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2019-2020 Undergraduate Studies Bulletin
Columbia Campus
   
2019-2020 Undergraduate Studies Bulletin 
    
 
  Mar 28, 2024
 
2019-2020 Undergraduate Studies Bulletin

Mass Communications, BAJMC


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The challenge of 21st-century communications is to combine the information-gathering function-research and data bases-with the disciplines of disseminating information-journalism, advertising, public relations, visual communications, and mass communications.
 
The college’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications is professionally oriented and grounded strongly in the liberal arts. It offers instruction at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Course work is offered in electronic and print journalism, advertising, public relations, visual communications, and mass communications to train students in both the processes and effects of mass communication.

Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Mass Commnications, B.A.J.M.C. program will be able to…

  • Demonstrate the ability to conduct research, gather information, write clearly and correctly and present relevant news or persuasive information at a professional level.
  • Think critically, creatively and independently; evaluate their own work and the work of others for accuracy, fairness, clarity, style and correctness.
  • Understand the history of journalism and mass communications, the diversity of groups in a global society in relationship to communications and the role of journalism and mass communications in society.
  • Understand the ethical concepts, legal implications, considerations and practices that guide the mass media professions.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply tools and technologies appropriate for the production, editing and presentation of visual, aural, textual or other media content.
  • Apply basic numerical and statistical concepts and methods appropriate for the communications professions.

Major Map

A major map is a layout of required courses in a given program of study, including critical courses and suggested course sequences to ensure a clear path to graduation.

Major maps are only a suggested or recommended sequence of courses required in a program of study. Please contact your academic advisor for assistance in the application of specific coursework to a program of study and course selection and planning for upcoming semesters.

Mass Communications, BAJMC
 

Degree Requirements (120 hours)

See School of Journalism and Mass Communications  for entrance requirements, progression requirements, and other regulations.

Program of Study

  1. Carolina Core (31-44 hours)
  2. College Requirements (18-21 hours)
  3. Program Requirements (12-23 hours)
  4. Major Requirements (48 hours)

1. Carolina Core (31-44 hours)


Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Written — CMW (6 hours)

must be passed with a grade of C or higher

Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving — ARP (6-7 hours)

Scientific Literacy — SCI (7 hours)

Two approved Carolina Core Scientific Literacy courses from the natural sciences, including one laboratory course

Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language — GFL (0-6 hours)

Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language (except Latin or Ancient Greek) equivalent to the minimal passing grade on the exit examination in 122. Students can demonstrate this proficiency by successfully completing Phase II of the Proficiency Test or by successfully completing the 122 course, including the exit exam administered as part of that course.

​Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking — GHS (3 hours) 

One US History course selected from the following:

Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences — GSS (3 hours) 

Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding —  AIU (3 hours)

Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Spoken Component* — CMS (0-3 hours)

Select one from the following:

Information Literacy* —  INF (0-3 hours)

Values, Ethics, and Social Responsibility* — VSR (0-3 hours)

*Carolina Core Stand Alone or Overlay Eligible Requirements — Overlay-approved courses offer students the option of meeting two Carolina Core components in a single course. A maximum of two overlays is allowed. The total Carolina Core credit hours must add up to a minimum of 31 hours. Some programs may have a higher number of minimum Carolina Core hours due to specified requirements.

2. College Requirements (18-21 hours)


Foreign Language (0-3 hours)

  • only if needed to meet 122-level proficiency

History (3 hours)

One non-US History from the following:

Literature (3 hours)

One English course selected from the following:

Social Science (3 hours)

Social or Behavioral Science (3 hours)

  • A 300-level or higher course from HIST or POLI or three hours of Social or Behavioral Sciences at the 300 level or higher from: AFAM- African-American Studies; ANTH- Anthropology; COLA- College of Liberal Arts; GEOG-Geography (except GEOG 545 and GEOG 546); LASP-Latin American Studies; POLI- Political Science; PSYC- Psychology; SOCY- Sociology; SOST- Southern Studies; WGST- Women and Gender Studies.

Additional SJMC Requirements (6 hours)

3. Program Requirements (12-23 hours)


Minor or Cognate (12-18 hours)

Students must complete either a minor or a cognate from courses outside the SJMC.

a minimum grade of C is required in all cognate or minor courses

Minor (18 hours)

A student in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications may choose to complete a minor consisting of 18 credit hours of prescribed courses. The minor is intended to develop a coherent basic preparation in a second area of study. Courses applied toward general education requirements cannot be counted toward the minor. No course may satisfy both major and minor requirements. All minor courses must be passed with a grade of C or better. A minor form must be completed and approved by the school after the student has completed 30 hours of course work.

Cognate (12 hours)

A student in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications may choose to complete a cognate. A cognate requires a minimum of 12 hours of courses in other departments related to the student’s major and/or career goals. Cognate courses may be taken in one or more departments depending on the interest and requirements of the student, but must have approval of the student’s adviser. Journalism courses may not be used in the cognate. At least 6 of the 12 hours must be at the 300-level or higher. No 100 level courses may be used in the cognate.

Electives (0-11 hours)

The Carolina Core, additional SJMC General Eduation Requirements, Minor/Cognate and Electives outside of the SJMC must include at least 72 semester hours in academic subjects. Students with fewer than 72 hours in general education courses must take enough electives to fulfill the 72-hour minimum.

No elective courses of a remedial, developmental nature may apply as credit toward the 72-hour minimum.

4. Major Requirements (48 hours)


a minimum grade of C is required in all major courses

Major Courses (30 hours)

Leadership with Distinction Pathway (6 hours)

Choose one of the University’s Leadership with Distinction Pathways: Global Learning, Research, Civic Engagement, or Community Service.  Courses listed under each pathway are examples that address the pathway’s learning outcomes.  Except for the required courses identified, otehr relevant courses that address the pathway outcomes may be substituted per approval of advisor.

Note: The major in Mass Communications aligns with Graduation with Leadership Distinction. All students pursuing the Leadership Distinction designation will be assigned a faculty mentor from the Mass Communications sequence with whom they will be required to meet at least once per semester during their academic career. Further information on Graduation with Leadership Distinction can be obtained through the Office of USC Connect.

Major Electives (12 hours)

Four JOUR electives of the students’ choice: at least 3 hours and no more than 6 hours must be from skills courses.

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