Communication Studies
Communication Studies Major
The B.A. in Communication Studies at Dominican University New York is a broad based liberal arts program balancing theory and practice. It prepares students to be effective communicators, ethical leaders, and innovative media practitioners. The course work assists students in developing competencies of critical thinking, problem solving, media and message design, presentations, relational interaction, and cultural communication. All courses used to fulfill requirements for the CS major must be a grade of "C" or higher. Successful completion of CS 111 is a prerequisite to enter this major.
The program offers a choice of two tracks (15 credits each):
Media Communication: including, but not limited to, Introduction to Mass Communication, New Media, Digital Media, Visual Communi-cation, Computer Mediated Communication, Documentary Film, Freedom of the Press, Critical Analysis of the Media, Writing for the Media, Freedom of the Press, Creation, and Sex, Pop Culture and the Media.
Organizational Communication and Leadership: including, but not limited to, Business Communications, Business in Action: Communi-cation and Management, Global Communication, Public Relations, Communicating Change, Crisis Communication, Social Media Mar-keting, Organizational Communication, and Leadership.
All courses used to fulfill requirements for the CS major must be a grade of "C" or higher.
Lambda Pi Eta Communications Honor Society
Alpha Gamma Pi is Dominican University New York’s chapter of Lambda Phi Eta, the honor society of the National Communication Association. The purpose of Lambda Phi Eta is to: (1) recognize the outstanding scholastic achievement of Dominican University New York’s Communication Studies students; (2) stimulate interest in the field of communication; (3) promote and encourage professional development among its network of over 600 national chapters.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for membership in Lambda Pi Eta, students must meet all of the following requirements:
- at least 60 hours of college credit
- at least 12 hours in Communication Studies courses
- an overall GPA of at least 3.0
- a GPA of at least 3.25 in Communication Studies courses
- exhibit high standards of personal and professional character
Communication Studies Minor
The minor in Communication Studies provides a broad-based academic experience that supports other programs at the University. Regardless of a student’s academic major, the courses for this minor are designed to help students to understand, examine, and function in, the Information Age.
Please note that there are Communication courses cross-listed in Busi-ness and Management as well as interdepartmental courses students may take to fulfill the requirements. Specific courses in English, Criminal Justice, Fine Arts, and Marketing may be options used to fulfill elective requirements.
Degrees and Certificates
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Communication Studies: Media Track, B.A. -
Communication Studies: Organizational Leadership Track, B.A. -
Communication Studies, Minor
Courses
CS 112: Effective Business Communications: Writing and Speaking
Credits 3CS 200: Business in Action: Communication, Marketing, Management
Credits 3In this course, students will have the opportunity to view the dynamics of business through visits to several organizations in various industries. Through assigned readings and projects, students will reflect on their experiences and gain insights into the roles that finance, marketing, and management play in any business organization. (Students must be able to make all field trips to obtain credit for this course).
CS 221: Persuasion and Argumentation
Credits 3CS 222: Interpersonal Communication
Credits 3CS 223: Introduction to Mass Communication
Credits 3CS 225: Introduction to New Media
Credits 3CS 227: Documentary Film
Credits 3CS 229: Digital Media
Credits 3Designed to expose students to the practices and techniques for creating digital media. Students will create digital media for print, mobile apps, and the Internet following design theories. Advertising concepts with photography will be introduced using Adobe Photoshop, digital drawing and illustration advertising concepts will be introduced using Adobe Illustrator, and magazine design concepts will be introduced using Adobe InDesign.
CS 231: Writing for the Media
Credits 3CS 232: Computer Mediated Communication
Credits 3CS 233: Visual Communication
Credits 3CS 266: Global Communication
Credits 3CS 275: Communication, Language, and Power
Credits 3CS 300: Messages of War: Propaganda in 20th Century Conflict
Credits 3CS 310: Social Media Marketing
Credits 3CS 311: Sexualization, Pop Culture, and the Media
Credits 3CS 320: Opinion Shaping and Propaganda
Credits 3Media portrayals and propaganda both reflect and help shape social, political, and cultural attitudes. In this course, students will explore—through the lenses of a number of value systems and analysis of news, marketing, and entertainment media—how media influences public views, constructs collective memory, and shapes national identities. The course encourages students to critically evaluate how media portrayals—shaped by political, social, and economic factors—affect their understanding of truth, cultural frameworks, and beliefs.
CS 325: Introduction to Communication Theory
Credits 3CS 350: Content Creation
Credits 3This course will focus on the creative aspects of content creation and how content is the driver of all marketing and sales campaigns. Students will use basic software packages and digital tools to create a portfolio of content - from product pitches to PR to blogs.
CS 373: Leadership, Power and Influence
Credits 3This course is designed to help students understand the dynamics of leadership, power, influence, and political forces within an organization. The purpose is to maximize job performance and enhance the process of career development.
CS 400: Crisis Communication
Credits 3CS 440: Critical Analysis of the Media
Credits 3CS 441: Introduction to Journalism I
Credits 3CS 442: Introduction to Journalism II
Credits 3CS 443: Public Relations
Credits 3CS 444: Freedom of the Press
Credits 3CS 445: Crime, Justice, and the Media
Credits 3The purpose of this course is to examine how the media portray violence and crime, influence crime policy, and impact public perceptions of crime and victimization. The course evaluates: the ways that media construct crime and criminals; the portrayal of crime and violence in television dramas and film; and media representations as cause, consequence, and cure for crime.