FRANK GARLAND, Program Director
Program Description:
Housed in the English department, the Journalism Communications program is an interdisciplinary program designed to provide students with a thorough background in journalism for both print and electronic media. Through courses offered by the English department and the Communication Arts, Electronic Media department, students learn the history of media and the theoretical perspectives and ethical issues confronting the various media, and acquire the practical skills necessary for working successfully in each medium. Also, the major requires numerous practicums where classroom learning is put into practice. Journalism Communications majors are prepared for careers in newspaper reporting, radio, TV, radio and TV production, public relations, advertising, interactive digital media and graduate school.
Students receive hands-on experience by working on the student newspaper, The Gannon Knight, and at Gannon's own 3,000-watt broadcast and web streaming station, WERG-FM and WERGFM.com. Also, Gannon has a full TV production, digital editing and multimedia studio that is used for student instruction.
In addition, the Journalism Communications program provides students with internship opportunities with the Erie Times-News, local television affiliates, ad agencies, radio stations and public relations firms.
A major in this program consists of 53 credits of required upper-level courses in the field of concentration, including practicums, an internship and a senior research project.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:
See the section on English for descriptions of courses designated ENGL.
See the section on Theatre and Communication Arts for descriptions of courses designated COMM.
Journalism Communications Curriculum
(Numerals in front of courses indicate credits)
FRESHMAN
Fall Semester
3 College Composition/LENG 111
3 Foreign Language
3 Intro to Elect Media/COMM 111
3 Fundamentals of Speech/SPCH 111
3 History of West & World/LHST 111
2 First-Year Seminar/COMM 161
17
Spring Semester
3 Critical Anal. and Comp/LENG 112
3 Foreign Language
3 Sacred Scripture/LTHE 121
3 Intro to Psychology/PSYC 111
3 Introduction to Philosophy/LPHI 131
1 Practicum/COMM 162
16
SOPHOMORE
Fall Semester
3 Writing for Print Media/ENGL 214
3 Philosophy II Series/LPHI
3 Literature Series/LENG
3 US Govt and Politics/POLI 111
3 Digital Audio Production/COMM 241
3 Voice and Diction/THEA 221
18
Spring Semester
3 Theology II Series/LTHE
3 Editing/Prod of Print Media/ENGL 215
3 Intro to TV Production/COMM 211
3 Mass Media and Pop Cult/ENGL 371
3 Fine Art Series/LFIN
1 Practicum/COMM 262
16
JUNIOR
Fall Semester
3 Radio/TV Performance/COMM 230
3 Theology or Phil III Series/LTHE or LPHI
3 Corporate Video/COMM 330
3 Feature Writing/ENGL 218
3 Elective
1 Leadership Seminar
16
Spring Semester
3 Adv/Specialized Reporting/ENGL 216
3 Advanced Speech/SPCH 313
3 Broadcast News Writ/Prod/COMM 411
3 Public Relations/ENGL 372
3 Photojournalism/ENGL 252
15
SENIOR
Fall Semester
3 Public Policy/POLI 122
3 Math
3 Ethics and Criticism/COMM 350
3 Intro to Env Science/ENV 120 or
Environmental Issues/BIOL 103
3 Elective
15
Spring Semester
3 Media Mgmt/Print Journ/COMM 341
3 Internship/COMM 490 or ENGL 375
3 Senior Research/COMM 400/ENGL 400
3 Elective
3 Prin of Macroeconomics/BCOR112
15
