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Communication (Media)

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Academic Programs

Communication (Media) - Associate in Arts (614)

The Communication (Media) degree integrates courses in journalism and news editorial and applies current trends and technologies to create a cohesive academic program that meets clearly articulated goals that appropriately describe its scope and mission. Community college students are encouraged to complete an Associate in Arts degree prior to transfer.

Note: Students should be computer literate. Computer skills may be acquired before or early in the college experience.

Students who have already chosen the university to which they plan to transfer should consult that institution's catalog or department advisor and an SVCC academic advisor in planning their program. Transfer guides for some universities are available at svcc.edu/transfer.

Communication (Media) - Journalism/News Editorial/Photojournalism - IAI Recommended Baccalaureate Curriculum

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Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College

  • Academic Advising, 815-835-6354
  • Thomas Irish, Assistant Professor of English, 815-835-6394
  • Dr. Patricia Fulfs, Professor of Communication, 815-835-6224

Total Hours Required - 65 Hours

Suggested Program

First Semester - 16 Hours

  • Math 3 Semester hour(s)
  • Humanities/Fine Arts 3 Semester hour(s)
  • Social/Behavioral Science 3 Semester hour(s)
  • COM181 - Intro to Mass Communication ( 3 Semester Hours)

    Provides an overview of the nature, functions, and responsibilities of the mass communication industries in a global environment with an emphasis on the media's role in American society Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) MC 911 Semester hour(s): 3 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

  • ENG101 - Composition I ( 3 Semester Hours)

    This course (1) develops awareness of the writing process; (2) provides inventional, organizational, and editorial strategies; (3) stresses the variety of uses for writing; and (4) emphasizes critical skills in reading, thinking, and writing. Prerequisite: Required placement score on approved English placement test, high school unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher, or a grade of C or higher in ELA 099. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C1 900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

  • FYE101 - First Year Experience ( 1 Semester Hours)

    The focus of this course is how to be successful in college. Study skills, goal setting, academic planning, time and money management, and information research skills are among the core topics included in this course. Within a supportive environment, students will share their college experiences and develop connections with fellow students and SVCC staff. 1 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 1 lec/week

Second Semester - 16 Hours

  • *Electives/Foreign Language 4 Semester hour(s)
  • Social/Behavioral Science 3 Semester hour(s)
  • ART103 - Digital Photography ( 3 Semester Hours)

    An overview of the basic concepts of camera control, lighting and composition, as well as shooting techniques for digital photography will be presented. File management and image manipulation will be included. Prerequisites: None 3 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 6 lab/week

    OR

    ART225 - Photography I ( 3 Semester Hours)

    This course is an introduction to analogue photography, film darkroom procedures and will practice blending alternative, traditional and digital materials, techniques and concepts. In the class students will learn and practice photography for both creative and commercial applications. Students will learn how to operate a camera manually and become proficient in using shutter speeds, apertures and light sensitivity controls. This course will include information on the types and anatomy of the cameras and explore a variety of photographic accessories including both traditional B&W darkroom and digital photographic techniques. In this course students will apply their technical knowledge of photography and create a variety of visually impactful and meticulously produced photographic images. This course also will examine the historical context and contemporary use of photography as an artistic medium in our culture. Students will work to hone their technical skills coupled with their personal creative vision within several photographic genres and create professionally presented works of photographic art. Prerequisite: ART 101 (may be taken concurrently) or ART 113 (may be taken concurrently) or consent of instructor. 3 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 6 lab/week

       
    • COM131 - Intro to Oral Communication ( 3 Semester Hours)

      This course combines communication theory with the practice of oral communication skills. This course: (1) develops awareness of the communication process; (2) provides inventional, organizational, and expressive strategies; (3) promotes understanding of and adaptation to a variety of communication contexts; and (4) emphasizes critical skills in listening, reading, thinking, and speaking. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C2 900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

    • ENG103 - Composition II ( 3 Semester Hours)

      An advanced course in essay writing with emphasis on formal research, ENG 103 serves to develop a proficiency in the collection and selection of data as applied to the completion of a formal research paper. In addition, students receive instruction in logic and reasoning, including the fundamentals of argumentative and persuasive writing. Prerequisite: A grade of C or higher in ENG 101 or its equivalent or consent of instructor. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C1 901R Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

    Third Semester - 16-17 Hours

    • *Electives/Foreign Language 4 Semester hour(s)
    • Fine Arts 3 Semester hour(s)
    • **Life Science 3-4 Semester hour(s)
    • ENG153 - Basic News Writing ( 3 Semester Hours)

      Basic News Writing is a course designed to teach students the basic components of news reporting. In order to pass, students will demonstrate the ability to: write clear, concise, accurate, complete, balanced and readable news stories, define what constitutes news and how news stories differ from features and opinion pieces, effectively apply research skills for writing news stories, write effective leads, write a variety of types of news stories, gather and write news in an ethical manner and apply the laws governing journalists, demonstrate knowledge of AP Stylebook rules, and write under deadline pressure. Students will write information for mass audiences in print and electronic formats. Prerequisite: ENG 101 with a grade of ""C"" or equivalent. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): MC 919 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

    • ENG270 - Creative Writing ( 3 Semester Hours)

      An introduction to the principles, problems and processes involved in writing poetry and fiction. The course includes lectures, readings, and examinations and criticism of students work. 3 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

    Fourth Semester - 16-17 Hours

    • *Humanities/Foreign Language 4 Semester hour(s)
    • **Physical Science 3-4 Semester hour(s)
    • Social/Behavioral Science 3 Semester hour(s)
    • ENG154 - Basic News Editing ( 3 Semester Hours)

      Basic News Editing is an introduction to the principles and techniques of electronic editing, information management, and publication design emphasizing the editing of body copy and display type for maximum clarity and impact. On successful completion of the course, the student will be able to effectively edit stories, rewrite stories without distorting them, write effective headlines and cutlines, demonstrate basic knowledge of typography, demonstrate the basics of publication design and the logic of packaging, and apply AP Stylebook rules. Prerequisite: ENG 101 with a grade of ""C"" or equivalent or ENG 153 (Basic News Writing) with a grade of ""C"" or equivalent. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): MC 920 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

    • ENG271 - Creative Writing II ( 3 Semester Hours)

      This course focuses on creating a community of writers. Students will engage in producing, presenting and publishing original works of poetry and fiction. 3 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

    Footnotes

    • *Three to four semesters of a college level foreign language or three to four years of a high school level foreign language maybe required for a Bachelor of Arts degree. Bachelor of Science degree may require more courses in mathematics, statistics and/or computer science. Contact an academic advisor for more information.
    • **One lab science required.