COMMUNICATION

Interdisciplinary Major or Minor - www.uwgb.edu/communication

OVERVIEW OF COMMUNICATION:
The Interdisciplinary program in Communication offers contemporary communication studies emphasizing comprehensive understanding of communication in traditional and new media and study in depth of particular forms of communication. Students come to understand how communication happens; how messages are put into visual and verbal codes; how messages are filtered through various media; how they are interpreted in different contexts; and how they construct those contexts.

Communication offers six areas of emphasis.

In Electronic Media, students need more than just knowledge of production techniques. Professional advancement requires skills in writing, editing, advertising, and sales, market and audience research, as well as knowledge of new media and their impact upon society and culture.
Students in Linguistics integrate a strong background in language structure and variation with substantial preparation in foreign language and cross-cultural studies and education, to prepare for advanced studies at the graduate level.
Students in Organizational Communication develop basic communication skills needed in organizations, such as speaking, interviewing, and discussion skills. They also learn about sources of communication problems in organizations, apply strategies for discovering and solving these problems, and build an understanding of current theories of organizational communication.
Photography students come to understand photography as a problem solving process combining imagination, intuition, critical analysis, and mastery of tools and materials, including traditional photographic means and new digital and electronic imaging systems. The integration of theoretical concepts and practical experience prepares students for diverse applications of photography.
In Print Journalism , students must have writing skill, the ability to dig, a concern for people, a strong sense of autonomy, and an abiding interest in public affairs, including their cultural, social, economic, and political contexts. Good journalists develop these qualities through this program and a thorough liberal arts education.
Students in Public Relations complete requirements which reflect the demand for graduates who can write well, are fully acquainted with the wide range of available modes of communication (graphics, print media, electronic media, oral discourse, and their many combinations), and are particularly skillful in at least one of them.

WHO SHOULD HAVE THIS MAJOR:

Though a minor is not required for this major, students might find that one of the following minors is useful in their career aspirations: Business Administration, Information Sciences, and Public and Environmental Affairs. Other plans suited to individual goals are available.
Before being admitted to the communication processes major, a student must earn a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 based on completion of 30 degree credits. Students not meeting the GPA minimum may contact their faculty adviser for information on appeal procedures.
A brochure containing valuable information on this major is available in the Communication office (MAC 310C) that allows students to assess their compatibility with the program.

WHAT'S UNIQUE ABOUT THIS MAJOR AT UWGB :

Internships in communication processes provide qualified students in all the areas above opportunities for faculty-supervised experience in professional settings outside the classroom.
In addition, several communication processes courses involve students in research projects in the community.
Many courses involve case studies focused on solving "real-world" problems.

SKILLS & ABILITIES GAINED WITH THIS MAJOR :

Speaking effectively to groups, facilitating meetings, and leading brainstorming sessions.
Adapting communication styles to different people and situations, analyzing personality types, analyzing audiences, and researching markets and consumers for interpersonal communication and media contexts.
Analyzing communication practices.
Creating advertising campaigns, creating and manipulating visual images, preparing publications, and preparing written reports and proposals.
Understanding and using new technologies.

WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THIS MAJOR :
The communications field perhaps opens more doors than any other major. Not only is there a diverse range of careers that you can enter into with the Communication major, but it also acts as a great stepping stone to enter graduate school!

The following list represents a few of the kinds of career titles for Communication majors:

Electronic Media- Art directors, Commercial and graphic artists, Copy chiefs, Copywriters, Editors, Lobbyists, Marketing research analysts, Public relations specialists, Promotion specialists, Sales representatives, and Technical writers.
English as a Second Language- Teacher, Translator, Foreign Service Officer, Bilingual Educator, Foreign Language Teacher, Foreign Correspondents, Immigration & Customs Inspectors, Librarian, Missionaries, Peace Corps Volunteers, Textbook Publishers, Tour Guides
Organizational Communication- Account Executive, Advertising Manager, Consumer Affairs Specialist, Corporate Communications Director, Customer Service Representative, Hospitality Manger, Human Resources Administrator, Industrial & Labor Relations Specialist, Management Analyst, Mediator, Presenter, Public Relations Specialist, Recruiter
Photography- Photographers, Photojournalist, Camera operators, Illustrators, Designers, Painters, Sculptors, Graphic Artist, Directors, and Editors.
Print Journalism- Reporters and correspondents, Technical writers, Advertising copy writers, Public relations workers, Educational writers, Fiction writers, Biographers, Screen writers, and Editors.
Public Relations- Corporate trainer, Team leader, Organizational development manager, Sales and sales training, Employment coordinator, Communication specialist, Marketing, Human resources, Customer service, Fundraisers, Lobbyists, Promotion managers, Advertising managers, Community relations.

The following list represents a few of the kinds of businesses and institutions that employ Communication majors:

News reporting, Photojournalism, Broadcast journalism, Photographic illustration, Television production, Printing and publications, Advertising, Sales and marketing, Management consulting, Teaching English as a second language in public schools and universities, Technical writing and editing, Public relations, and government service, as well as graduate study in photography, theoretical and applied linguistics, information science, library science, and telecommunications

Want to know more about the nature of the work, working conditions, earnings, training, and job outlook? Then check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook @ http://stats.bls.gov/ocohome.htm

LINKS TO GRAD PROGRAMS:

Graduate School Guide. The comprehensive on-line guide to doctoral, masters, and professional programs. http://www.schoolguides.com
Gradschools.com. The most comprehensive online source of Graduate School Information. http://www.gradschools.com/
Peterson’s.com. The most comprehensive and heavily traveled education resource on the web. http://www.petersons.com/
Or you can try any of the following search engine sites for information on the graduate school program of your choice! http://www.yahoo.com, http://www.infoseek.com, or http://www.snap.com

LINKS TO WEB SITES FOR MORE INFORMATION:

American Communication Association. Enhances and promotes the study, research, knowledge, criticism, teaching, exchange, and application of human communication. Homepage @ http://www.americancomm.org/
National Communication Association. A not-for-profit organization with a mission to promote study, criticism, research, teaching, and application of the artistic, humanistic, and scientific principles of communication. Homepage @ http://www.natcom.org/
International Communication Association. Homepage @ http://www.icahdq.org
Public Relations Society of America . World's largest organization for public relations professionals. Homepage @ http://www.prsa.org/
Federal Communications Commission. Encourages competition in all communications markets and to protect the public interest. Homepage @ http://www.fcc.gov/
American Journalism Review. A magazine that critiques and reports on the media. Homepage @ http://www.ajr.org/
Advertising Age. The preeminent source of marketing, advertising and media news, information and analysis. Homepage @ http://adage.com/
Writers Guild of America. Represents professional writers who have created your favorite movies, television shows and many of your favorite interactive games. Homepage @ http://www.wga.org/
National Press Photographers Association. An organization dedicated to the advancement photographic journalism. Homepage @ http://www.nppa.org/

LINKS FOR MORE HELP:

For course listings and descriptions for COMMUNICATION and other disciplines, check out UW-Green Bay’s Programs of Study page @ http://www.uwgb.edu/catalog/undrgrad/programs.htm
More help is available on-campus at the Career Services Office at SS 1600, 465-2163. Homepage @ http://www.uwgb.edu/careers
Contact Academic Advising at SS 1600, 465-2362. Homepage @ http://www.uwgb.edu/advising
Another service for UW System students on the Web is UW HELP On-Line. This service provides in-depth information on the programs of the UW System. You can find them at @ http://www.uwhelp.wisconsin.edu

Revised 3/10