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Communication (Media) - Associate in Arts (614)

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.

Click here for career information: https://www.svcc.edu/academics/programs/individual/614.html

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.

Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College
Academic Advising, 815/835-6354
Thomas Irish, Assistant Professor of English, 815/835-6394
Patricia Fulfs, Professor of Communication, 815/835-6224

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

Follow this link for career information.

Total Hours Required - 66 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)

  A basic course in essay writing with emphasis on exposition, ENG 101 stresses knowledge and application of the rhetorical modes. ENG 101 presupposes competence in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Prerequisite: ACT standard score in English of 22 or above; required scores on the current English placement test, or grade of C or higher in ELA 099. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C1 900 Semester hour(s): 3 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• FYE101 - First Year Experience ( 1 Semester Hours)

  This course is designed to facilitate the self-development of the student, and introduce students to the expectations of the college community. This course reviews the academic skills that promote success during their college career. Topics will include, but not limited to, identifying campus/community resources, test-taking strategies, career exploration/decision making, problem solving, literacy, and critical thinking. Students will also learn strategies for taking personal responsibility for their academic and career choices. (Students in good standing (GPA of 2.0 or higher), who have accumulated 16 semester hours or more prior to enrolling as a degree seeking student at Sauk are not required to take this class). Semester hour(s): 1 Lecture/Lab Hours: 1 lec/week

Second Semester - 16 Hours

• *Electives/Foreign Language 4 Semester hour(s)
• **Personal Development 3 Semester hour(s)
• Social/Behavioral Science 3 Semester hour(s)

• 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. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C1 901R Semester hour(s): 3 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. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): MC 919 Semester hour(s): 3 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. Semester hour(s): 3 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. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): MC 920 Semester hour(s): 3 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. Semester hour(s): 3 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.
• *Art Photography courses also recommended (ART 103, ART 225).
• **Students are encouraged to take COM 161 to meet this requirement.
• ***One lab science required.