Choosing a Concentration
The Kennesaw State University Communication major is currently home to more than 800 students who focus on one of four concentrations:
The following information explains in detail the four different concentrations the Communication Department offers. Please explore our Careers in Communication link when you are choosing a concentration.
The Journalism and Citizen Media concentration at KSU is at the forefront of a major media shift in which traditional mainstream media are changing as more content goes online and into a wider digital world. The JCM concentration emerges students into the journalism and citizen media fields. Our students learn how to write and produce news and feature stories. Students also gain hands-on digital experience in our digital video, audio, and photojournalism courses. The Multi-Media Visions of Community Capstone allows seniors to explore a community in the greater Atlanta area and share its stories with an audience.
Students are versed in journalism’s legal and ethical codes and mores. They gain an understanding of communication and journalism theory and practice in civic and community journalism and citizen media concepts. Students learn to advance journalism literacy, principles and practice within the public square. Their education includes understanding how to adapt to a dynamic media world where new technologies and innovation have disrupted old sustained models.
JCM concentration students will enroll in several classes including COM 3330, News Reporting and Writing; COM 3340, Digital Media Production; COM 4470, Media Law; and COM 4488, Multi-Media Visions of Community. In addition, our students take several electives including Advanced Media Writing, Advanced Video Production, Advanced Audio Production, Concepts in New Media, and Contemporary Issues in Mass Media.
Hands-on training is available through coursework, internships, and KSU student media, including The Sentinel newspaper, Talon magazine, Share Art & Literary Magazine, and Owl Radio.
The Media Studies Concentration helps students navigate the media-rich culture as critical thinkers and intentional media creators and users in employment and in personal life. The three competency areas-Technology, Writing, and Media Literacy-offer a focused set of knowledge gains our media studies graduates will need in an increasingly complex and converging media world.
The concentration is designed to give students the freedom to personalize their studies. Students can make creative combinations of courses to suit their interests and blend knowledge and insight in interdisciplinary ways.
Graduates from this concentration will be more savvy media consumers, parents, and participants in the democratic process. Career directions could include, among others: media sales, media buyer, media research, public affairs, writing and publishing, public information officer, community outreach, political advocacy, ministry, as well as communication-based jobs in local, state and federal government. Media Studies also is useful preparation for graduate study.
Required courses in Media Studies include COM 2230, Introduction to Mass Communication; COM 3324, Contemporary Issues in Mass Media; and COM 4424, Uses and Effects of Mass Media. Electives include courses from the three competency areas: technology, writing, and media literacy. Hands-on training is available through coursework, internships, and KSU student media, including The Sentinel newspaper, Talon magazine, Share Art & Literary Magazine, and Owl Radio.
Organizational Communication professionals study the role of communication in increasing corporate productivity and employee satisfaction. KSU is the only Georgia institution offering an undergraduate concentration in Organizational Communication.
Organizational Communication students learn the skills they need to develop employee training programs, training manuals, and employee handbooks. Students also conduct communication audits at area companies to measure employee satisfaction with company communication practices. Students often intern in corporate human resources or training and development departments.
Course offerings explore communication processes within organizations. Required courses in Organizational Communication include COM 3376, Interpersonal Communication, COM 3325, Intercultural Communication; COM 4344, Training and Development; and COM 4440, Leadership Communication. Electives include courses in Group Communication, Communication and Conflict, and Nonverbal Communication.
Public Relations practitioners serve as advocates for their organizations, informing and persuading key publics about the goals, programs, products, and issues associated with their organizations, and working to maintain favorable public opinion of the organizations. The Public Relations concentration prepares students for careers in corporate, non-profit, and government public relations. Coursework emphasizes strategies and skills needed to inform and persuade an organization’s publics, including the media, consumers, employees, shareholders, and community groups.
Public Relations students create news releases, fact sheets, brochures, and public service announcements for real organizations. Students studying the PR concentration will take required courses such as COM 3335, Public Relations Principles; COM 3355 Public Relations Cases; and COM 3375, Public Relations Writing. In the capstone course, Public Relations Campaigns, students work in teams to develop a strategic Public Relations campaign for a community client. Other opportunities include interaction with Atlanta public relations professionals, site visits to Public Relations agencies, attendance at the Public Relations Society of America Collegiate Conference, and internships.
To start your future, contact:
Department of Communication
Kennesaw State University
1000 Chastain Road, #2207
Kennesaw, GA 30144-5591
Phone: (770) 423-6298
Fax: (770) 423-6740
www.kennesaw.edu/communication
We’re located on the fifth floor of the new Social Sciences Building, room 5106.
8/1/2008
