Communication Arts—Bachelor of Arts

Degree: Bachelor of Arts

Website: Department of Communication Arts

College/School: School of Media and Design

Apply to UIW: Application for the Bachelor of Arts in Communications Arts program

Concentrations: Media and Culture · Multimedia Journalism · Strategic and Corporate Communication

Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts

The Communication Arts program provides rigorous and engaging courses from experienced scholars, educators, and industry professionals that prepare students for diverse careers in media and communication. Specifically, our program develops technical and practical skills in production, broadcasting, film, journalism, and strategic and corporate communication. Students not only acquire hands-on expertise but also develop a deep understanding of the underlying theories and critical frameworks that shape the dynamic fields of media and communication. The demands of our world and industries require a holistic approach to student success that fosters both relational confidence and technical competence to transform their potential into mastery and opportunity.

Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts Degree Plan

Students may complete the Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts degree program in one of four concentrations: Media and Culture, Multimedia Journalism, and Strategic and Corporate Communication. Each program concentration requires a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete.

Media and Culture Concentration

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts with a concentration in Media and Culture explores the complexities of media and their influence on culture and society. Students will cultivate analytical and critical thinking skills necessary to thrive in the field of communication. This concentration requires a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete.

UIW Undergraduate Core Curriculum

UIW core coursework is required. Review The Undergraduate Core Curriculum Here and review the degree plans for each concentration for scheduling of the core curriculum classwork. In addition, 45 Community Service hours are part of all bachelor's degree programs. See Community Service.

UIW Core Curriculum
Composition and Rhetoric	6 credit hours
Literature and Art	6 credit hours
Science and Mathematics	7 credit hours
History and Behavioral Science	6 credit hours
Philosophy and Religion	9 credit hours
Second Language	6 credit hours
Wellness and Physical Education	3 credit hours
	43 total core credit hours

Community Service	45 clock hours (non-credit)

Total Credit Hours:

Communication Arts major are required to take COMM 1302: Media Literacy to fulfill the Behavioral Science requirement.

Communication Arts Core Coursework

17 credit hours of Communication Arts core coursework is required.

COMM 1100	Orientation to Communication Arts	1
COMM 1305	Digital Literacy	3
COMM 1311	Public Speaking	3
COMM 3310	Theories of Communication	3
COMM 4100	Communication Industry Seminar	1
COMM 4328	Internship	3
COMM 4316	Media Ethics and Law	3
Total Credit Hours:		17

Media and Culture Concentration Coursework

30 credit hours of Media and Culture courses are required for this concentration.

COMM 2315	Writing for the Media	3
COMM 3387	Rhetoric of Media and Popular Culture	3
COMM 3317	Diversity in the Media	3
COMM 3320	Aesthetics of Vision and Sound	3
COMM 4305	Communications, Technology, and Society	3
COMM 4325	Global Media Studies	3
COMM 4381	Seminar: Issues in Cultural Communcation	3

COMM 3331	Sports Broadcasting	3
	Or
COMM 3353	Broadcast Journalism	3
	Or
COMM 3355	Publications Practicum	3
	Or
COMM 3390	Radio Practicum	3
	Or
COMM 4347	Social Media	3
	And
COMM 4372	Interpersonal Communications	3
	Or
COMM 3383	Organizational Dynamics and Leadership	3
	Or
COMM 4380	Critical Issues and Crucial Conversations	3
	And
COMM 3381	Digital FIlm Production I	3
	Or
COMM 3365	Multimedia Design and Production	3
	Or
COMM 4343	Convergent Media	3
Total Credit Hours:		30

General or Communication Elective Coursework

30 hours of COMM electives or General Electives are required as needed to fulfill the 120 credit hour program requirement.

Recommended COMM Electives for the Media and Culture Concentration: COMM 2354 Journalism I; COMM 3313 Event Planning; COMM 4349 Digital Publishing; COMM 4372 Interpersonal Communication

Recommended that students consider pursuing a minor in COMM or in another field of study related to student's academic and vocational interests.

Total Credit Hours:

Multimedia and Journalism Concentration

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts with a concentration in Multimedia & Journalism offers courses that sharpen practical and technical skills while also emphasizing production and media theory. Students will also work and build from a strong ethical foundation and approach to media production and presentation. This concentration requires a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete.

UIW Undergraduate Core Curriculum

UIW Core Curriculum
Composition and Rhetoric	6 credit hours
Literature and Art	6 credit hours
Science and Mathematics	7 credit hours
History and Behavioral Science	6 credit hours
Philosophy and Religion	9 credit hours
Second Language	6 credit hours
Wellness and Physical Education	3 credit hours
	43 total core credit hours

Community Service	45 clock hours (non-credit)

Total Credit Hours:

Communication Arts major are required to take COMM 1302: Media Literacy to fulfill the Behavioral Science requirement.

