2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Communication Studies
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Communication Studies examines the ways in which social meanings are produced through the creation, mediation, and reception of messages. Students may focus on Media Studies, Journalism, or Public Relations and Advertising, or devise their own area of concentration. This major specializes in practical training in the use of media technologies and communication strategies, as well as critical and historical perspectives on media and communication. Students in this major learn to gather, analyze, organize, and present information in a clear and engaging fashion. In addition to course work, students may gain practical experience through the college newspaper, radio, commercial magazines, and professional internships.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Communications Studies program, students will be able to demonstrate:
- Evaluate mass communication methods and trends and recommend improvements.
- Identify intentional and unintentional biases within communication.
- Demonstrate an understanding of design and organization principles.
- Evaluate the ethics of media sources and their tactics.
- Organize and deliver professional oral and visual presentations for designated audiences.
- Demonstrate skills in logic, reasoning, and argumentation.
- Actively participate in interpersonal exchanges and collaborative communication efforts.
- Analyze the role of communication (intrapersonal, interpersonal, and mass) in a democracy.
Internships
Students are required to do an internship as part of their communication study at New England College. Internship opportunities exist in the areas of radio and television broadcasting, public relations, video production, social media, newspapers, for‐profit and non‐profit organizations.
Semester Abroad Recommendation
International affairs and first‐hand knowledge of other cultures is increasingly significant to communication studies majors. We therefore recommend that students in the communication program consider taking one semester or more at a foreign study program offered by New England College. In the semester abroad program, students may fulfill some of their major requirements as well as general education requirements.
Experiential Learning Component
The Communication Studies Program provides experiential learning through participation in media professions such as journalism, public relations, advertising, video and radio production, and media practices such as video production, audio production/podcasting, social media, radio broadcasting, public speaking, and writing for journalism, PR, and advertising. The core immersion experience for many Communication Studies majors is contributing to The NewEnglander, NEC’s college newspaper/website, and/or WNEC, the college radio station. PR and advertising students often work for campus organizations and events. An internship or practicum is also a requirement for the major.
ProgramsMajorMinorCoursesCommunication Studies
All undergraduate courses are 4 credits unless otherwise noted.
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