2024-2025 Undergraduate Benedict Catalogue

Jul 17, 2025

2024-2025 Undergraduate Benedict Catalogue

Mass Communication, B.A.

Mission

The program prepares the Mass Communication majors for the future of mass media and mass communications by exposing them to a variety of relevant theoretical knowledge, practical experiences and networking opportunities on campus and beyond. Through instruction, practice, project-based work, service learning, participation in student media and internships, we prepare our students to be competitive professionals and leaders in analytics-driven, audience-focused convergent media.

DSLR Camera Requirement

As future high-tech media professionals, students will invest in high-tech personal equipment that they will utilize. This equipment is a requirement for production courses in the Mass Communication Program of Study. Specifically, after consultation with a Mass Communication faculty member, students will purchase a DSLR camera with interchangeable lenses and video capability. Students will use the DSLR camera in the course, MASS 330 , and in subsequent courses in which MASS 330 is a prerequisite.

Service-Learning

Each student is required to complete a minimum of 120 hours of approved service-learning activities for graduation. These hours are to be earned in service-learning designated courses that are identified within the course description. If a course has a service-learning requirement, then the student must complete the service-learning activity regardless of the total number of service-learning hours they have accumulated.

(Students are required to select a minor)

*Major courses require a “C” or better.

Freshman Year

First Semester

ENG 131 - ANALYSIS AND ARGUMENTATION Credits: 3
MATH 132 - GENERAL COLLEGE MATHEMATICS I Credits: 3
Science Requirement Credits: 4
HIST 130 - INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY Credits: 3
MASS 130 - INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY OF MASS MEDIA Credits: 3
AA 111 - THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE Credits: 1

Total SCH 17

Second Semester

ENG 132 - INFORMATION, LITERACY & RESEARCH Credits: 3
MATH 134 - GENERAL COLLEGE MATHEMATICS II Credits: 3
THE 120 - VOICE & DICTION Credits: 2
ART 130 - FOUNDATIONS: ART APPRECIATION Credits: 3
OR
MUS 130 - FOUNDATIONS:MUSIC APPRECIATION Credits: 3
OR
THE 230 - THEATRE APPRECIATION Credits: 3
MASS 131 - FUNDAMENTALS OF DIGITAL LITERACY Credits: 3

Total SCH 14

Sophomore Year

First Semester

ENG 237 - ORAL COMMUNICATION Credits: 3
MASS 230A - PHOTOGRAPHY FOR WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA Credits: 3
MASS 233 - WRITING FOR MASS MEDIA Credits: 3
Mass Comm Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
AA 211 - PROFESSIONAL PATHWAYS DEVELOPMENT Credits: 1

Total SCH 16

Second Semester

ENG 231 - LITERATURE AS LIFE Credits: 3
FS 233 - INTERMEDIATE FRENCH Credits: 3
OR
SP 233 - INTERMEDIATE SPANISH Credits: 3
OR
AR 233 - INTERMEDIATE ARABIC Credits: 3
* MASS 234 - REPORTING FOR NEW MEDIA Credits: 3
MASS 235 - INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC RELATIONS Credits: 3

Total SCH 12

Junior Year

First Semester

* MASS 330 - PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY FOR LEGACY & EMERGING MEDIA Credits: 3
* MASS 334 - FEATURE AND EDITORIAL WRITING Credits: 3
* MASS 335 - AUDIO RECORDING TECH Credits: 3
* MASS 337 - DATA-DRIVEN JOURNALISM Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3

Total SCH 15

Second Semester

* MASS 331 - INTRODUCTION TO VIDEO Credits: 3
* MASS 332 - MEDIA PRACTICUM Credits: 3
* MASS 336 - PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN Credits: 3
* MASS 338 - LAYOUT FOR PUBLICATIONS Credits: 3
Mass Comm Elective Credits: 3

Total SCH 15

Senior Year

First Semester

* MASS 431 - DIGITAL IMAGING Credits: 3
MASS 434M - PRODUCTION BROADCAST Credits: 3
MASS 435 - SPECIAL TOPICS IN MASS COMM Credits: 3
* MASS 436 - RESEARCH METHODS IN MASS COMMUNICATION Credits: 3
* MASS 437 - MEDIA LAW AND ETHICS Credits: 3

Academic Catalog

Mass Communication, B.A.

Mission

DSLR Camera Requirement

Service-Learning

Freshman Year

First Semester

Total SCH 17

Second Semester

Total SCH 14

Sophomore Year

First Semester

Total SCH 16

Second Semester

Total SCH 12

Junior Year

First Semester

Total SCH 15

Second Semester

Total SCH 15

Senior Year

First Semester

Total SCH 15

Second Semester

Total SCH 16

Total SCH 120

SCH in Major 42