and video production, theatre, journalism, public relations and interpersonal communication.
The study of communications at WVSU also emphasizes the increasing globalization of media technologies and offers students opportunities to participate in international exchanges, travel and study abroad programs, and other activities that promote international understanding and cooperation.
The communications major shall, when eligible, participate in a capstone field experience, which is intended to give him/her the opportunity to apply theories and skills in a professional communications setting.
Upon completion of the B.S. in Communications, graduates should be able to: Think critically; listen with a comprehending ear; write and speak with clarity, style and a personal voice; and make connections that go beyond the classroom experience. Graduating students will possess skills that exceed the established expectations for WVSU's General Education Competencies with special emphasis on oral and written, and mediated communication.
Graduates are employed in many positions including: video artists, web page designers, animators, film makers, video producers, television directors, production assistants, curators, educators, sound engineers, project managers, production designers, artistic/creative directors of arts organizations, radio broadcasters, photographers, teachers and lecturers, digital imaging specialists, and as creative consultants to the many industries serviced by the media arts.
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The Communications curriculum (with 24 hours of required coursework in the discipline) consists of four components:
I. Mass Communication (6 hours)
II. Film (6 hours)
III. Radio and Television Production (6 hours)
IV. Theater (6 hours)
The graduates of the Communications program will be able to:
1. Demonstrate the knowledge of major audio-visual script formats and be able to select the appropriate format for any project;
2. Demonstrate a familiarity with the basic vocabulary of cinematography/videography including basic shots, angles, editing transitions, and camera movements;
3. Understand such basic photographic principles as F-stops, depth of field, and focal length and be able to use these principles creatively in their own productions;
4. Discuss major trends in film and theatre history as well as the history of print and electronic media;
5. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the laws and regulations that apply to electronic and print media;
6. Demonstrate knowledge of commercial screenwriting with an ability to write a full-length movie script;
7. Demonstrate the ability to direct and/or act in short scenes from plays;
8. Work in a variety of areas within the context of a television studio production, including lighting, audio control, camera, directing, etc.;
9. Demonstrate the ability to produce and direct a short film and/or video production;
10. Demonstrate the ability to speak in public in both small and large group settings;
11. Demonstrate an understanding of speech preparation, writing and delivery, group problem solving, self-perception, listening skills, non-verbal and verbal communication, and the expression of ideas and feelings;
12. Demonstrate basic understanding of audio production and radio broadcast announcing.
Course-Outcome Alignment Matrix
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Outcome-Measure Alignment Matrix
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Communications Graduate Follow-Up Survey
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Employer Survey of WVSU Communications Graduates
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