Communication Arts Core Coursework

17 credit hours of Communication Arts core coursework is required.

COMM 1100	Orientation to Communication Arts	1
COMM 1305	Digital Literacy	3
COMM 1311	Public Speaking	3
COMM 3310	Theories of Communication	3
COMM 4100	Communication Industry Seminar	1
COMM 4328	Internship	3
COMM 4316	Media Ethics and Law	3
Total Credit Hours:		17

Concentration Coursework

30 credit hours required for the Multimedia and Journalism Concentration.

COMM 2315	Writing for the Media	3
COMM 2354	Journalism I	3
COMM 3354	Journalism II	3
COMM 3365	Multimedia Design and Production	3
COMM 3381	Digital FIlm Production I	3
COMM 3329	Television News Production	3
COMM 4343	Convergent Media	3
COMM 4349	Digital Publishing	3
	Two Practicum Courses
COMM 3331	Sports Broadcasting	3
COMM 3353	Broadcast Journalism	3
COMM 3355	Publications Practicum	3
COMM 3390	Radio Practicum	3
COMM 4347	Social Media	3
Total Credit Hours:		30

General Elective Coursework

30 hours of COMM electives or General Electives are required as needed to fulfill the 120 credit hour program requirement.

Recommended COMM Electives for the Multimedia & Journalism Concentration: COMM 3313 Event Planning; COMM 3353 Broadcast Journalism; COMM 3386 Studio Production; COMM 3390 Radio Practicum.; COMM 3331 Sports Broadcasting; COMM 4335 News & Feature Editing; COMM 4348 Journalism History; COMM 3317: Diversity in the Media; COMM 3320: Aesthetics; COMM 3385: Strategic Communication; COMM 4390 Senior Portfolio

Recommended that students consider pursuing a minor in COMM or in another field of study related to student’s academic and vocational interests.

Strategic and Corporate Communication Concentration

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts with a concentration in Strategic and Corporate Communication fosters the exploration of persuasive, purposeful and results-oriented communications such as public relations, organizational communication, strategic communications and elements of production. Students will gain an in-depth knowledge of organizational dynamics, corporate environment and leadership. This concentration requires a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete.

Total Credit Hours:

120

UIW Undergraduate Core Curriculum

UIW Core Curriculum
Composition and Rhetoric	6 credit hours
Literature and Art	6 credit hours
Science and Mathematics	7 credit hours
History and Behavioral Science	6 credit hours
Philosophy and Religion	9 credit hours
Second Language	6 credit hours
Wellness and Physical Education	3 credit hours
	43 total core credit hours

Community Service	45 clock hours (non-credit)

Total Credit Hours:

Communication Arts major are required to take COMM 1302: Media Literacy to fulfill the Behavioral Science requirement.

Communication Arts Core Coursework

17 credit hours of Communication Arts core coursework is required.

COMM 1100	Orientation to Communication Arts	1
COMM 1305	Digital Literacy	3
COMM 1311	Public Speaking	3
COMM 3310	Theories of Communication	3
COMM 4100	Communication Industry Seminar	1
COMM 4328	Internship	3
COMM 4316	Media Ethics and Law	3
Total Credit Hours:		17

Strategic and Corporate Communication Concentration Coursework

30 credit hours are required for the Strategic and Corporate Communications Concentration.

COMM 3375	Corporate Communication	3
COMM 3313	Event Planning	3
COMM 3320	Aesthetics of Vision and Sound	3
COMM 3385	Strategic Communication	3
COMM 4372	Interpersonal Communications	3
	Two Practicum Courses
COMM 3331	Sports Broadcasting	3
	Or
COMM 3353	Broadcast Journalism	3
	Or
COMM 3355	Publications Practicum	3
	Or
COMM 3390	Radio Practicum	3
	Or
COMM 4347	Social Media	3
	One Content-Production Course
COMM 2315	Writing for the Media	3
	Or
COMM 3381	Digital FIlm Production I	3
	Or
COMM 4343	Convergent Media	3
	Or
COMM 4349	Digital Publishing	3
	One Media and Culture Course
COMM 3317	Diversity in the Media	3
	Or
COMM 4305	Communications, Technology, and Society	3
	Or
COMM 4381	Seminar: Issues in Cultural Communcation	3
	And
COMM 3383	Organizational Dynamics and Leadership	3
	Or
COMM 4380	Critical Issues and Crucial Conversations	3
Total Credit Hours:		30

General or Communication Elective Coursework

30 hours of COMM electives or General Electives are required as needed to fulfill the 120 credit hour program requirement.

Recommended that students in this concentration consider studying abroad and also pursuing a minor in the COMM department or in another field of study related to student's academic and vocational interests.

Total Credit Hours: