Communications is perhaps the most multidisciplinary major you can go into. It is the perfect balance between theory and practice, and you will leave your undergraduate education having learned and created so many amazing things. At JCU, the Communications major curriculum introduces students to all the branches of communication, so that we can gain a basic knowledge of everything and then choose what we want to study in-depth with the many elective courses that are offered.
- Production
From pitching a movie idea to writing a script, to casting and filming and editing, we do it all. JCU has screenwriting courses for both film and television, as well as courses for non-scripted programs and reporting. John Cabot also has brand-new TV studio lab where students can film and edit content. Foundations of Video Production (COM 230) is a core course in the Communications curriculum. In this class alone, students are responsible for writing and producing a television ad, several sketches, and a short film. JCU offers a variety of other digital media courses each semester. Check out our media production facilities and our digital media lab website!
- Journalism
From news writing to feature writing to travel writing, John Cabot has many courses in journalism that also count as Creative Writing electives. Another core course for Communications, Writing Across The Media (COM 221), introduces students to creating journalistic content for every platform, from radio to blogs. Each semester digital journalism courses are offered.
- Media Studies
Media Studies includes the more theoretic study of cinema, television, music, video games, and more. In these courses, students analyze existing media products and how they are influenced by theories and trends. Some of the most popular and beloved classes are Disney: Myth and Media (CMS 314), Race and Gender in Cinema and TV (CMS 360), Popular Music and Mass Culture (CMS 316), and Cultural Resistance (CMS 320). The theoretical framework that we learn in these classes comes in handy for every other branch of Communications as well as other fields. A range of Communications and Media Studies courses offered next semester.
- Social Media
Social media is an essential part of communicating in the 21st century, so the Communications department wants to make sure that we are properly trained. Thanks to a core course like Digital Media Culture (COM 311), I learned so much about what goes behind the scenes of the internet, the worldwide web (no, they are not the same thing!), and social media. Another student favorite is Social Networks and Media Management (CMS 361), also a Business elective.
The combination of these four fields makes Communications an extremely strong degree, because it prepares students to juggle very different subjects. In fact, it is naturally well-suited for interdisciplinarity. Students tend to pair their Communications major with a minor in Marketing, Psychology, Creative Writing, Business, and International Affairs.
There are infinite career possibilities for a Communications major. These days, just about every single company or organization has a press office, a social media office, and somebody who produces visual, audio, and written content. And that is, most likely, the future of a Communications graduate.
Federica Bocco
Communications major, Humanistic Studies minor
JCU class of 2018
Hometown: Naples, Italy
