Overview

Jack Rosenberry, Chair

Douglas Bicket, Mary Loporcaro, Miri Pardo, Thomas Proietti, Kyle F. Reinson, Jeremy Sarachan, Todd Sodano, Lauren A. Vicker

St. John Fisher College’s Communication/Journalism program features a hands-on curriculum based in convergent media that educates students to become communication professionals in a rapidly changing world.

The program combines communication theory with practical experience as students learn how to create messages in a variety of forms and also study how the media have affected the history and development of society. Students learn how to research and write effectively across various media platforms; how to produce messages using multimedia skills; and how to prepare and deliver effective oral presentations as preparation for a wide variety of careers.

For students who are interested in traditional careers such as radio and television broadcasting, print and online news, or public relations and advertising work, Fisher offers outstanding preparation. Every major broadcast station and newspaper in Rochester has recent Fisher C/J graduates working as news reporters, copy editors, sports writers, anchors, producers, sales representatives, and promotions executives. Advertising and public relations agencies, corporations, hospitals, colleges, and non-profit organizations in Rochester and around the country have recent Fisher C/J graduates working as account executives, copy writers, sports information specialists, special events coordinators, and communication specialists.

But the contemporary world has many job prospects for Communication/Journalism graduates that go well beyond these traditional careers. Some recent graduates are working in local, regional and national organizations using their skills in social media management, digital media production, and Web-based presentation. Fisher’s C/J program has kept pace with the developing digital environment to prepare students for this exciting new work as well as the more traditional jobs.

Outside of the classroom, Communication/Journalism students build their skills with a wide range of extracurricular and co-curricular activities including the award-winning Cardinal Courier, our campus newspaper and online news site; Cardinal Television, an on-campus closed-circuit broadcast station; Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA); PRIMA Connections (a student-run marketing communications firm); and Lambda Pi Eta, a national speech communication honor society.

Another important part of the Communication/Journalism major is the internship experience. The department has one of the largest, most active, and most effective internship programs in the region. Fisher interns are placed at local television and radio stations, newspapers, public relations firms, advertising agencies, corporations, and non-profit public service organizations. Internships allow students to gain valuable experience and build a portfolio, while making contact with leading professionals.

Students may double-major by combining Communication/Journalism with another academic discipline or elect to have a minor in Communication/Journalism. Such pairings can open the door to communications careers in specialized fields.

Transfer students are welcome and are easily acclimated to the department and the program.

The major in Communication/Journalism leads to a B.A. degree.

The Washington Experience: Fisher Semester in Washington

Communication/Journalism majors may take advantage of The Washington Experience, a semester in Washington, D.C. Please refer to The Washington Experience for details.

Minor

Communication/Journalism Minor Requirements

The Communication/Journalism Department offers four different minors, one that is general with a flexible approach similar to the major, and three that are more specifically tailored toward career interests in journalism, strategic communication, and video production. All of the minors are 18 credits.

Minor in General Communication

Note: Only one course applied to a student’s major may also be used to satisfy a requirement in the General Communication minor. A grade point average of 2.00 is required of courses taken in residence in the minor.

Minor in Journalism

Note: Only one course applied to a student’s major may also be used to satisfy a requirement in the Journalism minor. A grade point average of 2.00 is required of courses taken in residence in the minor.

Minor in Strategic Communication

*Students who take both COMM 253 and MKTG 221 as major requirements toward Accounting, Corporate Finance, Human Resources, Management, Marketing, or Sport Management programs may apply only one course toward the Strategic Communications minor.

**At least one of these courses must be among the selections in this grouping.

Note: Only one course applied to a student’s major may also be used to satisfy a requirement in the Strategic Communication minor. A grade point average of 2.00 is required of courses taken in residence in the minor.

Minor in Video Production

*Students must choose one of these two courses in order to satisfy this area.

Note: Only one course applied to a student’s major may also be used to satisfy a requirement in the Video Production minor. A grade point average of 2.00 is required of courses taken in residence in the minor.

Program Requirements

Communication/Journalism Major Requirements

The Communication/Journalism major at Fisher has a liberal arts focus plus major requirements that provide depth and flexibility. The program is writing-based, yet also requires students to develop skills in oral communication, critical thinking/critical analysis, and proficiency with emerging digital technology. A flexible curriculum allows students to tailor their programs closely to their interests.

Program requirements include a departmental “core” of three academic courses and a 1-credit career exploration seminar, along with area-selection courses that address oral presentation skills, visual production skills, and media operations/impacts from a variety of perspectives as follows:

*After the particular area requirement is met from among listed courses, other courses in that area may be taken as electives.

For students majoring in Communication/Journalism, all courses designated as communication (COMM) that may be applied to the major are included in the determination of the grade point average in the major. At least one half of the courses applied to the C/J major—a minimum of six courses—must be taken in residence at St. John Fisher College.

Even though all Communication majors are encouraged to enroll in experiential coursework, transfer students who apply four to six transfer courses toward major requirements are strongly recommended to complete their remaining COMM courses at Fisher and may NOT apply COMM 314 Newspaper Practicum or any coursework numbered 490 or above to their major requirements.

Other Experiences

Students also should participate in campus organizations that relate to their career interests and, where appropriate, develop a professional portfolio. Students who plan to study abroad should consult with the department chair prior to completing their planned course selections. Generally, C/J majors may take no more than two electives toward the major during their study-abroad semester.

Recommended Progression

B.A. Communication/Journalism

Recommended progression of courses required for a B.A. Communication/Journalism major. Students should consult Core Requirements for a complete description of the College’s Core.

*It is strongly suggested that students choose a for-credit internship (COMM490) as one of the required six electives in the program; however completing an Internship is not mandatory.