Nov 21, 2024  
2013-2014 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2013-2014 Undergraduate Bulletin [Archived Catalog]

Media and Public Communication (B.A.)


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Program: B.A.
Department of Communication
College of Arts and Sciences

Neff Hall 230 ~ 260-481-6825 ~ ipfw.edu/comm/


The student learning outcomes for the degree are as follows:

  • Be able to articulate the historical traditions of the discipline.
  • Be aware of and skillful in the use of new technologies relevant to the major.
  • Be able to explain communication concepts and theories relevant to the major.
  • Be able to explain, evaluate and apply the processes involved in productive conflict in the contexts (interpersonal, small group, organizational, mediated, public) relevant to the major.
  • Demonstrate awareness of diverse perspectives.
  • Be a competent reader, speaker, writer and listener.
  • Identify and analyze the interrelation among media economics and relevant institutions and agencies.
  • Critically analyze media and public communication.
  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of the terminology of mediated and public communication.
  • Identify and analyze the form, structure and techniques of mediated or public texts in their entirety, and consider how they function in a larger context.

The major in media and public communication offers theoretical, critical, and practical perspectives to help you navigate the changing communication environment of the 21st century. The courses in this major help you understand communication and media practices and adapt to new technologies. These courses provide concepts and skills that enable you to think and write critically about media and public communication in relation to society, culture, and everyday life. In addition, course areas are available that give you practical experience in message design, media production, and communication performance. Graduates of the program have careers in public information, media production, writing for media, management, sales, advertising, and public relations.

The Department of Communication offers a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal and organizational communication and a minor in media production for those students who want more courses in practical skills. Two courses in a major offered in the Department of Communication can also be counted in the required minor. If the minor is selected from an Arts and Sciences department, the courses may be used to satisfy distribution requirements in the college.

To earn the B.A. with a major in media and public communication, you must fulfill the requirements of IPFW (see Part 8 ), the College of Arts and Sciences (see Part 4 ), and the Department of Communication as listed below. You also must earn a minor in an appropriate discipline.

College of Arts and Sciences Requirements


English Writing


Foreign Language


  • Requirements in Arts and Sciences Part B Credits: 14

Distribution (not in COM)


  • Requirements in Arts and Sciences Part C Credits: 9

Cultural Studies


  • Requirements in Arts and Sciences Part D Credits: 6

Minor and Elective Courses


  • Credits in an approved minor (with grades of C or higher) Credits: 12–21

  • Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120.

Total Credits: 120


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