Overview of the Communication Major:
The Communication major offers a focus on human communication in a wide variety of settings from face-to-face and organizational contexts to media and mass communication. The major stresses both general knowledge of the process of communication and skillful development and presentation of messages. In addition to course work, students gain practical experience in their concentration through internships, independent study and co-curricular activities.

Career Opportunities:
Career opportunities for Communication majors include: business and organizational leadership, public relations, journalism, radio and television, corporate training, and education. Each of these opportunities involves the need to understand and develop useful communication strategies.

COMM  101  Fundamentals of Communication
COMM 230  Introduction to Communication Studies
COMM 261  Mass Media and Modern Society
COMM 321  Junior Colloquium
COMM 421  Senior Colloquium
COMM 491  Freedom of Expression and Communication Ethics

One of the following two courses:

COMM 231  Interpersonal Communication
COMM 235 Small Group Communication

One of the following three courses:

COMM  263  Radio and Television Production
COMM 363  Media and Public Relations Writing
COMM 367  Layout and Design

Two of the following four courses:

COMM  333  Organizational Communication
COMM  335  Argumentation
COMM  337  Communication Criticism
COMM  339  Persuasion

A student is required to take three hours of 100/200 workshop credit for a CATA major and complete either an internship or independent study.  However, no more than 12 hours of experiential credit may count toward the completion of the major; this includes 100/200 workshop and internships.  Students may not exceed 3 credit hours of 100-level workshop or 8 hours of 200-level workshop.  

A passing evaluation on the Communication and Theatre Arts Senior Electronic Portfolio.

COMM  101 Fundamentals of Communication
COMM233 Advanced Public Speaking

One of the following two courses:
COMM231 Interpersonal Communication
COMM 235  Small Group Communication

Two of the following four courses:
COMM  333 Organizational Communication
COMM  335 Argumentation
COMM  337 Communication Criticism
COMM  339 Persuasion

One semester hour of Communication workshop credit at the 100 or 200 level.

COMM  101  Fundamentals of Communication
COMM 261  Mass Media and Modern Society
COMM263  Radio and Television Production
COMM 363  Media and Public Relations Writing
COMM 365  Media Production

One semester hour of Communication workshop credit at the 100 or 200 level.

Career and Graduate School Opportunities
Communication majors may work in business and organizational leadership, public relations, in journalism or radio and television, in corporate training, in education, in web production and design, event planning, human resources, or the law (to name only a few of the many career opportunities); all of these involve the need to understand and develop effective communication strategies and well-honed communication skills. In recent years some of our majors have pursued graduate work in communication leading to the Master’s degree or to the Ph.D. Others have chosen to attend law school, the seminary, or have entered programs in related fields such as psychology, public relations, higher education administration, student life, or sports and recreation. Graduate programs our majors have selected include University of Illinois, University of Michigan, DePaul University, Marquette University, Illinois State, Northern Illinois, Western Illinois, Southern Illinois, Ohio State, San Francisco State, Bowling Green State, among others.

Internships
Internships are an integral part of the CATA major. All majors are required to complete an internship experience or an independent study project. Internships can be taken in a wide variety of job settings from management to radio and television, to journalism, to public relations, to the arts. A listing of recent internships in the department can be viewed at the CATA web site’s internship page. The internship experience usually occurs in the Junior or Senior year or in the summer between. CATA faculty members routinely advise and assist students in finding good internships. An internship is normally for three semester hours of credit. Typically students spend about eight to ten hours per week at the internship site.

Facilities and Activities
The department trains and supports a substantial group of communication and media tutors who assist beginning students in public communication and a wide range of other students across a multiplicity of communication and media settings. Communication assistants develop valuable professional skills and are at an advantage in seeking assistantships for graduate school.

The CATA television studio in Wallace Hall is home to MC-TV, a series programs featuring news, entertainment and original student films broadcast to the campus on cable channel 14. Recently the studios were converted to all-digital production. Over 35 students participate in producing MC-TV each semester. The studio is a versatile facility with stage, lighting and audio equipment for producing newscasts and variety shows. Recently a CATA student-faculty produced documentary won a national award of excellence from the Broadcast Educators Association.

Radio station WMCR is a student operated campus station, broadcast through the campus cable system in FM stereo. The station has two, new, professionally equipped audio broadcast studios located in the Stockdale Center, one “on-air” and one for production and laboratory work. The studio equipment used is like that in a commercial station. Over 60 students participate in radio activities each semester.

We operate a newly constructed Computer/Media laboratory in Wallace Hall with Windows based design and editing stations for 20 students, including computers equipped with software for audio/video editing, multi-media production, graphic design, web authoring and other applications.

Off-campus Programs
Communication majors are encouraged to study off-campus during their program at Monmouth. Perth College is Scotland offers excellent technical facilities and opportunities for media students. The ACM Chicago programs are excellent locations for students to pursue outstanding internships in business communication, public relations, media and public affairs. Communication students have also made good use of study opportunities in London, Paris and Japan.

Honors
Monmouth College holds one of the first ten charters issued for a chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the Communication Honor Society. Each year our chapter initiates top students in communication to membership in the society.

For further information regarding internships activities or other aspects of the program including student web-based electronic portfolios, contact Dr. Lee McGaan, Communication Chair or visit the Communication web site.

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